MIDNITE HOUR - Bangkok Eyes November 2013

Historical Minutiae Dept.

Challenged BGs

Hi,

I'm looking for a leg amputee bar girl. Is that ever seen?

Thanks!
C

C.

Having a good sense of humor is an important part of running a Night Entertainment Website. You are pulling our leg, right?

Mor

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'Boge' Hartman Historical Research

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Let the November 2013 Follies begin...
BANKOK EYES' Expat Night Scene.

PATPONG I

MAP

The Safari crew were fitted out for Halloween this year from management on down (however, management was a little more subdued...). We note the strange coincidence where a few more attractive dancers and hostesses equates to being busier.... Worth checking out.

PATPONG I

The Thigh Bar"s door-Dracula welcoming passers-by in for a drink.

PATPONG I

The Super Pussy signage looking much different in daylight.... One for the archives.

PATPONG I

PATPONG II

MAP

The Mike's Place "meeter and greeter" - half Beetlejuice - half The Joker, stood about 6 foot 2 inches tall, and waited for prospective customers to walk down the darkened passageway to the entrance door. He didn't say anything, moving slowly out of the shadows into their line of sight. It worked - he scared away every prospective customer.

- File photo

PATPONG II

The Strip was host to Halloween fun and games, and had the scariest - and loveliest - witches and ghouls to be found anywhere.

PATPONG II

Another name change for the Cleopatra Bar Beer. Up until recently it was Jimmy's Bar, and has now been renamed Vinai's Bar - noting that the Thai name remains Cleo(patra) Bar Beer. Welcome them to the sharkpool.

PATPONG II

This sign is located at the Silom entrance to Patpong II, however it is most difficult to see due to it's inconvenient location. One for the photo archives.

PATPONG II

Up on The Ramp, only darkness shone out of the Narita, leaves and scraps of paper scattered on their verandah. The Narita was a pool-lounge. Greener pastures....

- File photo

PATPONG II

SOI COWBOY

MAP

The Suzie Wong was Soi Cowboy's "winner" for the unofficial (my) best Halloween Bar this year. Friendly staff and spooky decor....

SOI COWBOY

NANA PLAZA

MAP

At first we thought that the Nana Plaza management had darkened their signage to be more in keeping with the spookier side of Halloween, but our tell-all mamasans on the ground advise that there were not one, but two short-circuits in the signage, causing most spectacular cascading showers of sparks. Let's hope they repair it more quickly than the previous sign - which, come to think of it, never did get 100% repaired....

NANA PLAZA - (Sukhumvit SOI 4)

The Pretty Lady is shut down once again for renovations (going on late into the night). There is a good chance of new 'ownership', but keeping the same name (due to the difficulty of registering a brand-new name - and then getting the new dancing licenses). Look for them to be open in a week or two. Note - they are keeping the bar beer out front going in the interim. May they keep on keeping on....

NANA PLAZA - (Sukhumvit SOI 4)

SOI NANA

MAP

What was the long-running Swan Pool & Snooker is now being replaced by the New Swan Live Country Music. Suzie (of many Suzie bars of the past) will be at the helm. Check it out - and wish them luck ... this seems a bit of a strange duck for Soi Nana....

SOI NANA

It appears the rumors of the Big Mango's demise were more than rumors after all (see our note in the July issue). It is still possible that they may reopen - perhaps in a different format - so we will keep an ear to the ground, and get back atcha if something should eventuate....

- File photo

SOI NANA

Finnegan's Irish Pub was darker than a poisoned well and in a state of lock-down the other night when we passed by. We hope this is only a temporary condition, but for the time being, we will scratch them from the rolls. If their door-dwarf is out of work, he might want to try at Check Inn 99.... Just a thought....

SOI NANA

The upstairs Heaven's Bar has either opened or reopened, we are not sure. Nevertheless, we would like to welcome them to partytown. Located across the street from the Soi 6 cutoff.

SOI NANA

This unnamed lean-to bar beer is really named the No Name Bar. Located in Soi Big Mango. They seem to be getting more popular, and do warrant some notice. May they persevere.

SOI NANA

The Charmming Massage is a single shop-house massage parlor just inside Soi Big Mango. Welcome them to the bright lights, big city.

SOI NANA

It appears that our earlier reported rumor regarding the conversion of the upstairs Ball In Hand to an Arab nightclub could come to pass. This temporary Sheikh sign was recently posted above the entranceway. But let's wait and see what we will see.... it doesn't look any closer to opening this month than last.

SOI NANA

SOI KATOEY

MAP

Except for the colorful Halloween party hat, the door girl at Tapas was completely nude....

SOI KATOEY - (SILOM SOI 4)

SOI 22

MAP

Sandwiched in between the Too Easy and the Squeeze Inn on Soi Titanium is the new Moderation Bar. Welcome them to the machine.

SOI 22 - (Sukhumvit)

What was the Booze Up has been sucked up by the Shag Bar (which was accomplished by removing a part of the partition at the rear and taking down the sign. Should have been done from the beginning. May the Shag Bar continue to rock and roll.

SOI 22 - (Sukhumvit)

What was the Harmony Massage is no more. Down a quiet subsoi, they didn't seem to be doing much....

(no file photo on hand)

SOI 22 - (Sukhumvit)

SOI DEAD ARTISTS

MAP

The Garden Club, having got off to a good start, wasn't able to maintain the momentum. Darwin plays no favorites - no custom, no money, die. When we passed by the other evening, they had the roller-shutters down and locked, and a "For Rent" sign hung out.

- File photo

SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33

Taking over from the recently closed down Livingstone's complex is the Ocean Bangkok. It looks like they will have a similar array of entertainment facilities, although the renovations do not appear to be 100% at this juncture. Welcome to the neon jungle. Oh, and as a suggestion, your neon sucks... You need to get something that people will see, and once seen, will read....

SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33

Successor to the Moulin Rouge is the brand-new Japanese lounge Premier. "Ber" (?) - looks like yet another case of

. Welcome to the wolfpack.

SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33

QUEEN'S PARK PLAZA

MAP

Baan Beer 22 has, for whatever reason, dropped the "22" from their name - becoming the Baan Beer. Hey, works for us. Let it rip, then, gentlemen.

QUEEN'S PARK PLAZA

SOI EDEN

MAP

The bar area between the Tarntip Massage and the Bai Fern Massage still appears to be in flux - with Tarntip now appearing to have taken over the entire area. Somehow, we think there's more to come.... We'll keep an eyeball peeled, and get back atcha.

SOI EDEN - Soi 7/1 Sukhumvit

SOI TWILIGHT

MAP

As we were taking a photo at the Bonny Massage of the skeleton in the black cape (left) something passed into our field of vision (at the right), then disappeared. Whatever it was, it spoiled the entire photograph.

SOI TWILIGHT

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A PAGE FROM BANGKOK's NIGHTSCENE HISTORY....

Bangkok Eyes jumps back in time to have a look at who was new - and who was through. We'll be willing to bet that many of you "Old Bangkok Hands" will be reminded of some bars you'd almost forgotten. (We also will be willing to bet you WON'T EVEN REMEMBER an even greater number....)

10 YEARS AGO :

November

Patpong I
   *  Pussy Collection closed down - it would reopen, however, in two months.   It is still there today.

   *  Red Parrot Bangkok opened new on the 2nd floor in the building facing PPI, PPII and Silom Road.   It is still there today.

   *  The Thai Lady Acent Massage on the 3rd floor above Thigh Bar closed down.

Patpong 2
   *  The Thai Traditional Massage closed, and the Baan Bua Luang Cafe reopened - both on the 4th floor of the Cosmos Stairwell opposite Foodland.   No venue exists at those locations today.

   *  The Trade Winds Pub and the next door Star of Light specialty massage closed down for renovations - they would reopen soon.   Star of Light is still at that location,

Soi Cowboy
   *  No changes that month / year.

Nana Plaza
   *   The Hollywood A Go-Go reopened after a brief closure.   The Angel Witch II now occupies those digs.

   *   The 3rd floor Carousel - XXX A Go-Go closed briefly for renovations, and would reopen.   The Billboard now occupies those premises.

Soi Katoey (Silom Soi 4)
   *   The Roxy (no relation to the old PPII bar of renown) opened new in the old Rome Club (Part II) digs.   The For Fun is now located there.

   *   The Speed and the upstairs Hip Hop reopened after a one-month closure.   The Bearbie Bar now occupies those digs.

Soi Dead Artists    (Soi 33)
   *   The Hibari opened downstairs in the Peep Inn Park (Now S33 Hotel).   Currently that location is home to Ko Ha Ku.

   *   Kongsil Massage opened new in Sub-soi Wall Street.   Those digs currently occupied by the Sweet Mango Massage.

   *   Noi Health Massage opened new.   Those premises currently held down by the Naree Massage.

   *   The The Cafe Buongiorno Bar & Restaurant reopened after a brief closure - located deep in Subsoi 5.   Today the Bistro 33 occupies those facilities.

Queen's Park Plaza     (Soi 22)

   *   No changes that year / month.

Washington Square (Closed down April 2013
         - the 3 bars remaining in the entranceway now counted as "Soi 22")

   *   No changes that year / month.

Tobacco Road (Soi Zero) -   (Closed on November 2006 )
   *   The Kiss Me bar beer reopened after a brief closure.

Cowboy Annex   (Asoke Corner/Asoke Plaza)
        (Closed down on Feb 2005)

         *  The Chid Bar bar beer - took over the reins from the Cheers.

         *  The Princess Bar bar beer reopened on the left side, Asoke Corner side.

13 Night Market    (Atop the original Thermae digs)

(April 2003 - March 2005   - Now closed down.)

         *   The Walker Bar Bar Beer closed down, having been absorbed by the next door Red Dragon which opened a month previously.

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VICARIOUS ART CRIMES # 97

MIDNITE HOUR's

But is it .... ART ?

New to the world of 'Graffiti'? See our "INTRO "
"The ART and the CONTROVERSY" - CLICK HERE

Graffiti's HISTORY <

link>

[ Check out Bangkok's dedicated Graffiti page at "BKK Graf.com" <link>. ]

- And now to Midnight Hour's own brand of Bangkok Graffiti ....

GRAFFITI IN THE NEWS

"Better Out Than In"
'GRAFFITI' TURNS A CORNER

Banksy is a street artist who happens to be the world's most well known in his chosen field : graffiti. For those of you who haven't figured it out yet, a street artist is what we call a graffiti artist who has made the 'big time', or in some cases, how we refer to any graffiti writer in a 'socially acceptable way'.... It's all semantics - there's not a droplet of paint of difference... Banksy is the nom-de-spraycan of someone who may be British, and who may only be one person, and who is an artist in his own right (artist in the real, absolute sense). He has been contracted by an indistinctly defined party or parties to go to New York City for the month of October 2013 to produce an ongoing, cascading street exhibition.

One of Banksy's early October installations in his month-long Better Out Than In exhibition.

- Unattributed photo. All rights confer to copyright holder.

         Banksy's October exhibition is called "Better Out Than In", which, for lack of a better counterculture-sounding name, is not all that shabby - even if it doesn't really impart any heavy-duty significance.   Banksy's mission, should he decide to complete it, is to produce a bit of street art each day during the month, be it an 'installation', a stencil work, or just a spraycan piece.

         The name of the game, and it is a game, is Banksy will produce a work at some undisclosed location in New York, then announce it on Instagram, whereby the mobs will rush to be first to view it and photograph it.   The mobs, of course, include the Media, and there are frequent updates on the newstainment outlets and on myriad websites.   The Media, in their zeal to play the game, were, and are making sure their readers understand these works have been elevated to "social commentary" and or "political commentary".

         But as this is a highly publicized, sponsored exhibit, does it even meet the criteria of being called 'graffiti'?   All said and done, Graffiti is defined as unauthorized markings made on public and/ or private property.   This recent show of Banksy's, in our book, does not equate to graffiti, no matter how you slice it.   Another aspect which differentiates this month-long exhibition is money.   Unauthorized spray-works done in the dead of night do not produce a financial gain for their creators.   A sponsored event such as this means money - and in Banksy's case, he doesn't work cheaply (having recently auctioned off one of his more famous graffiti pieces for U$1.1 million).

         And Banksy himself admits that it wasn't always about the money - it was about all the excitement and challenges graffiti writers had to face when throwing up a surreptitious piece here and there.   He admits that now that it is about money, it is not any longer the same.   When graffiti becomes a sponsored money thing, it has turned the corner - it is no longer graffiti, and it really doesn't matter whether you call it 'street art', 'exhibition pieces', 'installations', or whatever.

         Nevertheless, Banksy is turning out a greatly entertaining New York show as we speak - worth following on the Internet.

- And now to Midnight Hour's own brand of Bangkok Graffiti ....

Graffiti #673
Grapetracker
6 ft high x 8 ft

Graffiti #674
A Primer Primer
3ft high x 1.5 ft

Graffiti #675
Troika Face
8 ft high x 11 ft

Graffiti #676
Water Bug
6 ft high x 8 ft

Graffiti #677
Oh Mess Good
7 ft high x 11 ft

Graffiti #678
Blue Sushi
6ft high x 26 ft

Graffiti #679
Brain Salad
6 ft high x 8 ft

Graffiti, Graffiti , and more Graffiti - Bangkok's original graffiti Site !

The MIDNITE HOUR Graffiti Page is prepared by Staff Contributor "Boge" Hartman .

(Boge's photo, above, is not a graffiti per-se, although there are those who have insinuated.... - Ed)

--- Datzit Fernow

William R. Morledge

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