There are now about 10 bars open in what was the old Soi Eric and although it was fairly dimly lit, there were a few farangs venturing into the murky depths a couple of nights ago.

There were a few "new" (either new to the Soi or the business) bar owners in there, one being a Thai guy who had already purchased a bar in new Tiger, another Thai guy trying his hand for the first time, and a middle-aged farang with his Thai lady, who was a regular in the Soi in various bars for a few years!

I wish them luck, however with prices being set at 180 baht for a vodka and tonic in one bar, and a Bacardi and Coke at 160 baht in another, I think there may well be a "tipping point" reached before long, whereby folk will really not visit bars which charge like this, in addition to the lady drinks being 250 baht+ each.

It will be interesting to see how quickly the other bars are taken up, and also if the new bars in the old Tiger are taken. I think times are changing along with the demographics of the tourists, and only a very few folk will make any sort of money from owning a bar, whereas in the old days a decent living could be made from one.

well bangla isn't much a cheap charlie place anyway, go chalong,rawai or 7/11 and you find your 60bath beer

Edited November 12, 201312 yr by falkan

My next door neighbour has "invested" in one of these bars - will be interesting to see how long he lasts!!

250THB for a lady drink!!! are they joking me

250THB for a lady drink!!! are they joking me

If it's 250 baht for a lady drink, I'd hate to see the cost of their bar fine.

I suppose these bars will try to make more out of selling "sex" rather than alcohol.

Agree;

wonder what they want for bar fines if lady drinks are 250 and what ladies will willingly work there when they can go to the discos and not deal with owners hassling them or cutting their salary

Best of luck but would say by next august will all be closed and the soi will revery to being dead again

Really shouldn't comment to much on the bar scene in Patong as its been years since i have been there at night, just walking down Bangla ever few months in the daytime is enough for me.

Edited November 13, 201312 yr by phuketrichard

I think LDs in Tiger were on the high side but at least there you get the vibe and the action. Can't think why I'd want to wander down a dimly lit Soi, that looked as dull as dishwater last week, and start dropping 250 on LDs

I think LDs in Tiger were on the high side but at least there you get the vibe and the action. Can't think why I'd want to wander down a dimly lit Soi, that looked as dull as dishwater last week, and start dropping 250 on LDs

Many of the bars in Tiger are charging 120 baht for a beer, 200 baht for a lady drink and 1000 baht bar fine. Many of the girls working there are asking 2000 baht for their services.

Basically, more than double the price of Pattaya, for the same "party."

Edited November 13, 201312 yr by NamKangMan

I think LDs in Tiger were on the high side but at least there you get the vibe and the action. Can't think why I'd want to wander down a dimly lit Soi, that looked as dull as dishwater last week, and start dropping 250 on LDs

Many of the bars in Tiger are charging 120 baht for a beer, 200 baht for a lady drink and 1000 baht bar fine. Many of the girls working there are asking 2000 baht for their services.

Basically, more than double the price of Pattaya, for the same "party."

Thank ...... I am married then!

I think LDs in Tiger were on the high side but at least there you get the vibe and the action. Can't think why I'd want to wander down a dimly lit Soi, that looked as dull as dishwater last week, and start dropping 250 on LDs

Many of the bars in Tiger are charging 120 baht for a beer, 200 baht for a lady drink and 1000 baht bar fine. Many of the girls working there are asking 2000 baht for their services.

Basically, more than double the price of Pattaya, for the same "party."

Thank .... I am married then!

Doesn't that depend on how often, and how sick, the buffalo, and Mama, up north gets?

I think LDs in Tiger were on the high side but at least there you get the vibe and the action. Can't think why I'd want to wander down a dimly lit Soi, that looked as dull as dishwater last week, and start dropping 250 on LDs

Many of the bars in Tiger are charging 120 baht for a beer, 200 baht for a lady drink and 1000 baht bar fine. Many of the girls working there are asking 2000 baht for their services.

Basically, more than double the price of Pattaya, for the same "party."

Thank .... I am married then!

Doesn't that depend on how often, and how sick, the buffalo, and Mama, up north gets?

I already told em, I have a gun & will happily shoot the bugger!

I think LDs in Tiger were on the high side but at least there you get the vibe and the action. Can't think why I'd want to wander down a dimly lit Soi, that looked as dull as dishwater last week, and start dropping 250 on LDs

Many of the bars in Tiger are charging 120 baht for a beer, 200 baht for a lady drink and 1000 baht bar fine. Many of the girls working there are asking 2000 baht for their services.

Basically, more than double the price of Pattaya, for the same "party."

When introduced to the new Tiger bars, a friend from OZ was taken by the number of nice looking girls and was keen to take one. He was quoted 1000 baht bar fine, 3000 for a "long time" and was then asked to buy drinks for her, her mate and the boss.

He went ahead despite the cost............cheaper than the Gold Coast, he said!!

Thank .... I am married then!

Doesn't that depend on how often, and how sick, the buffalo, and Mama, up north gets?

Provided that your gf/wife is up north, of course. Never had to support my gf's family. One advantage of having a BKK gf?

Cleaning out all the profanities ..

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And I remind members of this rule

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Thank .... I am married then!

Doesn't that depend on how often, and how sick, the buffalo, and Mama, up north gets?

Provided that your gf/wife is up north, of course. Never had to support my gf's family. One advantage of having a BKK gf?

Heard the expression tongue in cheek?

She is from the South as it goes..........

Friends of mine have Lucky Bar in Soi Freedom (formerly Soi Eric) and their lady drinks are 180 baht, mixers (vodka tonic etc) are 160/180, local beer 100, bar fine 1000 before midnight and 500 after.

Stephen

Barone... still does beers at 80 baht and has for the last 6 yrs nice birds too

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Lol bar fine if 1000 baht, tobies.

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I'm pretty sure the only people making decent money are the landowners and the main lease holders that sublease out to the individual bars. Good business though in that the next year a whole wave of new punters comes in flush with cash ready to sign a 3 year lease with ridiculous key money demanded up front. Wash, rinse repeat. Next.................................................

Bar fine inflation is out of control. It's the new "Amazing Thailand" I guess. I am pining for days of long ago when you really got some mileage out of your baht for pleasure budget.

And the baht was 44. I can dream , I guess.

I'm pretty sure the only people making decent money are the landowners and the main lease holders that sublease out to the individual bars. Good business though in that the next year a whole wave of new punters comes in flush with cash ready to sign a 3 year lease with ridiculous key money demanded up front. Wash, rinse repeat. Next.................................................

Really? Well I expect to see many Russian, Chinese and Indian run bars on Bangla Road in the near future then.

I can just see an Indian guy sitting up at his bar, eating a curry, while his new Thai girlfriend is behind the bar playing cashier and Indian tourists coming in and buying one can of coke and asking for five glasses.

Seriously, you are right about the landlords. They are the only ones making money, but they are also outpricing Phuket compared to other destinations in Thailand and neighbouring countries.

High rents, and rest rises, get passed onto the consumer. That dearer accommodation, food and beverage for the tourists.

Edited November 13, 201312 yr by NamKangMan

Bar fine inflation is out of control. It's the new "Amazing Thailand" I guess. I am pining for days of long ago when you really got some mileage out of your baht for pleasure budget.

And the baht was 44. I can dream , I guess.

The bar fines have gone up to cover the lack of "drinkers" on Bangla Road now.

In recent years, it was 300 baht, then went to 500 baht, and now it's 1000 baht in many bars.

Now it's at 1000 baht, look how well the nightclubs are going. They are packed, especially Taipan. Many going for freelancers now. 1000 baht fine is ridiculous.

Edited November 13, 201312 yr by NamKangMan

No worrise guys, the new quality tourists are on the way! That should fix all!!!!!

HURRY up with the "quality" tourists as its pretty horrendous here ATM.... lol

Just riding home from work in one piece is a struggle without all the folks showing off on their rent a bikes. Gotta love high season. hehe

250b for a lady drink in soi Eric? I know they cheated that sort of wonga in tiger but didn't think the small sois got away with that.

250b for a lady drink in soi Eric? I know they cheated that sort of wonga in tiger but didn't think the small sois got away with that.

It's not "cheating." It's called, survival. :)

a bit off topic but the Aussie bar has hiked its drinks too, 110 baht for a Leo. Thats just rude

a bit off topic but the Aussie bar has hiked its drinks too, 110 baht for a Leo. Thats just rude

New tax kicking in mate - the end user always bears the cost!

The only reason I ever went inside Soi Eric was to get to Flash A Go Go. Best in Patong I always thought.

a bit off topic but the Aussie bar has hiked its drinks too, 110 baht for a Leo. Thats just rude

They are about 40 baht a bottle in 7/11 and Family Mart. At 110 baht, that's quite a mark-up, even from the retail price.