History of Soi Twilight

[Armando]

I was 23 the first time I visited Barbiery Coast! I was 27 the last time. I was planning on going back in 2020 but obviously COVID derailed those plans. Now I am not so sure but I wonder if memories are not best left undisturbed.

I assume you are referring to the bar whose name was simply Barbiery. I don't recall it ever used the name Barbiery Coast. Was there another bar with that name?

Just as well you did not try to find Barbiery in 2020 because it died around 2002/3. As mentioned some months ago in this thread, for some reason it moved from its Suriwong location to the 3rd Floor of a modern building opposite Nature Boys down the soi from Mango Tree. In the move it totally changed its character. It lost all its charm. The layout was similar to many other bars with a smallish stage at one end rather than in the middle. It also seemed to change from a wide range of boys with a greater number of twinks to one with older heavier built guys. As a regular over many years at the old Barbiery who loved that place, I went twice with a friend to the new premises and we disliked the experience both times. I never returned. I heard it closed less than a year later.

And one small correction to your description of X-treme Bar which as you righty point out opened in Soi Twilight around early 2001, again as stated in post #32 in January 2021. The 'show' was not a regular show. The English bar owner had engaged a group of handsome young dance students to perform kosher dance numbers that were slightly sexy - but no nudity - for about 30 minutes twice a night. I liked that bar because it was different. These boys were excellent dancers and they were happy to interact with customers in between their routines. The bar also had a small number of gogo dancers but I never saw any offed. When X-treme died relatively quickly - certainly by the end of 2002, the dance students were taken over by the German who had the bars on the other side of the soi. That did not last long and they had a brief stint thereafter at Roxy on Soi 4.

[TaoR]

Armando,

I shared this business card in an earlier post:Baribery Coast.jpg Baribery Coast B.jpg

Do note that in 1981 to at least 1985 it was referred to a Barbierry Coast and the only sign outside that was mounted to the ceiling overhang above the door stated "Barbiery Coast."

[Armando]

Do note that in 1981 to at least 1985 it was referred to a Barbierry Coast and the only sign outside that was mounted to the ceiling overhang above the door stated "Barbiery Coast."

Thanks. My first visit must have been around 1985. I wonder why they shortened the name - and got the spelling of Barbery wrong! Ours not to reason why.

[TaoR]

My last visit was in 1985 and I actually spent most of my time in Phuket during that visit. I know the sign above the door said Barbiery Coast, the business card said Barbiery Cocktail Lounge, and I remember one cab driver didn't know where "Barbiery" was but when you said "Barbiery Coast" then he knew.

All I know is that I fell in love with one of the waiters my very first visit and that kind of sealed my fate for further visits. I remember when they expanded with a third floor at the same location and I never once explored that floor. I was pretty satisfied with what the second floor provided and I knew who my off was....

I wish I had paid more attention as we used to cruise all the bars but I really do not remember much outside of the Apollo Club......

[Armando]

I remember when they expanded with a third floor at the same location and I never once explored that floor. I was pretty satisfied with what the second floor provided and I knew who my off was....

I wish I had paid more attention as we used to cruise all the bars but I really do not remember much outside of the Apollo Club......

In all my many visits I never realised there was anything on the 3rd floor other than changing space for the boys. Lots seemed to go up there after their their stint in the shows and after. I expect there may have been short time rooms. If so, the waiters never advertised them to my group.

Loved Apollo. First visited in 1980 and was a regular until either it closed or I happened upon Twilight and Barbiery.

[TaoR]

I actually fell in love with a waiter at Barbiery and I always hooked up with him every visit from 1981 until 1985. The third floor also had a lounge area but I never went up there as I had no need. I know were always swung by Apollo as it was a great place to dance back then. There was also one other club we would visit but I cannot recall its name. The bar boys were pretty loyal to their bar....

[Armando]

I know were always swung by Apollo as it was a great place to dance back then.

Not surprising that memories are somewhat hazy that far back. Having been there many times I just do not recall Apollo ever being a dance bar! As I remember it was a small space with a small bar on the left as you entered and a sort of zig zag catwalk on which the boys did their stuff. The rest of the space was seating for customers. I wonder if you might be thinking of Rome Club which then was the famous Soi 4 gay dance club.