Pick up the latest guide to the city, usually at any major hotel. This will explain the latest trends in hot spots as well as outline the tried and true.
Choose the type of establishments you wish to hang out in. There are bar/pubs which are fairly traditional as their name implies. There are nightclubs, think DJ, disco, club scene. Taipei also has its share of Jazz/Blues Bars.
Find the locale in which you would like to start. The Da An (or Ta An) district is fairly upscale. The Shi Da neighborhood is closer to the university and attracts a younger crowd. The Sung Shan district is a good mix of many different bars, karaoke, and hostess bars. It is close the financial district.
Join the happy hour crowd to catch the local folks unwinding at the end of their day.
Break for a meal. There is no shortage of restaurants or just see what the bar has to offer.
Jump back in to see the late night crowd getting rev'd up. Taipei is a late night city and some places don't get busy until midnight or so. Pace yourself to keep up. This is the one area where jet lag works in your favor, at least until the next morning.
