The circle turns again - Bangkok December 2011.
Almost 10 years ago, in February ’02, I wrote about the opening of the Dollhouse in Soi Cowboy and speculated that Soi Cowboy was about to undergo a major renaissance - partly driven by the new energy Dollhouse would bring and partly due to the avaricious drink pricing that was creeping into Nana Plaza. After that Nana Plaza went downhill fast due in part to those reasons but also not helped by a new regulatory regime which saw a prudish approach to the display of the female form. On Friday night I spent the best evening in the Plaza I have had for years - yes the prudes have in part moved on but on top of that the bars have regained their energy and Billboard (2rd floor) has knocked a very stale looking Angelwitch (1st floor) off its pedestal as the must go place in the plaza. Indeed for a number of years the only reason to go to the plaza was Angelwitch. Nothing has changed at AW and thereby hangs the problem: shows and that bloody music between them - if only that would change as it detracts from the otherwise excellent shows even if a few are getting a bit stale. But Billboard with its bathing beauties, with some who looked exceedingly young, and revolving stage is back at its best and doing better than when as Hollywood it was known as the bar where ladies kept their pets in a most unusual place.
But it was not just Billboard but the rest of the bars that all seemed to be displaying more as well as an enthusiasm to entertain. Compare that to Soi Cowboy which is now becoming very passé. Blame the Arab bars which are rapidly taking over in the Cowboy - - they have a horrid reputation for rip offs and no locals will venture into them despite gaggles of nubile shrills promising Valhalla within. I found the no name bars of Susie Wong’s and Sheba’s strangely devoid of gusto as ladies with little concern for modesty wobbled all on stage but made it clear they had done it all before. And what has happened to all that good music? It is now hip hop and trance all the way. There was spark in Rawhide and Artie Shaw performing jingle bells in the Cactus Club as a girl named Dog displayed wares no canine could resist. But overall it was all very tame and the prices are marginally more than Nana - that is as long as you know which are the Arab bars and keep out of them - I am told 180 Baht is the rate there and by the sounds of things you maybe well be extorted into paying twice.
Thus the evidence of this trip I must conclude that after 10 years the wheel has turned and greed and lack of enthusiasm have hit Cowboy whilst new ideas and enthusiasm are back in the plaza - Nana Plaza now is in renaissance as Cowboy once again slips back into the morass.
No Idea Bar - Sukhumvit Soi 22.
Website
Yes that is the name and it causes confusion. I said to a friend I will meet you at, he said what is the name of the bar, I replied yeah you get it- it went on for a bit until he understood I did have an idea and it was no idea.
In fact the whole idea is by David - formerly of Soi 8 pub which he sold two years ago. It seems that he got bored sitting at home and thought he needed something to do - so he volunteered for another stint of 7 day weeks and 18 hour days - must have been very bored! There is some unhappiness by the buyers of Soi 8 who thought that they had a contract saying David could not run a similar business for 3 years - unfortunately for them they neglected to put his name in the contract of sale. It was I am told a very long contract covering very eventuality known to man but failed in one vital area: lawyers - what more can you say!
No Idea bills itself as a gastro pub and I am amazed that idea has taken so long to get here. In the UK now the only pubs still open in most rural areas are Gastro Pubs. The concept is basically a food driven pub - in other words targeting the eating trade as opposed to the boozing trade that was the attraction of the traditional pub.
Located in the site once operated by Larry’s Dive, No Idea had only been open a couple of weeks when I dropped in and David was impressed with the response so far. There are some pleasant outside balconies as well as bars up and downstairs. The downstairs is minimalist with plenty of open space and some sensible furniture. The upstairs has proved to be the more popular area with more furniture and an internal terrace that looks down to the downstairs, as well as a very popular outside one that overlooks the building site that is to become a Holiday Inn. The menu is comprehensive enough with a decent snack/Tapas section which we hit to start with. Knowing Soi 8 I was confident the food would be good and it was; and as expected there was a decent wine list. In addition a live band was providing entertainment.
All in all I wish David luck - for an ex heavy metal jock he has adapted to the ‘trade’ well and he puts in the effort and attention to detail that should ensure another cracking success. And to show his commitment he has even banned smoking inside - from a man with David’s habit dedication indeed!
