Mr. Egg’s Rum Runner Pattaya Go-Go Ready; Awaiting Final Licenses for Grand Opening

Rum Runner is done and all that’s left before opening the new go-go from Pattaya legend “Mr Egg” are paperwork and some dabs of paint.

In a Monday update on his YouTube channel, Ross announced that Rum Runner’s renovations are now complete, pending minor finishing touches and the final approval of an entertainment license.

He described the project as a transformative six-week journey, significantly revitalizing the space. Although minor painting and drilling tasks remain, Ross expects to officially open shortly after paperwork is finalized, potentially within days or weeks.

Rum Runner a Modern Classic

Rum Runner aims to offer a classic go-go bar experience rather than reinventing the format.

“What we try to do here at Rum Runner is not reinvent the wheel. It’s a go-go bar, right? It’s got a stage in the middle, two sets of seats either side, music, and the girls dancing. We’re not doing anything special, but we’re trying to do a go-go bar really, really well.”

The bar will prioritize quality entertainment without excessively loud music, focusing instead on classic rock, soft rock, 80s hits and selected Thai music to ensure both customer and staff satisfaction.

The venue plans to operate on an adjusted schedule, reflecting its unique location on the quieter end of Soi Buakhao. Rum Runner will initially open from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m., though Ross acknowledges these hours may evolve based on customer feedback and demand.

“To use a mountaineering analogy, if we’re climbing Mount Everest, we’ve reached base camp. The hard stuff is yet to come.” The hard stuff? Ensuring successful operations and customer satisfaction.

Ross, who has extensive experience operating nightlife venues, including eight years running Le Pub in Pattaya, remains cautiously optimistic despite acknowledging potential risks, especially given the current low-season conditions and an early onset of Pattaya’s rainy season.

Rum Runner Expands Soi Buakhao’s Frontier

Addressing location-related concerns, Ross emphasized Rum Runner’s strategic position, benefiting from convenient access on a baht-bus route and ample nearby parking.

“It’s a destination bar, that’s for sure. It’s on a baht bus route, it has parking outside for motorbikes, and there’s car parking about 100 meters up the road.”

He also underscored Soi Buakhao’s growing appeal as a nightlife destination, noting many of his regular customers have shifted preferences away from Pattaya’s traditional Walking Street district.

Not a Cheap Charlie Destination

Rum Runner is not expected to rely heavily on walk-in traffic but rather anticipates a loyal customer base built over Ross’s many years of industry experience. The bar intends to offer competitively priced drinks, including draft Guinness, draft cider, and possibly guest beers, providing good value without compromising quality.

“It’s not going to be a cheap, cheap bar, but it’s not going to be ridiculously expensive either, and we’re going to have draft Guinness, draft cider, maybe some guest beers as well.”

Licenses and Opening

With alcohol, music, and cigarette licenses already secured, the final step before Rum Runner’s opening is obtaining the essential entertainment license.

Ross stated his legal advisors projected this approval could take anywhere from three days to three weeks, creating uncertainty about the precise opening date. Nevertheless, Ross expressed eagerness to welcome both new and returning patrons to the venue as soon as possible.

Rum Runner represents the latest chapter in Ross’s ongoing contribution to Pattaya’s vibrant nightlife landscape. With a loyal following established through his engaging social media presence – recently surpassing 30,000 subscribers on YouTube – Ross remains committed to providing transparent updates about the bar’s progress and eventual operations.