Yeah, but that ‘beer memory’ thing is just a convenient excuse straight boys fall back on when they just had gay sex.
Donsaid:
I’ve been reading your blog with great interest as I will be making my 18th trip to Bangkok in another week. But, this is my first time back since the financial turmoils of 2008 when it seemed a good idea to stay home and get on with work.
I’m not retired and eager to get back – are there any important updates about the bar scene ? I know you think little of it but I stay at the BBB – OK, I know what it is but I was surprisingly comfortable there, if only because it was clean, comfortable and I could walk in with anyone on my arm and be respected – it was like staying with my gay uncle.
I was a patron of Dream boy more than anyplace else although I did love to go to Saphan Kwai a lot to a, now closed, place called Aladdin.
I agree completely with your assessment of prices and what you get for your drink – I now live in Fort Lauderdale and trust me an $8 tip and a parade of boys would be a blessing. Also, I went to Pataya all of once and you are so very right!
My major question is : reading through your back issues , when discussing prices, you gave a breakdown of 1,500 short, 2,000 long – food, etc, ( I would have someone a days in a row and stop by the bar to pay the off ) but, you made mention that this goes for go-go and alluded to a possibly different standard for host bars.
Frankly, other than wearing clothes and not dancing around in underwear I never understood much difference. To me the true host bars like Adam, Charmming , Inter mustaches house , etc just have cute hosts in clothes sitting around watching a TV, available to meet and go with you. I always paid the same, even to giving a tip if they sat with me to discuss going. Can you “flesh out” so to speak the differences and are there any real host bars in the Silom area now?
Funny, I know but I have always liked the idea of falling for a boy on general looks, clothing style ( I like twinks so a boy dressed as he wants to be know reveals more about his being a screaming queenie or just a small, lithe boy ) undress him with my eyes and imagination and then, the slow discovery about a few drinks and light dinner at Dicks.
Thanks Don.
After a 5 year absence, Thailand should be a real treat for you!
As to pricing in a gogo bar versus host bar, the closest thing to a host bar in Silom these days are beer bars, which are almost the same thing. The going rate for off fees and tips are usually a bit lower than in a gogo bar. So you can probably get away with 1,500 – 1,800 as a long-time off tip. Though some of the guys consider themselves a star and expect the usual 2,000.
The difference really should only be in drink costs and off fees – overhead at a beer bar is less. I’m not sure why the tips are usually lower too other than maybe that format attracts less generous customers. It’s up to you, but I’d probably tip the usual 2,000 regardless. It’s only $15 extra and my rep on the soi is worth that.
Have a great trip!
Donsaid:
Thanks so much! Absolutely, I prefer not to undertip – if i want someone in Florida – it costs several times that for very little. Trust me Bangkok is a great bargain. I’m glad I asked, I always ignore the beer bars as I did not realize they had hosts. Are they the waiters? It never occurred to me. very interesting indeed and, again, thanks so much
Beer bars in Bangkok for gay guys are an old format that has takedn off since the world’s economy too a nose dive. Without a show to put on, the operating costs are less. As is the amount of tea money expected by the BIB. So a beeer may only cost you a bit moree than 100 baht where at gogo bar wants 250+. They’ve begun springing up on Twilight (and the few older ons have been renovated and also taken off).
Beer bars employ waitstaff (offable, unless you are ChristianPFC evidently) and ‘hosts’ who will sit and talk with you (until you man up and take the boy off!)
Good that you’ll keep prices in perspective Don – worrying about how much more you are expected to pay a guy these days is a sure way to put a dampner on the night. For both of you.
lukyloksaid:
I don’t really mind him not remembering as long as my memory has good recollections….
Jojo said:
He’s soooo cute! 😉
Bangkokbois said:
I know.
Makes ya wanna do him again right away.
🙂
Dekar said:
Love the look but what a pitty if you forgot the night with him.
Bangkokbois said:
Yeah, but that ‘beer memory’ thing is just a convenient excuse straight boys fall back on when they just had gay sex.
Don said:
I’ve been reading your blog with great interest as I will be making my 18th trip to Bangkok in another week. But, this is my first time back since the financial turmoils of 2008 when it seemed a good idea to stay home and get on with work.
I’m not retired and eager to get back – are there any important updates about the bar scene ? I know you think little of it but I stay at the BBB – OK, I know what it is but I was surprisingly comfortable there, if only because it was clean, comfortable and I could walk in with anyone on my arm and be respected – it was like staying with my gay uncle.
I was a patron of Dream boy more than anyplace else although I did love to go to Saphan Kwai a lot to a, now closed, place called Aladdin.
I agree completely with your assessment of prices and what you get for your drink – I now live in Fort Lauderdale and trust me an $8 tip and a parade of boys would be a blessing. Also, I went to Pataya all of once and you are so very right!
My major question is : reading through your back issues , when discussing prices, you gave a breakdown of 1,500 short, 2,000 long – food, etc, ( I would have someone a days in a row and stop by the bar to pay the off ) but, you made mention that this goes for go-go and alluded to a possibly different standard for host bars.
Frankly, other than wearing clothes and not dancing around in underwear I never understood much difference. To me the true host bars like Adam, Charmming , Inter mustaches house , etc just have cute hosts in clothes sitting around watching a TV, available to meet and go with you. I always paid the same, even to giving a tip if they sat with me to discuss going. Can you “flesh out” so to speak the differences and are there any real host bars in the Silom area now?
Funny, I know but I have always liked the idea of falling for a boy on general looks, clothing style ( I like twinks so a boy dressed as he wants to be know reveals more about his being a screaming queenie or just a small, lithe boy ) undress him with my eyes and imagination and then, the slow discovery about a few drinks and light dinner at Dicks.
wonderful job you are doing
Bangkokbois said:
Thanks Don.
After a 5 year absence, Thailand should be a real treat for you!
As to pricing in a gogo bar versus host bar, the closest thing to a host bar in Silom these days are beer bars, which are almost the same thing. The going rate for off fees and tips are usually a bit lower than in a gogo bar. So you can probably get away with 1,500 – 1,800 as a long-time off tip. Though some of the guys consider themselves a star and expect the usual 2,000.
The difference really should only be in drink costs and off fees – overhead at a beer bar is less. I’m not sure why the tips are usually lower too other than maybe that format attracts less generous customers. It’s up to you, but I’d probably tip the usual 2,000 regardless. It’s only $15 extra and my rep on the soi is worth that.
Have a great trip!
Don said:
Thanks so much! Absolutely, I prefer not to undertip – if i want someone in Florida – it costs several times that for very little. Trust me Bangkok is a great bargain. I’m glad I asked, I always ignore the beer bars as I did not realize they had hosts. Are they the waiters? It never occurred to me. very interesting indeed and, again, thanks so much
Bangkokbois said:
Beer bars in Bangkok for gay guys are an old format that has takedn off since the world’s economy too a nose dive. Without a show to put on, the operating costs are less. As is the amount of tea money expected by the BIB. So a beeer may only cost you a bit moree than 100 baht where at gogo bar wants 250+. They’ve begun springing up on Twilight (and the few older ons have been renovated and also taken off).
Beer bars employ waitstaff (offable, unless you are ChristianPFC evidently) and ‘hosts’ who will sit and talk with you (until you man up and take the boy off!)
Good that you’ll keep prices in perspective Don – worrying about how much more you are expected to pay a guy these days is a sure way to put a dampner on the night. For both of you.
lukylok said:
I don’t really mind him not remembering as long as my memory has good recollections….
Bangkokbois said:
. . . and that would be a memory that stuck in my head for decades!
Stry said:
That’s ok if he doesn’t remember (chooses not to remember). I’m sure that I will. And I’d be happy to give him mind refreshing replay.
Bangkokbois said:
Yeah, I’ve used the “Here, have another beer” approach often myself.