Phuket Nightlife

K2 · #1 27-04-2004, 20:47

We checked out Patong on a rainy Sat night (24th May) and by luck more than design found that Star Club was being reincarnated yet again! This time has a very 'local' flavor a la Galaxy for those who've ventured there.

They have made some decent improvements, stripping out unessesary seating etc, and keeping a rare (in Thailand) open dancefloor and overall 'feel' is pretty good. The first night had some guest apperences by some TV 'stars' which went down very well with the Mrs... we were given pretty good VIP treatment and the singers came over and entertained well beyond the call of duty - very very impressed at this, but maybe we were lucky.

The music is Thai disco/rock at 200db in 1 hour sets mixed with western club music, which is pretty good - same DJ as before and puts on a decent show. The (minor) criticsms are that the lighting podium is huge and in the middle of the lower floor - nasty if your sat behind it! - and the prices of the drinks.. reg beer an ok 100 Baht, but spririts start at 120 Baht and premium beers 150 Bhat - bit pricy in comparison even to Tai Pan let alone Galaxy.

Seem to be rumors about Galaxy which is clearly going to get hit if this place takes off - and it should - the music is good and atmosphere definietly trying to get that big Thai club feel. (Perhaps a bit like the huge Hollywood club in Pattaya). Would not recommend you take a new 'teluk' there as you will find talking impossible and she will be into the Thai scene - NOT you! But for those with longer term girls then its probably a good watering hole, and she will definietly like it a lot. Not much chance of reeling in girls there (yet) - in fact whould add a not of caution here as many of the girls will come with Thai boyfreinds/brothers etc etc and things would get nasty quickly. But in time expect will get BG and freelancers on the prowl in there, but probably safer to be approached than aggresively try anything in such a Thai dominated environment.

Managment bought in some western help - so things look promsiing and wish them well. Anyone else impressions welcomed.

PS My Thai friend went there Sun night and absolutely loved it - so if you have any Thai freinds who need entertaining then give it a go.

r3aps · #2 27-04-2004, 20:54

just have to say i wnent in last nite and thought it was sh it.no where near as good as it used to be.
steve.

stevem · #3 28-04-2004, 00:27

Last I spoke with some of the farang involved, it is definitely orientated to the Thai market. Which means as has been pointed out, music so loud that you can't hear yourself talk let alone anyone else.

Apollo · #4 28-04-2004, 09:02

Doens't sound so hot to me, at least not as a short-term tourist (let's be honest here). The idea of jealous and/or angry Thai guys staring at me with a tg doesn't sound pleasant to me at all. I'm on holiday, for goodness sake!

Nicke · #5 01-05-2004, 19:18

I checked out Star Club last night, we arrived late so nothing on stage but I liked the music. We asked what time they have live on stage and they told us between 22 and 01.

This place is maybe not for normal tourists and it is Thai orientated as pointed out but I like it. I like live entertainment with sexy dancers and yesterday I also liked the music from the DJ. This is a great addition to the nightlife in Patong, all discos play pretty much same music and no entartainment so I welcome this new club.

Apollo · #6 02-05-2004, 06:33

Nicke, totally understand why an expat such as yourself would enjoy something new/different in Patong. That said, how would you rate it for a holiday-making member, perhaps with a Thai girl, who (like myself) enjoys Thai music? Were many farangs about at all?

Cheers

K2 · #7 03-05-2004, 19:52

We had another look in Star Club Sat night and was much quieter, was 5:1 Thai:Farang ration and again quility of enetrtainment was very good.
Dancer indeed very sexy and if you have TG for a while then worth checking it out. Talked with management regaerding biggest stubling block to success - in that Galaxy is 10 Bhat/bottle beer cheaper than Star Club and spirits are 20 Baht/shot more expensive. If they dont equalise prices them they will be sadly doomed, as the predominately Thai clientelle they are aiming at are highly price sensitive. They have already dropped the 100 Bhat (free drink) admission, so this should help getting the girls in as Tiger has got stricter on the girls paying to go in.

The Mook · #8 08-05-2004, 23:27

Why not take a girl you may have BF'd for more than 1 day? Seems to me it would be better GF experience if you went to a place like this. Just my 2 cents. TM

Apollo · #9 09-05-2004, 10:04

Mook, before going to LoS, I thought EXACTLY the same thing. Quite strongly, in fact. The truth, however, is MUCH more complicated. In short, sometimes yes, sometimes no. It really, really, really, depends on the girl, and to a lesser extent, you.

Sometimes girls like going with you for several days and, I've heard, even expect less money out of you in the long run. One experience I had, however, during first tour, was quite the opposite. She was one clever, hardened b!tch. In her mind, the fact that I actually liked her meant she wanted MORE baht out of me! Same thing happened to a good mate of mine.

Again, depends on the girl, but money is always #1, never forget that. I suppose a less hardened girl may be terrific for a few days, especially if she's very new to the scene and doesn't have a bloody cell phone. We can discuss this very topic for hours.

Cheers

K2 · #10 10-05-2004, 19:08

Had another visit to Star Club (Sat 08/05) - was more people than last visit and still very good stage show and DJ sets. Management got the message on drinks and sprits now 100 Bhat/shot (including 'premium drinks') so have better chance of being competative in this price sensitive arena.

Got talking to guys running the place and as they have conection to original Shark team, would hope that this format is eventaully successful, as Tiger still falls way short of what Shark was at its best. More girls there this time too, and looks promising as they will be offering promotions to tempt more girls in - so perhaps better chances for getting lucky.

Appollo & Mook - all depends on the girl, but any girl worth hanging out with more than a night with worth a try, least you should get to see what she's really like in a more 'Thai' environment.

Seems some new(ish) girls started in Tiger Bars (downstairs), but didnt find any that had'nt worked at least a year already.

We checked out Crocodile (at the back of Soi Katoey) - same (on a smaller scale) as Tiger - great music - and like Tiger vast amounts of concrete!! -absolutely no-one there at 12.00, and can't see what the point was in opening this place as has the same owners as Tiger. Some very nice bar staff tho who were incredebly bored!

Apollo · #11 11-05-2004, 08:48

SAT, good field reports. I heard during both of my LoS tours about the legendary Shark Club--and only good things about it. Feel free to post about it sometime.

Re taking girls for mult. nights--don't think I'm against it, I'm not. In fact, I'm perhaps more "guilty" of doing so than many other punters. My point is that it gets complicated. I'm kinda/sorta in the middle of something like that now and STILL haven't figured it out...perhaps one day I'll post about it and see what the other BMs have to say. Many times someone on the outside can see things more clearly than someone in the middle. No, I'm not talking about an ltr/sponsoring/"true love" deal here--I'm not that far gone (yet) !!!

Cheers

K2 · #12 12-05-2004, 13:43

Appollo - We certainly miss the legendary Shark, in fact since it went, and 'they' started rigidly enforcing various 'restrictions' quality in Patong fell off so far that found that sticking with fun with Ms Sanouk made more sense and has turned out great, although contributions to the Patong Lady's Benevolent Society have plummetted accordingly!

Well off to see what the Philippinnes has to offer, so will hope that things stay open for the next couple of week and the wet season doesnt get too severe!

Happy Partying All.

Apollo · #13 13-05-2004, 07:25

SAT, for some reasons the PR doesn't appeal to me. Not sure why? Went there year's ago as a very young lad (not military) and had the time of my life. Since then, however, just lost interest. That said, YOU SIR, HAVE A BALL! It'll be interesting to see how you compare it to LoS, both in general terms and in terms of sanuk! By the way, is Ms. Sanouk accompanying you there?

Cheers

The Mook · #14 13-05-2004, 11:20

Apollo:
I hear you on that. The girl is the key. A hardened pro would not be the type. But sometimes, a guy can be fortunate, recognize that fact, and take advantage of it in a place like Phuket.
TM

K2 · #15 19-05-2004, 10:55

Hi Apollo - thanks for your message. This just a very mini report, and in some ways I hope that is not that widely read!

In Angeles now and the contrast with Patong is simply collosal - the shear number and quality of girls here is incredable (and I dont think I get to using superlatives that often!). For starters min age is 18 for girls to start - the range of quality is wider than Phuket (or Thailand in general in fact), but the psyche is diffrent (still adjusting to it to be honest).

Familiarity with Thai culture/language make Thailand the easier/ more comfortable option, but because of the huge number of girls the ability to find real quality in both looks and temprament makes it very tepting to stick around.

Nicke - perhaps you should go international - open a bar in Phili...!

More when I get back in a week (I hope!) & no didnt take the Mrs, but she would love it here too!

Bola Bola vs. puk wan ......hmmmmmmmm Up 2 U !!