Mobi’s - The New Bar on Lake Mabprachan

[petercool]

unnecessary argumentative posts deleted

[marstons]

Check that next door is not tapping into your lines anywhere ?

Yes, that has occurred to me. Not quite sure how to check, but will try to look into it.

I somehow doubt it - for a number of reasons - not least of which, the owners are decent folk and I can't see their staff even bothering.

Also i don't think he is that fussed about a few thousand baht. They happily share the internet with you so as you say nice folk and owners OK. You got lucky with them they don't even play any music.

[Rimmer]

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[Mobi]

Along the lines of more beer being sold = more fridge door opening & closing; sounds quite plausible but in itself can this cause a 100% hike? Has the last month been notably hotter? Fridges also need good airflow and cooler ambient temperatures particularly around the heat-exchanging coils. Has the cooler been pushed back against a wall or further into a corner?

As mentioned before, it's possible there's a door not sealing right (bottom seals are notorious as you never see them) and something is running twice as much as it has to. I didn't see what type and age of refrigeration you have on my three visits as there was always a certain young lady interfering with my... view. However, there's also the chance that if the refrigerant is low, it's running overtime or, if it's a 'legacy' appliance, the compressor is about to kick off.

Here's a tip, even if you do get the gas checked and coils cleaned, think about positioning a simple desk top fan blowing air in and around the back of the fridge just to move the warm air out faster. Only use the fan during the hottest parts of the day like late afternoon and early evening? use a thermometer to suss that out.

Anyway, I will be back in 13 days so get it sorted!

Thanks for that NL, I had no idea you were such an expert ,and I look forward to your next visit. (Also thanks to CP).

Last night we checked the chest freezer and found that it has been icing up and the seals are a bit rotten. The lid wouldn't close 100% as there was ice in the way. We have now cleared out all the ice that obstructed the lid from closing and are checking on how we can get the sealing strip replaced. It certainly looks as though this may be the culprit, or at least one of the culprits.

The drinks cooler is brand new, so I am assuming that is not the cause, although if it has been positioned too near the wall, may that is also causing a problem.

If anything July, was a little cooler than June.

Edited August 2, 2014 by Mobi

[dabhand]

It may also be worth while taking a daily meter reading.

That would give you advance warning of any high bills, maybe give an insight into any activities - microwave usage, etc - that have caused a daily spike.

May also indicate if the preventative measures are having any effect, rather than waiting, with baited breath, for your next bill!!

[jmccarty]

I may never get to visit, living close by, but imprisoned by a jealous filipina wife!

Take her with you? Just an idea.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

She would go once, then complain bitterly after we leave and give me an ear full for a month about it somehow being "my favorite bar" that I will go to any chance I can sneak away.

Not worth the grief!

[Robroona]

I may never get to visit, living close by, but imprisoned by a jealous filipina wife!

Take her with you? Just an idea.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

She would go once, then complain bitterly after we leave and give me an ear full for a month about it somehow being "my favorite bar" that I will go to any chance I can sneak away.

Not worth the grief!

Sounds like a keeper

[Subpar]

She would go once, then complain bitterly after we leave and give me an ear full for a month about it somehow being "my favorite bar" that I will go to any chance I can sneak away.

Not worth the grief!

What's she paying you to put up with that sort of BS?. Must be a hell of a lot, life's too short and it would take large bags full of $100 bills for someone to treat me like that without finding their arse kicked to the curb pronto.

But not to derail the thread, Mobi the daily musings of your bar are a great read!. Me and the better half (who's happy for me to do whatever I want whenever I want ) often go for a drive out to the lake on a Sunday for a few drinks and something to eat. We'll be calling in for sure soon.

[Upnotover]

SJ is still lurking beware! I nearly paid an unplanned visit to Mobi's yesterday as I attempted to overtake an erratically driven pickup which had slowed to a near stop near the bar, as I pulled out to pass it veered to the right, I aborted otherwise would have probably taken out your famous sign. The pickup continued erratically and then slowed to a near stop with hazard lights flashing, I manged to pass this time, a glance to the left and a dazed looking SJ at the wheel, this was at 2pm. Black pickup, watch out!

[Mobi]

Once again, thanks to all of you who have given advice on the reason for the alarming increase in the electricity bill. We are following up on all the suggestions made.

To those of you who read my weekly blog, there is now a new post, which can be found at:

http://www.mobithailand.com

These days, the blog is pretty much all about my bar, the comings and goings, and Thailand in general, so I'm sure those who haven't seen it will find something of interest there.

[Mobi]

We had a quiet-ish Friday and Saturday, but we still made what I consider to be the 'minimum take' to stay in business so it wasn't a disaster.

We are now gearing up for the start of the new EPL season which starts on Saturday, 16th August where we will able to show no less than 3 games, one after the other - a veritable feast of football to get the season - and Mobi's - going...

More details, as we get nearer the date, and I am planning a few 'gimmicks'....

[Essex Exile]

We had a quiet-ish Friday and Saturday, but we still made what I consider to be the 'minimum take' to stay in business so it wasn't a disaster.

We are now gearing up for the start of the new EPL season which starts on Saturday, 16th August where we will able to show no less than 3 games, one after the other - a veritable feast of football to get the season - and Mobi's - going...

More details, as we get nearer the date, and I am planning a few 'gimmicks'....

Just a suggestion, but would it not be better to evaluate how the business is developing, or otherwise, on a monthly, or even a weekly basis? Evaluating earnings and whetehr or not you will 'stay in business' on a daily basis will end up giving you an ulcer. What's next, doing a stock take by the hour? Just seems a strange way of going about things to me. Just my 2 cents worth.

[Mobi]

We had a quiet-ish Friday and Saturday, but we still made what I consider to be the 'minimum take' to stay in business so it wasn't a disaster.

We are now gearing up for the start of the new EPL season which starts on Saturday, 16th August where we will able to show no less than 3 games, one after the other - a veritable feast of football to get the season - and Mobi's - going...

More details, as we get nearer the date, and I am planning a few 'gimmicks'....

Just a suggestion, but would it not be better to evaluate how the business is developing, or otherwise, on a monthly, or even a weekly basis? Evaluating earnings and whetehr or not you will 'stay in business' on a daily basis will end up giving you an ulcer. What's next, doing a stock take by the hour? Just seems a strange way of going about things to me. Just my 2 cents worth.

Of course we evaluate the bar's business over longer periods: weeks, months and so on... I was just commenting on a couple of quite days.

I bet if you were running a bar, for the first few months you would be doing exactly the same.... it is human nature...

But even though we take the long view, it is always gratifying when we make what I consider our minimum take for each day... can't see anything wrong with that.... but that doesn't mean I will commit suicide if we do even less than that...

I think you have somewhat overreacted to a couple of chatty, honest comments on a bar promotion thread.

[harrry]

With bars often a stock take every hour would be a good idea. Shrinkage can be terrible. At least modern software can simplify stock tracking.

[Mobi]

Mobi’s News

It’s now been confirmed.

To celebrate the start of new English football season, Mobi will be holding an:

“EPL Eve Karaoke Night”

on Friday 15^th August.

So all you budding singers (and listeners) make a note in your diaries.

The karaoke will be western music only, and we will have a unique method of controlling the singing quality….

Watch this thread for further details of the fun and gimmicks…

[champers]

Mobi’s News

It’s now been confirmed.

To celebrate the start of new English football season, Mobi will be holding an:

“EPL Eve Karaoke Night”

on Friday 15^th August.

So all you budding singers (and listeners) make a note in your diaries.

The karaoke will be western music only, and we will have a unique method of controlling the singing quality….

Watch this thread for further details of the fun and gimmicks…

Sorry to say that would put me right off, even if you were giving away free beer and sausage rolls. Drunken (or even sober) caterwaulling has never held any attraction for me and when I've been in a pub or bar and it's started I've taken it as a signal to drink up and move on to somewhere else. All the same, good luck.

[Mobi]

Mobi’s News

It’s now been confirmed.

To celebrate the start of new English football season, Mobi will be holding an:

“EPL Eve Karaoke Night”

on Friday 15^th August.

So all you budding singers (and listeners) make a note in your diaries.

The karaoke will be western music only, and we will have a unique method of controlling the singing quality….

Watch this thread for further details of the fun and gimmicks…

Sorry to say that would put me right off, even if you were giving away free beer and sausage rolls. Drunken (or even sober) caterwaulling has never held any attraction for me and when I've been in a pub or bar and it's started I've taken it as a signal to drink up and move on to somewhere else. All the same, good luck.

Yes, thank you for your good wishes and I quite understand your dislike of karaoke - it certainly isn't for everyone.

It so happens that the person who is providing the music is a very good singer and we will try our best to keep the caterwauling to a minimum, but of course it is impossible to prevent it completely.

We cannot please everyone all the time - indeed several of my customers hate sports - but there are many people who love kareoke evenings and it is for them that this function is intended.

i do hope you will drop by on a 'normal' night when impromptu caterwauling is discouraged....

.

[champers]

It so happens that the person who is providing the music is a very good singer. Singer John?!?!

[wooloomooloo]

Best thread on TV. Good luck, Mobi.

Edited August 3, 2014 by wooloomooloo

[jackvale]

Mobi,

I'm sorry if this has been posted earlier but is it possible to post photos of your staff and of the bar itself please? This may entice others and myself. Thank you.

[Mobi]

Mobi,

I'm sorry if this has been posted earlier but is it possible to post photos of your staff and of the bar itself please? This may entice others and myself. Thank you.

If you scroll back through this thread you will find plenty of pictures.

There are also many, many on my blog:

http://mobithailand.com/

And on my Bar blog page

http://mobithailand.com/mobis-the-new-bar-on-the-lake/

As and when I take new pics I will post a few on this thread.

[Mobi]

Mobis Food News

Following the runaway success of our chicken curries, we are now adding the following meals to Mobis Menu with immediate effect:

Steak Pie & Chips 170 B

(Portion of Baked Beans 20 B extra)

*

Spaghetti Bolognaise 140 B

So our full Menu of bar snacks and meals is now as follows:

Jumbo Hot Dogs 35 B

Chips 35 B

Chicken Nuggets 50 B

Spring Rolls 80 B

Chicken Curry & Rice 120 B

Steak Pie and Chips 170 B

(Portion of Baked Beans) 20 B

Spaghetti Bolognaise 140 B

Come on by and give our food a try.

[marstons]

It so happens that the person who is providing the music is a very good singer. Singer John?!?!

He also has some nice places available for rent as well as being a very talented DJ and singer. Not bad kareoke if Singer John is running the show.

[jmccarty]

Karaoke or not, if the music is too loud, I can't have a conversation with anyone because of hearing impairment from listening to too loud music when I was youunger.. And I can't go out by wife's orders anyway! Have a fun night!

[Mobi]

It so happens that the person who is providing the music is a very good singer. Singer John?!?!

He also has some nice places available for rent as well as being a very talented DJ and singer. Not bad kareoke if Singer John is running the show.

I can categorically state that it is not Singha John who will be running the karaoke.

If you want to know more, you will have to come and see.....

[Mobi]

Mobi's

Tales from a Barfly

One thing is for sure – win, lose or draw life is never dull when running bar on the Darkside, and hardly a day goes by when there isn't an incident of one kind or another to get the juices going.

I have written often about a certain ‘resident drunken’ – the German gentleman, the self-styled ‘Mr Ting-Tong.’ As with most continental Europeans, Mr Ting Tong does speak some English – albeit very slowly and very precisely, but with pretty good pronunciation.

His most commonly used English phrase when he is at Mobi's is “You! Mobi! Very good man!” which he repeats loudly, while shaking my hand vigorously.

The problem is that apart from telling me that I am ‘very good man’ the rest of his English never makes the slightest sense to me or anyone else who he is talking to. The only way that either I or the staff can communicate with him is in Thai, with a generous smattering of Issan thrown in for good measure.

Many is the time that I have spoken to him in Thai /Issan and he has responded in the same tongue and the girls have sat around laughing their heads off!

Hopefully using modicum of gentle humour, I have described on a number of occasions about Mr Ting-Tong’s efforts to defy his highly intoxicated condition and drive home on his motorcycle.

I have received a lot of flak from those who protested that we were wrong in allowing the girls to assist him onto his bike.

I tried to explain that whether or not the girls assisted him, he would still succeed in driving away under his own steam, but it might have taken him a little longer.

After due consideration, I have concluded that my critics were right and I was wrong.

While we can do nothing to stop drunks driving home - except to offer to drive them which we do quite often - we should not in any way assist them with their efforts. As someone pointed out, how would we feel if we helped him onto his bike and he had a bad accident?

So a few nights ago, I took matters in hand and told the girls not to help him as he tried to kick-start his bike. I explained to them that their actions may have bad consequences and they all immediately understood and desisted.

It took him quite a while to start his bike – maybe around 10 minutes, but in the end he got it going and off he wobbled on his dangerous way home.

Five minutes later he was back again. Why, I know not. He was very angry and kept swearing obscenities in German and English under his breath.

He wandered in and out of the bar for quite a while before, once more sitting astride his machine and taking another 10 minutes to keep the bike’s engine running, (every time he put it in gear he stalled it), and off he went for a second and final time….

*

Then there was the bar owner who came by late the other night with the utterly convincing story of how he had just been to his bar, (which he jointly owned with his estranged wife), and the wife’s new Thai boyfriend had put a gun to his head, whereupon he beat a hasty retreat…

A few days later he made another attempt to go to his bar and was beaten up by his wife who slashed his head with a broken glass.

I think he is slowly coming to the conclusion that if he continues to try and get his share out of the bar, he might end up on mortuary slab – or more likely, in Mabprachan Lake in a bin bag.

*

Some days we have a good crowd in and other days, we can go an hour or more without a single customer. It seems to be the way of bars on the Darkside, and during the three months we have been trading there is no discernible pattern as to what days are good and what days are bad. It varies widely from day to day, week to week, month to month

Sometimes, I will be sitting tat Mobi's, late in the evening on a day when we have been doing very meagre business and suddenly the bar is packed with late night revellers, who often stay until the small hours.

I have learnt never to write a day off until we are well past midnight, as you never know who might turn up at the last minute and spend a 'bucket load' of money.

There is one valued customer who specialises in late night arrivals and always keeps us going well past the ‘witching hour’ and spends a fair amount of money.

I will call him Frank.

Frank is one of life’s characters, by any standards, and he always is full of fun and life and he soon has us and the girls in fits of laughter with his jokes and zany behaviour.

Luckily for us, he also one of life’s genial drunks, and the drunker he gets, the more genial he becomes.

Frank loves 80’s music, and the first time he came by, he insisted on me downloading a load of 80’s video song tracks from You Tube. As I played them, he would sing along in a loud voice as remarkably, he knew all the words of every single song.

Frank always ‘rings the bell’ several times, and after all the ladies have received their drinks, he refuses to let them come over and '

'clink' glasses with him.

He doesn't want any fuss, and just wants to make everyone happy and put a bit of cash in their pockets.

The next time Frank dropped by I was prepared. I had downloaded all the songs he had requested on his previous visit and had added a few of my own which I thought might appeal to him.

Fortunately I got it spot on and he loved the new ones along with the old ones we had played before.

On two occasions Frank has asked me to play the long version of Michael Jackson’s 'Thriller' which, for those who haven’t seen it, it is a brilliant 15 minute video. It is very, VERY scary, especially when played in almost total darkness on ‘The Darkside’, next to a spooky, ethereal lake…

And were they sacred…. And did they scream….

Frank loves getting the girls involved in dancing and singing and tries to teach them the choruses of the songs so that they can join in with him.

On one particular night, it was very late, and all our lights were off, but the party was still in full swing. I put on a video track that some of you may know called “Matchstalk Cats and Dogs”, which is about the famous Lancashire artist, W.S. Lowrie.

The song has a great marching tempo with a very catchy and rousing chorus. In less than a minute, he had all the girls singing, and for those of you who know the song, he even got them ‘counter-signing’ ‘Ally ally oo, alley all oo’ against the main melody line. Magic.

It was an amazing accomplishment – no doubt fuelled on both sides by copious amounts of alcohol and great time was had by one and all.

Frank always orders a take-away chicken curry with chips, and he always stays for at least an hour after the food has been delivered to his table.

‘Frank, your chips will be cold!’ I would say.

‘Ee lad, don’ you worry abeet that. I’ll just chuck the hot curry over the chips and they will taste jest greeeet!’

Frank – we love you……

*

Last night started quietly, with my ever present and very loyal, daily group of nearby residents, (thank you gentlemen – you know who you are); but as sometimes happens, as the night wore on, the customers kept coming and coming.

There was one gentleman from California who stayed all evening and chalked up a very generous bill. He had heard about Mobi’s from my blog and had decided to drop by and liked what he found.

Then there were a couple from Ireland, who come to holiday in Pattaya every year, and like the Canadian, had read about Mobi’s on my blog and decided to seek us out.

Then there was a third gentleman, who was very complementary about our bar vis a vis nearby bars, and it was very kind of him to say that. He spent the evening working his way through Mobi’s bar list, as he said his favourite activity was having a different drink, every time he ordered….

And so it went on… topped by a couple of long-time residents who I have known for years, and who I rediscovered a few days ago when they popped by for a late late nightcap. Once again we were able to catch up on old times and mutual acquaintances.

Every single customer was a pleasure to talk to and I have to say, whether or not we go broke, running this bar is anything but boring.

*

Finally, very late in the evening, the girls all suddenly rushed out of the bar to the other side of the road near to the lake.

What on earth????

There had been a minor accident – a farang and a Thai girl had fallen off a motorcycle.

Neither of them were hurt and the girl was very angry. As the man tried to get up, the girl kept screaming at him and beating him on his back.

The girls returned to the bar and left the warring couple to it.

The shouting continued for a while, but eventually, the couple got back on the bike and drove away.

Never try to get in between a belligerent Thai woman and her equally angry farang boyfriend.

No good will ever come of it and you will get no thanks…

More ‘Barfly Tales’ soon…..

[petermik]

Mobi-its L.S.Lowry not WS OK good story never the less.

[Likener1]

Why not offer to pick up people and drive them home for say 400 baht per person, the price of which would include one standard drink and one lady drink ?

Including a lady drink would "get the ball rolling" and certainly result in others being purchased by most.

Or maybe include something off your food menu instead or as well if its say for a couple ?

If someone leaves with one of your ladies a charge for transportation of say 100 baht for could be added for her in addition to any "other" charges for her departure.

I'm sure that many would actually spend more per visit as not everyone will drink and drive and even fewer will do so to bordering on excess (not that I'm advocating that of course)

You may well find your customer numbers swell with those who would otherwise not visit, it also has the benefit of offering a safe place to have a few (?) drinks and if someone has an accident on their way home from your bar, as of course at some point someone will, morally you have the high ground as your offer to not only pick them up but return them home safely was there.

Taxi costs, especially from the "light side" to the lake are exorbitant (the lowest I was quoted was 500 baht one way) and I assume to would be the same to return - I go to the airport for 900 baht including both tolls. So in comparison "exorbitant" for the distance of the journey I feel is justified.

I know that's just was the price is for a taxi, not a moto and its a take it or leave it price but by offering a sub $15 USD/£10 price I think you would get quite a few takers to try your place out. Its then down to your bar to maximise the customer spend - good food, cheap drinks, music, sporting events and of course your friendly staff should easily accomplish this.

Just a suggestion as by offering this option you may well find that you may get quite a few 2 week millionaires coming over for the evening and thereby swelling your coffers as well as providing a road safe way to imbibe for those on the dark side.

[transam]

Why not offer to pick up people and drive them home for say 400 baht per person, the price of which would include one standard drink and one lady drink ?

Including a lady drink would "get the ball rolling" and certainly result in others being purchased by most.

Or maybe include something off your food menu instead or as well if its say for a couple ?

If someone leaves with one of your ladies a charge for transportation of say 100 baht for could be added for her in addition to any "other" charges for her departure.

I'm sure that many would actually spend more per visit as not everyone will drink and drive and even fewer will do so to bordering on excess (not that I'm advocating that of course)

You may well find your customer numbers swell with those who would otherwise not visit, it also has the benefit of offering a safe place to have a few (?) drinks and if someone has an accident on their way home from your bar, as of course at some point someone will, morally you have the high ground as your offer to not only pick them up but return them home safely was there.

Taxi costs, especially from the "light side" to the lake are exorbitant (the lowest I was quoted was 500 baht one way) and I assume to would be the same to return - I go to the airport for 900 baht including both tolls. So in comparison "exorbitant" for the distance of the journey I feel is justified.

I know that's just was the price is for a taxi, not a moto and its a take it or leave it price but by offering a sub $15 USD/£10 price I think you would get quite a few takers to try your place out. Its then down to your bar to maximise the customer spend - good food, cheap drinks, music, sporting events and of course your friendly staff should easily accomplish this.

Just a suggestion as by offering this option you may well find that you may get quite a few 2 week millionaires coming over for the evening and thereby swelling your coffers as well as providing a road safe way to imbibe for those on the dark side.

That sounds totally daft..................

[Likener1]

Why not offer to pick up people and drive them home for say 400 baht per person, the price of which would include one standard drink and one lady drink ?

Including a lady drink would "get the ball rolling" and certainly result in others being purchased by most.

Or maybe include something off your food menu instead or as well if its say for a couple ?

If someone leaves with one of your ladies a charge for transportation of say 100 baht for could be added for her in addition to any "other" charges for her departure.

I'm sure that many would actually spend more per visit as not everyone will drink and drive and even fewer will do so to bordering on excess (not that I'm advocating that of course)

You may well find your customer numbers swell with those who would otherwise not visit, it also has the benefit of offering a safe place to have a few (?) drinks and if someone has an accident on their way home from your bar, as of course at some point someone will, morally you have the high ground as your offer to not only pick them up but return them home safely was there.

Taxi costs, especially from the "light side" to the lake are exorbitant (the lowest I was quoted was 500 baht one way) and I assume to would be the same to return - I go to the airport for 900 baht including both tolls. So in comparison "exorbitant" for the distance of the journey I feel is justified.

I know that's just was the price is for a taxi, not a moto and its a take it or leave it price but by offering a sub $15 USD/£10 price I think you would get quite a few takers to try your place out. Its then down to your bar to maximise the customer spend - good food, cheap drinks, music, sporting events and of course your friendly staff should easily accomplish this.

Just a suggestion as by offering this option you may well find that you may get quite a few 2 week millionaires coming over for the evening and thereby swelling your coffers as well as providing a road safe way to imbibe for those on the dark side.

That sounds totally daft..................

As I said it was just a suggestion, one aimed at trying to be helpful in increasing the bars business as an option.

Maybe your correct, it was a "daft" idea but it was a positive one to increase business and to remove the necessity for anyone that lives more than a few minutes walk (or stagger) away to have to drive home. How many people have a nominated driver or are collected by their sober partner, I would suggest few.

As in a previous post Mobi expressed a feeling of disquiet over helping a drunken guy onto his bike I merely thought this would provide a practical alternative and also one which may increase business.

Down to Mobi though and as the suggestion was for him he can judge the daftness of it.

Edited August 6, 2014 by Likener1