January 16th, 2006, 23:05
BangkokтАЩs go-go bars have recently made price hikes in their prices. The standard for some years in the leading bars with a show has been drink Bt200 and Off free Bt300.
Now the prime bars have increased prices and are charging extra on the busiest nights Fridays and Saturdays. Off fees seem to have all risen by 33% to Bt400 and drinks to Bt220 to 250 on weekdays and Bt250 to Bt270 on the weekend. A few bars do charge a little less for the drinks after the first one.
The Boys Bangkok started all this with their swish new bars with high investment. Others have been quick to follow and Future Boys and Jupiter were quick off the mark as was Tawan. Now some of the minor bars with very few boys and virtually no show e.g. Blue Star are charging Bt200 a drink.
The number of bars is increasing. The customer numbers seem to be at best static and probably decreasing. There seems to have been no improvement in the show standards and I have not heard that the boys are paid much more. Maybe the тАШprotectionтАЩ is more expensive? There has been a tiny increase in spirit cost prices.
A number of friends have been screaming loudly about how outrageous this is. However the bars where they have made the increases remain the most popular bars in Bangkok and on the weekend it is often standing room or restricted view only.
The only other new facet to the business seems to be the growing number of females visiting the bars and offing boys. I donтАЩt remember seeing many women at Jupiter but on my last visit there were three groups of Asian women obviously fascinated by the big cocks.
Most bars seem to serve decent drinks. I am always happy with Future Boys, Jupiter and Tawan. I am often unhappy at Dream Boys and Boys Bangkok.
Over the years the folder for the bill and presenting the change has become the norm with big tips expected. Often the waiter wish interrupt to give you change and stand there expectantly of even give you a shove to let you know that he is waiting for his tip. Anything less than Bt20 can get a frown. Before one left small change.
I always thought that the boy got 20 - 40 baht if you buy one a drink. Now I find that certain bars give them 100baht and also 100 baht to the tout who brings in a customer.
I also thought that the bar boys got no salary but sometimes got free food. Now I find that most bars pay from 100 baht a day and with over a hundred boys that adds up. They also pay the boys who perform in the shows. Tawan musclemen get 80 baht a performance for the muscle show - twice nightly and the tariff rises to the top performer, the katoey in the fuck show - difficult to recruit seemingly.
I donтАЩt know where all this information leads but from my point of view I am very happy to pay Bt250 baht for a drink, to ogle some lovely lightly clad lads and a sexy show. I think it is still a great world bargain albeit a tad more expensive than before.
Now the prime bars have increased prices and are charging extra on the busiest nights Fridays and Saturdays. Off fees seem to have all risen by 33% to Bt400 and drinks to Bt220 to 250 on weekdays and Bt250 to Bt270 on the weekend. A few bars do charge a little less for the drinks after the first one.
The Boys Bangkok started all this with their swish new bars with high investment. Others have been quick to follow and Future Boys and Jupiter were quick off the mark as was Tawan. Now some of the minor bars with very few boys and virtually no show e.g. Blue Star are charging Bt200 a drink.
The number of bars is increasing. The customer numbers seem to be at best static and probably decreasing. There seems to have been no improvement in the show standards and I have not heard that the boys are paid much more. Maybe the тАШprotectionтАЩ is more expensive? There has been a tiny increase in spirit cost prices.
A number of friends have been screaming loudly about how outrageous this is. However the bars where they have made the increases remain the most popular bars in Bangkok and on the weekend it is often standing room or restricted view only.
The only other new facet to the business seems to be the growing number of females visiting the bars and offing boys. I donтАЩt remember seeing many women at Jupiter but on my last visit there were three groups of Asian women obviously fascinated by the big cocks.
Most bars seem to serve decent drinks. I am always happy with Future Boys, Jupiter and Tawan. I am often unhappy at Dream Boys and Boys Bangkok.
Over the years the folder for the bill and presenting the change has become the norm with big tips expected. Often the waiter wish interrupt to give you change and stand there expectantly of even give you a shove to let you know that he is waiting for his tip. Anything less than Bt20 can get a frown. Before one left small change.
I always thought that the boy got 20 - 40 baht if you buy one a drink. Now I find that certain bars give them 100baht and also 100 baht to the tout who brings in a customer.
I also thought that the bar boys got no salary but sometimes got free food. Now I find that most bars pay from 100 baht a day and with over a hundred boys that adds up. They also pay the boys who perform in the shows. Tawan musclemen get 80 baht a performance for the muscle show - twice nightly and the tariff rises to the top performer, the katoey in the fuck show - difficult to recruit seemingly.
I donтАЩt know where all this information leads but from my point of view I am very happy to pay Bt250 baht for a drink, to ogle some lovely lightly clad lads and a sexy show. I think it is still a great world bargain albeit a tad more expensive than before.