Burning Rock 'n' Roll Soul in an Ancient Qing Dynasty House – LOLA's Cold Drink Shop
Auto-TranslationWandering through the nostalgic charm of ancient artifacts, one can cozy up in a corner of an old residence and embrace delightful decay. Music, movies, vintage treasures, and bars come to life in Tainan's night, using rock as the key to unlock a fantastical journey.
Passing through the old city gate of Tainan, Duiyue Men, one steps onto the unraveled timeline of Xinyi Street, where residential homes, cafes, guesthouses, and art galleries are crammed into small houses of different eras. Hidden amidst them is "LOLA," a cold drink shop that slips by like the mysterious Platform 9¾ in the movie "Harry Potter," easily missed if one isn't paying attention.
The name "LOLA" derives from the titular song by the British rock band The Kinks, released in 1971, which tells the story of a boy falling in love with a transgender woman named Lola in a bar. Under the dim lights, they meet and dance, leading to an uncontrollable attraction. Opening the traditional wooden door of LOLA, one finds themselves in a Qing Dynasty house filled with the old rock sounds from the '60s and '70s—it evokes a somewhat similar feeling.
Owner Lin Wen-bin is no stranger to renovating old houses; his well-known bar Kinks by the railway and the Japanese-style coffeehouse "Xigu" on Kaishan Road are both his creations. After Kinks ceased operations due to land expropriation, LOLA continues the theme of music intertwined with old homes, though the musical style has shifted dramatically. "In my youth, I played heavy metal rock, but now I prefer soothing folk rock," Wen-bin shares.
The name "LOLA" derives from the titular song by the British rock band The Kinks, released in 1971, which tells the story of a boy falling in love with a transgender woman named Lola in a bar. Under the dim lights, they meet and dance, leading to an uncontrollable attraction. Opening the traditional wooden door of LOLA, one finds themselves in a Qing Dynasty house filled with the old rock sounds from the '60s and '70s—it evokes a somewhat similar feeling.
Owner Lin Wen-bin is no stranger to renovating old houses; his well-known bar Kinks by the railway and the Japanese-style coffeehouse "Xigu" on Kaishan Road are both his creations. After Kinks ceased operations due to land expropriation, LOLA continues the theme of music intertwined with old homes, though the musical style has shifted dramatically. "In my youth, I played heavy metal rock, but now I prefer soothing folk rock," Wen-bin shares.
Discover Taiwan's Hidden GemsUncover Taiwan's coziest cafés, must-try local dishes, or secret spots — journé will take you to the stories behind the streets, guided by locals and shop owners.
Read on map to find the best spots nearby!Explore highlights from 50+ top travel magazines, anytime, anywhere
Read on map to find the best spots nearby!Explore highlights from 50+ top travel magazines, anytime, anywhereScan on your phone to open this article
Discover Taiwan's Hidden GemsUncover Taiwan's coziest cafés, must-try local dishes, or secret spots — journé will take you to the stories behind the streets, guided by locals and shop owners.Read on map to find the best spots nearby!Explore highlights from 50+ top travel magazines, anytime, anywhere
Read on map to find the best spots nearby!Explore highlights from 50+ top travel magazines, anytime, anywhereScan on your phone to open this article
