Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, fire-ravaged Pattaya gentlemen’s club returns with the Aug. 16 Catflaps reopening party featuring a free sandwich buffet and free shots for customers.
The Pratamnak Hill bar, part of the GentsClubs.com Group, was forced to shut its doors in the early hours of July 7 when a short-circuited bug zapper sparked a fire on the ground floor. Fortunately, no one was hurt, and flame-retardant ceiling tiles kept the blaze from spreading upstairs. Damage was estimated at the time at about 200,000 baht.
Group Managing Director Steven Acreman said at the time that the fire could have been far worse if not for the safety measures already in place. In his Aug. 9 update video, Acreman noted the team took the opportunity to go beyond repairs, carrying out a rapid, full-scale refresh for the Catflaps reopening.
“I wish I could burn down every bar. Then we could do it again and get it right,” Acreman joked.
A Party to Mark Catflaps Reopening
The Catflaps reopening party will run from 1-11 p.m. on Saturday. A free buffet, beginning at 3 p.m., will feature an assortment of bite-sized comfort foods, including mini burgers, mini hot dogs, fresh rolls with assorted fillings, and other sandwich varieties.
The Catflaps reopening spread is designed for easy grazing between drinks and conversation, with plenty to go around for the afternoon crowd. Free shots will also be offered throughout the day.
Faster, Brighter, Better
The six-week closure saw an intensive renovation. All furniture was replaced, and the club’s middle island was brightened with new colored lighting. Television screens were repositioned for better viewing, and the air-conditioning layout was improved with units now more centrally placed for even cooling.
In a stroke of good luck, the entire cabinet of music equipment and all but one speaker survived the fire unscathed. The missing speaker will be replaced, bringing the total to four, ensuring Catflaps’ music setup will be stronger than before.
Although the toilets were not renovated, Acreman assured patrons that they have been cleaned thoroughly. While the tiles appear slightly sooty, there is no lingering fire smell.
Staff Back in Place
During the closure, Catflaps’ resident hostesses were temporarily relocated to other GentsClubs.com venues, including The Camel Toe on Soi Khopai 10 and Free Willy on Soi Regional Land Office. Taco Fridays, a staple event for regulars, were hosted at Free Willy during the shutdown but will return to with the Catflaps reopening.
The only outstanding issue is seating. As of a week ago, 16 standard chairs were still being sourced. In the meantime, Acreman said, the team has provided 16 small armchairs for the hostesses.
