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Mizu's Kitchen, dating back to nearly the end of World War II has had a drastic cut in menu items - no pork kwei tiew, no sashimi, no tempura, etc.   We hope this drastically reduced menu is only temporary, and not a foreshadowing the beginning-of-the-end - it used to be one of our favorite restaurants.

  PATPONG  I  

PATPONG  2    MAP

The 501 Studio Bar -up on The Ramp, has given over to the 9501 Studio Bar, without so much as missing a stroke.   Status quo ante.   Welcome them to the sharkfest.

  PATPONG  2  

A for-the-archives snap of the Spanish Eyes neon - perhaps in need of a touch of white paint here and there, but, otherwise, the lounge bar itself is doing quite well.   Located up on The Ramp.

  PATPONG  2  

SOI  COWBOY    MAP

            

This here Coyote bit... IT's DONE GOT OUTTA HAND...       The sign reads: Receiving Employment Applications Beautiful Coyote Girls - Shapely bodies Many Openings And Employees to receive pay between 15,000 - 30,000 (baht/mo) Apply in person from 18:00 hours onward        Go ahead, do the maths.   Wondering why Cowboy has become so expensive over the last decade?   The above sign is not atypical.   Coyote dancers making as much as local Thai management personnel?   What will a line-up of coyote dancers do during the month to bring into the bar up to 30,000 baht (plus necessary profit), each, in order to cover their salaries?   What effect does this have on drink prices?   What are the op requirements for the girls?   Their drink requirements?   A couple of dozen years ago, we predicted the Bangkok Night Scene would be afflicted with the "Ginza Effect" - now, nothing left to predict.....

  SOI  COWBOY  

A "for-the-archives" pic of the Cactus - one of the few remaining single-shophouse bars where one can relax.   May they persevere....

  SOI  COWBOY  

NANA  PLAZA    MAP

The old "David-era" Voodoo, having gone through the gyrations (at least as far as signage is concerned) of becoming the Hoodoo, then back to Voodoo, has now settled for 'Underground' - and has put up some serious neon to that effect   Their outside beer bar has been open for a number of days, and the inside (A Go-Go bar) is scheduled for a 2 October debut.   Welcome them to the neon circus.

  NANA  PLAZA    

A for-the-archives snap of the Candy Land's new (and supplemental) neon.   May they keep on keeping on....

- File photo

  NANA  PLAZA    

SOI  NANA    MAP

Last month we noted that the Paradise was poised for a brand-new opening.   This subsequent month, it all came true, and they are open for business in a wash of violet neon.   (Previously the After Dark.)   Located in the Rajah Hotel compound.   Wish them luck as they cast their dice against the pitted wall of fate.

  SOI   NANA   

Last month we noted the The M Bar was closed for renovations.   This month they are poised for reopening as something entirely new - a darts center & bar.   As per photo below, they will be called i Darts Metal, and will be heavily involved in the local and international round-robin darts tournaments.   If all goes well, their next venue will be called i Darts Bamboo (location not revealed).   Located in Subsoi Big Mango.   They should be opening their doors, at least for the ground floor, right about....NOW ...

  SOI   NANA   

SOI  KATOEY    MAP

A for-the-archives pic of Spanish On 4 - one of the Silom Soi 4 venues attracting both gay and straight custom.

SOI  KATOEY  - (SILOM  SOI  4)

SOI  22    MAP

Last month we noted a new commercial complex across from the Imperial Queen's Park hotel that was nearing construction completion.   We surmised that it would be an ideal location for a Night Entertainment Venue, or two.   We were quickly proven correct (lucky guess, actually).   This month the Wine Depot opened it's doors to the public and is already seeing customers in for wine and snacks.   (However we wonder how business for this venue - and the rest of the Soi 22 will fare when the Imperial Queen's Park Hotel closes for an approx 2 year renovation - and a large part of their customer base evaporates.....?   Many of the massage parlors on the Soi are saying the future looks bleak ahead....)   In the meantime, wish the Wine Depot the best of times....

SOI  22 - (Sukhumvit)

Denny's, now located in the Holiday Inn, has just more-than-doubled it's real estate - and continues to attract customers, new and old regulars alike.

SOI  22 - (Sukhumvit)

After a few months' downtime, the Fee Far Haircut & Massage (Fah) is now back in action.   Located in Soi Lemongrass.   Welcome them back to the fray.

SOI  22 - (Sukhumvit)

Po Thai Massage closed last month when we passed by, is now back in operation.   Let it continue to slip and slide...

SOI  22 - (Sukhumvit)

SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS    MAP

Door Art Of The Month Award              The Kocho Ran massage has completed it's relocation from the S 33 Compact Hotel to Soi Pan Pan. - and they didn't spare the expense.   A most attractive Nitespot - the nicest we've seen this last month....

SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS - SOI  33

The Nyan Nyan Massage, only recently relocated from S 33 Compact Hotel (see our write-up last month), has added even more new neon.   Looking good.

SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS - SOI  33

Last month we noted that L B Club Mitu was edging closer to opening in the long-closed New Club Fushicho.   This month - they have opened their doors, and are offering a variety of exotic massages.   We will leave "exotic" to your imagination - geared mostly to Japanese custom.   Located in the S 33 Compact Hotel.   Welcome them to the nightbeat.

SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS - SOI  33

The Sakura has opened in the old Gauguin Club digs (note the "G" emblems in the handrails remain).   They are not very forthcoming about what goes on behind the pink door - perhaps one of our Japanese speaking readers will fill us in at a later date....   Welcome them to the vicissitudes.

SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS - SOI  33

The Santana Club is reopening as we speak.   It is not a surprise that they would eventually reopen, but it is a (pleasant) surprise that they kept their old name - in that it goes against the rumors (so much for the rumor mill...).   Welcome them back to these neon sois.

- File photo

SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS - SOI  33

The TG 2012 Club has closed it's doors and rolled down the steel shutter.    They left no indication that they would be reopening - they have apparently answered Darwin's harsh call.....

- File photo

SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS - SOI  33

The Pudao Pretty Love Massage has taken over the reins from the quick-to-fail 33 Snack Bar.   Welcome Pudao Pretty Love to the briar patch.

SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS - SOI  33

The musical chairs of the last few months -which saw Naree Massage close a couple of times, become The Club Disco, which closed, then reopened - finally becoming Shimai Snack & Darts- continues.   This month the Shimai has closed.   Stay tuned - it will surely reopen as something, or other....

SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS - SOI  33

SOI  AMBASSADOR      MAP

The Wax Late's Sugar Club is currently advertising a new menu of high powered disk jockeys.   Should bring them a lot of late night business, but is it just me, or just when did disk jockeys become 'stars'?   Aren't they just the guys (and girls) who play the records?   Must be getting old....   (Actually this is nothing new - the first 'star' disk jockey was Patty Brockhurst who spun records from a suspended cage (in between Johnny Rivers' sets) at the Whisky A Go-Go in Los Angeles in the late 1960's.)

- File photo

SOI  AMBASSADOR   - SOI  11

QUEEN'S  PARK  PLAZA    MAP

In the "We Don't Make Mistrakes Department", we reported that the bar replacing the recently closed Pissed Crosstons, sorry, the Crossed Pistons, was the Hand Out.   What we meant by that was, the Hangout - ahennnh.....   Below is a pic of their new neon.   May they continue to thrive in this vale of tears.

  QUEEN'S  PARK  PLAZA -   SOI 22

Only darkness shined out of the Nice & Easy when we passed by the other night.   No sign indicating when, or if, they would be back.   Looks like they won't be coming out for the next round.....

- File photo

  QUEEN'S  PARK  PLAZA -   SOI 22

The on-again, off-again 3-Sisters Bar is "off" this month - only darkness where there should have been light....   We will keep an ear to the ground - they are likely to resurface....

- File photo

  QUEEN'S  PARK  PLAZA -   SOI 22

SOI  EDEN      MAP

Soi Eden (Soi 7/1 Sukhumvit) is not all that easy to find - there are no big billboards advertising it's location, and even the street sign is almost entirely obscured from foot traffic on the sidewalks by vendor awnings and the like.   The easiest way to find it is to look under the Nana BTS station - looking down the Soi itself, you will see some neon lighting.... and then, just follow your nose.

SOI  EDEN -  Soi  7/1 Sukhumvit

SOI  TWILIGHT      MAP

The Banana, after it's recent expansion and renovation, has become officially New Banana Bar.   It is located at the corner of Surawong Road and Soi Twilight.

SOI  TWILIGHT

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