FRIDAY NIGHT UPDATE - BUDDHIST LENT

Asanha Bucha Day (July 17th) is deemed as a very important Buddhist holiday right across Thailand. In fact, some Thais tell me it is the most important Buddha Day. Today, Friday, July 18th it is Buddhist lent.  All devout Buddhists should “tham boon” (make merit) at their local “wat” (temple). Devout Buddhists should also pray and give offerings to monks, while abstaining from consuming alcohol. I wish you good luck. Chok dee kap!

BANGKOK BARS - Some bars will be closed tonight, but others are serving as normal.  Nana Plaza and the surrounding area is closed. For example, Bully’s Pub is open and they are serving booze. Woodstock Bar in Tonglor are also open. Therefore, I suggest that you try Soi Cowboy, Patpong and Bangkok pubs.

PATTAYA BARS - The beer bars and go-go bars across Pattaya will try to open tonight. However, I am not sure how many will be allowed to open. Have a look around, because some bars will definitely be serving alcohol. Cheers!

*BUDDHA DAY UPDATE - FRIDAY, JULY 18th*

PATTAYA - The bars in Pattaya will be closed on Thursday, July 17th. However, the good news is that the Pattaya bars will be open on Friday, July 18th. This year everybody I speak to is in a state of confusion. It’s Friday night in and so far few go-go bars are likely to open. Last night some locally connected go-go bars in Soi Diamond were open. We presume those same go-go bars will be open again tonight. Head down to Super Girls, Super Baby and possibly Diamond Go-Go Bar in Soi Diamond. No doubt a few beer bars will be discretely serving alcohol, but most go-go bars are likely to be closed tonight.

BANGKOK - Most of the bars in the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok will be closed on July 17th and July 18th. Nana Plaza and bars around that area are definitely closed both Thursday and Friday. However, from the information I have received Patpong should be open this Friday night. Talk about an open and shut case!

FRIDAY NIGHT - A few pubs in Bangkok and Pattaya are open tonight. I know for a fact that Bully’s Pub are serving right now as normal. Cheers! 

A GO-GO BAR FOR ALL SEASONS

Opening a successful go-go bar is a lot harder than it looks. Prior to establishing a successful go-go bar, there are inevitably some important factors to consider. Today, we will look at two of the most important aspects. Firstly, acquiring the right location is the first priority. The three L’s of marketing are; location, location, location. As long as you are in the heart of the action, people can find easily you. I always sigh with disappointment, when a go-go bar name card has a detailed map on the back. We don’t want to waste time doing a map orientation exercise! After establishing a prime location, probably the next consideration is the size and design. You might be surprised how many people overlook these things. I dare say some naïve newcomers think that they just have to open the doors and the customers will arrive in droves.  It is not that simple, as any go-go bar boss will tell you. Great care and consideration should be taken in deciding on the size of the go-go bar. If it is too tiny, you will never be driving around in a brand new Mercedes Benz in this lifetime! You just cannot generate enough profit to lead that kind of lifestyle. Besides that who enjoys being boxed in? Those poky places are only fun for those who like the hands-on approach. (Call me old fashioned, but I thought hanky-panky was for the privacy of the hotel room). I find that most Westerners like to have their own personal space. Lord forbid if anyone invades that personal space. Small bars usually make small profits. (more…)