For
those who prefer a more posh and refined version of the beer
bars and go-go joints of Soi Cowboy, Clinton Plaza, Patpong
or Nana Plaza, there are about a dozen clubs on Soi 33 catering
to the upscale foreigner. The young ladies who welcome customers
to these establishments wear fancy silk dresses or evening
gowns and the bars themselves are a little quieter and more
elegant than the ones you find in the rowdier red light zones.
They are also quite a bit more expensive, with beers costing
150 baht, which is double the price elsewhere. Gratuities
to the management and the hostesses are comparably costlier,
with 'bar fines' payable to the club for those who want to
escort one of the young ladies off the premises for the evening
running about 1200 baht.
Hostess
Bars
The
clubs on Soi 33 are distinguished from other establishments
providing entertainment for men by the fact that
they don't have go-go dancers and are generally
more civilized and upscale than beer bars.
The
young women who are employed in hostess bars are
often dressed in long silk gowns and are a little
more refined than elsewhere. The basic business
model is the same, but the quality of the services
is said to be better and the prices are a lot
higher.
The
clubs on Soi 33 are sometimes referred to collectively as
the 'artist bars' because several have adopted the names of
famous European painters. Three close together near the top
(Sukhumvit end) of the Soi are the Van Gogh, Renoir and Degas
clubs. Monet and Goya are nearby on the same side of the street,
and Dali is a recent addition on the opposite side.
Further
down the Soi are the Santana, which caters to those who like
Spanish decor and music, and the Napoleon Club which features
a live jazz combo and snooker tables. At the end of the soi
are the Fairy Club and Kosu Mosu, which do not allow non-Japanese
clientele to enter.
For
those who prefer a more posh and refined version of the beer
bars and go-go joints of Soi Cowboy, Clinton Plaza, Patpong
or Nana Plaza, there are about a dozen clubs on Soi 33 catering
to the upscale foreigner. The young ladies who welcome customers
to these establishments wear fancy silk dresses or evening
gowns and the bars themselves are a little quieter and more
elegant than the ones you find in the rowdier red light zones.
They are also quite a bit more expensive, with beers costing
150 baht, which is double the price elsewhere. Gratuities
to the management and the hostesses are comparably costlier,
with 'bar fines' payable to the club for those who want to
escort one of the young ladies off the premises for the evening
running about 1200 baht.
