The Public House and FUTURA by TPH: Wu Shuwei on bartending, creativity and running a bar

In Taipei nightlife, The Public House and FUTURA by TPH, co-founded by nine friends who have known each other for nearly ten years, have become regular spots for many people to visit in recent years. Wu Shuwei, one of the co-founders, studied French at university. He originally applied for an front-of-house position at a restaurant on Shida Road with the mentality of practicing French, but unexpectedly entered the restaurant industry, and gradually discovered his love for bartending while working at the bar.

How does French language training affect bartending aesthetics?

According to Wu Shuwei, the biggest gain from the French Department is not the language itself, but the cultivation of aesthetics. At that time, classes often arranged to watch a large number of French films and literary works to train students to understand the creative context and learn how to evaluate an object. This keen observation of details will later become an important nutrient for him when managing the bar space and flavor design.

What is the difference between the positioning of The Public House and FUTURA by TPH?

The Public House, established in 2020, takes a retro and popular route, emphasizing a lively atmosphere that allows people to easily blend in. Wu Shuwei said that the core value provided by this store is "security" rather than the pursuit of amazing every drink. The team chose to keep the bartending at an average preference range of about 80%, because most of the customers who come to the store come to enjoy the established music, lighting and social atmosphere, rather than to listen to the bartender telling stories cup by cup.

In contrast, FUTURA by TPH, established in 2024, is a work of "personal creative interests" injected after the team entered its third or fourth year of operation. This store injects more modern and trendy aesthetics, and the space design and mixology present a minimalist, neat but smooth texture. Bartending here is not just about drinks, but an extension of aesthetic thinking. Although the bar team does not deliberately show off their skills, according to their statement, as long as the guests take the initiative to ask, they can provide high-level professional answers.

What institutional support is needed to run a bar?

Wu Shuwei pointed out that the outside world often has a romantic imagination about opening a bar, mistakenly thinking that every day is just about bartending, making friends, and enjoying a tipsy nightlife. However, in fact, the restaurant industry is a highly repetitive and physically demanding job. Cleaning, preparing materials, and moving are all necessary steps before opening a store. Without a healthy body and mental state, no matter how much enthusiasm you have, it will easily be worn away by high-intensity night work.

To this end, the team has established clear standard operating procedures, a clear allocation of responsibilities and a shift system, and continues to pay attention to the mental health and vacation quality of members. In Wu Shuwei's view, the atmosphere of the space must be supported by a rational management framework. Only by taking good care of the team can each partner welcome guests in the fullest state when night falls.

What do the two stores want to leave to Taipei?

For Wu Shuwei and the entire founding team, business has never been about chasing short-term popularity or blindly following market trends. Nine friends who have known each other for many years started a business together, and now they have developed two spaces with distinctive styles. The Public House is deeply rooted in the people's hearts with its sense of retro and high-quality security, while FUTURA by TPH meets the needs of exquisite taste with its modern and avant-garde aesthetic.

What the team hopes to leave to this city is not a glass of mythologised cocktail or a momentary topic, but when night falls and you walk into the store, you will feel a sense of peace of mind that allows you to completely relax and go back again and again.