February 7th, 2006, 06:03
This would probably be better suited to a blog, but hey, who reads those? So, very quickly, a few places I like in Phuket -
Club One Seven (Guesthouse/Restaurant), newly relocated, great staff, great management, great brekkie with coffee refills and excellent Thai food. The waiters cannot be 'offed' but are very cute. Rooms are smallish but nicely set out and I recommend to all who want a nice place to stay away from the Paradise Complex.
Angel (Bar/Guesthouse/Restaurant) - Right in the heart of the Paradise Complex and opposite the Paradise Hotel, this little jewel goes unnoticed and has few patrons. It has excellent Thai food, a lovely and helpful Bar Manager, spacious guest rooms and is unfortunately up for sale (if you have 16 million baht going spare). For a romantic quiet meal or a secret rendezvous, this place is ideal.
Aquarius (Guesthouse/Restaurant) - A little on the pricey side for me at over 2000 baht per night but you do get large, well furnished rooms and free access to a smallish gym, smallish pool and very dark sauna. Staff range from smiley and friendly to surly and curt, if you like that kind of thing! The food is average to good, depending what you have, but I recommend you stick to Thai food (avoid the pizza or burgers).
James Dean Bar - Relaxed and friendly bar on the main soi in the Paradise Complex. The handsome boys who show you to a table seem less desperate than the boys at other bars who claw and drag on your arm to get you in their bar. The Manager/Host/Owner 'O' (spelling Ao or some-such) is friendly and free and easy with the gratis shots of Tequila to those who open their wallets on a regular basis. Good views of the main drag.
One For The Road Bar - A relatively new bar one soi away from the main drag, relaxed, friendly, and a mix of music that can get you ready to party or quietly soothe a fevered brow. Again, the waiter boys are not the desperate kind, but are friendly and chatty and a real mix in terms of femme and masculine, slim and (shall we say) rounded out! My favourite bar in Paradise for a drink, a chat and to generally chill out.
My Way, Tangmo, CU Tonight (Go-go/Cabaret) - I know My Way rules the roost in terms of size and patronage, but for me that is one of the reasons it is my least favourite of the three. My Way feels too big and far too often you are pushed onto a bar stool seat or side seat with a poor view of the stage. The boys can be a little pushy at times if you are on your own and the shows, although well done, are pretty straight laced (apart from the occasional time I saw the completely naked and erect candle dancers passing amongst the audience). Tangmo has a varied show with dance, singing and comedy routines, although their shows do tend to be a little more repetitive than the others. It may just be me, but the boys from Tangmo did seem to be a little more femme and pre-op transsexual than most go-go bars, but the tres handsome 'Indian' from the Village People routine was enough to drag me back more than once. Best thing about Tangmo is the host, who constantly interrupts the show. CU Tonight is possibly the poor relation of the three cabaret bars in the area. It often has fewer patrons and also fewer boys to 'off'. However, it is my favourite cabaret bar because you are guaranteed (more often than not) a good seat, a show that changes from night to night and mixes the straighter routines with a good blend of comedy. It too has one very horny goateed performer who is butch when he has to be and a complete doll in a tutu. Actually, CU Tonight is less 'poor relation' and more Cinderella, and I recommend you join her above all others at the ball.
Esan Classic - (Restaurant) Not gay but gay owned and managed. In Phuket town opposite the weekend Thai Night Market. Beautifully run restaurant, open air, great decor and food that is mid range in price but probably the best to be had in Phuket. The background music is relaxing and unobtrusive, the service from the staff is equal to anything you would find anywhere (they do not hover over you but you find your glass suddenly refilled or a waiter by your side just as you need them). It is off the well worn tourist drag and is frequented by what seem to be mainly middle class Thai's. I recommend this place to you as a dining delight.
Well, that's one way to fill 30 minutes when you wake up at 5.30am and can't get back to sleep! :cheers:
Club One Seven (Guesthouse/Restaurant), newly relocated, great staff, great management, great brekkie with coffee refills and excellent Thai food. The waiters cannot be 'offed' but are very cute. Rooms are smallish but nicely set out and I recommend to all who want a nice place to stay away from the Paradise Complex.
Angel (Bar/Guesthouse/Restaurant) - Right in the heart of the Paradise Complex and opposite the Paradise Hotel, this little jewel goes unnoticed and has few patrons. It has excellent Thai food, a lovely and helpful Bar Manager, spacious guest rooms and is unfortunately up for sale (if you have 16 million baht going spare). For a romantic quiet meal or a secret rendezvous, this place is ideal.
Aquarius (Guesthouse/Restaurant) - A little on the pricey side for me at over 2000 baht per night but you do get large, well furnished rooms and free access to a smallish gym, smallish pool and very dark sauna. Staff range from smiley and friendly to surly and curt, if you like that kind of thing! The food is average to good, depending what you have, but I recommend you stick to Thai food (avoid the pizza or burgers).
James Dean Bar - Relaxed and friendly bar on the main soi in the Paradise Complex. The handsome boys who show you to a table seem less desperate than the boys at other bars who claw and drag on your arm to get you in their bar. The Manager/Host/Owner 'O' (spelling Ao or some-such) is friendly and free and easy with the gratis shots of Tequila to those who open their wallets on a regular basis. Good views of the main drag.
One For The Road Bar - A relatively new bar one soi away from the main drag, relaxed, friendly, and a mix of music that can get you ready to party or quietly soothe a fevered brow. Again, the waiter boys are not the desperate kind, but are friendly and chatty and a real mix in terms of femme and masculine, slim and (shall we say) rounded out! My favourite bar in Paradise for a drink, a chat and to generally chill out.
My Way, Tangmo, CU Tonight (Go-go/Cabaret) - I know My Way rules the roost in terms of size and patronage, but for me that is one of the reasons it is my least favourite of the three. My Way feels too big and far too often you are pushed onto a bar stool seat or side seat with a poor view of the stage. The boys can be a little pushy at times if you are on your own and the shows, although well done, are pretty straight laced (apart from the occasional time I saw the completely naked and erect candle dancers passing amongst the audience). Tangmo has a varied show with dance, singing and comedy routines, although their shows do tend to be a little more repetitive than the others. It may just be me, but the boys from Tangmo did seem to be a little more femme and pre-op transsexual than most go-go bars, but the tres handsome 'Indian' from the Village People routine was enough to drag me back more than once. Best thing about Tangmo is the host, who constantly interrupts the show. CU Tonight is possibly the poor relation of the three cabaret bars in the area. It often has fewer patrons and also fewer boys to 'off'. However, it is my favourite cabaret bar because you are guaranteed (more often than not) a good seat, a show that changes from night to night and mixes the straighter routines with a good blend of comedy. It too has one very horny goateed performer who is butch when he has to be and a complete doll in a tutu. Actually, CU Tonight is less 'poor relation' and more Cinderella, and I recommend you join her above all others at the ball.
Esan Classic - (Restaurant) Not gay but gay owned and managed. In Phuket town opposite the weekend Thai Night Market. Beautifully run restaurant, open air, great decor and food that is mid range in price but probably the best to be had in Phuket. The background music is relaxing and unobtrusive, the service from the staff is equal to anything you would find anywhere (they do not hover over you but you find your glass suddenly refilled or a waiter by your side just as you need them). It is off the well worn tourist drag and is frequented by what seem to be mainly middle class Thai's. I recommend this place to you as a dining delight.
Well, that's one way to fill 30 minutes when you wake up at 5.30am and can't get back to sleep! :cheers: