BANGKOK EYES PRESENTS -
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This month we do a quick run-down update (oxymoron?) on 7 Center Point Night Entertainment Area. This follows quickly on our last year's summation of that group of Nitespots. In our last write-up we noted that they had been shapeshifting - again - changing the configuration of the bars and the inner bar areas. Since that time they expanded their real estate considerably when they absorbed the area formerly the Soi 7 Bier Garten. However, just recently they gave up the back 15% of their area to the new Middle Eastern restaurant.
The AJ 168 Bar recently relocated out of the rapidly failing area that was once home to the Soi 7 Bier Garten. It has taken over the space previously occupied by the Rain Bar (now deceased).
As soon as the new area in the ex-Bier Garten became available for leasing last November, new bars were moving in almost as fast as they could sweep up the sawdust and turn the lights on. However over the last 3 months, most of those bars have gone out of business, leaving that area nearly empty (left side of the below map).
7 CENTER POINT
The consensus among several long-term Bangkok denizens is there are too many leasable areas on the Bier Garten side, giving it a cramped 'rabbit warren' atmosphere. (And they have a point...) Instead of having 20 (or so) spaces for lease, there should be no more than five or six larger areas with appropriate seating. It remains to be seen what will become of that section of 7 Center Point - in the meantime we'll try to keep up with the bars moving here-and-there in the compound (playing musical chairs), along with the all-too-frequent Nitespot openings / closings...
MIDNITE HOUR
MAIL BOX
Dave is BACK...
Let the Follies begin-
Last March, the King's Group put up signs saying they would be opening a Sport Bar, a new King Castle 2 and an "lnn Hotel" in what was previously Tip Top. The new King Castle 2 opened at the beginning of this month (note the subtle change in spelling... from King's Castle 2 to King Castle 2). Begs the question, though, what happened to the old King's Castle 2 across the avenue? Answer: nothing. Yet. Although one of the staff mentioned it would be absorbed into the King's Castle 1. A wait and see item... May they continue to roll - their way....
PATPONG 1
Last month we announced the opening of the King's Castle Sports Bar - sans signage. This month we find the new signage has already been nailed up. The official name : King Sport Bar (again no apostrophe-s). May they persevere...
PATPONG 1
Just around the corner from Patpong 1 on the Silom Rd side we saw - and heard - the new Groovin' High Jazz Bar & Cafe. To enter, one must walk down a dark ground level corridor - something the management should remedy. Nevertheless, quality jazz - should you be an aficionado... Welcome them to the bright city lights.
SILOM @ PATPONG 1
The Ekka Grill & Bar just opened across from Patpong 1 in what was, decades ago, the popular Cafe de Paris nightclub. We're not sure whether this will end up a Nitespot or just a restaurant. Time will reveal all...
SURAWONG @ PATPONG 1
Last month we announced the opening of the Dok Pub in the long-closed King's Garden. What we didn't mention : the Dok Pub also occupies what was previously the Cosmos digs. We wanted to post another photo this month because they have nailed up their signage. (However, after taking a second look, it appears that there will be more signage to come...)
PATPONG 2
The Good Boy has supplanted the long-lived New Screw Boy. Modus operandi status quo ante...
PATPONG 2
The Kami Kazi has rolled out some brand new signage. What piques the interest - it appears no longer to be catering to just Japanese... Hmmm.... Located on level 3, 'Building No. 1', accessed from Patpong 1 or 2.
PATPONG 2
Lighthouse continues its long, slow rebirth to, well, whatever it will be when they finally get done renovating. The Southwest Monsoon has already started - they would have been 100% better off to have opened in the cool season, where they could have expected more custom. BTW, we were sharing a drink with an old Soi Cowboy 'contact' of twenty years, and I noted there were a lot of people on the Soi, so the bars must be quite busy. She said that very few were busy, and most of the people we see walking up and down the Soi are not customers...
SOI COWBOY
Just across the Soi from the renovating Light House is the renovating Cactus. Likewise we don't know what it will be called when they reopen, so yet another "wait-and-see".
SOI COWBOY
In the back right hand corner on the ground level is the Rainbow 2 (open) and the Rainbow (closed several months) - mentioned last month. We cannot confirm the rumor that they will merge...
NANA PLAZA
A 'street-scene' on Soi Nana (Sukhumvit Soi 4). Quite busy considering it is already the beginning of the monsoon season... Note the parade of taxis - you can jump into literally any one of them, and for only Baht 300 they will take you anywhere in the near Sukhumvit area. Such a deal...
SOI NANA - (SOI 4 SUKHUMVIT)
We noted no new Nitespot openings or closings this month. Photo for the Archives...
SOI KATOEY (Silom Soi 4)
Last month we reported the Biya Salon Massage closed. We are pleased to mention they have reopened this month - and it's business as usual...
SOI 22 Sukhumvit Rd
The Private Bar, closed for a couple of months, has re-rolled out the red carpet. They can be found deep in Subsoi Hana.
SOI 22 Sukhumvit Rd
The BTS (Best Thai Special) Massage has gone the way of the Palaeotodus. Located at the top of Subsoi Titanium. File photo below.
SOI 22 Sukhumvit Rd
What was the short-lived Panacea Night Club will soon be the Paradise. Renovations almost completed, they should open before the end of the month.
SOI AMBASSADOR
(Sukhumvit Soi 11)
As the Aloft Hotel goes through massive renovations, the WXYZ Bar will be closed indefinitely. The other two Nitespots, Levels and Crave remain open. Gotta let the train roll on...
SOI AMBASSADOR
(Sukhumvit Soi 11)
The brand-new Lucky Whisky Bar (no sign yet) opened newly this month, has replaced both Phannee's Bar (now closed) and the AJ 168 Bar (moved into the defunct Rain Bar digs). Located at the rear of the Bier Garten side of 7 Center Point. Welcome them to the nightcircus...
7 CENTER POINT (Sukhumvit Soi 7)
Last month we noted the permanent closure of Fortune Club in Subsoi 3, only to find out they were preparing to open less than 20 meters away as Fortune Counter Bar. Welcome them back to the machine.
SOI DEAD ARTIST (Sukhumvit Soi 33)
Princess has opened in Subsoi Pan Pan in the recently closed The Sun (which only opened two months ago). Welcome them to the slippery slope...
SOI DEAD ARTIST (Sukhumvit Soi 33)
The Matador Bar has opened newly in the Covid-closed Plame specialty massage. Here's hoping this is your greener pasture...
SOI EDEN (Sukhumvit 7 / 1)
As the armed conflict in Southeast Asia continued to escalate, so grew the expat Bangkok Night Entertainment Scene. The number of Nightclubs, bars and massage parlors continued to grow, with new Night Entertainment Areas opening up. A mix of local and foreign entertainers and entertainment finding its way into the local Night Scene.
Perhaps one of the reasons dueling is no longer a popular way of settling disputes in Thailand. Contrary to Hollywood depictions, the almost-humorous account above illustrates how oftentimes there is no winner.
January 1968
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