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MONTHLY
COLUMN
 
Bangkok,
01 August 2015
William R.  Morledge


August's Nightlife News
Bangkok's Bars - 20 Years Ago  
A Smile in the Land of Smiles.
Ask Us:   What's Up at Soi 7?
Graffiti  -BKK's Midnite Vandals - #113

         In keeping with Midnight Hour's longstanding policy of updating Night Entertainment Area maps, this month we will be providing a new, somewhat automated map of the Nana Entertainment Plaza, or just "Nana Plaza".   We probably should have done so before this time, however, since the 'reorganization' of Nana Plaza, there have been a number of new lessees and a number of Nitespot name-changes.   It appears that the turmoil is subsiding somewhat, so we felt this might be the opportune time to publish an updated map.

All 3 floors viewable.   Floor level changes every 5 seconds.

         Note that at the time of map update (01 August 2015) the ground floor Lucky Luke's and the 2nd level A Fairy Bar were still in the throes of renovations.   However, it is with some assurance that we have included them on this map.   Lucky Luke's is estimated to reopen on or about 5 August 2015, and the A Fairy Bar is estimated to open newly on 8 August 2015.

         Time permitting, the remainder of the expat Night Entertainment Area maps for Bangkok will be updated in upcoming issues this year.


            


-Pic property of Suzie - used with permission.     
      The Suzie Smile.   This pic circa 2006 at her Suzie Bar in Sukhumvit 1 Plaza.   Her first bar, Suzie & Crazy Bar was in Clinton Plaza, followed by her Suzie Bar in Sukhumvit Square, and then at least one bar in Cowboy Annex (Asoke Corner).   Then came the aforementioned Suzie Bar at Sukhumvit 1 Plaza.   And most recently - at the Soi 6 entrance to Soi Nana.   All of Suzie's bars were a success, however, fate played a heavy hand in the locations she chose....




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Many Thanks,
William R Morledge




            
 Historical Minutiae Dept.



What's the Skinny on Soi 7?
VENUES TUMBLING, RUMORS FLYING...

- Soi 7 pic by Dirty Dan, used with permission       

Hello,

      What is the lowdown on Soi 7, where the Beer Garden is?   I read the blogs and they say they are redeveloping that area and will tear down all the bars in the alleyway going to Soi 5, and that they may tear down the Beer Garden and even the Club 99.   I will be in Bangkok in November, and hope to visit these bars, so it would be great if you could let me know in advance.   Keep up the good work, always a good read.

Regard,
K.K.
Greetings, K.K.,

      As of a couple of days ago, there were exactly 3 venues left in the alleyway between Soi 5 and Soi 7, all located at the Soi 5 entrance. All the others had been demolished, and the debris was clogging the passageway.

      As for the Bier Garten (Soi 7 Beer Garden) and Check Inn 99 (your Club 99), there are only rumors, and rumors are even less dependable than your last tirak.   Months earlier, there was, as it worked out, a substantive rumor that the Bier Garten would close - after the death of the original owner.   But (so the story goes) it was taken over by the son, and remains open.   This is, however, no guarantee as to it's fate in the near term.   Likewise, rumor rules on the Check Inn 99's fate.   The rumor of it's demise may (or may not) stem from the fact that the premises of the katoey beer bar in the alleyway (which also called itself Check Inn 99) has been torn down.   We have learned from harsh foot-in-mouth experience not to publish rumors, except to state that these word-of-mouth scenarios aren't worth the paper they are written on.   We will wait for the dust to settle, and do a resurvey of the Soi 5 / Soi 7 area - which will likely be early next year.

Best,
Boge



? ASK US (ALMOST) ANYTHING !
Email bangkokeyes@gmail.com and "ASK US" - -   Click Here
         We can answer virtually any (reasonable) question on the Expat Night Entertainment Scene in Bangkok - be it Historical or very recent.   Send us an e-mail and we will do our best to answer you soonest.

'Boge' Hartman
Historical Research
* Zootramp Publications



Let the August 2015 Follies begin...
BANKOK EYES' Expat Night Scene.
   PATPONG  1
            A For-The-Archives pic of the Rose Bar, one of the Patpongs' oral services bars.   It has been there since the '80's.   Note next door the long-defunct Supergirls "upstairs bar", and the now ancient 'chopper' hanging from it's parapet.
  PATPONG  I  

   PATPONG  2
            The Top Light Bar has popped back up out of it's crypt after an almost 3-month closure.   Welcome them back to the nightbeat.
- File photo        
  PATPONG  2  

            Below is a list of bars on The Ramp which closed for 2 or more days at month's end for the religious holiday.    In that closures at this location have been quite frequent (and all too permanent), we will revisit The Ramp next time around to see which ones have reopened, and get back atcha.
         Spanish Eyes
         9501 Studio Bar
         Swing Club
         Rig-1 Pub
         The World
   SOI  COWBOY
            The normally glitzy, Vegas-like Rio was in near total darkness the other night when we passed by.   No explanatory sign on the door....no scuttlebutt.   All the other 'Iranian bars' were pumping....   Curious.   We'll keep an ear to the ground and get back atcha.
  SOI  COWBOY  


   NANA  PLAZA
Door Art Of The Month
Award



             After being in labour for several months, the NEP finally gave birth to the Jail Birdz.   And it was worth the wait - this new A Go-Go could very likely revitalize the 3rd Floor.   Great neon, great lighting, great interior (hopefully "theme bars" are on their way back in....).   Welcome them to the machine.
  NANA  PLAZA    

             The 2nd floor Straps is living, breathing proof that you don't have to have a superbar that is 2 or 3 shophouses wide - all you have to do is do it right.   So, continue to 'do what you do, do right', ladies....
  NANA  PLAZA    

             Rainbow 4 has put up some startling new neon.   Not that they really needed to - they have remained one of the more well-visited A Go-Go bars in the NEP.   Popular with both Asians and farang.   Let the rock continue to rock.
  NANA  PLAZA    

             Angel Witch has also hung out some new neon, but, somehow it doesn't look quite right....   They might want to have the manufacturer come back and look at the lighting within - the sign potentially could be quite striking.   May they persevere.
  NANA  PLAZA    

            The sign (or, so go the tom-toms) says it all : A Fairy Bar.   They will be having their soft opening on 8 August, if they have their way, and if the workmen continue to come to work.....   We will be coming around on next month's survey for some more pics....
  NANA  PLAZA    

            The Lucky Luke's bar beer has been closed for renovations for the last several weeks.   Renovations are nearing completion, and we can look for it to reopen within the week.   Several of your favorite hostesses have been transferred to nearby bars (same owner).
  NANA  PLAZA    

   SOI  NANA
            The G Terminal was in a stew of paint smells, varnish fumes and solvents when we passed by the other night.   Renovations should be complete, and they should be reopening right about... now.   Located upstairs in the front annex building in the Rajah Hotel compound.
- File photo  
  SOI   NANA   

   SOI  KATOEY
            The Sphinx has completed their interior renovations - all systems 'Go'.   (Last month we noted only the outside verandah was open).   Let the good times roll....
SOI  KATOEY  - (SILOM  SOI  4)

   SOI  22

             The Siam Breeze Massage & Spa is the reincarnation of the Po Thai Massage (as one might glean from their new sign).   May they continue to slip 'n slide.   Located in Soi Starlight.
SOI  22 - (Sukhumvit)

Massage Parlor Blues
'MORE RAIN, LESS CUSTOMER'

      Soi 22's masseuses wait curbside for customers.   The Soi has, at any given time, two dozen massage parlors, more or less, depending on which venues are closing down and which new venues are coming on line.   The recent rains, as welcome as they were for Thailand, were keeping customers off the streets in droves.

SOI  22 - (Sukhumvit)

             Gone, but not gone, the Bit Style Massage has come back to life, and it's business / pleasure as usual....
SOI  22 - (Sukhumvit)

             Bear Hug Momiya Massage is actually the reincarnation of the Momiya Jasmine Massage.   May they always have a chin choke in their corner.
SOI  22 - (Sukhumvit)

             The Soft Sense Massage & Spa has either closed, or it is only open daytime.   Either way, we shall scratch it from the rolls, as it is no longer a Nightlife attraction....   Located in Soi Lemongrass (just past the now-closed Imperial Queen's Park Hotel.
- File photo           
SOI  22 - (Sukhumvit)

   SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS
               The Velvet (Christie's) was "lights out" when we passed by at the end of the month (as with most of the Nitespots on Soi Dead Artists due to the Buddhist holiday).   However, in recent days, we have seen a lot of activity there, and the Velvet neon has been switched on more often than not.   We expect to see it fully reopened in the very near future.   We shall advise next round.
SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS - SOI  33

   SOI  AMBASSADOR  
               The recently opened The District have put the finishing touches on their renovations (see our coverage last month).   Seen below are the old entrances to Q up (left) and The Vault Speakeasy Club (right).   It's other two areas (not shown) are immediately adjacent to the Q up, and were the Azura Loungebar and the rear part of the old Q Bar respectively.   Whole lotta shakin' goin' on....
SOI  AMBASSADOR   - SOI  11

                The Crave has got their neon nailed back up - now that the decorative repainting has been completed.   Status quo ante, as they keep on keeping on.   Located in the Aloft Hotel.

SOI  AMBASSADOR   - SOI  11

   QUEEN'S  PARK  PLAZA
               Angel's Kiss, the QPP's only A Go-Go / Coyote bar, has stuffed it's last chit in the last cup.   Greener pastures, ladies....
- File photo        
  QUEEN'S  PARK  PLAZA -   SOI 22

               A small, and yet-to-be-named bar beer has opened up between the VL Internet Bar and Bundy's Bar.   Welcome to bright lights, big city....
  QUEEN'S  PARK  PLAZA -   SOI 22

   SOI  EDEN  
            The other month we promised a better For-The-Archives pic of the Crazy Hot.   We finally got around to getting it done....   We wish them constancy.
SOI  EDEN -  Soi  7/1 Sukhumvit

   SOI  TWILIGHT 
            Hot Male Beer Garden has taken over the reins of the Balls  The Sports Bar, which closed a couple of months ago.   Welcome to the Big Uphill.
SOI  TWILIGHT

            The long-standing unnamed bar beer located beside the now defunct Zeus was closed when we soldiered by.   However it looks like they are performing a few minor upgrades and will be reopening soon.   We will confirm next month....
SOI  TWILIGHT



 TOP   

A PAGE FROM Bangkok's NIGHTSCENE HISTORY....

 20 YEARS AGO  :

August

With thanks to Cool Text - cooltext.com

Bangkok Eyes goes back in time to see
Who was new - And who was through
in the Expat Night Entertainment world.
How many of these old 'oases'
do you remember ?

Patpong I

   *  No changes that month / year.


Patpong 2

    *  The Rififi Bar A Go-Go reopened.   (In the "We Don't Make Mistrakes Department", last month we noted, incorrectly, that the Rififi had closed for good.... in truth, it was to last for some years after that date, eventually closing February 2004).    This real estate is now home to Club Electric Blue.


Soi Cowboy

   *  No changes that month / year.


Nana Plaza

    *  Play Skool
the opened on the ground floor in the previous Mon Cherie digs.   Play Skool is still at this location.

    *  Bubble Gum reopened on the ground floor after being closed for 4 months.   It was located in the right half of what is now Suckers.

    *  Up on the second floor, the once-popular Madisons Pub closed.   It was located on the premises of what was, up until recently, the original Candy Land.   There is no Nitespot at that location currently.


Soi Katoey (Silom Soi 4)

   *  No changes that month / year.


Buckskin Joe Village (~ August 1988 - 9 August 2006)
(Also known -originally- as Tobacco Road or Soi Rot Fai or, 'The Tracks', and later as Machim [Thai] and Soi Zero)

   *  No changes that month / year.







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VICARIOUS ART CRIMES   # 112


MIDNITE H OUR's



GRAFFITI IN THE NEWS

Graffiti
Is you is, or is you ain't?

AND WHO DECIDES WHAT IS WHAT?


Chris Brown, singer and entertainer, has a brand new home in Beverly Hills, California.   He also has a lot of flashy parties and a few flashy cars.   He has also taken to spray-painting grotesque faces on his own home.   And the neighbors, who don't mind the loud parties, do mind the 'loud' characters spray painted on his home.   They call it 'graffiti'.   But is it graffiti?   Some neighbors disagree, saying he can do whatever he wants to his own property - in the name of "art" - or not in the name of "art".   But isn't graffiti defined as "unauthorized markings on property"?   There is a fine line of distinction in the minds of many, but not the Beverly Hills police, who say he has violated an ordinance against "excessive signage".   But then again, who decides what is "excessive" and what is not?   The ordinance itself does not define that....   Well, the battle wages on, without a clear winner in sight - and Chris Brown still has a well-bombed home.....




Graffiti #813
Rhinoform
8 ft high x 21 ft




Graffiti #814
Tree Spirits
6 ft high x 6 ft




Graffiti #815
Going Postal
8 ft high x 18 ft



Graffiti #816
'Atta Star
6 ft high x 13 ft




Graffiti #817
The Fleer's Kid
7 ft high x 10 ft




Graffiti #818
Fruit-Zits
6 ft high x 5 ft




Graffiti #819
Green Larvae
8 ft high x 18 ft




Graffiti, Graffiti , and more Graffiti - Bangkok's original graffiti Site !


   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
)


   --- Datzit Fernow
William R. Morledge


Click
for
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  TOP
"The Archives" - All Our Back Issues Here
- 2016 -


- 2015 -
01 JAN -    A Go-Go Bar Ratings
01 FEB -    Are Cops Gouging Nitelifers?
01 MAR -   Bad Company
01 APR -    LK Metro - Pattaya
01 MAY -    Soi 33 goes East
01 JUN -    Rachada Fades
01 JUL -    Freelancers

- 2014 -
01 JAN -   Bangkok's Got The Blues
01 FEB -   Soi 26 - Stayin' Alive
01 MAR -    Nightscene rues Mob
01 APR -    My Friend owns a Bar...
01 MAY -    Soi's 3, 5 and 7
01 JUN -    Curfew's Costly Cut
01 JUL -    Soi 13 Makes It's Move
01 AUG -    Pattaya Does The Twist
01 SEP -    Soi's 18 & 20 - Quieter is Better
01 OCT -    Soi's 10 & 14 - Lesser known Sois
01 NOV -    A Good Old Boy...
01 DEC -    Lang Suan & Sarasin

- 2013 -
01 JAN -    Not Fade Away - The Survivors
01 FEB -    Rare Old Photos
01 MAR -   Copa Reprise
01 APR -    Arise, Soi 22
01 MAY -    Where to Next ?
01 JUN -    Bangkok Noir
01 JUL -    MAPS - The Major Update
01 AUG -    Lamai Lamai Lamai
01 SEP -    Tim 'Wanchai' Young
01 OCT -    Soi Wall Street
01 NOV -    Little Thonglor - Soi 11
01 DEC -    Mississippi Queen

- 2012 -
01 JAN -    Mama-San
01 FEB -    Our 10th Anniversary Issue !
01 MAR -    How Gay Nana ?
01 APR -    Sukhumvit' Soi 23 - The Big Picture
01 MAY -    Khao San Road - Unique Bazaar
01 JUN -    Ekamai - It Used To Be Too Far
01 JUL -    Nightlife Pioneers
01 AUG -    The New Puritans
01 SEP -    Nana - On It's Own
01 OCT -    FAIL - War on Nitespot Drugs
01 NOV -    Patpong Unbroken
01 DEC -    Drugs & the Nightscene in History

- 2011 -
01 JAN -    Patpong's 'Glory Days'
01 FEB -    Nightlife In A Digital Age
01 MAR -    Co-Co Walk Plaza
01 APR -    Soi 33 Marches On
01 MAY -    Nightlife Permissiveness
01 JUN -    Ghosts of Nitelife Past
01 JUL -    STATE - The Cinema, Soi & Area
01 AUG -    Soi Darling
01 SEP -    Sri Nakarin South
01 OCT -    Soi 8 Reprise
01 NOV -    Floodless in Bangkok
01 DEC -    Soi Udomsuk

- 2010 -
01 JAN -    Street Bars II - The Triple-Dip
01 FEB -    Our Kind Of Art - II    - Chris Coles
01 MAR -    The Dead Artist Bars - Soi 33
01 APR -    "Soi Ginza" - Thaniya Road
01 MAY -    Night Scene Blues (Red Shirts 1)
01 JUN -    Nitespots Recover Slowly (Reds 2)
01 JUL -    World Cup Special
01 AUG -    Those Old Photos
01 SEP -    The German Invasion
01 OCT -    Racism & Prejudice
01 NOV -    Soi 11 Revisited
01 DEC -    Soi 22 Updater


- 2009 -
01 JAN -    The Santika Fire
01 FEB -    Salt & Pepper
01 MAR -    Nana Plaza - Update & Maps
01 APR -    Soi Nana Update
01 MAY -    The Nightscene & The Riots
01 JUN -    "19" Re-Focus
01 JUL -    Rain Dogs - The Underground
01 AUG -    Soi Thonglor - A bridge-too-far
01 SEP -    Ban Chang - Our Little Secret
01 OCT -    The "Ginza Effect'
01 NOV -    Royal City Avenue (RCA)
01 DEC -    Sutthisan & The Inthamara's

- 2008 -
01 JAN -    2007 - Looking Back
01 FEB -    Owning A Bar
01 MAR -    Expat's Bangkok
01 APR -    Nude Dancing
01 MAY -    After Midnite
01 JUN -    Night Scene In Flux
01 JUL -    Our Kind Of Art
01 AUG -    Trendy Plaza Reprise
01 SEP -    The Elephants Are ....Back
01 OCT -    Grand Prix Intro
01 NOV -    Grand Prix - Rick's Story
01 DEC -    "Old Bangkok Hand"

- 2007-
01 JAN -    Bombs Blast Bangkok
01 FEB -    Bangkok's Nightscene Websites
01 MAR -    Prasitipol Dance Bar To Fall
01 APR -    Soi 5 Neon Review
01 MAY -    A Go-Go Bangkok
01 JUN -    Arise ! Soi 11
01 JUL -    Anatomy Of A Bar Area
01 AUG -    Soi 26 - Too Far ?
01 SEP -    Chuwit Guilty
01 OCT -    Daytime Nana Plaza
01 NOV -    Cowboy - All Of It
01 DEC -    Another Nitespot Area Falls

- 2006 -
01 JAN -    Pattaya Ascending
01 FEB -    A Go-Go Then & Now
01 MAR -    ' Madrid '
01 APR -    White Heat
01 MAY -    Politics & Nightlife
01 JUN -    Fagin's Bratpack
01 JUL -    King Bhumipol's 60th Anniversary
01 AUG -    Soi 10 - The Final Shaft
01 SEP -    Pattaya's Soi Bua Khow
01 OCT -    Rachada's Other Face
01 NOV -    Soi 22s Other Bars
01 DEC -    Soi Eden Goes A Go-Go

- 2005 -
01 JAN -    Asoke Plaza Crushed
01 FEB -    The 'Nana Scene'
01 MAR -    Asoke Plaza Smashed Again
01 APR -    Sukhumvit 1 Plaza 'Arrives'
01 MAY -    Welcome 'Soi Eden'
01 JUN -    Bangkok's Bareback Riders
01 JUL -    Soi 22 - A Macro View
01 AUG -    Nana's Slide
01 SEP -    Cowboy Street Scene
01 OCT -    The Pattaya Run
01 NOV -    Soi 19 In Focus
01 DEC -    Bad Girls

- 2004 -
01 JAN -    Bangkok's Darkest Year
01 FEB -    Where Is Trink ?
01 MAR -    Soi 33 Just Won't Stop
01 APR -    Cracks In The Crackdown
01 MAY -    In The Zone
01 JUN -    "Night-Scene Jumbos
01 JUL -    Easy Square 'On The Map'
01 AUG -    Soi 1 Entertainment Plaza
01 SEP -    Khlong Toey Revisited
01 OCT -    Koh Samui's Night Scene
01 NOV -    Soi 1 Opens
01 DEC -    The Bangkok Pub Scene

- 2003 -
01 JAN -    Cowboy Crackdown
01 FEB -    Sukhumvit Square Smashed
01 MAR -    Soi 10 Survivors
01 APR -    War & The Night Scene
01 MAY -    Entertainment Blues
01 JUN -    '13 Night Market' Reborn
01 JUL -    Clinton Plaza Falls
01 AUG -    Soi 24 Nightscene Review
01 SEP -    Does Soi Nana Measure Up?
01 OCT -    Patpong - Legend & Myth
01 NOV -    Easy Square 'Launched'
01 DEC -    Soi Cowboy Urine-Swoop

- 2002 -
(OUR 2002 TEST COLUMNS :)
01 FEB -    January: Big Changes In Bar Scene
09 JUN -    Sukhumvit Square 'Explosion'

(OUR REGULAR COLUMNS BEGIN :)
20 JUN -    Soi 22's Queen's Park Plaza
01 JUL -    Clinton Plaza - Already Dead?
01 AUG -    Bar Beers Now "Major Players"
16 AUG -    July: Bar Beers Gaining Ground
01 SEP -    A Go-Gos A-building
17 SEP -    Virtual Bars
01 OCT -    A History In The Making
01 NOV -    Pool Bars Come Of Age
01 DEC -    November's Night Follies
15 DEC -    Genesis: Sukhumvit's Night Scene
- 2001 -
20 NOV ( The Seminal Emails )




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