MIDNITE HOUR - August 2008 - bangkokeyes.com

In February of this year Midnight Hour made an exploratory report on Trendy Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 13. At that time, we observed that there were a couple of Night Entertainment Venues that had relocated from the then recently defunct Sukhumvit 1 Plaza. We thought this month would be an appropriate time for an update.

We had surmised, and were hoping that Trendy Plaza would develop into the next Night Entertainment Area here in Sin City. On this month's survey, we did note that there have been some recent additions; notably one new Pool Bar and one new all-purpose massage parlor.

The first Nite Venue to come on line since our last visit was the Lan Po Relax Massage, which offers such interesting massages as the "One Hour Before Flight" massage, and other similar variations. This is obviously directed at the adjacent Ambassador Hotel patrons. The Lan Po offers 24/7 service. (As does the local McDonalds, for that matter.) Hey, if they can operate around the clock, why not the Thermae Coffee Shop - as in times past? Why not other Nitespots ?

Next to come on line was Pool 13 Pool Bar. Although construction actually started some time before the massage parlor came on line, progress was slow. On our visit this week -long after midnight- we noted that they still had a good number of patrons.

Oasis 2 was the first - should Trendy Plaza ever become a self-sustaining Nitespot Area, the Oasis would be dubbed the 'seminal bar'.

- File photo

By way of review, we have included our file photos of Oasis 2 and The Sport Bar, both of whom are still holding their own. This brings the grand total of Night Entertainment Venues at Trendy Plaza to four. Trendy Plaza is still quite far from becoming a self-sustaining Night Entertainment Area; probably requiring from 6 to 10 additional venues to reach "'critical mass'".

- File photo

We also note that Trendy Plaza still has a large number of unleased shop spaces. It is still entirely possible that it could become a self-sufficient Nitespot Area in the not-so-distant future. We will continue to monitor the progress and update all from time to time.

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To Mention In Passing....

GEORGE PIPAS

Many mutual friends have noted the recent passing of George Pipas in Bangkok. 'Generous George' helmed the Texas Lone Staar Saloon for more years than we can count. George gave the Texas Lone Staar Saloon it's own special flavor - it's "regulars" were, and are, a fiercely faithful bunch. The Texas Lone Staar Saloon, under George's guiding hand, frequently hosted book signings for budding and established authors, and occasionally provided the venue for a passing musical entertainment group - not to mention the not-infrequent 'free feeds' on holidays and birthdays. George was part of the fabric, missed by his many friends. Although the Texas Lone Staar Saloon origins are derivative of the Texxan which moved into Washington Square from Patpong I in the 80's, it's direct lineage reverts back to the old Saddle Rack.

George Pipas ? - 2008

George Pipas' photo courtesy Christopher G Moore

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- In the LAND OF SMILES -

This month's "Thai Smile" brightens the door of The Strip on Patpong II.

? Old
BANGKOK NIGHT SCENE
PHOTOS ?

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Bangkok's Nightlife ?

Please CLICK HERE and send to us for publication.

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William R Morledge

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Historical Minutiae Dept.

ASK US (ALMOST) ANYTHING

Buckskin Joe ?

TOBACCO ROAD & THE FATES

- File photo

Hello Boge,

I am returning to Bangkok to work again after a year's absence. I noticed that the beer bars we used to call Buckskin Joe have all been torn down. Do you know if my favorite pool bar, the Classic Bar moved away, or is it closed for good? I would like to track them down if possible.

L S
Jakarta

Greetings, L. S.

Are you sure you have only been gone for a year? That Night Entertainment Area hasn't been called Buckskin Joe (Village) for for years. It was most recently "Soi Zero", and closed two years ago, on 9 June 2006, when the primary land lessee's lease ran out. See our full report at this <link>.

But to answer your question, the Classic Bar Beer moved across the street to the Sukhumvit 1 Plaza (which is also now defunct). Unfortunately, we do not know if the Classic survived this second closure, - somehow, we doubt it.

Best,
'Boge' Hartman

? ASK US (ALMOST) ANYTHING !

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	We can answer virtually any (reasonable) question on the Expat Night Entertainment Scene in Bangkok - be it Historical or very recent. Send us an e-mail and we will do our best to answer you soonest.
'Boge' Hartman Historical Research

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Let the August 2008 Follies begin...
BANKOK EYES' Expat Night Scene.

PATPONG I
MAP

Twilo Live had a rocking band last weekend - by anyone's standards of rock 'n roll. Is it any wonder that this format of Night Entertainment Venue is becoming more popular. Keep on keeping on.

PATPONG I

PATPONG II
MAP

The lovely PR girl from The Strip helps a passer-by with directions. Gotta' hand it to The Strip - they have more and better action than other places on the Patpongs - if our subjective opinion means anything.... Let the good times roll.

- Photo with permission.

PATPONG II

As anticipated last month in this column, the French Kiss Pub & Restaurant have completed their renovations and rolled out the red carpet all over again. History buffs note the opening date on their sign; 1986. They have been under the same (French don't you know?) management since that time. The owner graciously allowed us to take some interior photos, which we hope to put up at a later date. Welcome them back to the same-old same-old.

PATPONG II

SOI COWBOY
MAP

If you are wondering where the Moonshine Joint went, the answer is, "Nowhere". They are in the middle of a major renovation and should be finished in a week or so. When completed, they will be a full-on A Go-Go, no messing around. And, yes, they are still open during renovations.

SOI COWBOY

Door Art Of The Month
Award

A long time in coming, the Apache Coyote Bar has hung out it's neon shingle for all the world to see. Starting out as the Apache, they changed to Coyote in August of last year, only to run afoul of the Sign Gestapos. As "Apache Coyote Bar", they seem to have found the middle-path solution. As they didn't close during renovations, format remains unchanged. The only thing we can't forgive them for is they took the two Apache Indian Maids off the eves and put them up for sale on eBay....

SOI COWBOY

NANA PLAZA
MAP

Another shot of Nana Entertainment Plaza for our archives - this time looking up the stairway on the left as you walk in.

NANA PLAZA

A major make-over of what was once the The Big Mango Bar (closed in October of last year) is under way - we can see activity on all three levels - we should see some new occupants in a month or so....

NANA PLAZA

SOI KATOEY
MAP

Last month we noted that the Nursery Bar would, or should, open sometime right around the beginning of July 08 - and it came in on time and under budget. They immediately got with the program and got some tables and chairs out on the street where they would do the most good (Soi Katoey being a dead-end lane with no vehicular traffic at night.) Welcome them to the neon machine.

SOI KATOEY

SOI DEAD ARTISTS
MAP

The Oshare has done a seppuku in the night, with nary a sayonara to anyone. But the Hanazono lost no time in picking up the lease. Orientation oriental, as you might expect. Welcome them to the Big Uphill.

- Photos with permission.

SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33

The Hang Out has answered Darwin's harsh call - the door solidly padlocked to it's frame, and a friendly mutt asleep on it's doorstep. Word on the street is that there is a new owner (lessee) on the way in. Let's wait and see....

The sudden closure of the Hang Out and the sudden appearance in the window of the now familiar notice on the evils of drugs are probably not a coincidence. Shake it, don't break it, gang.... We'll keep an eyeball peeled and let you know if this is going to be a permanent closure, or if they will only be tied to the whipping post for a month or two....

SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33

WASHINGTON SQUARE
MAP

The Plearn Karaoke has closed yet again. But this time it is a little different - there are massive renovations underway - indicating not only will they not be going away, but that they have invested in a future (a brave move in light of the rumors on closure of Washington Square next year.)

- File photo

WASHINGTON SQUARE

QUEEN'S PARK PLAZA
MAP

The marquee in front of the Queen's Park Plaza is hardly an accurate reflection of the venues within. However, it does, by virtue of not having been updated, provide a rather interesting history of Night Entertainment Venues of times gone by.

QUEEN'S PARK PLAZA - SOI 22

SOI EDEN
MAP

It's been a while since we have seen any growth on Soi Eden so we were surprised to see the brand-new neon of the Dream Heaven Massage all aglow this month. And yes, this is the sister to the like-named massage parlor on Soi Dead Artist (Soi 33). And, yes, it is a steam-and-cream specialty massage. Welcome them to the neon night circus.

SOI EDEN - SOI 7/1 SUKHUMVIT

SOI TWILIGHT
MAP

Some time during the month of July, the Fresh Boy X tanked. Popping up in it's place is the Siam Angel Boy. This is, as surmised by all but the newly arrived, yet another gay bar on an almost entirely gay soi. Wish them well as they step into the firing line.

SOI TWILIGHT

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15 Years Ago Today

A PAGE FROM BANGKOK's NIGHTSCENE HISTORY
JULY-AUGUST 1993

By popular request, Bangkok Eyes jumps back in time 15 years to have a look at who was new - and who was through. We'll be willing to bet that many of you "Old Bangkok Hands" will be reminded of some bars you'd almost forgotten about. (We also will be willing to bet you WON'T EVEN REMEMBER an even greater number....)

The Pink Lady Bar reopened after a one-month closure. It was reputedly a "rip-off" bar, and was located upstairs between what is today the Thigh Bar and the recently closed Pen & House (Pent House). (Note: Although the Pink Lady Bar is no longer there today, those premises are now (Aug 08) being used by an unnamed venue - again, tout-driven, so not recommended.)

PATPONG I - JULY-AUGUST 1993

The Thigh Bar, which took to calling itself the New Thigh Bar only a month previously, put up more new neon this time around reading; "Sawasdee Bar". The Thigh Bar went through additional name changes, however it is still there today as : Thigh Bar.

PATPONG I - JULY-AUGUST 1993

The Classic Music Lounge replaced the My Heart Cocktail Lounge up on The Ramp. (Update; After other changes, this location is currently 'home' to The Rock.)