BANGKOK EYES PRESENTS -
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BANGKOK EYES PRESENTS -
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 Ever since the Hawaiian Islands became a get-away holiday destination there has been an active Night Entertainment Scene. And as with any other city on the planet, the Night Entertainment in Honolulu self-segregated into 'uptown' and 'across-the-tracks'. In Honolulu, the 'across-the-tracks' Nitespots tended to center around Chinatown. As the world's 'Chinatowns' go, perhaps the first and seminal "Chinatown" (outside of China itself) was Honolulu's very own, having first been called by that name in 1870. (Singapore and Penang the possible exceptions.)
Bar 35, although having an unnoticeably small sign, is one of the more popular old bars in Old Chinatown.
Honolulu's Chinatown, however, had its growing-pains, and a number of times throughout its history it almost didn't 'make it through to the other side'. It was decimated by the bubonic plague, and nearly burned to the ground - not once, but twice. But its most severe 'ravaging' was at the hands of U.S. servicemen during and just after the Second World War. During that time it became the focal point of Honolulu's red-light district, offering all that conceivably could be imagined - to include caves being re-purposed as underground (no pun intended) opium dens - oh, yes, they thought of everything. ('Law-and-Order', as it was, was co-managed by head-busting Shore Patrol - Military Police joint-patrols, and the local cop shop), Should you want to gamble, Chinatown was the Islands' gambling den (and was likely solely responsible for gambling -of any sort- being outlawed in the State). As such, Chinatown was not Honolulu's 'Poster Child' for Night Entertainment, and it is no surprise the area's structures would eventually begin falling into disrepair.
Chinatown's history is rich, complex and fascinating, and a full account of its often peculiar, often humorous twists and turns is far, far beyond the scope of this undertaking. Nevertheless, while in recent times, enlightened Metropolitan management has endeavored to preserve much of its history, there are a few other less savory historical items which also cannot remain unreported : > > >
Rarely seen in Honolulu's history books, Smith Union was (for the uninitiated) not a Chinatown union. It was a cluster of buildings overseen in its wildest days (out of a 75 year history) by a Madam Mamie Stover and had a sole purpose - to 'service the fighting man'. Yes, you understood that correctly. Smith Union employed on average 200 women from (so say uprighteous Hawaiians) 'The Mainland', who worked these brothels - taking home US$40,000 a year. The mamasans (I guess they call them 'madams' here in Hawaii) made on average US$150,000 - or at least that's what their income tax returns said... *Yes, they paid taxes on earnings - decades before Nevada ever thought of legalization of such activities...
A billboard in Chinatown provides an insight into the large and diverse Entertainment Scene.
Nevertheless, when the ladies-of-the-evening at Smith Union began thinking that they were a 'Union', they got their heads together and began demanding $4 a pop (up from $3). Management, of course, refused, and in August of 1942 they went on strike for 22 days. The Police Chief finally had to step in and nip all that in the bud, stating firmly, "The price of meat is still $3." The ladies did, however get the OK to roam outside the Chinatown area to ply their trade.
Above, we noted that Chinatown survived the bubonic plague and two separate razings by fire. The second, in 1900, was initially 41 separate 'controlled burns' started by the Honolulu City government to rid the suburb of the bubonic plague. High winds took care of the rest, and after 17 days of holocaust, 38 acres of Chinatown were toast, accounting for the destruction of over 4000 homes. (Later, 14 additional, more closely monitored, fires were lit to clean up loose ends.) - And it worked ! - no more plague.
Today, renovations and restorations continue; a part of Chinatown has even been designated the Historic Area. A number of historic buildings are now designated 'heritage sites' complete with their own historic bronze plaques. But there is more going on than just the city government stepping in : an equal amount of local entrepreneurial investment is going into refurbishing and opening new Nitespots and restaurants. Honolulu's Chinatown is paralleling big-time Singapore's 'revitalization' of its Clark Quay / Singapore River areas.
Honolulu Metropolitan authorities have flipped the paradigm - they have employed a number of graffiti artists to create murals to 'liven up' (as opposed to cheapen down) the East Chinatown / Kakaako area - and it is working... Next month Bangkok Eyes will give full coverage to this 'graffitification' (the local's term...) in our Graffiti section.
While Chinatown won't eclipse the Night Entertainment Scene in and around Waikiki / Ala Moana any time soon (Ala Moana Shopping Center currently lists 30 Nitespots within the shopping area alone), it is rapidly gaining in popularity with the locals. But (no surprise) visitors are also now 'discovering the scene'. It is too early to say how far the Chinatown revitalization will go. But should development stop in its tracks right this minute (it won't) Chinatown is already 'on the map' again, and visitors to these balmy shores should plan, at least once, to 'Get Down Tonight' when the sun goes down.
* "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown..."
-Chinatown 
MIDNITE HOUR
MAIL
BANGKOK
EYES
Let the October 2019 Follies
begin-
Last month Shenanigans put out the word that their Flares Disco had their 'soft opening'. We faithfully went down, and saw the wraps had come off the new Nitespot, and it appeared to be fully decked out ready to do battle, but... the doors were locked. We saw no signs indicating hours of operation, no signs up saying they were hiring staff. Well, OK, give them the benefit of the doubt. But that was a month ago, this is now - and we have seen no change. The doors are still locked - and we see no signage indicating they are open. If and when it opens, really opens, we'll give you a come-back.
 PATPONG 1 The gay Sweet Bannana, having opened its doors only in April of this year, have already tanked. They were closed up like Alcatraz when we passed by the other evening. It seems the boy bars are not doing well on Patpong 1, however they seem to have carved out a piece of Patpong 2, and apparently are doing well.
PATPONG 1
Because the 2nd level Shenanigans Sports Club can be accessed by a small spiral staircase from Shenanigans Pub, we assumed it was an adjunct to the pub itself. Nope, it is a separate Nitespot, and the entrance is on the other side of the building, and most easily accessed from Patpong 2. On another note, seeing all those blue pool tables, we couldn't help but wonder if they were left-overs from the Red Parrot from a few years ago.... May they continue to roll.
PATPONG 2
"Welcome To Fabulous Deja Vu Club", says the sign, (if you read all the fine print), but we just say, "Deja Vu".
SOI COWBOY Not much going on in Nana Plaza since the flash opening-closing of New Voodoo over the last 2 months. Which, by the way, where the New Voodoo sign was previously nailed up - is now a very conspicuous black space. Hmmmm... A pic 'For The Archives'.
NANA PLAZA The tiny Lannana has sprung from its crypt after a month's absence. -But with a change: it was a lounge bar, and now it is a bar / snack bar (but still keeps few lively hostesses) (?). Welcome them back to the neon jungle...
SOI NANA
The Starlight Bar has rung up its last 'check-bin' - if those on the street know what they are talking about. They were located on the ground floor of the Rajah Hotel outbuilding. Hey, look on the bright side, maybe they found a way out from under it all... It doesn't look like there are any new tenants rushing in to fill the void... There is a lot of vacant real estate in the Rajah compound, and the place has not been filling up with shops and bars - some say the Rajah has unrealistic expectations regards the value of their rental units...
SOI NANA
The Balcony has for some time had an actual 2nd level balcony which they were using for their The Balcony Karaoke. Now they have a sign saying so...
SOI KATOEY
The Dive Massage has taken over lock, stock and KY from the Sensual Massage. May they continue to slip and slide. Located deep in the Lemongrass sub-soi just past the Marriott Hotel.
SOI 22
The NangMery Massage & Coffee has taken over the reins of the very-short-lived Big Man Bar & Cafe. Well, at least it appears they salvaged the coffee pot... We wonder if the NangMery is any relation to the old NokMery's that populated Cowboy Annex and then Queen's Park Plaza? May the NangMery be dealt all aces and faces...
SOI 22
Gone, but not gone, The Connection Bar was just taking a short holiday last month, but now they are back, pedal to the metal. Y'all can come back now...
SOI 22
What was originally Miss BJ Massage became Miss BS Massage. Last month it also went down the drain, only to be replaced by Miss Beauty. (Its still a 'massage' - at least in part.) Welcome to the Big Uphill.
SOI 22
The Thai Candy Massage has been absorbed by its next door neighbor, Absolute Bangkok Massage. Located in Sub-soi Hana (the second small soi past the Marriott..) Just more Musical Chairs in these back sois... the massage parlor names change monthly...
SOI 22
The Longhorn BJ Bar & Massage is nearing completion in Sub-soi Lemongrass
. They should be fully operational by month's end... We'll keep an ear to the ground, and get back atcha.
No Photo Available
SOI 22
Veteran soi-crawler (now semi-retired) Joe H. (you know who you are) was first off the mark - the first to 'put a label on' a relatively new Nighttime phenomenon - "The Instagram Girl". Below is our mutilated recollection of his revelations...
Last month we noted that the Market Rooftop was about to open. This month they are open and serving beer and food, and what-else... Located upstairs (2nd level) at the Hemingway. Welcome them to partytown.
SOI AMBASSADOR
(Sukhumvit Soi 11) The Yadong Potion bar beer has taken over the reins from the Ice Bar (formerly and originally The Vagabond). Welcome to the trail of tears... Located at the end of Soi Havana Social. BTW, if you are new to these alluvial plains, feel free to drink their booze, but you would do well to avoid their ya dong...
SOI AMBASSADOR
(Sukhumvit Soi 11) Nutz & Booze, the tiny bar beer adjacent to the Baan Beer is no more. The Baan Beer knocked the dividing wall out and expanded into their digs. With all the expanding and renovating the Baan Beer is doing, its almost like they hadn't heard all the renewed rumors of impending closure of the QPP... Come to think of it, we haven't heard much about it this month, either... Hmmmm..
SOI AMBASSADOR
(Sukhumvit Soi 11) The White Bar, unquestionably the best bar beer in the QPP has pulled the plug. Greener grass, ladies...
SOI AMBASSADOR
(Sukhumvit Soi 11) The 33 Club, closed for a couple of months now, remains in darkness, but we did notice some furious daytime renovations going on. We don't want to get out ahead of our headlights on this - definitely a "wait-and-see" item...
SOI DEAD
ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33) 
MAP
The Y'Not Bar & Restaurant has been 'on-and-off' since they opened. This time around, it's a permanent 'off' - as it has become a local open-fronted eatery, we shall be dropping it from our rolls.
SOI EDEN (Sukhumvit 7 / 1)
If anyone can tell us why a group of Egyptians would be soliciting contributions for scholarships in front of a Sukhumvit Road massage parlor, please let us know...
SUKHUMVIT ROAD NEAR SOI 7
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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.
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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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William R. Morledge |
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October's Nightlife News 
