On Taipei's nightlife map, Shida and Gongguan are the undervalued block — not glamorous, but the only zone where a thin wallet buys a complete night.
Shida: market feeds, lanes seat
The market is compact but dense — salted chicken, scallion pancakes, braised snacks under NT$200 a round. Then slip into the Wenzhou St lanes, where late cafés and pocket bars hide in apartment ground floors: NT$300-ish for Taipei's cheapest 'sitting with taste'.
Gongguan: supper density and the riverside
Around Shuiyuan Market and Tingzhou Rd, supper stalls and budget stir-fry run deep into the night. Then take a YouBike up the riverside path — the night ride to Yongfu Bridge costs nothing and out-talks any bar.
The NT$500 ledger
Market dinner 150, drink 100, lane bar 300 cap, supper 150 — a complete night at one Dongqu round's price.
The upgrade line
Three stops east, the Da'an bar list waits with mid-range rooms; wind down via massage and the district guide. Whatever you save, don't save on the ride home after drinks.