After Soi Cowboy...what Next?

[tw25rw]

er...i dont think you got my point..

If it helps i will clarify that i was actually on your side (agreeing with you).

But, I was being sarcastic about Nana et al those places..

Glad you can read, but sad that you read it wrong..but nvm.

Actually, you got it right, albeit unintentionally...

[MJP]

Pattaya?

And Patong.

And Weston-super-Mare.

Sounds like a good reason to rebuild the pier.

You can see that from my place, up on the hill.

Anyway, back on topic. I thought it was the aim of the government to rid BKK of sleeze and containing the sex tourist stuff to Pattaya?

[britmaveric]

Who gave u that idea? Most of these spots are owned by people in the govt!

[MJP]

Who gave u that idea? Most of these spots are owned by people in the govt!

Oh yeah. I forget what this country's all about sometimes.

[MrJohnson]

A hot lemon drink, an aspirin and a quite lie down perhaps

[MJP]

A hot lemon drink, an aspirin and a quite lie down perhaps

Nah, that won't help. Bent as a nine bob note this place.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

It makes me sad to think that Patpong, Nana, and Soi Cowboy are considered "Ex-pat" hangouts by the OP.

I don't think it's fair to pin this on the OP.. Just looking around Cowboy or Nana it's really quite obvious that most foreigners there are in Thailand for an extended period of time, not tourists fresh off the plane. There are a couple of course but by no means a majority.

Evidently not all expats have the same tastes; some abhor that sort of nightlife and prefer to visit other areas, or stay home with the family for that matter. Fortunately there are options for all in Bangkok.

[IanForbes]

Seeing this topic is under close watch, let me first make it clear that what I'm about to say is on the topic of bars & nightlife. Drinking, playing pool, hanging out with friends, etc. That's primarily what I'm looking for when going out in Bangkok.

That said... I don't like Cowboy much. Absolutely hate Patpong. Nana as lost pretty much all of the small fun bars. This is happening in Cowboy as well, there were times when places weren't managed to death , with rules for everything. I don't think I need say more than "Midnite". All the new ones are far too professional and formulaic.

So where do I go.. Small sois mostly. 7/1. Boo Sa Bar is back under the original management after being rented out for over a year. And it shows, it's great. Laid back management and laid back rules for me make all the difference.

Of course 7/1 is a bit too small to be "THE" next area, but I can see this happening in other sois and sub-sois. Dedicated 'Expat' nightlife of the naughty kind is becoming more and more a fringe thing in Bangkok. Possibly for the better, maybe I should grow up.

I have to agree with Winnie on this topic. I haven't been back to Bangkok for at least 5 years, and I stopped going when I saw how Nana and Soi Cowboy were going rapidly downhill. Most of the punters moved on to Pattaya, and even that is changing. The Asia Bugle used to highlite all the girly bars in Bangkok, Patpong, Patong, Pattaya and even Angeles City in the Philippines. But, even the Asia Bugle hasn't had much good to write about recently.

Maybe I'm just getting old and prefer going to the two or three bars I like in Chiang Mai where all the staff know and like me.

[britmaveric]

^Spotlight Ian?

[citizen33]

The history of the various 'entertainment' areas is probably their most interesting aspect. I doubt if I'm allowed to post links, but if you google 'Bangkok Eyes', you'll come across a very interesting website that examines the chronology, how the various areas got started, and some of the now defunct areas from previous eras. There isn't anything too tacky on that website.

[Ulysses G.]

Evidently not all expats have the same tastes... and prefer to visit other areas

I prefer the swank Nana Hotel parking lot myself.

[JetsetBkk]

Evidently not all expats have the same tastes... and prefer to visit other areas

I prefer the swank Nana Hotel parking lot myself.

At 2:00 am?

[TheLaughingMan]

So... the "places to be" are places you can buy flesh? All the kool kids are doing it eh?

[MJP]

Is the right answer!

It makes me sad to think that Patpong, Nana, and Soi Cowboy are considered "Ex-pat" hangouts by the OP.

I don't think it's fair to pin this on the OP.. Just looking around Cowboy or Nana it's really quite obvious that most foreigners there are in Thailand for an extended period of time, not tourists fresh off the plane. There are a couple of course but by no means a majority.

Evidently not all expats have the same tastes; some abhor that sort of nightlife and prefer to visit other areas, or stay home with the family for that matter. Fortunately there are options for all in Bangkok.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Seeing this topic is under close watch, let me first make it clear that what I'm about to say is on the topic of bars & nightlife. Drinking, playing pool, hanging out with friends, etc. That's primarily what I'm looking for when going out in Bangkok.

That said... I don't like Cowboy much. Absolutely hate Patpong. Nana as lost pretty much all of the small fun bars. This is happening in Cowboy as well, there were times when places weren't managed to death , with rules for everything. I don't think I need say more than "Midnite". All the new ones are far too professional and formulaic.

So where do I go.. Small sois mostly. 7/1. Boo Sa Bar is back under the original management after being rented out for over a year. And it shows, it's great. Laid back management and laid back rules for me make all the difference.

Of course 7/1 is a bit too small to be "THE" next area, but I can see this happening in other sois and sub-sois. Dedicated 'Expat' nightlife of the naughty kind is becoming more and more a fringe thing in Bangkok. Possibly for the better, maybe I should grow up.

I have to agree with Winnie on this topic. I haven't been back to Bangkok for at least 5 years, and I stopped going when I saw how Nana and Soi Cowboy were going rapidly downhill. Most of the punters moved on to Pattaya, and even that is changing. The Asia Bugle used to highlite all the girly bars in Bangkok, Patpong, Patong, Pattaya and even Angeles City in the Philippines. But, even the Asia Bugle hasn't had much good to write about recently.

Maybe I'm just getting old and prefer going to the two or three bars I like in Chiang Mai where all the staff know and like me.

Yes, exactly same for me. Also the part of not having even been to Bangkok for multiple years. But I was there last week, and I don't think I missed much. Still managed to spend a crapload of money though and blow my budget for the rest of the month.

Pattaya is the place to go for fun nightlife. More tourists there as well in the bars and that's probably a good thing; keeps things lively. When bar staff get almost exclusively jaded Farang expats, the vibe kind of rubs off.

[whichschool]

Its lost its fun and edgyness in these areas where there were obviously shady goings on but it felt completely safe .... now especially in Lower Sukhumvit its anything but safe and could do with being fixed asap, BKK nightlife has evolved very quickly in the last 10 years that ive been going and now there is more upmarket places scattered around town, there isnt any lower end of the market places sprung up in this time to my knowledge.

[mazeltov]

It makes me sad to think that Patpong, Nana, and Soi Cowboy are considered "Ex-pat" hangouts by the OP.

I don't think it's fair to pin this on the OP.. Just looking around Cowboy or Nana it's really quite obvious that most foreigners there are in Thailand for an extended period of time, not tourists fresh off the plane. There are a couple of course but by no means a majority.

Evidently not all expats have the same tastes; some abhor that sort of nightlife and prefer to visit other areas, or stay home with the family for that matter. Fortunately there are options for all in Bangkok.

but isn't the lament about that this places aren't places for "expats" (anymore)?

because of the tourists, arabs, africans and "japs" and whatever.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Expat to me can be any nationality, very much including Japanese people, etc. I don't really understand that sentiment at all; particular nationalities may have slightly different preferences in what they like in nightlife, and bars, being commercial businesses, may cater to (a) particular group(s). That's all good to me.

To be honest I'm happy anywhere as long as it doesn't break the bank. Very much includes local hangouts that are mostly visited by Thai people. (In Bangkok I wouldn't know where to find those though, and this topic is about Bangkok.)

[IanForbes]

^Spotlight Ian?

Nope. I haven't been to Spotlight or Spicey in two years. Maybe I'm just getting old. I only visit 3 bars in Chiang Mai, and those are the ones where I know the owners and staff personally. I have more than enough "action" from a few young ladies who don't work the bars. I guess I'm just not that interested in trying someone new who will probably turn into a dud like so many others. A busy lady is a pretty boring partner... even if they try to act like they are interested.

[NADTATIDA1]

Top end of the suk is the place now....but shhh.

[Spee]

Cowboy looks permanent and well established, but that precinct used to be much bigger until about 6 years ago when the other complex on the corner down to soi 23 was suddenly closed down by the heavy mob.

Yeah I miss that corner set up. It was a good place to sit, relax, have a beer and some food and do some people-watching.

As for all the other whinging ..... go to the circus expecting to see animal acts, and then complain about the animal acts that are on display? What's up with all that?

What I don't like is that every idiot and their brother has a <deleted>' video camera. How many u-tube videos do you think you're on?

[sokal]

With the closing of the Night Bazaar, the Suk could take over that kind of shopping and night life, but only if it was cleaned up.  The restaurants are already there.  And while the vendors make walking difficult, if the more adult and criminal aspects were cleaned up and pushed elsewhere, I think there would be a significant increase in a more eclectic tourist and Thai customer base on the strip.

There are plenty of places for these "eclectic tourist" types. Let that rubbish go to Kao San and Silom.

koh san is for younger tourists i thought. Its not like it is crawling with 60 year old men.

[britmaveric]

^or african scam artists!

[tw25rw]

With the closing of the Night Bazaar, the Suk could take over that kind of shopping and night life, but only if it was cleaned up.  The restaurants are already there.  And while the vendors make walking difficult, if the more adult and criminal aspects were cleaned up and pushed elsewhere, I think there would be a significant increase in a more eclectic tourist and Thai customer base on the strip.

There are plenty of places for these "eclectic tourist" types. Let that rubbish go to Kao San and Silom.

koh san is for younger tourists i thought. Its not like it is crawling with 60 year old men.

I don't see your logic.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Me neither. MANY expats also aren't exactly 60 year old men. I like the Khao San area. it's still international, but at least there's no rules or formulas being imposed on anything. I absolutely hate bars that are managed to death; I don't WANT a consistent experience when having fun, I want to it be casual and expecting the unexpected.

No dress codes

No quotas

No rules as to what staff can or cannot drink either trhough rules or skewed commissions.

Sensible prices instead of a unified high price for any drink

Music that moves with the mood, which will most likely include The Switch to Thai country or mor lam music at some point.

Etc.

Just the minimum number of rules and regulations applied

[Terminator]

I think that ppor enforcement of order by the police has had an adverse effect on Nana particularly, with those whose specifics we must not discuss lining Sukhumvit road, and the illegal pavement bars; the ladyboy pick-pockets on the South Side of Sukhumvit are not a welcome attraction. I'd like to see Sukhumvit cleaned up, and all the muckiness kept behind closed doors (or at least heavy velvet curtains) - at least the publicans have an interest in keeping things ticking over safely and cleanly.

SC

You are absolutely right, we definitely need a clean-up in that area, and curtains we have that already in those 'specific services' establishments.

Also I think commercialism has taken it to the cleaners by becoming to greedy in the end...

Maybe Soi 11 may be the next spot???

[Terminator]

Is the right answer!

It makes me sad to think that Patpong, Nana, and Soi Cowboy are considered "Ex-pat" hangouts by the OP.

I don't think it's fair to pin this on the OP.. Just looking around Cowboy or Nana it's really quite obvious that most foreigners there are in Thailand for an extended period of time, not tourists fresh off the plane. There are a couple of course but by no means a majority.

Evidently not all expats have the same tastes; some abhor that sort of nightlife and prefer to visit other areas, or stay home with the family for that matter. Fortunately there are options for all in Bangkok.

Thanks all for backing me up, nowhere in my OP did I mention "Ex-pat" hangouts, as far as I am concerned all colors are welcome!

[Terminator]

Top end of the suk is the place now....but shhh.

Udomsuk...

[WinnieTheKhwai]

And then there's the area around The Scenic Impala that's incredibly promising, but it's not very well known so best to keep it that way.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

I think that ppor enforcement of order by the police has had an adverse effect on Nana particularly, with those whose specifics we must not discuss lining Sukhumvit road, and

I was reading a great article in the Newspaper-that-cannot-be-Quoted about the increasing influence of those nationalities whose specifics we must not discuss, spreading the topic covered under point 18 of the forum rules. It was remarkable.

(It's a JOKE, please let it stand! Good enough to take a holiday over though.