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      This month we survey Soi 71 (or more correctly Pridi Phanomyong Road).   But as Soi 71 is about 3.5 kilometers in length, we will be focusing specifically on the Southern junction with Sukhumvit Road where there is a growing Expat Entertainment Scene.   

 W  DISTRICT  

      For the last several years we have been hearing more and more about Soi 71 as an incipient Night Entertainment Area.   Three years ago we went down for a look-around, and we didn't see much more than a couple of Thai shophouse 'karaoke's strung with Christmas lights.   But we did see what is now one of the entrances to W District, so we stuck our head in and clicked a couple of pics of the graffiti.   But we then wrote it off as not being viable as a Night Entertainment Area.   (Our mistake - we should always remember to record these small, seemingly insignificant areas while we are on site - as one never knows what they may morph into at some future time.)

      But the stories from "Phra Khanong" kept coming; sometimes as "Soi 71", other times as Soi Pridi Phanomyong 2 or 3.   Sometimes there were reports on a "W District", and other times as just Soi 1, or 2, off of Soi 71.   So this time out, we decided to go down there for however many nights it was going to take, and find, and put our hands (and cameras) on all this Night Entertainment that was reportedly going on behind our backs...

 W  DISTRICT  

      The impression we took with us on our initial visit was that this hidden-away Nitespot Area was predominantly for farang English Teachers, or to be more specific, English English teachers.   -Which is warranted to a degree, but not entirely accurate.   

 W   DISTRICT  

      W District is a more cosmopolitan mix - to include Thais.   (Which makes sense, because, while there are a few Nitespots within, most of the venues therein are a variety of local and international eateries of varying sizes.   Soi 2 (Pridi Phanomyong 2) is predominantly British-style pubs.   Soi 3 is predominantly the domain of the Japanese, with eateries and Nippon oriented Nitespots.   And then, the ever present 'Massage Parlors scattered throughout the Soi 71 area - see the map, above.

 SOI  1  Pridi   hanomyong  

      But the big question remains: Is it worth spending an evening at Soi 71 and its attendant Nighteries?   Yes, a good night out with friends is certainly in order, albeit one won't find the wild ride to be found on Soi Cowboy or Nana Plaza.   Nevertheless, all the essentials are there for a 'time well-spent'...

 SOI  2  Pridi  Phanomyong  

      A final note on W District: most think of the W District as the open Nitespot area between Soi 1 and 3, however W District is a large in-progress high-rise real estate development project (see pink area on the map).   The large open area at the back, currently being utilized as a Night Entertainment Area is just the square footage that is not yet under construction.   Or to say the same thing another way, 'W District Entertainment Area' is 'opportunistic', and will exist only as long as the bulldozers and cranes don't arrive...

 SOI  2  Pridi   Phanomyong  

      Below are additional photographs of a few of Soi 71's Nitespots.

MIDNITE H OUR MAIL BOX            

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BANGKOK EYES

Let the January 2019 Follies  begin-

 PATPONG  1  

MAP

            What was the Pussycat bar two months ago (and closed last month) has just been reincarnated as the Chill Out Boy.   May they persevere...

 PATPONG  1 

            The Hanuman Thai Massage has recently rolled out the red carpet for one and all.   Wish them luck on that slippery slope.   They are located at the Suriwong Road end of PP1.

 PATPONG  1 

 PATPONG  2  

MAP

            The bar that was Tokyo Boy a few months back, and had gone nameless the last two months, has now nailed up some signage : Sixty Nine Bar.   The modus operandi unchanged : katoey bar.   

 PATPONG  2 

            The Patpong Cafe was darker than a poisoned well when we passed by on New Year's Eve, with nary a sign out saying when they might return.   We fear the worst.   Should we hear of any reversal of misfortune, we shall shout it out next issue.

 PATPONG  2 

 SOI  COWBOY  

MAP

            The Tilac, as per usual, goes out of their way each Christmas Holiday Season to put up a colorful Christmas tree.   

 SOI  COWBOY  

            A few longtime residents and returnees might recall the Tomato Head Tavern restaurant on the corner of Sukhumvit Soi 23 and Soi Cowboy.   Back in June of 1993 it changed it's name to The Old Dutch Cafe Bar.   Over the years there have been some variations on that name, but always inclusive of 'Old Dutch'.   It was originally owned by a Dutchman, and eventually sold to the "P Group" of bars prevalent on Soi Cowboy for many years.   When it changed ownership, it retained all the old signs, like : "We are nice if you are", and other like-signage reminding the customer that they were not a fast-food restaurant, and good food takes time to prepare.... you get the picture.    A favorite of many, The Old Dutch Corner (its latest name) recently sold out and is now renovating - reportedly to become a Nitespot related to the Crazy House (a wait-and-see item).   Greener grass, gentlemen...

 SOI  COWBOY  

 NANA  PLAZA  

MAP

            Almost three months in renovating, the old Charades katoey bar has reopened as Geisha. And, as was being heard on the street, it has changed over to an 'only real ladies' bar.... at least for the foreseeable future.   Walking in, it was like deja-deja vu... I thought I was tripping back in time to the old G-Spot.   And yes, A Go-Go is the operative descriptor.   Very much in keeping with the other A Go-Go's at the Plaza, tops-off much of the time, 'lady-dinks' starting at Baht 170.   What's not to like?   Welcome them to the bright lights, big city...

 NANA  PLAZA 

 SOI  NANA  

MAP

            The Red Moscow Club & Lounge, which opened in September, has followed its predecessor, the Tamasha Exclusive Indian Club & Lounge into the trash-heap of history.   And for similar reasons... the pretense of exclusivity -with nothing out of the ordinary to show for it- is just not going to cut it.   Also, (hint), the Rajah Hotel's high rental rates are not going to encourage much new Nitespot business - unless and until - it becomes a 'thriving Entertainment Center', which, currently, it is not...

 SOI  NANA 

 SOI  KATOEY  

MAP

            The Balcony had interesting and colorful Christmas decorations this last Holiday Season.   Business as usual...

 SOI  KATOEY 

 SOI  22  

MAP

            Tina, (Soi 22's only A Go-Go) appears to be closed.   We don't know if this is due to an extended, self-proclaimed New Year's holiday, or if they have gone the way of the Megalapteryx didinus.   Only time will tell... at which time, we will also tell...

 SOI  22  

            The AW Massage has taken over lock, stock and Tiger Balm, from the JW Massage.   Modus operandi unchanged.   Wish them well as they continue to slip and slide...

 SOI  22  

            The Kick Club has opened on the ground floor of the Holiday Inn in what used to be the Talli.   Interesting, if somewhat fuzzy, electronic signage.   Welcome them to the big city lights...

 SOI  22  

            The Cali-Mex Bar and Grill has opened on the ground floor of the Holiday Inn - in the old Honey Pub digs.   They appear to be more Bar than Grill...   This appears to be a new B&G chain in Bangkok - another new outlet on Soi Ambassador (see below).   Welcome them to the neon jungle.

 SOI  22  

            The Thai Candy Massage in Soi Lemongrass has taken over the reins from the Be Rich Massage (which closed a couple of months back).   Modus operandi : 'ambiguous'.   Welcome them to the dark side...

 SOI  22  

 SOI   AMBASSADOR  

MAP

            Cali-Mex Bar & Grill chain's latest-and-greatest has just opened on Soi Ambassador.   Again, it appears to be more bar than grill.   We haven't tried out their menu yet, but we shall... soon.   Welcome them to the follies...

 SOI  AMBASSADOR  (Sukhumvit Soi 11) 

            It looks like Soi 11/2's Lucky Shot has followed the Titanic into irretrievable depths.   Signage gone, the works...   May they find things more to their liking a little further on down the road a piece...

 SOI  AMBASSADOR  (Sukhumvit Soi 11) 

            Last month Hillary 3 was deep in the throes of renovations - this month it's another story.   It has reopened, and still looking good.   But that's not all.... have a look at what else has 'opened' within...   May they continue to shine...

 SOI  AMBASSADOR (Sukhumvit Soi 11) 

            The Happy Station 11 Bar Beer at the top of Soi Ambassador (in the motorcycle soi called Soi 11/2) has reopened.   In that they open and close so frequently, we will not be posting the same old file photo....

 SOI  AMBASSADOR (Sukhumvit Soi 11) 

  QUEEN's  PARK  PLAZA 

MAP

            Gone, but not gone, the Simple Bar bar beer has gone back to being the Simple Bar after a couple months of being the extension of the "Friendly Bar".   So... what was going on?   (Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?)   We suspect at least one more name-switch in this latest exercise of 'musical chairs'...

 QUEEN's  PARK  PLAZA  (Sukhumvit 22) 

 SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS  

MAP

            Closing a little over a month ago, The Firm was in deafening darkness when we passed by on last month's survey.    So, this New Year's Eve we were mildly surprised to see something going on in the now-neonless digs.   A new Nitespot?   Someone throwing a New Year's party?   We suspect we will know more on this by this time next month...

 SOI  DEAD   ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33) 

            Joy, located on the 2nd level of S 33 Compact Hotel is yet again reopened.

 SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS  (Sukhumvit 33) 

            'Exclusive Entertainment Club' Pent 33, open only since January 2017, appears to be in an Alcatraz-like lockdown.   Only darkness shone out from within.   No signage posted regarding 'Holidays off', or other similar note.   Most of the neon removed.   Doesn't look promising.   We'll keep an ear to the ground, and report back should there be a sudden re-emergence from the crypt.

 SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33) 

            Poised to open is the new Dream Heaven Massage.   It's right across the street from the original Dream Heaven Massage, which is still up and pumping.   Are we witnessing a relocation or will there be yet another massage parlor on Soi Dead Artists ?

 SOI  DEAD   ARTISTS  (Sukhumvit 33) 

            Tenderloins / Bistro 33 has got some new neon nailed up.   BTW, they still serve their lunch specials, as of old... but now with plenty of parking.   Keep on keeping on...

 SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS  (Sukhumvit 33)  

 SOI  EDEN 

            As the recent smoke-signals had it, The Pickled Liver British Pub's days were numbered.   They have passed into the night, as did the several of their predecessors (most of which were also decent Nitespots).   The real -and perhaps unsolvable- problem is location, location, location....

 SOI  EDEN  (Sukhumvit 7 / 1) 

 SOI TWILIGHT 

MAP

            The X-Boys scrolling electronic sign sometimes actually works properly.   Just sayin'...

 SOI  TWILIGHT  

 

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With thanks to Cool Text.com

Bangkok Eyes is an historically based news outlet, and as such, all graphic excerpts herein are considered, under current legal precedents and
prevailing interpretations, 'Fair Use' under Copyright Law.   Copyright of any original artwork resides exclusively with the artists.

Bangkok's original site !

   The
M IDNITE 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)