Bacarra (Soi Cowboy) - face lift or full renovation?

[Baerboxer]

1 hour ago, brewsterbudgen said:

I can't think of any bars that would let a customer just sit there and not buy anything, unless they charge for admission. Certainly not good business sense!

 

I guess many posters have seen the Indian trick of several guys sharing one or two beers whilst having a letch. 

 

I haven't been to Soi Cowbow for a few years. Last time I was there with an Irish mate who liked Baccara. He doesn't drink alcohol so had coke and I had Singha. We had 3 rounds. No one hassled us to drink quicker. The Mamesan was fairly friendly in saying hello and exchanging some pleasantries. Think it was a Thursday night. Not packed - lots of Farang, quite a few Thais knocking the spirits back, some being treated like VIP's and a smattering of Asians. Very good selection of dancers. My mate bf'd one. 

That was mid 2014, so seems based on the OP to have gone down.

 

I do remember the Soi in the early 90's and early 2000's. Seemed much more of a fun place then.

[buick]

i'm in baccara once a month.  a few years back, a girl asked me for a drink, i said no and she hit me in the balls.  not all that hard but enough that it hurt.  i pushed her away and she came back and hit me in the balls again, even harder.  my friend stepped in and she hit him in the balls also.  so i got beat up by a thai bar girl that night.  my friend and i still laugh about that night (no, we didn't go to the police !!!).

 

as others have said, the buy a drink outside thing is not a big deal.  if it is not crowded inside, you don't get asked to buy one outside (unless you don't pass their racial test).  if you do have to buy one outside, it is crowded inside and you have your drink already and won't have to wait for it inside once you sit down (if you can find a seat).  you will have to buy a drink and whether you buy it outside or inside doesn't make a big difference.

 

i do not know what the plan is for the outside patio.  i'm sure someone will get the answer by sunday.

[Skeptic7]

A bit of historical reminiscing...the first time ever stepped into what today is Baccarra, it was called Bluebird...run by a wonderful Frenchman named Jean Francois & managed by a great Thai fellow and long lost friend named Preyoon.  Like most bars back then (1992) never crowded...no Asian customers...smiling, happy staff and dancers. Same in all the bars, including NEP...quality, happy supply with very little demand. Drink prices were B50 tops ($2 then) and bar fines were LOW. ST was unheard of unless the customer wanted it and LT was B500. 

 

Back to present day...haven't stepped foot in Cowboy in 5 years. Not since I ordered a Chang and was quoted B140. (hear they are even higher now) Canceled the order and voted with my feet...never to return. The smiles were gone...demand far exceeded supply...and they'd outpriced my threshold without providing anything making such prices worthwhile. My head would probably explode if I knew the bar fine gouges and ST-LT prices nowadays! 

 

Bye-bye Baccarra and Bye-bye Soi Cowboy...

[NoshowJones]

1 hour ago, brewsterbudgen said:

The way I see it is the first drink is effectively the price of admission to the bar. Most gogos will allow punters to take a quick wander around but if they sit down they have to buy a drink. Baccara is so successful (and big) that gawkers can disappear!

I see what you mean, but when I go into any place, I cannot stand these people who pressure you before you can decide what you want, all they are interested in is your money, not you, and may I say it is not just a Thai related thing either.

[brewsterbudgen]

A bit of historical reminiscing...the first time ever stepped into what today is Baccarra, it was called Bluebird...run by a wonderful Frenchman named Jean Francois & managed by a great Thai fellow and long lost friend named Preyoon.  Like most bars back then (1992) never crowded...no Asian customers...smiling, happy staff and dancers. Same in all the bars, including NEP...quality, happy supply with very little demand. Drink prices were B50 tops ($2 then) and bar fines were LOW. ST was unheard of unless the customer wanted it and LT was B500. 
 
Back to present day...haven't stepped foot in Cowboy in 5 years. Not since I ordered a Chang and was quoted B140. (hear they are even higher now) Canceled the order and voted with my feet...never to return. The smiles were gone...demand far exceeded supply...and they'd outpriced my threshold without providing anything making such prices worthwhile. My head would probably explode if I knew the bar fine gouges and ST-LT prices nowadays! 
 
Bye-bye Baccarra and Bye-bye Soi Cowboy...

There always comes a time to move on. One cannot 'gogo' forever and to expect prices to remain static is rather naive.

[bkk6060]

4 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

There always comes a time to move on. One cannot 'gogo' forever and to expect prices to remain static is rather naive.

True a fact of life.  500 b bf and 60 b Chang are way in the past.

[cracker1]

20 hours ago, Chou Anou said:

Not my cup of tea at all, Baccara--there are much more fun and hospitable bars on Cowboy--but what I've heard about it is, you're forced to have two drinks outside before they even let you go in (and buy more drinks).  Truly absurd policy, but the place always seems to be packed...

You make it sound like their  "Policy Works " ?

[brewsterbudgen]

You make it sound like their  "Policy Works " ?

There's no denying Baccara's success.

[bartender100]

Lots of local expats still use SC, but tend to sit outside for a chinwag and tourist watch, some smaller bars have TV's outside for the footie, i all ways go when in Bangkok, but hate the big gogos now down there mainly due to their music policy 

[bkk6060]

26 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

There's no denying Baccara's success.

Sure, because there are a lot of people who are ignorant and have no idea, or do not care about getting ripped off.

[brewsterbudgen]

Sure, because there are a lot of people who are ignorant and have no idea, or do not care about getting ripped off.

How are they getting ripped off? The drink prices are shown on menus (if you ask) and are not much higher than other gogos. Everyone who goes there is there for the sheer quantity of dancers which cannot be found in any other Bangkok gogo. Just because it may be out of your price range or not your choice of entertainment, doesn't make it a rip-off.

 

[zaZa9]

3 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Sure, because there are a lot of people who are ignorant and have no idea, or do not care about getting ripped off.

For me , if I "Dont care " and accept the terms and the  costs , then I dont know how anyone could say Im , "..getting ripped off ". Some folk on here need to understand that in much of the world there are private 'Gentlemans Clubs' which offer way less at far more expense. So the punters will keep coming from places like that and there is nothing to be done about it ....except of course come on TV and have a moan . Full English Breakfasts were available here at half the price of today  when I first moved over , ( "Robins Nest" even less than half ) , so should I point out that anyone having a breakfast now is actually being ripped off ? Come now. The money for the girls has not doubled at all....

[Skeptic7]

12 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

There always comes a time to move on. One cannot 'gogo' forever and to expect prices to remain static is rather naive.

Wrong & Wronger...

 

1. Actually, "one" can gogo forever if "one" so chooses.

 

2. Never expected prices to remain static. Clearly stated prices exceeded my own...personal...individual limits and voted with my feet. Better bars to blow my baht outside of SC and Bacarra with better ROI.. 

[brewsterbudgen]

Wrong & Wronger...
 
1. Actually, "one" can gogo forever if "one" so chooses.
 
2. Never expected prices to remain static. Clearly stated prices exceeded my own...personal...individual limits and voted with my feet. Better bars to blow my baht outside of SC and Bacarra with better ROI.. 

Apologies. 1. My post was poorly worded. I meant to write that one cannot gogo forever and expect prices to remain static. 2. Yes. Baccara is not popular with long-time expats. But they are not their target market and they're doing fine without them.

Sent from my SM-A500F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[elgenon]

Last time I went the drinks were 200B and you had to buy 2 ladydrinks for the girl in order to take her.

 

To many of the girls an "undesirable" is anyone not a young Japanese or Korean. Many of the girls prefer the easiness and lack of wear and tear. Plus they are willing to spend more because it is such a bargain compared to their home country. Can't blame them.

 

IMHO the quality of girl has gone way down. Bars get a reputation among Asians and keep drawing them even though the quality of girl is not as good as in other bars. The Lemming Effect.

[mrwebb8825]

Was wondering if any of you "old timers" know about or remember a smaller, quieter soi that I believe was back behind Cowboy some where? Mostly it was smaller, non go-go bars that my dad introduced me to around 17-18 yrs ago. From what I remember him telling me they were all owned and operated by retired oil workers. I remember having a great time there with absolutely no pressure for drinks and the like.

Edited July 14, 2017 by mrwebb8825

[buick]

might have been clinton plaza, i was there in 2001.  not exactly behind cowboy, but not far away and back off sukhumvit a ways.

 

Clinton Plaza was a thriving but short-lived nightlife district in Bangkok, Thailand, on Sukhumvit Road between Soi 13 and Soi 15. Its location was excellent, being midway between the Nana Entertainment Plaza to the west and the Soi Cowboy nightlife area to the east.

The plaza, the brainchild of a Dutchman and an American, began as a collection of beer bars in 1998. The following year it was named after then U.S. President Bill Clinton. A number of lively go-go bars appeared in 2000. Many of the names were tongue in cheek jabs at the president, including Monica Beer Bar, Bill's Coffee House and the White House.^[1]

In 2001 the Interior Minister of Thailand, Purachai Piumsombun, began a campaign to enforce his ideas of social order. A 01:00 closing hour for all bars and nightclubs was enforced and employment of nude dancers was discouraged. The shortened hours, combined with contractual disputes related to redevelopment plans, led to the complete shut down of the bar area by May 2003. The existing structures were razed and a hotel has since been built on the location.

[mrwebb8825]

8 minutes ago, buick said:

might have been clinton plaza, i was there in 2001.  not exactly behind cowboy, but not far away and back off sukhumvit a ways.

 

Clinton Plaza was a thriving but short-lived nightlife district in Bangkok, Thailand, on Sukhumvit Road between Soi 13 and Soi 15. Its location was excellent, being midway between the Nana Entertainment Plaza to the west and the Soi Cowboy nightlife area to the east.

The plaza, the brainchild of a Dutchman and an American, began as a collection of beer bars in 1998. The following year it was named after then U.S. President Bill Clinton. A number of lively go-go bars appeared in 2000. Many of the names were tongue in cheek jabs at the president, including Monica Beer Bar, Bill's Coffee House and the White House.^[1]

In 2001 the Interior Minister of Thailand, Purachai Piumsombun, began a campaign to enforce his ideas of social order. A 01:00 closing hour for all bars and nightclubs was enforced and employment of nude dancers was discouraged. The shortened hours, combined with contractual disputes related to redevelopment plans, led to the complete shut down of the bar area by May 2003. The existing structures were razed and a hotel has since been built on the location.

This may very well have been what I was trying to remember. I think I was there in Oct. 2001 but don't remember brightly lit go-go style bars. More just pool tables, dart boards and a quick romp if you felt like it.

[bkk6060]

Washington Square had a few places I think much better fun then Cowboy. 

[brewsterbudgen]

Washington Square had a few places I think much better fun then Cowboy. 

Another place they knocked down ?

[natway09]

These guys who start rambling with no idea of what they are talking about are dangerous.

Tell me, if you owned the bar & many gentlemen just went in to oogle what would you do????

I know what I would do, make them buy one drink before entry  & after 40 minutes buy another or ...ck off !!!

[Thainess]

On 7/13/2017 at 8:37 AM, mstevens said:

35 years in Thailand and still a regular in gogo bars?

 

So A-list actors, Premier League players and rock stars all make a beeline to Bacarra, eh?

Yes, actually they do. Saw Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) in there a few months ago.

[Skeptic7]

16 hours ago, zaZa9 said:

For me , if I "Dont care " and accept the terms and the  costs , then I dont know how anyone could say Im , "..getting ripped off ". Some folk on here need to understand that in much of the world there are private 'Gentlemans Clubs' which offer way less at far more expense. So the punters will keep coming from places like that and there is nothing to be done about it ....except of course come on TV and have a moan . Full English Breakfasts were available here at half the price of today  when I first moved over , ( "Robins Nest" even less than half ) , so should I point out that anyone having a breakfast now is actually being ripped off ? Come now. The money for the girls has not doubled at all....

Huh...whaaa??? "The money for the girls has not doubled at all".  Well...yes...come to think of it...reckon you're correct...

 

...tripled/quadrupled would be more accurate. With GFE an endangered species (nearly extinct) and "baditude" aplenty. 

[Skeptic7]

2 hours ago, buick said:

might have been clinton plaza, i was there in 2001.  not exactly behind cowboy, but not far away and back off sukhumvit a ways.

 

Clinton Plaza was a thriving but short-lived nightlife district in Bangkok, Thailand, on Sukhumvit Road between Soi 13 and Soi 15. Its location was excellent, being midway between the Nana Entertainment Plaza to the west and the Soi Cowboy nightlife area to the east.

The plaza, the brainchild of a Dutchman and an American, began as a collection of beer bars in 1998. The following year it was named after then U.S. President Bill Clinton. A number of lively go-go bars appeared in 2000. Many of the names were tongue in cheek jabs at the president, including Monica Beer Bar, Bill's Coffee House and the White House.^[1]

In 2001 the Interior Minister of Thailand, Purachai Piumsombun, began a campaign to enforce his ideas of social order. A 01:00 closing hour for all bars and nightclubs was enforced and employment of nude dancers was discouraged. The shortened hours, combined with contractual disputes related to redevelopment plans, led to the complete shut down of the bar area by May 2003. The existing structures were razed and a hotel has since been built on the location.

Yes Purachai Plumsombun ...under the fugitive from justice, ex-PM Taksin (Toxin) Shinawatra. Their "New Social Order" was also responsible for the demise of other late night venues, including my fave of the time...Rainbow 2000. 

Edited July 14, 2017 by Skeptic7

[Skeptic7]

12 hours ago, mrwebb8825 said:

Was wondering if any of you "old timers" know about or remember a smaller, quieter soi that I believe was back behind Cowboy some where? Mostly it was smaller, non go-go bars that my dad introduced me to around 17-18 yrs ago. From what I remember him telling me they were all owned and operated by retired oil workers. I remember having a great time there with absolutely no pressure for drinks and the like.

There was an extensive area of Beer Bars running from Asoke...where Interchange 21 Bldg is now to Soi 23...directly next to Soi Cowboy. Used to start early there every evening before heading to Nana Plaza. There was a great bar called B-52, run by an American guy who was also a pilot.Howie is his name and he moved on to run at least 2 Subway Sub Shops...1 in BKK and 1 in Pattaya. Ran into him in the Pattaya Subway a few years back.

 

At the Soi 23 end of this wonderful long lost area were many more bar beer and a Lolita's BJ Bar! Found this link for reference...

http://t2.thai360.com/index.php?/topic/101-lolita-bar-bangkok/

 

Great area...great times! 

[Blackheart1916]

On 7/12/2017 at 11:55 PM, Chou Anou said:

"Less desirable" in Thailand is code for black and Indian men, we all know that.  So I wouldn't exactly call this a ringing endorsement of the bar.

Where as I, on the other hand, would.

[elgenon]

17 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Another place they knocked down ?

More shopping! Had good Mexican food. After the TV show closed, a pool hall opened with free pool during the day as long as you bought a drink. Big place.

 

I remember Clinton Plaza. Nothing special to me. But thought the names were good.

[Thai Ron]

On ‎7‎/‎13‎/‎2017 at 2:06 PM, Baerboxer said:

I do remember the Soi in the early 90's and early 2000's. Seemed much more of a fun place then.

Because you were 20-25 years younger

[bbi1]

The word on the streets are that Baccara has closed for good. It's being converted to a 7-Eleven as that soi is missing one. Soi Cowboy's been badly in need of a 7-eleven or Family Mart for a while. As we all know Thais need one every 50 metres or so.

[bkk6060]

3 minutes ago, bbi1 said:

The word on the streets are that Baccara has closed for good. It's being converted to a 7-Eleven as that soi is missing one. Soi Cowboy's been badly in need of a 7-eleven or Family Mart for a while. As we all know Thais need one every 50 metres or so.

That's a good one hope its true.