I Know Why I Don'T Go To Bars...

[Jimi007]

I debated with myself if I should post this or not, but it seems a bit slow on the forum today, so here it is:

I went out to eat suki with six local Thais and one other westerner, all whom I've known for years. After dinner, we decided to stop by and have a drink with a few other friends. Two more Thai and one westerner, so about eleven of us altogether. The bar didn't have what I like to drink, neither did the restaurant. The restaurant was no problem 50 Baht for a bucket of ice. The bar didn't say anything about how much to pour my own drink and then wanted 300 Baht for some ice. I said BS in english and then in Thai. Everyone I was with was a bit angry. We left very annoyed and went to a friend's place up the road. No charge for a glass of ice. I felt like just dropping their glasses on the floor, since the 300 Baht would cover it, as I only had two drinks. Instead there was a bit of verbal sparring in Thai, mainly from me and we left, never to go back again. I really don't like getting angry or ripped off and I very rarely do. My GF was about ready to kick the woman's ass. No wonder I stay home or just go to friend's places... Another high season rip off! The place doesn't even have a name, and wasn't there a few months ago. I hope they go back to whatever rock they crawled out from...

[BillR]

I'm amazed they even let you bring in your own outside drinks. Most places I know wouldn't allow that.

[onnut]

Thai bars make me laugh, I just go with the flow when drinking in them which is not often.

why charge for ice, they could put this cost into the cost of drinks and everybody is happy.

why sell a whole bottle of black lable, when they could sell at more profit by the glass!

very strange way of doing business!

I just realised, did you take your own drink in?

if so, what was the corkage? if no corkage I think you got a good deal at 300 baht for some ice, its not there fault you only drank two drinks.

Edited November 15, 2010 by onnut

[BillR]

I don't think they charge for the ice if you actually buy your drinks from them, and not carry one in from the 7-11 across the street. Good on them.

[onnut]

I don't think they charge for the ice if you actually buy your drinks from them, and not carry one in from the 7-11 across the street. Good on them.

agreed. looks like the OP is being a little unfair about this.

if I took a bottle, I would expect to pay corkage, if they didnt charge corkage I would expect to pay extra for ice. they are running a business not a charity. lucky it wasnt my bar, I charge 1000 baht corkage but you can have free ice for that

I only charge 1000 baht because I hope to discourage people from bringing there own in. I make more money on my stuff

[FritsSikkink]

I am glad you decided not to go to bars anymore. I doubt any bar owner or staff will loose any sleep from it.

[BangTaoBoy]

You went with six local Thais, and you speak Thai as well. Yet not one of you could have asked the appropriate questions, that needed to be asked before you sat down.

Ask the right questions, then you have the power to make the right decisions. Which in your case, would have been to turn around, and go somewhere else before you sat down.

People constantly want to blame others, when actually, they had the power to stop the problem ever happening in the first place.

[Jimi007]

No problem now. They just lost 11 customers and we joked about it again today. Yes, I guess I should have asked how much to pour my own drink, but for many years it was never a problem and it still isn't most places. Just the ones trying to lose customers or are run by a farang like onnut. A thousand Baht for bringing a 1/3 of a bottle in? You must deal with tourists... Most places would charge 100 Baht for a "set up." Then for soda or coke. This was not some high class place with a large overhead. Oh well, I hope they enjoy their 200 Baht as the place was empty after the "coconut telegraph" was sent out today....

[logbags]

When I first came to Phuket bars served full bottles/flasks/half flasks of local spirits. You then ordered ice buckets and mixers. When you left if your bottle wasn't finished you wrote your name on it and left it behind the bar for the next time you came in.

Many bars let you bring your own bottle and you just had to buy ice and mixers. Often you'd just put in 100 baht with a couple of guys and you could drink all night. Then they started selling it by the glass for 20 baht.

Now I have no idea but the last time I went to a bar my mate paid 90 baht for a mekhong and coke. You see people in Bangla nightly drinking beer they buy in 7/11 and just walking around. I spoke to some Sth Africans last year who were going to the Rock Hard every night, they were spending 6000 baht a night just on beer. Add in women and food etc and it must of been costing them 10,000 baht a day or more. A beer at Hard Rock apparently costs 250 baht for a small bottle.

[PhilHarries]

I spoke to some Sth Africans last year who were going to the Rock Hard every night, they were spending 6000 baht a night just on beer. Add in women and food etc and it must of been costing them 10,000 baht a day or more. A beer at Hard Rock apparently costs 250 baht for a small bottle.

Anybody going to the Hard Rock, even if they're rock hard, deserves to get relieved of their excess cash. The HRC in Seoul charges the equivalent of nine pounds Sterling for a pint of Guinness (that price was two years ago so probably more now). The same pint two minutes walk away a little over one third the price.

Paying corkage on your own drinks is fairly normal in any part of the world (that is if they allow you your own carry ins). Same as it is usual if you buy a bottle over the bar that mixers and ice are "free". It's called business and if you find places that don't charge corkage then the chances are they are desperate for customers.

[SeanPhuket]

Seems pretty normal to me OP. Maybe not a direct charge for ice, but a kind of set-up fee or something like that

[appropriate]

The seats are nice and comfy in the restaurant downstairs. Think I'll bring my own dinner down there tomorrow night. Sure will be disgusted if they charge me a sitting fee of some sort. Businesses eh, tight buggers.

Cheers chaps.

Dominic.

[Jimi007]

When I first came to Phuket bars served full bottles/flasks/half flasks of local spirits. You then ordered ice buckets and mixers. When you left if your bottle wasn't finished you wrote your name on it and left it behind the bar for the next time you came in.

Many bars let you bring your own bottle and you just had to buy ice and mixers. Often you'd just put in 100 baht with a couple of guys and you could drink all night. Then they started selling it by the glass for 20 baht.

Exactly! I used to have a bottle with my name on it in a few places. But, I rarely go out to bars now, so I was a bit shocked at 300 Baht! Ah, progress? Will they ban drinking on the beach next, unless it's bought from the designated vendor?

[HDRIDER]

He he some of you guys are just so cheap Charlie, wonder if you also go to the toilet when its time to pay the bill,,,,guess not if the toilet is 5B, maybe just cheaper to walk. Bring your own booze to a bar

[appropriate]

Bring your own booze to a bar

Then rant about it when they charge you a fee.

Sometimes it's embarrassing being a fellow westerner here.

Cheers chaps.

Dominic.

[Jimi007]

He he some of you guys are just so cheap Charlie, wonder if you also go to the toilet when its time to pay the bill,,,,guess not if the toilet is 5B, maybe just cheaper to walk. Bring your own booze to a bar

It's is and was very common practice here, until people got greedy. It's still very common with Thai people. I don't like and can't drink beer, but I like Cuban rum and fresh orange juice. As I said; common practice is 100 Baht here, at most places and it is for the bucket of ice and glasses. But everyone was still joking about it today, so I thought I'd post it and hear some comments. But then again HD, I still wouldn't pay 750 Baht for a cheeseburger!

[logbags]

Bring your own booze to a bar

It's got nothing to do with being cheap, at many Thai places it costs 100 baht to take a bottle of Johnny or Chivas in. You then pay for mixers only. It's actually quite normal in Thailand to bring your own bottle of spirits to a club or bar.

[onnut]

No problem now. They just lost 11 customers and we joked about it again today. Yes, I guess I should have asked how much to pour my own drink, but for many years it was never a problem and it still isn't most places. Just the ones trying to lose customers or are run by a farang like onnut. A thousand Baht for bringing a 1/3 of a bottle in? You must deal with tourists... Most places would charge 100 Baht for a "set up." Then for soda or coke. This was not some high class place with a large overhead. Oh well, I hope they enjoy their 200 Baht as the place was empty after the "coconut telegraph" was sent out today....

Bangkok prices mate. when I have rent to pay and overheads why should I let someone sit at my bar drinking there own booze for 100 baht? I am not running a small bar beer type place I have serious overheads to pay every month. if people do not like my place they are welcome to go else where. I have a good following and its getting better all the time. so I must be doing something right. I am not about to drop my prices to get a few new customers and then lose the money I make from my old customers when they then also want the same deal!

[BangTaoBoy]

Bring your own booze to a bar

There was nothing wrong with him bringing his own bottle. As others have pointed out, it's how the Thais drink spirits in bars. It's actually a very social and economical way of doing it.

If the OP stopped to do the math, and worked out how much it would cost, if he bought it by the glass, then he would realise 300 baht is still by far the cheaper option. He's not being stiffed at all.

Like I said. The OP did nothing wrong walking in with his bottle. Sitting down, and starting to drink without first even asking if it was permitted and second what the charge would be, is where he went wrong.

EDIT: I hate it when people type faster than me

Edited November 15, 2010 by BangTaoBoy

[Jimi007]

Then rant about it when they charge you a fee.

Sometimes it's embarrassing being a fellow westerner here.

Cheers chaps.

Dominic.

Have you been here long? If you like your western ways that's great! Why did you leave wherever it was you came from? And since your user profile says that; you don't know your age, sex or location. I really don't know where you are coming from, but I certainly hope you enjoy yourself and your western "friends."

Do you have any Thai friends that you hang out with? Oh, well never mind, you will have your view and I'll have mine...

[Jimi007]

Bangkok prices mate. when I have rent to pay and overheads why should I let someone sit at my bar drinking there own booze for 100 baht? I am not running a small bar beer type place I have serious overheads to pay every month. if people do not like my place they are welcome to go else where. I have a good following and its getting better all the time. so I must be doing something right. I am not about to drop my prices to get a few new customers and then lose the money I make from my old customers when they then also want the same deal!

Sorry onnut, I'm not in BKK, I'm in Rawai, which until a few years ago we had Kwai (water buffalo) grazing down the road. And this place was a small beer joint off the beaten path, not near the beach, nothing special! This is the Phuket forum after all...

[onnut]

Sorry onnut, I'm not in BKK, I'm in Rawai, which until a few years ago we had Kwai (water buffalo) grazing down the road. And this place was a small beer joint off the beaten path, not near the beach, nothing special! This is the Phuket forum after all...

I had better mosey on back to the Bangkok forum then

[LivinLOS]

Exactly! I used to have a bottle with my name on it in a few places. But, I rarely go out to bars now, so I was a bit shocked at 300 Baht! Ah, progress? Will they ban drinking on the beach next, unless it's bought from the designated vendor?

Your shocked at 300 baht.. The price of 2 drinks on bangla..

Really bars overheads and costs have sky rocketed.. They have to pay those rents somehow.

[Jimi007]

Your shocked at 300 baht.. The price of 2 drinks on bangla..

Really bars overheads and costs have sky rocketed.. They have to pay those rents somehow.

LOL! That's the point! I was the only one drinking it, everyone else had ordered beer from the bar and I only had 2 drinks. So, I could have had 2 or 3 drinks from the bar of their liquor and mix for the same price as ice for my two drinks I had there. Oh well... And this bar is it isn't in Patong or near Soi Bangla. It was out in Bum <deleted>...

[BangTaoBoy]

LOL! That's the point! I was the only one drinking it, everyone else had ordered beer from the bar and I only had 2 drinks. So, I could have had 2 or 3 drinks from the bar of their liquor and mix for the same price as ice for my two drinks I had there. Oh well... And this bar is it isn't in Patong or near Soi Bangla. It was out in Bum <deleted>...

That's just it. You couldn't, because In your own words, neither the bar or the restaurant, had anything you liked!!

You've got to be pretty particular if a restaurant and a bar, don't stock anything you drink. I'm suprised you haven't encountered this problem in the past already, or at least got used to asking the staff what the corkage fee was, as a matter of course when you arrived.

[Jimi007]

LOL! That's the point! I was the only one drinking it, everyone else had ordered beer from the bar and I only had 2 drinks. So, I could have had 2 or 3 drinks from the bar of their liquor and mix for the same price as ice for my two drinks I had there. Oh well... And this bar is it isn't in Patong or near Soi Bangla. It was out in Bum <deleted>...

That's just it. You couldn't, because In your own words, neither the bar or the restaurant, had anything you liked!!

You've got to be pretty particular if a restaurant and a bar, don't stock anything you drink. I'm suprised you haven't encountered this problem in the past already, or at least got used to asking the staff what the corkage fee was, as a matter of course when you arrived.

Thank you for your input, I'll take it for what it's worth....

[BangTaoBoy]

Thank you for your input, I'll take it for what it's worth....

Glad to be of help old timer.

[HDRIDER]

Guys

i have been here for a number of years, i have not seen it that many times that customer bring their own booze, maybe we don’t go to the same type of bars, BUT why do it?????? If it’s not cheap Charlie what is it then???? And if they don’t have your booze, get them to go get it or find another bar, i would just ask for something else if they don’t have my brand of Lao Kao

[BangTaoBoy]

Guys

i have been here for a number of years, i have not seen it that many times that customer bring their own booze, maybe we don't go to the same type of bars, BUT why do it?????? If it's not cheap Charlie what is it then???? And if they don't have your booze, get them to go get it or find another bar, i would just ask for something else if they don't have my brand of Lao Kao

I have to be honest, it amazes me that someone who has been here as long as you would say that. It's such an every day part of Thai drinking that I can't fathom how you never see it. You seem like a bloke that would go out and enjoy a few jars.

I don't mean this in a 'jimi007' been around for years, talk Thai, so no more than you kind of way, but would I be right in thinking over the years you haven't socialised with Thais very much or where other Thais are drinking? That's the only way you could have missed it. It is a very normal practice I assure you.

Edited November 15, 2010 by BangTaoBoy

[Jimi007]

Guys

i have been here for a number of years, i have not seen it that many times that customer bring their own booze, maybe we don't go to the same type of bars, BUT why do it?????? If it's not cheap Charlie what is it then???? And if they don't have your booze, get them to go get it or find another bar, i would just ask for something else if they don't have my brand of Lao Kao

I already posted why. .. As I was with a group of mostly Thai people that drink Singha. I don't drink beer or whiskey. In fact I don't drink much other than a Caribbean rum and fresh OJ. And as I also said I don't go out to bars much, other than places that know me and stock what I like. This just happened to be a different night out than the usual. And as I said, everywhere else was very accommodating other than this new bar... We were the only customers they had and we left promptly. I didn't even pay the bill, my Thai friends did. But when they told me about it, I was annoyed and let the woman that billed us know it.

I really doubt you and I would hang out at the same places or with the people...