Thanks For Many Comments About The Red Lion ...

[harrry]

Oh, and my nearest watering hole sells LARGE Chang at 38 bht/bottle!

Wow!! Enjoy.

Good that it is near/

But don't drink and drive.

Edited November 26, 2009 by harrry

[elektrified]

That is one thing that I particularly like at The Red Lion, the great classic music videos they play there.

I wouldn't go to an English pub to drink Chang, that's for sure. The Guinness is really good there. Does The Red Lion sell a "snakebite" by any chance??

[KevinHunt]

That is one thing that I particularly like at The Red Lion, the great classic music videos they play there.

I wouldn't go to an English pub to drink Chang, that's for sure. The Guinness is really good there. Does The Red Lion sell a "snakebite" by any chance??

I've seen people make their own, but it's not on the menu. It would be a bit expensive as Guinness and cider are both imported.

[JuniorExPat]

That is one thing that I particularly like at The Red Lion, the great classic music videos they play there.

I wouldn't go to an English pub to drink Chang, that's for sure. The Guinness is really good there. Does The Red Lion sell a "snakebite" by any chance??

I've seen people make their own, but it's not on the menu. It would be a bit expensive as Guinness and cider are both imported.

- Snakebite = lager and cider, half and half

- Snakebite and black = lager and cider, half and half with a generous dash of blackcurrant cordial

- Black Velvet = Guinness and champagne, half and half

- Poor Man's Black Velvet = Guinness and cider, half and half

It may be an urban myth but I believe that it is illegal to serve snakebite in pubs in the UK due to the whoopy juice factor of the combination. I'm pretty sure that snakebite sits on the list of riff-raff drinks . . .

Call me pedantic, I'll take it in the nicest possible way . . .

JxP

[KevinHunt]

That is one thing that I particularly like at The Red Lion, the great classic music videos they play there.

I wouldn't go to an English pub to drink Chang, that's for sure. The Guinness is really good there. Does The Red Lion sell a "snakebite" by any chance??

I've seen people make their own, but it's not on the menu. It would be a bit expensive as Guinness and cider are both imported.

- Snakebite = lager and cider, half and half

- Snakebite and black = lager and cider, half and half with a generous dash of blackcurrant cordial

- Black Velvet = Guinness and champagne, half and half

- Poor Man's Black Velvet = Guinness and cider, half and half

It may be an urban myth but I believe that it is illegal to serve snakebite in pubs in the UK due to the whoopy juice factor of the combination. I'm pretty sure that snakebite sits on the list of riff-raff drinks . . .

Call me pedantic, I'll take it in the nicest possible way . . .

JxP

Quite right, I was thinking of Black Velvet - we were all poor   so we didn't use the forename. Besides, no champagne in Kirkby.

[MichaelShannon]

That is one thing that I particularly like at The Red Lion, the great classic music videos they play there.

I wouldn't go to an English pub to drink Chang, that's for sure. The Guinness is really good there. Does The Red Lion sell a "snakebite" by any chance??

I've seen people make their own, but it's not on the menu. It would be a bit expensive as Guinness and cider are both imported.

- Snakebite = lager and cider, half and half

- Snakebite and black = lager and cider, half and half with a generous dash of blackcurrant cordial

- Black Velvet = Guinness and champagne, half and half

- Poor Man's Black Velvet = Guinness and cider, half and half

It may be an urban myth but I believe that it is illegal to serve snakebite in pubs in the UK due to the whoopy juice factor of the combination. I'm pretty sure that snakebite sits on the list of riff-raff drinks . . .

Call me pedantic, I'll take it in the nicest possible way . . .

JxP

Quite right, I was thinking of Black Velvet - we were all poor so we didn't use the forename. Besides, no champagne in Kirkby.

Half Guinness and Half Cider is actually called a Johnny Jump Up as per the old song

"Oh never, Oh never, Oh never again

If I live to be a hundred or a hundred and ten

I fell to the ground and I couldn't get up

After drinking a quart of the Johnny Jump Up"

[caf]

Hi

I tried the Red Lion last night to after the hype - as I had to take

my folks to the Night Bazzar and wanted somewhere to sit it out and wait!

Staff friendly, but more attentive to those sitting outside, rather than inside.

I had steak and kidney pie and mash, but it wasn't enough so I had to order some extra chips after.

Beer! I'm guessing I'm NOT their target customer as I thought the beer Very expensive! NO large bottles,

NO local draught beer and a SMALL beer was 60/70 baht. Cheapest beer was a litre jug of Heineken at 180 -

whereas you can get a litre of Chang in Anusarn market for 109 baht just round the corner.

Thought the music/dvd offering on the TV was soooo boring, Sinatra and Cliff really don't float my boat!

Would have been better to have had old UK sitcoms or such like playing (imho)

David

It's a strange sort of pub, very touristy. It obviously does well but it would at those prices. He is not shy at being very snobbish at who he wants his clientele to be. The old Bell has a better atmosphere and a friendly mine host. My favourite watering hole is Thai and serves Chang at 38 in an iced glass. Again good atmosphere. Everyone to his own choice.

[Ulysses G.]

I stopped by the Red Lion during the daytime and really enjoyed it. The staff were really attentive and nice and the fish and chips were up there with others of the better places in Chiang Mai.

The "No Riff Raff" wasn't out yet, so noone bothered me.

The prices were good and the portions were more than satisying. I recommend it.

[KevinHunt]

It's a strange sort of pub, very touristy. It obviously does well but it would at those prices. He is not shy at being very snobbish at who he wants his clientele to be. The old Bell has a better atmosphere and a friendly mine host. My favourite watering hole is Thai and serves Chang at 38 in an iced glass. Again good atmosphere. Everyone to his own choice.

Well done, very funny.

[ChiangMaiFun]

Hi

I tried the Red Lion last night to after the hype - as I had to take

my folks to the Night Bazzar and wanted somewhere to sit it out and wait!

Staff friendly, but more attentive to those sitting outside, rather than inside.

I had steak and kidney pie and mash, but it wasn't enough so I had to order some extra chips after.

Beer! I'm guessing I'm NOT their target customer as I thought the beer Very expensive! NO large bottles,

NO local draught beer and a SMALL beer was 60/70 baht. Cheapest beer was a litre jug of Heineken at 180 -

whereas you can get a litre of Chang in Anusarn market for 109 baht just round the corner.

Thought the music/dvd offering on the TV was soooo boring, Sinatra and Cliff really don't float my boat!

Would have been better to have had old UK sitcoms or such like playing (imho)

David

It's a strange sort of pub, very touristy. It obviously does well but it would at those prices. He is not shy at being very snobbish at who he wants his clientele to be. The old Bell has a better atmosphere and a friendly mine host. My favourite watering hole is Thai and serves Chang at 38 in an iced glass. Again good atmosphere. Everyone to his own choice.

To be fair you're not really comparing apples with apples... it is expensive at 180 but as long as they fill the glass up I am happy to pay that for a decent pint (or 3) occasionally - of course we can all buy Chang for less but I would not dream of drinking Chang or any other bottled beer when Guinness or the like is on offer.

As I said previously I was pleasantly surprised and have gone back since... up to me if I want to pay peanuts for Chang in local Thai place (which i do) but if I want a quality pint TRL is ok in my book... been there twice since this debate kicked off and will go again - just keep an eye on the filling of the glass Kevin that's all I ask! cheers!

Not quite sure I got the 'touristy' comment... hmmm? I'm sure the landlodr is very happy it's touristy or he'd go hungry!

[KevinHunt]

 

To be fair you're not really comparing apples with apples... it is expensive at 180 but as long as they fill the glass up I am happy to pay that for a decent pint (or 3) occasionally - of course we can all buy Chang for less but I would not dream of drinking Chang or any other bottled beer when Guinness or the like is on offer.

Guinness and Tetley's at 180 baht a pint is standard for Chiang Mai - I don't know of anyone selling it cheaper, other than during Happy hours. Our beers & spirits prices would be much the same as O'Malley's, The Pub, Tuskers, UN irish , Olde Bell etc.

There is a  big sign outside that clearly shows the prices, which are inclusive, so no added service charges or VAT.

Edited November 27, 2009 by KevinHunt

[ChiangMaiFun]

To be fair you're not really comparing apples with apples... it is expensive at 180 but as long as they fill the glass up I am happy to pay that for a decent pint (or 3) occasionally - of course we can all buy Chang for less but I would not dream of drinking Chang or any other bottled beer when Guinness or the like is on offer.

Guinness and Tetley's at 180 baht a pint is standard for Chiang Mai - I don't know of anyone selling it cheaper, other than during Happy hours. Our beers & spirits prices would be much the same as O'Malley's, The Pub, Tuskers, UN irish , Olde Bell etc.

There is a big sign outside that clearly shows the prices, which are inclusive, so no added service charges or VAT.

I mean it's expensive everywhere! (import tax I know) not picking on TRL who I've sort of defended

[KevinHunt]

I mean it's expensive everywhere! (import tax I know) not picking on TRL who I've sort of defended 

I realise that, thanks.

[caf]

It's a strange sort of pub, very touristy. It obviously does well but it would at those prices. He is not shy at being very snobbish at who he wants his clientele to be. The old Bell has a better atmosphere and a friendly mine host. My favourite watering hole is Thai and serves Chang at 38 in an iced glass. Again good atmosphere. Everyone to his own choice.

Well done, very funny.

Not meant to be funny, only my personal opinion of local watering holes. As I said each to his own. Some like your pub, some don't.

Glad to see you have reverted to reading my posts

[caf]

Hi

I tried the Red Lion last night to after the hype - as I had to take

my folks to the Night Bazzar and wanted somewhere to sit it out and wait!

Staff friendly, but more attentive to those sitting outside, rather than inside.

I had steak and kidney pie and mash, but it wasn't enough so I had to order some extra chips after.

Beer! I'm guessing I'm NOT their target customer as I thought the beer Very expensive! NO large bottles,

NO local draught beer and a SMALL beer was 60/70 baht. Cheapest beer was a litre jug of Heineken at 180 -

whereas you can get a litre of Chang in Anusarn market for 109 baht just round the corner.

Thought the music/dvd offering on the TV was soooo boring, Sinatra and Cliff really don't float my boat!

Would have been better to have had old UK sitcoms or such like playing (imho)

David

It's a strange sort of pub, very touristy. It obviously does well but it would at those prices. He is not shy at being very snobbish at who he wants his clientele to be. The old Bell has a better atmosphere and a friendly mine host. My favourite watering hole is Thai and serves Chang at 38 in an iced glass. Again good atmosphere. Everyone to his own choice.

To be fair you're not really comparing apples with apples... it is expensive at 180 but as long as they fill the glass up I am happy to pay that for a decent pint (or 3) occasionally - of course we can all buy Chang for less but I would not dream of drinking Chang or any other bottled beer when Guinness or the like is on offer.

As I said previously I was pleasantly surprised and have gone back since... up to me if I want to pay peanuts for Chang in local Thai place (which i do) but if I want a quality pint TRL is ok in my book... been there twice since this debate kicked off and will go again - just keep an eye on the filling of the glass Kevin that's all I ask! cheers!

Not quite sure I got the 'touristy' comment... hmmm? I'm sure the landlodr is very happy it's touristy or he'd go hungry!

Touristy was a word used by another poster too and you are probably right the landlord is happy it's touristy. As I said it's one's own choice. Some like the pub some don't. Forgetting price, my thai watering hole serves up a good chang in an iced glass and the atmosphere is good. Whetehr its peanuts or not is irrelevant to that argument. They don't serve guinness, for which one would have to go elsewhere. But eastern countries can pour a good pint of the black stuff as I found on a recent trip to KL

[anonymouse]

Hi

I tried the Red Lion last night to after the hype - as I had to take

my folks to the Night Bazzar and wanted somewhere to sit it out and wait!

Staff friendly, but more attentive to those sitting outside, rather than inside.

I had steak and kidney pie and mash, but it wasn't enough so I had to order some extra chips after.

Beer! I'm guessing I'm NOT their target customer as I thought the beer Very expensive! NO large bottles,

NO local draught beer and a SMALL beer was 60/70 baht. Cheapest beer was a litre jug of Heineken at 180 -

whereas you can get a litre of Chang in Anusarn market for 109 baht just round the corner.

Thought the music/dvd offering on the TV was soooo boring, Sinatra and Cliff really don't float my boat!

Would have been better to have had old UK sitcoms or such like playing (imho)

David

It's a strange sort of pub, very touristy. It obviously does well but it would at those prices. He is not shy at being very snobbish at who he wants his clientele to be. The old Bell has a better atmosphere and a friendly mine host. My favourite watering hole is Thai and serves Chang at 38 in an iced glass. Again good atmosphere. Everyone to his own choice.

To be fair you're not really comparing apples with apples... it is expensive at 180 but as long as they fill the glass up I am happy to pay that for a decent pint (or 3) occasionally - of course we can all buy Chang for less but I would not dream of drinking Chang or any other bottled beer when Guinness or the like is on offer.

As I said previously I was pleasantly surprised and have gone back since... up to me if I want to pay peanuts for Chang in local Thai place (which i do) but if I want a quality pint TRL is ok in my book... been there twice since this debate kicked off and will go again - just keep an eye on the filling of the glass Kevin that's all I ask! cheers!

Not quite sure I got the 'touristy' comment... hmmm? I'm sure the landlodr is very happy it's touristy or he'd go hungry!

Touristy was a word used by another poster too and you are probably right the landlord is happy it's touristy. As I said it's one's own choice. Some like the pub some don't. Forgetting price, my thai watering hole serves up a good chang in an iced glass and the atmosphere is good. Whetehr its peanuts or not is irrelevant to that argument. They don't serve guinness, for which one would have to go elsewhere. But eastern countries can pour a good pint of the black stuff as I found on a recent trip to KL

The Guiness they serve in KL is brewed locally its around 8.5% in strength, way to strong for my tastes, the imported Guinness they serve in Thailand I think is imported from the UK, I might be wrong.

[Ulysses G.]

Everyone knows that rental prices in the Night Bazaar are through the roof and I have heard of several places getting asked for more. Kevin's prices seem very reasonable for its location and the quality of the food.

I am not going to get specific, but some of the places that some posters are promoting here as better than the Red Lion have very mediocre food that tastes like it comes from a freezer or a can. Kevin's food is much better, much fresher and the prices for alcohol are pretty much the same.

[rixalex]

Beer! I'm guessing I'm NOT their target customer as I thought the beer Very expensive! NO large bottles,

NO local draught beer and a SMALL beer was 60/70 baht.

Are you seriously sniffing at 60 baht for a beer in a pub?!!!

[DavidOxon]

Beer! I'm guessing I'm NOT their target customer as I thought the beer Very expensive! NO large bottles,

NO local draught beer and a SMALL beer was 60/70 baht.

Are you seriously sniffing at 60 baht for a beer in a pub?!!!

It's not a case of sniffing, but questioning the statistics.

A small local beer in TRL that costs 25% of minimum daily wage in a regional city in a third world country - Yes, let's sniff a little!

that's about £1.10 sterling, a pint of local beer in the UK (London - Wetherspoons) one of the world's more expensive cities

is as low as £1.45, around 80 baht, about 3.5% of the UK daily minimum wage.

David

Edited November 28, 2009 by DavidOxon

[KevinHunt]

Beer! I'm guessing I'm NOT their target customer as I thought the beer Very expensive! NO large bottles,

NO local draught beer and a SMALL beer was 60/70 baht.

Are you seriously sniffing at 60 baht for a beer in a pub?!!!

It's not a case of sniffing, but questioning the statistics.

A small local beer in TRL that costs 25% of minimum daily wage in a regional city in a third world country - Yes, let's sniff a little!

that's about £1.10 sterling, a pint of local beer in the UK (London - Wetherspoons) one of the world's more expensive cities

is as low as £1.45, around 80 baht, about 3.5% of the UK daily minimum wage.

David

Sniff away, but surely those statistics only apply to working class Thais, who aren't my target customers. 

For most expats or tourists 60 baht for a small beer is standard and acceptable - I wouldn't be in business otherwise. I recently paid 90 baht for a small Heiny at Inter bar (more than I charge) and was just about to sniff until I realised that they do have Live music, and I happen to know from experience how much that costs, so I reckoned it was justified, even bearing in mind the savings they make on not buying cleaning products. What surprised me was that most of the customers were back-packers, who I assumed wouldn't pay that much for a big one, never mind a small one. Good to luck to them, I say. 

Using Wetherspoons as an example doesn't quite work either. There are 742 Wetherspoons in the UK, and one Red Lion in Chiang Mai. Our respective purchasing powers are not quite the same. Also, legend has it that they buy beer that is just about to expire as regards to the sell-by-date, whereas I don't.

Edited November 28, 2009 by KevinHunt

[thaimiller]

Beer! I'm guessing I'm NOT their target customer as I thought the beer Very expensive! NO large bottles,

NO local draught beer and a SMALL beer was 60/70 baht.

Are you seriously sniffing at 60 baht for a beer in a pub?!!!

It's not a case of sniffing, but questioning the statistics.

A small local beer in TRL that costs 25% of minimum daily wage in a regional city in a third world country - Yes, let's sniff a little!

that's about £1.10 sterling, a pint of local beer in the UK (London - Wetherspoons) one of the world's more expensive cities

is as low as £1.45, around 80 baht, about 3.5% of the UK daily minimum wage.

David

Don't ever visit patong in Phuket then David, on a recent trip they tried to charge 400thb in Suzie wongs for a large Heineken. I can't believe anyone would complain at 60thb for a bottle of beer.

[DavidOxon]

Yes, but for 400bht I bet you didn't have to listen to My Way by Ol Blue eyes

[rixalex]

It's not a case of sniffing, but questioning the statistics.

A small local beer in TRL that costs 25% of minimum daily wage in a regional city in a third world country - Yes, let's sniff a little!

that's about £1.10 sterling, a pint of local beer in the UK (London - Wetherspoons) one of the world's more expensive cities

is as low as £1.45, around 80 baht, about 3.5% of the UK daily minimum wage.

David

With respect, your statistics are daft and the comparisons don't work.

The way you have to look at it is how much would it cost you to buy a beer from a 7-11 and sit on the pavement to drink it? About 40 baht right? So for an extra 20 baht you can sit in the comfort of a bar stool, surrounded by great company and pleasant music. Sounds like a bargain to me.

Don't you think that if it was possible for Kevin to charge less and still make a profit, he would do exactly that? Or do you think that him, and all the other bar/pub owners who that charge that same amount (and more) are simply greedy people taking their customers for a ride? Perhaps it's you that's the greedy one.

P.S. Please leave Frank out of this.

[vagabond48]

The way you have to look at it is how much would it cost you to buy a beer from a 7-11 and sit on the pavement to drink it? About 40 baht right? So for an extra 20 baht you can sit in the comfort of a bar stool, surrounded by great company and pleasant music. Sounds like a bargain to me.

Although, I rarely drink or don't frequent farang food or drinking establishments, just for clarification, the 7-11 beer you're quoting is for a large bottle not a small one so it's not a proper price comparison. If a large beer was served at RL for let's say 100 baht then you could ask if one would prefer nursing it in comfort for the extra 60 baht.

[rixalex]

Although, I rarely drink or don't frequent farang food or drinking establishments, just for clarification, the 7-11 beer you're quoting is for a large bottle not a small one so it's not a proper price comparison.

Not correct.

Small bottle of Heiny from memory is about 38 baht in my local 7-11.

[Toosetinmyways]

Beer! I'm guessing I'm NOT their target customer as I thought the beer Very expensive! NO large bottles,

NO local draught beer and a SMALL beer was 60/70 baht.

Are you seriously sniffing at 60 baht for a beer in a pub?!!!

It's not a case of sniffing, but questioning the statistics.

A small local beer in TRL that costs 25% of minimum daily wage in a regional city in a third world country - Yes, let's sniff a little!

that's about £1.10 sterling, a pint of local beer in the UK (London - Wetherspoons) one of the world's more expensive cities

is as low as £1.45, around 80 baht, about 3.5% of the UK daily minimum wage.

David

I have just returned from the UK yesterday

Drank 1 draft pint Stella in a Weatherspoons 2.58 pounds, 5% alcohol content

Cheapest draft lager on offer was 1.99 pounds, 3.2% alcohol content.

[KevinHunt]

The Guiness they serve in KL is brewed locally its around 8.5% in strength, way to strong for my tastes, the imported Guinness they serve in Thailand I think is imported from the UK, I might be wrong.

The Keg Draught Guinness in Thailand is from Malaysia and is 5.00% alcohol. The canned draught is from the UK. Hopefully the Guinness will get cheaper in the new year when import tariffs drop as part of ASEAN free-trade agreements.

[ChiangMaiFun]

The Guiness they serve in KL is brewed locally its around 8.5% in strength, way to strong for my tastes, the imported Guinness they serve in Thailand I think is imported from the UK, I might be wrong.

The Keg Draught Guinness in Thailand is from Malaysia and is 5.00% alcohol. The canned draught is from the UK. Hopefully the Guinness will get cheaper in the new year when import tariffs drop as part of ASEAN free-trade agreements.

Guinness is expensive due to the tax - if you don't like to pay it then don't...? I'm slightly at a loss about some of the comments - up to you! hopefully it may be slightly cheaper next year - I have it occassionally as a 'treat' as I'd be broke if I drunk it all the time at 180 - don't like it? don't do it.

TRL has done quite well out of this thread I now occassionally pop in for a pint of the black stuff (or 2) - so no publicity is bad (pub)licity cheers! it's not a bad place - it is what it is! hope (?) they get a larger screen for the world cup though? (hint, hint)

[KevinHunt]

The Guiness they serve in KL is brewed locally its around 8.5% in strength, way to strong for my tastes, the imported Guinness they serve in Thailand I think is imported from the UK, I might be wrong.

The Keg Draught Guinness in Thailand is from Malaysia and is 5.00% alcohol. The canned draught is from the UK. Hopefully the Guinness will get cheaper in the new year when import tariffs drop as part of ASEAN free-trade agreements.

Guinness is expensive due to the tax - if you don't like to pay it then don't...? I'm slightly at a loss about some of the comments - up to you! hopefully it may be slightly cheaper next year - I have it occassionally as a 'treat' as I'd be broke if I drunk it all the time at 180 - don't like it? don't do it.

TRL has done quite well out of this thread I now occassionally pop in for a pint of the black stuff (or 2) - so no publicity is bad (pub)licity cheers! it's not a bad place - it is what it is! hope (?) they get a larger screen for the world cup though? (hint, hint)

I couldn't fit a larger screen in - the one we have is about 6ft square!!

[ChiangMaiFun]

The Guiness they serve in KL is brewed locally its around 8.5% in strength, way to strong for my tastes, the imported Guinness they serve in Thailand I think is imported from the UK, I might be wrong.

The Keg Draught Guinness in Thailand is from Malaysia and is 5.00% alcohol. The canned draught is from the UK. Hopefully the Guinness will get cheaper in the new year when import tariffs drop as part of ASEAN free-trade agreements.

Guinness is expensive due to the tax - if you don't like to pay it then don't...? I'm slightly at a loss about some of the comments - up to you! hopefully it may be slightly cheaper next year - I have it occassionally as a 'treat' as I'd be broke if I drunk it all the time at 180 - don't like it? don't do it.

TRL has done quite well out of this thread I now occassionally pop in for a pint of the black stuff (or 2) - so no publicity is bad (pub)licity cheers! it's not a bad place - it is what it is! hope (?) they get a larger screen for the world cup though? (hint, hint)

I couldn't fit a larger screen in - the one we have is about 6ft square!!

6ft? I must have missed something! I only saw the small thing about 20 inches at most (outside) - must get new glasses!