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BANGKOK EYES PRESENTS -
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If wrangling the after-midnight Nightclub crowd, the jazz crowd on weekends, launching late-night art exhibits, all the while battling four landlords at four different locations within one year doesn't qualify Check Inn 99's Chris Catto-Smith as a Master of the Dark Arts of Entertainment, then nothing does, or will. Then add expressionist artist Chris Coles to the equation, who just launched a showing of his dark and evocative noir art on the walls of the Check Inn 99. The icing on the cake is the entire noir exhibition is 'illuminated' in black light. A Bangkok first - and perhaps a first anywhere - and the results are eerily spectacular.
VIDEO CLIP
Recorded at ambient audio level -  to lowest.
 SOI DEAD ARTISTS (Soi 33 Sukhumvit)
The Check Inn 99, with its variety of live music and eats succeeds - entertainment-wise - wherever it has moved, and its new location on Sukhumvit 33 is no exception. It has succeeded to the extent that it appears to have become the pivot-point, the catalyst that is turning around the previously slumping Entertainment Scene on Soi 33.
VIDEO CLIP
SOI DEAD ARTISTS (Soi 33 Sukhumvit)
This MIDNITE HOUR Pictorial is our first such undertaking to employ mostly video. And while our video clips highlight a fair sampling of the Coles black light exhibition, our coverage is far from comprehensive. It really needs to be seen to be appreciated.
We don't often recommend Nitespots (just as we do not take advertisements), however this just might be an unique opportunity for the Bangkok reader to take a trip down to the Check Inn 99 and make an evening of it.
VIDEO CLIP
Recorded at ambient audio level - to lowest.
SOI DEAD ARTISTS (Soi 33 Sukhumvit)
MIDNITE HOUR MAIL BOX
BANGKOK EYES
Let the December 2017 Follies begin-
Twilo Live were early off the mark in getting Christmas decorations up this November. Other Nitespots were quick to follow.
PATPONG 1
Patpong 1's Pussy Magic have opened their second upstairs "pay-for-show" outlet. This time, in the old SuperGirl digs. Just what Patpong 1 needs to hasten its spiral into oblivion... (We note they took down the classic 'ape-hanger' chopper that was above the door all these years... We hope it found a happy home...)
PATPONG 1
The closed-again, open-again Thai Smile Bar is once again open. How long it will stay that way is something even our bookie won't talk to us about...
PATPONG 2
Last month we noted that renovations were proceeding on the recently closed Five Star. We had predicted it would reopen by December (quite obvious to all), and so it has come to pass. What we didn't predict was it would end up being one hot chicken shack. Cowboy's narrowest A Go-Go is heavy into that which originally put Cowboy on the map. (They might want to turn down the volume of the music by a couple hundred decibels, however, as it is currently necessary to shout your order into the khon-serb's ear in order to be heard.) Let the good times roll.
SOI COWBOY
An interesting perspective of the upstairs bars at Nana Plaza. BTW, still no commencement on the roof covering the center section. After viewing from the third floor, we don't see any advantage in doing so. We predict that once they have a close look at the down-time and the 'unforeseen consequences' (they will still have to handle the drainage during rainstorms, and the fire department will be returning one of these fine days - ahennh....), etc., that this project will die on the vine. We would like to say, 'you heard it here first', but there are a number of people on the ground at Nana saying the same thing...
NANA PLAZA
Below a file pic of the tiny Yardbird, which did a quick close-down / reopen last month - almost while no one was watching. Located in the Rajah Hotel compound. Welcome them back to the nightcircus.
SOI NANA
The Fork & Cork have gone in for some interesting exterior decorations. Where they got those antique toddler's cars is anybody's guess - real museum pieces. The mini-autos and the child's tricycle in the window are not apropos anything - apparently just placed there to catch the eye.
SOI KATOEY
The Absolute Massage has taken over, lock, stock and Tiger Balm from Romruedee Day Spa & Massage which had only just opened last month in Subsoi Hana (see map). But then we blinked once, and then again, and saw three other new massage parlors in that otherwise quiet soi. It wasn't until we subsequently looked at our map that we realized three of the massage parlors on Subsoi Lemongrass go all the way through to Soi Hana, and they are now posting signs at their back doors. Seems like good business to us - doubling the exposure should bring more custom...
 SOI 22 (Sukhumvit)
The upstairs Luna Lounge in the Honey Plaza have reopened, and reopened in style - now home to live music on some evenings...
SOI 22 (Sukhumvit)
The Butterfly Bar & Restaurant has popped out of its coffin and rolled the red carpet back out into that narrow, dark subsoi (figuratively speaking). They, somehow, continue to find a way to make ends meet. May they continue to muddle through at the hands of the fickle nightgods.
SOI 22 (Sukhumvit)
Only last week we were at the Moderation Bar and there were so many customers we couldn't find a seat... So, what gives? Roller shutters padlocked to the deck, and nary a note pasted on the wall saying they would be returning... We're taking them off the rolls for now, and will check back next round to see if there is any change in status.
SOI 22 (Sukhumvit)
The Baobab Bar has opened up in what was up until three months ago, the popular Kasbar. Welcome to the machine.
SOI AMBASSADOR (Sukhumvit Soi 11)
For several months, there was a small sign in Soi Ambassador's Soi 11/1 -tacked up on a single-shophouse door saying a bar would be opening there soon. Well, 'soon' came and went, and still, there was no new bar. But then last month, from somewhere out in left field, a double wide sports bar opened there. Welcome the Lucky Shot to the bright lights, big city.
SOI AMBASSADOR (Sukhumvit Soi 11)
On the narrow Subsoi 11/2 (a soi barely wide enough for one motorcycle) the resilient Happy Station 11 bar beer managed to open its (figurative) door, and is trying once again to make a go of it. Welcome them back to the sharkpool.
SOI AMBASSADOR (Sukhumvit Soi 11)
In the second small lane going into the Ambassador Hotel, there were a total of seven shoe-box sized massage parlors, four of which we reported as closed last issue. This month the remaining three closed (listed below), and the hotel has blocked the lane in preparation for upcoming renovations. Some Venues have posted signs showing their new locations, others have gone headlong into the Abyss.
- Nuan Massage 2
- Sawadee Krap Massage - Smile Massage
(No photos available.)
SOI AMBASSADOR (Sukhumvit Soi 11)
Back in the right hand corner of QPP, the White Bar has taken over the next door The Lover Bar digs. The Lover Bar ladies have gone to other Good Luck Bar venues in the compound. The White Bar is having the official opening on 7 December, and everybody in the world is invited...
QUEEN's PARK PLAZA (Sukhumvit 22)
Cherry Bar has bought over Simple Bar 1 and all is continuing to march as before. Welcome to partytown. The original Simple Bar, just across the walkway, is still swinging.
QUEEN's PARK PLAZA (Sukhumvit 22)
The newly expanded Meaw Meaw Bar (having recently bought out Classic Bar) is once again up and running full steam ahead. Welcome them back to the neighborhood. Note: the reopening includes their small bar beer just across the path, which now also carries on just as before.
QUEEN's PARK PLAZA (Sukhumvit 22)
Last month, we saw work proceeding on not one, but two Kochoran massage parlors, two doors away from one another. Our assumption was renovation would be completed on both, and they would be open by 1 December. We were mistaken. The old Kochoran, deeper in Soi Pan Pan, was being restored for turn back, and the new Kochoran has now opened in place of the original. As it is now back on the firing line, we welcome it back to the Big Uneasy.
SOI DEAD ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33) The Fortune 17 Karaoke opened on schedule this November, and it is looking good. As may be seen by ancillary signage, it is aiming at the Japanese market. Welcome them as they throw their hat in the ring.
 SOI DEAD ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33)
We are going to have to wait a bit to see how things shake out, but as it now stands, a brand new Tenderloins 33 will, at a minimum, be opening in the downstairs portion of the Bistro 33. The Bistro 33, for all appearances, now looks closed, however, it is in fact open on the second floor. What remains to be seen is whether Tenderloins, the original, will stay open, and whether Bistro 33 will stay open - in one form or another.... We will definitely be following up next issue. Check out the signage below - this two sides of a single digital sign....
SOI DEAD ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33)
The oft-closed Shots Bar is once again shut down most tightly. This time it looks permanent, as no chattel appeared to remain on premises - we hope we are wrong. We will keep our ear to the ground, and get back atcha.
SOI EDEN (Sukhumvit 7/1)
The @ Chai Massage, having closed down several months back, reopened recently at half its original size. This time around, it has gone the way of the Physornis, and it won't be coming back. Greener grass, ladies.
SOI TWILIGHT
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Bangkok Eyes is an historically based news outlet, and as such, all graphic excerpts herein are considered, under current legal precedents and
prevailing interpretations, 'Fair Use' under Copyright Law. Copyright of any original artwork resides exclusively with the artists.
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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) 
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December's Nightlife News 
