Pattaya’s former Tantra a-Go-Go completes its transformation into The Hive tonight with a Grand Opening party to show off it’s all new design, lights, sound and ladies.
The Nov. 27 party has been months in the making after Tantra, located next Palace on Walking Street, was sold this summer to a young, creative and ambitious Japanese man. Tonight, he gets to show off completion of his vision, as well as handout scratch-off tickets to guests that will win them free drinks, The Hive merchandise and even free lady drinks.
The Hive Concept
The Hive with its buzzing bee theme may seem an odd concept for a Pattaya go-go bar, but a lot of thought went into. A beehive, the new boss explained, is full of energy. It’s buzzing with activity. And it’s a central point for an entire community.
That’s exactly what the bossman wants The Hive to be: Buzzing with action and excitement near the southern end of Walking Street which continues to be encroached on by the Indian nightlife scene. Even now, Pin-Up, once Pattaya’s No. 1 go-go bar, is now “too far south” for many people, who don’t wish to run the Indian club gauntlet.
With its look, vibe and vision – as well as welcoming all nationalities and not just Koreans – this Hive is now the place to go.
So What’s New at The Hive?
The bar closed from Nov. 23-26 for its final refit. But the transformation from Tantra has been ongoing for months.
First came new lighting, with many lights removed as the consensus was it was too bright. Now the modern lighting is strategically placed to give The Hive that buzzing club feel.
Ownership also added speakers and subwoofers. And then designed new outfits for the ladies instead of going for rote off-the-shelf looks.
The cute and sexy new apparel includes black-and-pink The Hive baseball jerseys for coyotes and PR staff, alternating with short black and white skirts.
Then there’s the classy black bikinis trimmed with gold and the lacy, see-though body stockings for the “models”. The Hive earlier also debuted light-blue denim sets with Daisy Dukes short-shorts and halter tops.
For the interior, new VIP seating areas were created and light with gorgeous new signage. There are The Hive blankets, pillows and even portable arm rests that can be used on the long sofa seating to create some distance from other guests.
Walking Street’s Best Happy Hour
Despite the sale and renovation, the bar actually has the best prices on Walking Street with hands-down the best happy hour.
Every night from opening at 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., draft beer is just 49 baht and local beer in bottles is only 59 baht. Even a selection of spirits are just 95 baht.
The Host with the Most
New to the bar business, in Thailand for just more than a year and only 31 years old, The go-go’s Japanese owner is not your prototypical go-go boss. Perhaps that’s why he’s, as Stickman Bangkok wrote in August, “everyone’s new best friend on Walking Street, which is most unusual”.
Pattaya bar owners basically ban most of their competitors from their premises. The Hive’s king bee has joined a small, exclusive group of owners and managers welcome in most places on Walking Street.
Now that The Hive is fully open, the bossman says he’s going to cut back the bar-hopping and use all that positive energy and friendliness in being the host in his own bar.
The party is on from 8:30 p.m. tonight and it’s one not to miss. And if you do, be sure the buzz by The Hive soon.
