BANGKOK EYES PRESENTS -
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BANGKOK EYES PRESENTS -
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Since Soi Dead Artists Night Entertainment Area (Sukhumvit Soi 33) reached its peak in 2010, it has been in a continuous linear decline in terms of total numbers of Nitespots open to the public.
This file photo shows a number of bars that have already disappeared, or will soon disappear under the wrecking ball.
There are a number of reasons for this relatively rapid decline - and you can bet all reasons lead directly or indirectly back to money - 'when in doubt, follow the money', as they say. The first, and most direct reason is lease prices for the various venues have been continually rising. Property owners naturally are perpetually testing the waters, seeing what the market will bear - they are hoping that Soi 33 will become the next Soi Thonglor - entertainment-wise. This has had the effect of driving the smaller, less busy Venues away - the land/ property owners ever hopeful that deeper pocketed lessees (Nitespots or other) will come to take their place. In some cases, this has happened, however, often those new lessees have not been opening Night Entertainment Venus. The net effect of this alone has caused much of the decline in the Soi.
A second, and no less significant reason for the decline of Soi Dead Artists is large areas are currently undergoing redevelopment - a number of these development projects are destined to be yet even more condominiums. While a lot of the ongoing development is deep in the soi, and not affecting the current Night Scene, one large development has caused the closure of a number of Venues (see shaded portion of the map). Some of the bars have relocated within the Soi, but others have moved to nearby areas - or just gone out of business.
A third, and lesser reason behind the contraction of Soi Dead Artists, at least as perceived among Western expats, is the ever increasing number of Japanese bars. More than one bar owner has complained that the Soi is "becoming Japanese". While that is a bit of an exaggeration (perception can emulate reality), there is some truth to it. For the first time in its history, Soi Dead Artists has more Japanese Nitespots than non-Japanese (see listing above).
But in spite of those who predict doom for Soi 33, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, however dim. With the large amount of property development already ongoing, or about to commence, there is a great likelihood that once it is completed (give it another 18 months), there will be a significant amount of commercial property up for grabs - and a lot of that will likely be Night Entertainment Venues.
MIDNITE HOUR MAIL BOX
BANGKOK EYES
Let the April 2018 Follies begin-
The renovations continue at the King's Castle 1 / Camelot Castle - which should be completed in another month... It looks like the combined premises will be the new, enlarged King's Castle 1, however in the meantime, they have sent their girls - and their sign over to The Club (The Club King's) on Soi Bookstore. We are nominally surprised that the King's Group is investing yet again in a Night Entertainment Area that looks lately to be a dead man walking....
 PATPONG 1
The Super Pussy, which had lain fallow for the last couple months (and had become infested with soi touts and ad-hoc ping pong shows) has reopened. Their new sign is shown below (their old on-the-wall neon remains unchanged). Modus operandi status quo ante. May they persevere....
PATPONG 1
Last month we noted the opening of the upstairs Happy Bar (above King's Castle 1), but had no photo to show for it. They took over the old Club 66 digs. The snapshot below for the archives. Yet another "pay-for-show" bar.... Oh, well....
PATPONG 1
One of Patpong 1's oldest oral services bar, the Kangaroo Club is closed for long-overdue renovations. When (if) they reopen, we'll get back atcha....
PATPONG 1
The nightery shock-of-the-month is the closure of the Electric Blue. For the first time in decades, it will not reopen as a bar - this go-round it will be a steak house. It had been a bar since the early days of Patpong II's heyday, along with other bars like Cloud Nine and the original Takara. Then for many years after that it was the Rififi Bar A Gogo, then in April 2004 it became the Electric Blue. (So, I guess we can, all-in, say it had a good run...) Another major bar leaves the Patpongs....when is the rot going to stop...?
PATPONG 2
We think of Tavern Three as an open-fronted pool bar, but we tend to forget it has a cozy bar tucked away in the corner. May they keep on keeping on...
PATPONG 2
The Thai Smile Bar spends most of its time opening and closing - a difficult way to keep 'regulars', no? This month they have reopened again...but for how long is anyone's guess....
PATPONG 2
SOI COWBOY
NANA PLAZA
Welcome the new Golden Beer Bar, having just taken over the reins from the Melodies U. K. (Melody U. K. Bar). If the name sounds familiar, the original Golden Beer Bar was located -for many years- where Hooters now parks itself (in the front of the Nana Hotel). May the Golden continue to rock 'n roll....
SOI NANA
Last month we noted the reopening of Heaven's Bar in its new downstairs location. It looks like we were in error (We Don't Make Mistrakes Dept.) It looks like the correct name is Heaven@4 - and the upstairs Heaven's Bar is making sounds like it may reopen... More on that next time 'round.
SOI NANA
The Naree Massage has used the pull-out sidewalk sign as their new permanent overhead sign. A good move - now they can be seen from way up the Soi... May they continue to slip 'n slide....
SOI NANA
Hugs Bar-Karaoke, closed last month, has reopened. It looks like they have added some pool / snooker tables.... Welcome back to the sharkpool.
SOI KATOEY
Happy Bar, after having been closed for a few months, has got a new owner, air conditioning, and karaoke. (Actually no one has been seen using the 'karaoke', but it is a most comfortable place to hide away for a cool one.) Located at the top of Soi Starlight across from Queen's Park Plaza. May the nightgods smile...
SOI 22 (Sukhumvit)
The Luna Lounge, also closed for a couple of months, has got its second wind - and has rolled the red carpet back out..... Welcome them back to the neon jungle.
SOI 22 (Sukhumvit)
The Talli looked darker than a poisoned well the other night when we passed by. Located in the Holiday Inn atop Soi 22. We'll check back later to see whether or not the fat lady sung, and get back atcha.
SOI 22 (Sukhumvit)
It looks like a new massage parlor, the Thai Candy Massage is about to open in Soi Hanna on Soi 22. We'll know more the next time 'round.
( No photo available )
SOI 22 (Sukhumvit)
Bangkok Bunny Massage has taken over the Honey Bee Massage 2 digs, lock, stock and Tiger Balm. We hope to have a better pic next issue... Wish them well in a soi already overcrowded with massage parlors... (Soi Hanna)...
SOI 22 (Sukhumvit)
The Lily Relax Massage has taken over operations from the now defunct Prem Massage. Welcome them to the sharkpool.
SOI 22 (Sukhumvit)
We'd put off including the Above Eleven on our monthly survey, but last month, our curiosity finally got the better of us. Located atop the Frazer Suites, deep in Soi Ambassador, it does have a view, but perhaps not the best rooftop view in Bangkok And I must admit, its multi-level layout wasn't all that convenient. Nor is it really a night entertainment 'Scene'... it seems more a place where people go with a friend or two to be seen. Or, perhaps most of the customers are Frazer Suite guests satisfying their curiosity. Perhaps its just me - perhaps I had great expectations, and found it just about the same as any other rooftop lounge in any other hotel... We needn't wish them prosperity, they are already overbooking every evening, and many customers are left standing the entire time with their drinks in their hand...
SOI AMBASSADOR (Sukhumvit Soi 11)
Yet another pic for the Archives of the Zanzibar. Relaxing outdoor motif, live music. They keep on keeping on...
SOI AMBASSADOR (Sukhumvit Soi 11)
The Time Out 129 has moved into the old, and just closed 'Nan's Bar'. Welcome them to partytown.
QUEEN's PARK PLAZA (Sukhumvit 22)
The long-standing bar restaurant Baan Beer has added a Muay Thai boxing ring to their menu of delights found within. If we can take a page from history, I've taken note through the years that a number of other Nightspots have attempted to include Muay Thai, and they have all failed - quickly. Just sayin'....
QUEEN's PARK PLAZA (Sukhumvit 22)
The small (Unnamed Bar Beer) just across from the Sin Bin has pulled its shutters around and called it night - or so it would seem. Lets give it a breather and see if they reopen by this next upcoming survey...
( No photo available )
QUEEN's PARK PLAZA (Sukhumvit 22)
The Araya 3 Massage has fallen headlong into the Abyss, only to be replaced by the brand-new Kyoto Massage - operant descriptor unchanged. Welcome to the slippery slope....
SOI DEAD ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33) The newly opened My Raku Massage has had a number of names (and a number of owners) over the years, most recently, My Therapy Massage (or sometimes - My Theraphy). They have, however kept the same staff of well-trained masseuses. Welcome them to the machine.
SOI DEAD ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33) The Nannie (Brown) Blue actually opened last month on the closure of its predecessor, the B & A Bistro Bar but they hadn't selected a name yet. This month we wish them a belated welcome to the nightgames...
QUEEN's PARK PLAZA (Sukhumvit 22)
This month we capture the dynamic details of what is likely the 'iconic' signage in Soi Twilight : the Dream Boys / The Boys neon. One of two of Bangkok's major gay Night Entertainment Areas. We note this periodically, as those interested in the gay life want to know where to go, and those not interested want to know where not to go.... (Note: turn down the sound before you run the clip...)
SOI COWBOY
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The MIDNITE HOUR Graffiti Page is prepared by Staff Contributor "Boge" Hartman . (Boge's photo, above, is not a graffiti per-se, although there are those who have insinuated.... - Ed) 
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April's Nightlife News 
