Alleyway Cafés / Psychedelic Visual Experiences – A Dreamland for Independent Creators

By Lai Yan-Ru

Tired of the hustle and bustle of main streets? Turn into a quiet alley instead. Here, you’ll find small bookstores, general stores, and charming cafés and teahouses... The idol drama “Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf,” produced by Dreamland Cultural Production, collaborated with 15 Taipei alleyway shops for the “Little Red Riding Hood Visits Neighbors” promotional event. Each shop has its own unique charm, making them worth exploring.


▲ “26th Lane · Somebody Cafe” is filled with fantastical paintings by Zhang Fanshuan. (Photo provided by Dreamland Cultural Production)

This place is magical. The walls are adorned with whimsical black-and-white line drawings reminiscent of children’s artwork. At “26th Lane · Somebody Cafe” on Taipei’s Ximending Tattoo Street, the walls, ceilings, and even the chairs, cushions, and tables are infused with playful style, creating a surreal space full of delightful visual surprises.

All the visuals and installations in the space are the works of artist Zhang Fanshuan. She and her brother Zhang Xiluo were both working hard in their respective careers but simultaneously hit bottlenecks. So they decided to combine his media experience with her creative talents and open a studio together.

“Soon after opening the studio, we realized the income couldn’t cover the rent for the space.” To reduce the rent burden, they decided to turn the third floor into a café. “We even took various food and beverage management courses to prepare for opening this coffee shop,” Zhang Xiluo said with a laugh.

“26th Lane” is a vibrant café that frequently hosts various art and cultural events for independent creators. Zhang Xiluo said he noticed how isolated creators can feel through his sister, which inspired him to do something for emerging performers and artists. “Many creators struggle to express themselves or market their work, and the resulting vicious cycle ends up draining their passion.”

 
▲ Enlarged elementary school desks and chairs—do they bring back childhood memories for you? (Photo provided by Dreamland Cultural Production)

In addition to providing a space, Zhang Xiluo also helps art groups with branding and marketing. “Luckily, doing this has also increased the visibility of the ‘26th Lane’ brand and space.” On the day of the interview, six tourists from Malaysia visited the café after learning that a singer from their country had performed at “26th Lane.”

Were there ever any disagreements in the collaboration with your sister? Zhang Xiluo said arguments are inevitable, but family ties are unbreakable. “It’s also because of my sister’s vision and perseverance that 26th Lane has become what it is today.” Starting with Zhang Fanshuan’s works, “26th Lane” continues to tell stories with Taiwan’s independent creators, acting as gardeners for artistic dreams.


▲ Sitting in the café feels like being in a fairy tale wonderland. (Photo provided by Dreamland Cultural Production)

[26th Lane · Somebody Cafe]
Phone: 02-23112371
Address: 2nd–3rd Floor, No. 131, Xining South Road, Wanhua District, Taipei City 108, Taiwan