Having finished publishing or updating our backlog of lead articles over the last few months, we came to the sudden, and embarrassing, realization that we had not been updating our maps. We had firmly told ourselves in our New Year's Resolutions of past years that map updates would be an annual exercise. Some of our maps are 4 years old This month, we are updating three of our maps, as below. Feel free to download for personal use.
READER :
Hello,
Any plans to update any of the area maps that are 3+ years or more outdated? I know it's kind of a big task to undertake. I was also wondering about the Soi 8 map. The link doesn't appear to be working. Maybe a work in progress?
What ever happened to the Woodstock Bar from Nana Plaza? It was there in the 90's but no longer. I had heard that it had moved to Thong Lor but not sure if it and its American owner are still around.
Anyway, nice site and I'll probably be back again.
Cheers,
MIDNITE HOUR:Greetings,
Yes, over the next months we will be updating the maps. Our 1 March issue (still not completed due to internal issues) will include three updated maps (Preview above) and the Soi 8 Map.
Woodstock Rock & Roll Pub & Restaurant (back while it was just an A Go-Go) was a favorite of ours. It closed at Nana Plaza on March 2005. It did move to a subsoi off of Soi 55 Thonglor. as a restaurant, however it was not successful. It is now closed.
Last month, the upstairs Wild Cat reopened after a long closure, only to close this month. Poised to open in its place is the Big Boy Bar & Host Club. It is, as is obvious, a gay bar.
At New Years, we noted the long running Swing Club (up on The Ramp) was closed, but thought it might be taking an unannounced holiday (as they did on occasion). They were also closed on the first of February and are still closed. The 'benefit-of-the-doubt' has expired, and their signage has been pulled down, as well. Closed means closed.-File Photo
The Supernova has managed to add one additional sign since last month. At this rate they will be opening by the next cool season (this coming November)...
What was Nana Plaza's seminal bar, the Lucky Lukes (Tiki Bar), ceased to exist two months ago. Its replacement, Cheeky Beer & Sexy Snack (Kino, K69) has just opened in those digs. Welcome to the night-circus...
What was the Red Hog Bar two months ago became the Red Bar lasst month. This month it is the Red Boar Bar, as are its two sister bars in the Sukhumvit area. Obviously, the Trade Mark issue has been settled, and business-as-usual is the order of the day.
SOI NANA - (SOI 4 SUKHUMVIT)
The Red Room Lounge located in front of the Nana Hotel is no more. It has reverted to one of its earlier handles, Rumours Nana. We give up, we are resigned to just dutifully report on the bar changing its name every other month. (We note that Las Vegas is once again claiming 'the-room-at-the-top-of-the-stairs'...) Any suggestions on what it will be called next month? -File Photo
Although not an official meterological term, Mango Rains are real. The night we surveyed Khao San Road we noted for the first time in recent years there were no new or recently closed Nitespots. We did get caught in the above-mentioned showers, however, so the only bit of photography we came away with is the short video clip below - once again featuring Red Drum. May they persevere...
Opened only last month, the New Star (2nd level, Honey Plaza) has already closed. No signs posted as to if, or when they might reopen. May they find greener grass... -File Photo
SOI 22 Sukhumvit Rd
Bar Black Pinky was closed on New Years, so we gave it the benefit of the doubt - and, as has happened with them previously, they finally did reopen... Welcome them back - if they were ever really gone... -File Photo
SOI 22 Sukhumvit Rd
Anela Nuru massage has replaced the less-than-successful Kiki (closed 2 months ago). Rub-a-dub-dub. Located in Honey Plaza.
SOI 22 Sukhumvit Rd
Ruen Thai (2) massage has opened newly near the top of the Soi next to the Holiday Relax Massage. A 'traditional Thai' massage, only slightly 'ambiguous' as to services offered. Welcome them to the fray, however in a Soi already crowded with massage parlors, let's just see what the Fates have in store...
SOI 22 Sukhumvit Rd
Private Bar is once again re-reopened on Sub-soi Hana just past the Marriott Marquis Hotel. -File Photo
SOI 22 Sukhumvit Rd
Mimi Massage appears to have gone the way of the Agnopterus. By the way, what the heck is a 'Lymphatic Massage'? Sounds painful... -File Photo
SOI 22 Sukhumvit Rd
The GW Massage has replaced the AW Massage. Looks more like a reorganization and a sign re-painting exercise... Welcome them to the sharkpool...
Last montht the Soi 8 version of the Red Hog Bar was renamed Red Bar - apparently for copyright or trademark infringement. This month, as with sister bars in the area, they are now the Red Boar Bar. Business as usual... May they keep on keeping on.
The brand-new Baia (Dine Drink Dance) opened up across the Soi from Hemingway. The beat goes on...
SOI AMBASSADOR
(Sukhumvit Soi 11)
Soi Ambassador's (Soi 11/1) version of the Red Bar has also now formally become the Red Boar Bar. Redux all over again...
SOI AMBASSADOR
(Sukhumvit Soi 11)
The somewhat peculiarly named Son of Salt has done a makeover - interior, exterior and signage. They are now officially Salt Bar & Club. Lookin' good - the beat goes on...
The Balance-Bar has up and disappeared... Well, not exactly, the sign (see photo) has disappeared and the bar itself has been absorbed by the next-door Balance-Bar 2. So, net, nothing has changed... -File Photo
Last month we peered through the construction and dust and old cardboard boxes and determined that the Nitespot under construction would be called Blue Dragon. Wrong we were, this month they opened as Drake Luxury Lounge. From appearances, "Luxury Lounge" appears to be same-same 'specialty massage parlor'. We'll update as we hear more... Welcome them to Darwin's trials of attrition...
SOI DEAD ARTIST (Sukhumvit Soi 33)
The Baron Lounge was closed on our New Year's Eve survey, so we gave it the benefit of the doubt. It's still closed..... therefore, it is closed. Located in Subsoi Pan Pan. -File Photo
SOI DEAD ARTIST (Sukhumvit Soi 33)
Closed for two months (since New Years), theTsubaki Club once again rolled out the red carpet. Their next door neighbor, and sister VenueIzakaya Sazanka, however, will not be returning to duty. -File Photo.
SOI DEAD ARTIST (Sukhumvit Soi 33)
Welcome to the vicissitudes, The Hidden Vault And it is literally hidden. To get there, go deep into the Soi to Sub-Soi 5, go down to the first driveway on the right and go in. You will then be able to see the sign. They are currently on the second level, but according to staff, soon will open the rooftop. -File Photo
SOI DEAD ARTIST (Sukhumvit Soi 33)
Jazzy Karaoke Massage, on Sub-Soi 3 has winked out after only one year. We guess their lease ran out? When first it opened, we were wondering how karaoke and massage fit into the same 'experience' (?) Restating the obvious, Darwin plays no favorites... -File Photo
A file for the Archives of the Green Room which, at the time of our passing-by, had a great 'Stones rock group playing. We noted no change in the inventory of Nitespots on the Soi this month.
This month Midnite Hour continues to review Bangkok'sNightlife Scene offering live entertainment, both foreign and local, as found in the bigger hotels, expat Night Entertainment Areas, and other Venues within the City.
In the competition among Bangkok's big nightclubs, the Cafe de Paris took home first prize for the month of October 1969 with visiting USA superstar Sarah Vaughan.
October 1969
In 1969 the Moulin Rouge, was still in its original location in the old part of Bangkok on Rajdamnern Road, despite the center of Nightspot entertainment shifting along next to the river on New Road, and then again, to the Patpongs.
October 1969
Bernard Trink entertainment insert
The long-popular Dino's was located at the corner of Sukhumvit Road and Soi 29 - which in 1969 was considered somewhat outside the 'Night Entertainment' district.
October 1969
The upstairs Topper Club was the earliest among several to occupy the corner position on Sukhumvit Road at Soi 5.
October 1969
Bernard Trink entertainment insert
LEFT : The Sani Chateau was the 'big fish' at the Gaysorn Night Entertainment Area for several years. It maintained a mix of 'local' entertainers and foreign.
RIGHT : The Windsor Hotel was an R&R hotel, its N.C.O. club was open to both the visiting G.I.s and outsiders. It was located on Sukhumvit Soi 20.
October 1969
The Duke's Coffee Shop (actual name, 'Duke') was located on Patpong 2 at the junction of the first connecting soi to Patpong 1 (coming from the Silom Rd side). Open 24 hrs, it was one of the popular stopping-off places after the bars closed.
October 1969
Bernard Trink entertainment insert
A photo of two of Rick Menard's staff. What goes unsaid in the photo is the two young ladies are posing behind the string curtain that skirted the Grand Prix's brand new A Go-Go stage.
October 1969
The Impossibles were a popular rock and pop musical group that were most active in the last half of the 1960s, through the 1970s and 1980s. They released their first album in 1969, which was instantly popular locally. By their final 'goodbye' performance in 2006, only three of the group remained.
October 1969
The Nipa Hut Bar Restaurant was located on Sukhumvit Road across the street from the entrance to Soi 23. Later they would be best known for their two dwarf doormen, dressed in typical Mexican attire.
October 1969
Le Metropolitain was the newest bar-restaurant to open in the Gaysorn Night Entertainment Area.
October 1969
A clipping from an October 1969 issue of the Bangkok World newspaper. "Any comment would be superfluous."
The international "Press" has once again claimed to have unmasked the secretive graffiti artist Banksy. They have pieced together circumstantial evidence - to wit: a certain British 'John Smith' was in Ukraine at the same time Banksy murals appeared on Russian-destroyed buildings. Their 'proof' ? A person of this name and nationality was reported to have exited Ukraine immigration soon after the graffiti was discovered. The problem... the real Banksy, whoever he is, is rumored to have been using that pseudonym. There is no proof that a 'John Smith' passport, or any passport under any other name, was issued to the currently accused / suspected 'Banksy'. They could be right (the 'accused', one Robin Gunningham from Bristol, might be Banksy). However, once again they have not come up with any conclusive evidence of same. Ho-hum...
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 photographs or artwork resides exclusively with the creators.
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 creators.
Bangkok's original site !
SINCE 2005
The MIDNITE HOUR Graffiti Page is prepared by Staff Contributor "Boge" Hartman.
(Boge's photo, above, is not a graffitiper-se, although there are those who have insinuated....
-
Ed)
Having finished publishing or updating our backlog of lead articles over the last few months, we came to the sudden, and embarrassing, realization that we had not been updating our maps. We had firmly told ourselves in our New Year's Resolutions of past years that map updates would be an annual exercise. Some of our maps are 4 years old This month, we are updating three of our maps, as below. Feel free to download for personal use.
PATPONG 1 
March's Nitelife News 
page at 
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