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      MIDNITE HOUR continues this month with our periodic review of this city's Expat Night Entertainment Areas.   This month we revisit Soi 5, Soi 7 and Soi 7/1 (Soi Eden).

 SOI  7 / 1  Sukhumvit Rd.  

      Since our original survey in 2003 we have noticed a slow, unwavering diminishment of the number of Nitespots in Sois 5 and 7, and an upward swing in the number of Venues in Soi Eden (Soi 7/1).   Each of these three having their own histories and reasons for 'change'.

      Currently Soi 5 is populated with little more than massage parlors, and pretty much in the quantity that would be expected for the number of hotels on, and adjacent to that Soi.   The ethnic & sociological demographics of the Soi have continued to change in favor of African and Middle-Eastern tourism - and potential Nitespot investors do not expect to see favorable returns on their investments in this immediate area.   Therefore, the number of Nitespots has been reduced over the years through attrition.   There is no indication that there will be a turn-around in this trend.   The exception breaking the rule is the long-surviving Venue, Gulliver's Tavern, which continues to thrive.

 SOI  5  Sukhumvit Rd.  

      Known mainly for the Bier Garten (Beer Garden Soi 7), Soi 7 had, at one time, a number of bars - several of which it shared with Soi 5 in the connecting lane called The Tunnel.   Those days are long gone - as developers have inundated virtually the entire Soi with ongoing or recently completed highrises.   Nevertheless, the Bier Garten (and a couple of small massage parlors and a slew of late-night sidewalk 'cafes') just might be able to wait it out - and see a resurgence of Nightlife activity.   (Note: this is at least 2 years away from the looks of things.)

 SOI  7  Sukhumvit Rd.  

      Soi Eden (Soi 7/1) has continued to edge up to almost full capacity (there are very few locations on that Soi that are not already dedicated to Night Entertainment in one form or another).   Having reached 'Critical Mass' a number of years ago, they have been able to generate their own Night Entertainment crowd of 'regulars' and returnees.   While there are regular turn-overs of Nitespots on this Soi, it continues to be a popular attraction for both Expats and tourists.

 SOI  5  Sukhumvit Rd.  

 SOI  5  Sukhumvit Rd.  

 SOI  7  Sukhumvit Rd.  

 

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Let the May 2018 Follies  begin-

 PATPONG  1  

MAP

            The Radio City Lounge has once again foundered on the rocks.   It was buttoned up tighter than Alcatraz when we passed by the other evening.   They have had a number of starts and stops... lets wait and see if they get back on the wagon...

 PATPONG  1 

            The renovations of the old Kings Castle 1 and Camelot Castle were completed on schedule.   And as expected, they reopened as the now-triple-wide King's Castle 1.   The KC1 A Go-Go dancers that had temporarily moved over to The Club Kings (The Club) have all moved back to the newly renovated Venue - leaving the upstairs of The Club abandoned in place (the downstairs outdoor area is still business-as-usual).
         'Charlie' is holding the fort down at the KC1, making sure the customers are treated right - and, yes, as before, when you receive your drink, you also are asked to sign your chit - and you pay only for the chits you sign.   BTW, Charlie is running the best looking couple of floors of dancers in Bangkok - on weekends nearly one hundred ladies on stage.   Welcome them back to the machine.

 PATPONG  1 

 PATPONG  2  

MAP

            Fresh Boys has branched out from their existing Venue in the Soi Twilight Night Entertainment Area.   This new Venue is located on The Ramp in the old, long-defunct Sideline A Gogo digs.   May they persevere...

 PATPONG  2 

 SOI  COWBOY  

MAP

            The Spritz Restaurant & Guest House is more guest house than restaurant.   They have had a symbiotic relationship with the Baccara since they opened, with a steady stream of guests renting by the hour.   (Guests from other bars also welcome.)   We note with interest their sign, "Est. 2010".   For the record, they opened April 2016.   "Watch 'em come and watch 'em go, they've got the fire down below..."

 SOI  COWBOY 

 NANA  PLAZA  

MAP

            A For-the-Archives pic of the Playskool - before the new ground floor center bar beer(s) block the view...   Let the good times roll....

 NANA  PLAZA 

 SOI  NANA  

MAP

            Yet another pic For-the-Archives - of Hanrahan's Irish Pub.   We note that they have some new, brighter signage nailed up...   Let it rock.

 SOI  NANA 

            The Elegance Salon 2 (which provided massage on the side) has changed to Elegance Salon & Massage - the reason being, the original Elegance Massage near Nana Plaza has closed and consolidated with 'Elegance Salon & Massage".   (See below, those digs have a new occupant...)   May they continue to slip and slide.

 SOI  NANA 

            The Princess Massage has taken over -lock, stock and KY- from the Elegance Massage.   The Elegance Massage, has consolidated with its sister Venue just up the street..   Welcome Princess Massage to the slippery slope...

 SOI  NANA 

 SOI  KATOEY  

MAP

            For many months, The Balcony has occupied this kerbside area across from its main Venue.   It was more or less an 'annex'.   Now a new sign (behind a thin veil) has appeared : Welcome Bar.   Well, welcome the Welcome Bar to the sharkpool...

 SOI  KATOEY  (Silom Soi 4)

 SOI  22  

MAP

            Last month we noted that the Thai Candy Massage might be opening soonest.   And, that, it did... they have replaced the Liola Massage.   Located in Soi Hana, welcome Thai Candy Massage as they join the fray...

 SOI  22  (Sukhumvit) 

            Is you is, or is you ain't going to stay open?   Luna Lounge is once again closed - they open and close like a screen door banging in a hurricane.   This month they join the ranks of the "Closed"... again...

 SOI  22  (Sukhumvit) 

            We featured the Kaede refurbishment and reopening a few months back.   This is just a photo For-the-Archives.   May they keep on keeping on...

 SOI  22  (Sukhumvit) 

            The Radha Massage was closed down and undergoing renovations when we passed by the other evening.   Fare thee well.   Up until last month they were located in Soi Titanium.

 SOI  22  (Sukhumvit) 

 SOI  AMBASSADOR  

MAP

            The 8 on Eleven is now featuring SCORE, which is either their new name, or the name of a disco they are in the process of opening upstairs or the name of an advertiser's new alcoholic beverage.   I'm sure we will make heads-or-tails of it eventually.

 SOI  AMBASSADOR  (Sukhumvit Soi 11) 

  QUEEN's  PARK  PLAZA  

MAP

            Last month we noted the small unnamed bar beer across from Sin Bin had closed.   This month they have spruced-up and reopened - but this go-round they are calling themselves (very discreetly) the Bar Beer WTF.   Welcome back to the dogfight...

 QUEEN's  PARK  PLAZA  (Sukhumvit 22) 

 SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS  

MAP

            The 33 Thai Sabai Massage is the next domino to have fallen in the row of Nitespots along the lefthand side of Soi 33.   Greener pastures, ladies...   The two remaining Nitespots in the redevelopment area are the Dali and Monet - and they are slated to go the way of the Sphenisciformes within the next 60 days (a wait-and-see item).

 SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS  (Sukhumvit 33) 

 SOI  EDEN  

MAP

            The Cool Sports Bar has replaced the short-lived Cheers Bar (which took over from the Bai Fern Massage before that).   (Note: both the now-defunct Cheers Bar and the new Cool Sports Bar had/ have a discreet massage service in the back...   Welcome the Cool Sports Bar to the neon jungle.

 QUEEN's  PARK  PLAZA  (Sukhumvit 22) 

            We note that the Kawinya Massage has opened up in (part of) the old New Wave digs - having just relocated from one of the commercial lanes within the Ambassador Hotel, Soi 11.   We hope to have a pic next time 'round.

(No photo available.)

 QUEEN's  PARK  PLAZA  (Sukhumvit 22) 

 SOI  TWILIGHT  

MAP

            A For-the-Archives photo of the Silom Road entrance to Soi Twilight.

 SOI  COWBOY 

 

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With thanks to Cool Text.com

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   The
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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)