Soi Cowboy has gotten another much-needed quality go-go bar with the opening of Hot Lips, although even management admits much work still needs to be done.
Despite the large number of bars on the Neon Alley, relatively few are worth a visit, especially when it comes to go-go bars. All of “The Arab’s” bars, while beautiful on the outside, are no-go zones for anyone familiar with their long reputation for bill padding, overzealous security and dancers who don’t barfine.
Of the remaining bars, only Suzie Wong, Vicky’s Secret, Baccara, Shark Club, Bad Beach and Crazy House make our recommended list. But Hot Lips has the potential to get the Dave Rave stamp of approval … eventually.
From Oasis to Showtime To Hot Lips
Hot Lips opened Nov. 20 in the space most famous for being the home of the Oasis and then Stumble Inn Soi Cowboy pubs. The Stumble Inn Group closed the pub in June due to rent increases that made profitability for food, beers and sports impossible. The new plan was for a ladyboy cabaret called Showtime.
But, in a shocking turn of events, partners pulled the plug on Showtime just a week away from opening in September and one partner sold back his shares to SIG. It was back to the drawing board.
The Oasis/Stumble Inn/Showtime space was gutted again, upstairs walls erected to create dressing rooms knocked down, and the space converted into a go-go. The job was done so effectively that, stepping into Hot Lips, it’s hard to remember what Oasis/Stumble Inn looked like in that space. Upstairs, where the Oasis pool room was, will be an entirely separate club that won’t open until next year.
“A couple of the head honchos at Stumble Inn come from the construction sector in the U.K. and the quality of their bar builds is better than most,” Stickman Bangkok noted in his Nov. 23 column.
‘RJ is a top fellow, one of the best managers in the chrome pole industry, maybe the best.’ – Stickman Bangkok
The result is a typical, if bit dark, go-go with a low, narrow center stage and rows of red, high-backed sofa seating repurposed from Showtime on each side. The padding on the seats is plentiful and were very comfortable, although the 90-degree straight-back angle does more to enforce proper posture than comfort. The high backs and dark environs provide cover for any hanky-panky that might occur in the top row.
The sound system, again originally designed for Showtime by the former partner, is top-notch with very high-end speakers. Lighting, so far, is adequate if unexciting. No laser, strobes or projector lighting but old codgers would probably be happy without them.
On a recent Friday, there were 22 girls on the board for the night. There are familiar faces and some stunners, but you’d never know it from the photos posted on Hot Lips’ social media channels.
Hot Lips has introduced a 7:30-9:30 p.m. happy hour with locals beers and house spirits at just 100 baht.
Capt. Hornbag Returns
The best move the Stumble Inn Group did, and the best thing going for Hot Lips, was the hiring of its legendary manager RJ, aka “Capt. Hornbag”, who returned to Bangkok after four years of working at Heaven Above in Pattaya and, before that, years working for the now-closed Electric Blue and The Dollhouse Pattaya.
Capt. Hornbag and the Stumble Group are no strangers. He was the manager for the original Playskool in Nana Plaza and also managed Spanky’s in the Plaza before departing for Pattaya.
“RJ is a top fellow, one of the best managers in the chrome pole industry, maybe the best,” Stickman wrote Nov. 23.
Even if Hot Lips fails to reach the quality of Shark, Suzie Wong or Vicky’s, many people will go to Hot Lips just to see RJ.
‘Still a Lot to Do’
According to Capt. Hornbag, Hot Lips is still in a “soft opening” stage and will be for a while.
“Still a lot to do”, he commented on Facebook in a reply to a recent compliment about the new go-go.
The first order of business is to get the outdoor patio up and running with tables, a better LED screen and bar service.
Inside, more girls, additional lighting, standalone tables, and operational improvements are needed.
Hot Lips probably won’t see a proper “grand opening” until January.
Sewage Problems
One glaring issue surrounding Hot Lips that should be resolved first is the wastewater flowing out from underneath Hot Lips patio that, on some nights, flows all the way down to Cowboy 2. It has been an ongoing issue for nearly a year and neither Stumble Inn Group management or Bangkok health officials have done anything.
Stickman has documented the many instances of tourists having to schlep through urine-smelling water in their flip-flops while this week we posted photos of the wastewater pooling only around Hot Lips, and not flowing to that bar from other places.
Critics attacked the Dave Rave News report as an attempt to “discredit” Hot Lips or because they’re mates with its marketing hack. In fact, the story was about the sewage problem in general with credible evidence of the source of a genuine public-health problem.
“This stuff needs to be said and this problem needs to be resolved,” Stickman said after seeing the butt-hurt reactions. “It’s great journalism and it’s very much for the greater good.”
