We had planned to have two updated Area maps this month, but when we got into the details of Soi Ambassador (Sukhumvit Soi 11), we discovered it wasn't a matter of updating, but rather (due to the extensive changes) requiring two nights of resurveying - and starting over from scratch. We note for the record that Soi Ambassador, to include its subsois, is now the largest expat Night Entertainment Area in Bangkok.
READER :
Greets,
You've mentioned in the past that Khao San Road was the biggest Night Entertainment area in Bangkok So, question : What about Sukhumvit Soi 11? I guess what I'm asking is, are you talking about the longest, or the most bars, or most popular, or just how?
MIDNITE HOUR:Greetings,
The answer to your inquiry comes in several parts. Generally, we consider the expat Night Entertainment Area with the greater number of Nitespots to be the 'biggest'. That sounds like a quick-and-easy solution - the best answer. But then we are asked; do we count the adjacent and adjoining lanes, or subsois, in the totals? Do we count Patpong 1 Road and Patpong 2 Road as two separate Nitespot Areas, or one? Do we count the bars at the front of Nana Plaza as part of the Plaza, or are they part of Soi 4 Nana Tai? Do we count Trok Mayom as part of Khaosan Road? Do we count Rambutri Road as part of Khaosan? Do we count hotel massage parlors and restaurants with bars in our inventories? These are all questions we have been asked in the past. There have been other similar queries.
Different folks have differing opinions on how to tally-up, how to decide which is the biggest Night Entertainment Area. All part of a very human predilection to seek out the biggest, fastest, 'best', wildest, etc. etc. for anything and everything from trees to viruses to cars. In developing this website, we found it necessary to draw lines in the sand, even making up some new lines for purposes of discussion on the website (Example ; " Critical Mass" is when an area has enough bars to become a 'draw' in its own right, and be counted as a "Night Entertainment Area".) In the final analysis, wherever 'we draw the lines' in determining the biggest Nitespot Area, we are going to come across others with differing opinions.
For clarification, if we include Nitespots on our maps, then they count in the totals for that Area. If we do not, they are not in the 'head-count'. And, yes, by definition, this must remain somewhat arbitrary (while based on over 50 years' hands-on experience in Bangkok's Night Entertainment scene.) A final note: we currently have Soi Ambassador (Soi 11 Sukhumvit) as the biggest expat Night Entertainment Area - see our new map above. Khaosan Road has slightly 'downsized' since the last high season, while Soi Ambassador continues to add on like the Winchester Mansion.
Patpong 1, as with the rest of Bangkok Nightlife, was quieter than previous months. Even the Patpong family's big money-spinners, the street stalls and restaurants, were quieter than usual. Not unlikely due to the occasional May 'Mango Rains' merging directly into the arrival of this year's Southwest Monsoon rains. We noted no Nitespot closures or openings during the month. May they continue to struggle along...
The Grim Reaper came a-calling up on 'The Ramp' this last month. The K. Tomodachi & Bar was darker than a poisoned well when we passed by the other evening. Greener pastures, gents... -File Photo
As Nana Plaza's inventory of bars remained unchanged, we decided to publish a satellite photo of the Plaza from 2006. See the 'white arrows' outlining the Plaza's real estate 'footprint'. Courtesy Google Maps 2006...
The Bar D. Mare was (yet again) reopened for business. We don't know of any Nitespot that has regular clientele, and also opens and closes on a frequent basis. Jus' sayin'... Located in the Maison Hotel grounds. -File Photo
The Unicorn, Soi Katoey's tiniest bar, has opened its upstairs as a karaoke and private event space. Gotsta get paid... In other Soi news, there ain't any.
The One, an open-fronted multi-level club-disco, starts on the 2nd level and pours outward onto the street. We have muted the sound to 10%, as it is so loud one's clothing vibrates. For the young - who see no disadvantage to impaired hearing...
VIDEO CLIP
KHAO SAN ROAD
The Lucky Beer, inexplicably closed last month, has rolled out the red carpet once again. This time 'round, they look busier than ever, with rows of gleeming new table-beer-towers. -File Photo
KHAO SAN ROAD
The Dong Kan appeared suddenly in the old (but short-lived) Ghong Khao San. Welcome them to Darwin's trials of attrition... They are located in the second subsoi on the right, coming from the Tanao Road side.
KHAO SAN ROAD
Two of Khao San's stalwarts, The Bucket and the Empire (parts 1 & 2) could be doing a lot more business if they would jointly reduce their street touts by 30 or 40 staff. Walking past is a gauntlet of perhaps 50 people shoving menus in your face. We can guarantee this many street touts can't be on salary - no place on Khao San earns that much... Just sayin'...
KHAO SAN ROAD
The Immortal Bar is, after all, not so immortal. (Unless we are looking at the once-and-future Immortal Bar...) They were closed last month also, but still had a few side tables being served against the outer fence. All that is history, the skeletons remain...
KHAO SAN ROAD
The signage is confusing - is the Nitespot the Revolution Hostel with an outside patio called The Bliss Bangkok? Whatever, it continues on as one of a very few remaining (and popular) places on Trok Mayom.
KHAO SAN ROAD
The 2nd-level O.K. Bar was "lights-out" when we passed by on the weekend (their busy time). Should there be a reversal of misfortune, we will advise next trip by... -File Photo
A 'For The Archives' pic of the 8 Bar. Soi 8 was also quieter than usual. We should also mention that Soi 8 is probably the last of the 'Locals', or 'Expat', sois - (having taken over the reins from Soi Cowboy, the previous locals nightlife fav). We note : (while we are on the subject) Soi Cowboy, Nana Plaza, Khaosan Road, the Patpongs, et al, are now just Nightlife tourist attractions...) (You heard it here first...) Rock on, Soi 8...
We introduced the Welcome Bar last month at its 'soft opening' - sans signage. This month they have their neon nailed up and lit. We understand from the staff that the B & F are short for Bo and Fred. May they continue to abide...
The Sena Nuru gel massage has gone the way of the Palaeeudyptes. Interior renovations are proceeding at break-neck speed - their turtle unkown as we go to press.
SOI DEAD ARTIST (Sukhumvit Soi 33)
The short-lived Lvndr Lounge has winked out of existence like a red-shifted galaxy. Located in Sub-soi Pan Pan, it appears that renovations, or perhaps just removals, are under way... Their 'main attraction' was cannabis. Another one bites the dust.
SOI DEAD ARTIST (Sukhumvit Soi 33)
The 2nd-level Joy (Japanese lounge) has reopened for the umpteenth time... Located in the S 33 Compact Hotel.
This month Midnite Hour continues to review Bangkok'sNightlife Scene offering live entertainment, both foreign and local, as found in the bigger hotels, expat Night Entertainment Areas, and other Venues within the City.
The 3rd level Topper Club was located on the corner of Sukhumvit Rd and Soi 5. On their first anniversary they opened the (adjacent) Terrace Cafe.
January 1970
While there was a popular blues singer named Jimmy Wilson of that era, the above Jimmy is a namesake only. The original Jimmy may, or may not have died in 1965. The Sani Chateau was located in the Gaysorn Night Entertainment Area.
January 1970
Although we located a single reference to a Gwynne Micheals on line, we were unable to verify if the above Gwynne was that person. Cafe de Paris remained perhaps the most popular nightclub in Bangkok during those years.
January 1970
O Although the newly renovated Carlton billed itself as a restaurant (and had good food), it was known more for its night-clubbing and live entertainment.
January 1970
Bernard Trink entertainment insert
As noted last month, A Go-Go dancing in Bangkok was initially a most modest affair. When Rick Menard incorporated it into the offerings at the Grand Prix, his original A Go-Go'ers danced solo (not as a group), fully clothed, and behind a beaded curtain. The young ladies above are two of Rick's original three English A Go-Go dancers. (He would introduce Thai lady A-Go-Go dancers in the then-near future.)
January 1970
Bernard Trink entertainment insert
The Rofeno's Night Club was located in the old Rattanakosin area of Bangkok near the Saphan Fa Bridge. (For reference, the "Phrasumaine Road" mentioned above is today's Phra Sumen Road.) Although there still were a few entertainment outlets in that area, it would have been an unusual location for a new Nitespot, as the center for Nightlife activity had long since shifted to New Road by then, and was starting to shift again to the Patpong / Surawong / Silom area.
January 1970
Bernard Trink entertainment insert
The Yard Of Ale (corner Silom & Convent) went out of business in early 1970 when owner/ manager/ entertainer Sam Scott (above) returned home to England. Much to the disappointment of his many British customers. Sam got his start back in 1965 entertaining at the Drop-In Tavern on 'Oriental Avenue' in the New Road Entertainment Area.
January 1970
Bernard Trink entertainment insert
Although Rick Menard'sA Go-Go presentation / format was identical to that used by Nitespots in 1966, it wasn't until it was introduced at his Grand Prix that A Go-Go ceased being a 'gimmick' and became the mainstream form of Night Entertainment in Bangkok.
January 1970
Dig Richards was an Australian rock & roll singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, musical theater actor and television presenter, starting in the late 1950's. He released 11 albums and several extended play records, mostly in Australia and England / Europe.
January 1970
Bernard Trink entertainment insert
Yim Yam Club was located in Camp Friendship in Korat. (One of the Thai-American airbases active during the Conflict In Southeast Asia). (Also known as the Viet Nam War).
January 1970
Bernard Trink entertainment insert
In his writings in the Bangkok World, Bernard Trink would occasionally mention 'Chongkolnee Road' without specifying its location. After an extensive onlline search we found a single reference : the old name for Surawong Road. We did not find another confirmation. It remains a mystery, as Bernard also used the now-outdated 'Suriwongse Road" in his column. Readers?
ABedminster, Southwest Bristol, has been transformed into a gigantic graffiti-fest. Destined to be visited by more than 80,000 attendees (from 14 - 31 May 2026), the artwork spreads over a number of streets in the commercial district. International (mostly European) visitors, will enjoy walking tours, discussions, interactive creative spaces (whatever that means) and workshops. The 'event' has been dubbed "Upfest", not "Up-Fester", and is Europe's largest graffiti (be nice, call it 'Street Art') festival.
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 photographs or artwork resides exclusively with the creators.
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 creators.
Bangkok's original site !
SINCE 2005
The MIDNITE HOUR Graffiti Page is prepared by Staff Contributor "Boge" Hartman.
(Boge's photo, above, is not a graffitiper-se, although there are those who have insinuated....
-
Ed)
We had planned to have two updated Area maps this month, but when we got into the details of Soi Ambassador (Sukhumvit Soi 11), we discovered it wasn't a matter of updating, but rather (due to the extensive changes) requiring two nights of resurveying - and starting over from scratch. We note for the record that Soi Ambassador, to include its subsois, is now the largest expat Night Entertainment Area in Bangkok.
PATPONG 1 
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