When it comes to no-frills bars, I honestly cannot think of a place more no-frills than Star Cafe's rooftop setting atop the Park Lane by CMP mall. Metal and folding wooden chairs and simple tables for about 40 guests are scattered about on a completely undecorated open-air concrete space between a small covered wooden bar and chain-link fence separating this area from PiCKLE & CHiLL's two pickleball courts. These very simple surroundings are all part of this nightspot's appeal as a relaxing evening destination to enjoy drinks and snacks and take in the city lights, showing that fancy decorations and ambiance are certainly not always a must.
Open since September 2025, Star Cafe is connected to the adjacent Star Hostel Taichung Park Lane and pickleball courts. Like the setting, its selection of drinks and food is modest but hits all the right spots with classic and signature cocktails, beers, wine and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as some light food and dessert options. Manager and experienced bartender Kenn says that the menu's three signature cocktails (NT$360), like Onsen Water—a mix of Jagermeister, rum and tonic water—and Kaohsiung liquor-oolong tea combo Plum-Free, are especially popular. Not shown on the menu are 10 more signature cocktails.
The menu features seasonal cocktails—like an unnamed blend of fermented pineapple syrup and green tea rum—that bartenders can recommend according to flavor preferences. Various classic cocktails (NT$350-450) are offered, too.
There are several local craft beers (NT$220-230) from Ugly Half and Taiwan Head Brewery as well as mainstream beers like Asahi, plus house red/white wine by the bottle or glass, coffee, tea and soft drinks. During daily 5-8 p.m. happy hours, there are buy-2-get-1-free bottled beers and buy-1-get-1-free cocktails. In June, pizza and burgers are being added to existing assorted fried-food snack choices like Chicken Wings and Mozzarella Sticks.
Star Café periodically hosts special events, especially over holidays, including afternoon handicraft markets, DJ parties and a recent movie night. For those who want to mix some exercise with their drinking, the pickleball courts (4-10 p.m.) can be reserved in advance for two-hour sessions for NT$250-300, including NT$150 credit at the bar.
說到沒有花俏裝潢的酒吧，我實在想不到哪裡比位於 CMP mall 園區 Park Lane 頂樓的 Star Cafe 更加「樸實無華」。約可容納40人的露天空間裡，放放著金屬與摺疊木椅、簡單桌子，毫無裝飾的水泥地，介於一座小型木造吧檯與鐵絲網圍籬之間，而圍籬另一側則是 PiCKLE & CHiLL 的兩座D免球場。這種極簡甚至近乎粗獷的氛圍，反而成為了夜間聚點最迷人的特色之一。讓人於輕鬆自在的環境中，一邊小酌、一邊享用貼心與欣賞城市夜景，也再次證明了：有時候送人的酒吧，其實不需要華麗裝潢與刻意營造的氣圍感。
Star Cafe 於2025年9月開幕，與相鄰的誠星青年旅館、以及D免球場相互串連。如同空間風格，這裡的餐飲選項不算繁複，卻恰到好處，提供經典與特色調酒、啤酒、葡萄酒、無酒精飲品，以及一些輕食與甜點。店經理兼資深調酒師 Kenn 表示，菜單上的3款招牌調酒（360元），特別受歡迎，例如：結合野格利口酒、蘭姆酒與通寧水的「Onsen Water」，以及高雄搭配烏龍茶的「Plum-Free」。此外，店內還有10款
菜單上的季節限定調酒，像是以發酵鳳梨糖漿與綠茶蘭姆酒調製的無名特調，調酒師也會依據客人的口味喜好推薦，店內同時供應多款經典調酒（350-450元）。
酒單方面，除了Ugly Half與Taiwan Head Brewery的在地精釀啤酒（220-230元），也有Asahi等主流品牌啤酒，以及紅/白酒單杯或整瓶供應，另有咖啡、茶與軟性飲料。每日下午5-8點的Happy Hour時段，瓶裝啤酒享買二送一、調酒買一送一優惠。6月起，店內也將新增披薩與漢堡，搭配現有的炸物小點，例如雞翅與起司棒拉起可條。
Star Café也不定期舉辦特別活動，尤其在節慶期間，曾舉辦手作市集、DJ派對以及電影之夜等活動。若想把運動與小酌結合，現場兜球場（下午4時至晚上10時）也可事先預約，兩小時場地費為250-300元，並包含150元酒吧抵用金。