Dave Rave Sunday Roast (16/09/18)

The Pickled Liver Birthday Bash

A Home Away From Home

One aspect of Bangkok that makes it such a fascinating city is the melting pot of nationalities you are likely to encounter here. Resident expatriates and foreign visitors originating from all corners of the globe have conspired to create this most cosmopolitan city.

Todayโ€™s Sunday Roast is about two British Boozers โ€” one is The Pickled Liver Pub and the other is Nick Wetzel. Some people refer to Nick as โ€˜The Princeโ€™ because as soon as he knocked off work he was in The Queenโ€™s Arms!

Wherever you come from The Pickled Liver Pub will welcome you with open arms, albeit not Royal Arms. Although the Pickled Liver is a traditional British pub, the distinct international flavour resides within.

On the 10th of June 2006, The Pickled Liver Pub first opened its doors in the narrow lane, connecting to Sukhumvit Soi 11 in downtown Bangkok. ย 

On the very first night, they showed England v Paraguay in the World Cup to a packed house on that fateful evening. It really was the first speciality football bar in Bangkok.

Nick had been thinking about opening a bar for some time, constantly frustrated by the inability to watch a football match in peace. In most bars, you have to suffer some bar girl bothering you for a lady drink.

Nick commented, โ€œI would never consider running a pub in England because of the ridiculous health and safety regulations, and to be honest who wants to live there anyway?โ€

Nick went on to say, โ€œThe important thing was spending five years here before opening my own bar, doing valuable research and getting to know how Bangkok ticks.โ€

Before Nick took it over it was Ye Olde Bell, hidden away behind the popular Cheap Charlieโ€™s Bar. Nick gradually built up a loyal following that is still affectionately known as The Pickled Liver Family.

Nick had five great years in Soi 11 before being forced out by an obtuse landlady, who didnโ€™t seem to agree with people drinking or enjoying themselves. Yes, she was very strange! ย 

Luckily, Nick found his current location after an extensive search and after three long months of frustration, they finally reopened on the 11th of September 2011

Regarding the move to Sukhumvit Soi 7/1 Nick said, โ€œItโ€™s hard to believe weโ€™ve been here for 7 years, but despite the walk of shame past the naughty girly bars, plus the marauding ladyboys, we battle on.โ€

Former professional baseball player Brian Abrams reminded me to mention how warm and welcoming Nickโ€™s pub has become. The Pickled Liver Pub is a cosy place, referred to by Nick, as his living room. The die-hard regulars and ‘irregulars’ feel The Pickled Liver is their ideal home away from home.

Brian is a huge supporter of The Pickled Liver, who could easily be mistaken for The Pickled Liver Pubโ€™s Public Relations Officer. With Nickโ€™s own brand of humour, he would say, โ€œWe even let Americans drink here.โ€

Recently, The Pickled Liver Pub celebrated the 7th Anniversary of relocating to Sukhumvit Soi 7/1 with a Birthday Bash. There was a lavish complimentary buffet, including a delicious Massaman Curry.

This was very appropriate, as curry is now Britainโ€™s most popular dish. I unashamedly wolfed down a load of Massaman Curry, blended with chips and gravy!

The live entertainment was provided by Lee โ€˜Human Jukeboxโ€™ Shamrock. Robert Dagger was honoured with a tribute entitled โ€˜Moves Like Daggerโ€™ which went down well with the crowd.

The tempo of Lee Shamrock’s one-man-band routine was great, with the ladies dancing and others singing along. Leeโ€™s romantic love ballads wooed the ladies, especially โ€˜Save The Last Shag For Me.โ€™

As you can see from the photographs, it was a great night. However, there will be plenty more to come. Nick is one of the few remaining Bangkok resident expats who has known me for 20 years. I wish Nick and The Pickled Liver Pub continued success and happiness.