Phuket Nightlife

cmwkings · #1 11-09-2005, 02:15

Thought I'd write a little something about one of the greatest nightlife places you can find in Thailand and the World for that matter. I've travelled the World for 20 years, so I thought I'd pass along some good information.

I lived in Thailand for 10 years so I believe this information is pretty solid based on pretty experience.

Rock Hard Phuket, affectionately known as "The Rock" has been in business for over 20 years in Phuket, Thailand. Nestled right in the middle of the fabulous oasis known as Patong Beach, Rock Hard has more to offer than just booze and babes. You will find the largest collection of Rock and Roll anywhere in Thailand without a doubt. This coupled with the fact their DJs are very knowledgeable separates Rock Hard from other rock n roll bars. A full catalog of music is available for you to peruse through and pick out your favorite tracks.

I personally have been to just about every bar you can think of Thailand and have found Rock Hard to be the most enjoyable for many reasons. The prices at Rock Hard are very reasonable and there is always a special drink price or happy hour for increased savings and more to spend on the girls. Speaking of the girls, they are absolutely gorgeous and very affordable as well. Being in the center of town, Rock Hard is like fly paper attracting all the best tail on the Island.

Probably the best thing about Rock Hard is the knowledgeable foreigners working there and the ownership. They can tell you all the "do's and don'ts" in and around Thailand and probably get you more wasted than any other place in town at a fraction of the cost. There have been many nights I could barely walk out of the place due to all the complimentary drinks constantly paraded in front of me. I always made it back to my hotel room alright because the staff is truly concerned about your well being unlike many night spots in Thailand and around the World.

Visit http://www.rockhardphuket.com for details, directions and "What's New" in and around Patong Beach which is updated on a daily basis. I guarantee you will truly enjoy Rock Hard and the many things it has to offer.

faultytowers · #2 11-09-2005, 02:24

Sounds a lot like an Infommercial.

cmwkings · #3 11-09-2005, 02:30

I'm proud to say I do know the Owner quite well. I have for 15 years but what I stated honestly holds true for those of you that know the place. I've run a couple establishments in Thailand during my time there and frequented hundreds of them. Infommercial or not, what I wrote holds true.

Sirgezza · #4 11-09-2005, 02:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmwkings

I'm proud to say I do know the Owner quite well. I have for 15 years but what I stated honestly holds true for those of you that know the place. I've run a couple establishments in Thailand during my time there and frequented hundreds of them. Infommercial or not, what I wrote holds true.

Still a bloody commercial though

faultytowers · #5 11-09-2005, 03:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by SafeAss (Alf)

Why , is she planning on working there.

Coolhand · #6 11-09-2005, 03:14

well they do boast 2 ugly birds.........

cmwkings · #7 11-09-2005, 03:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by gez

Still a bloody commercial though

Take it as you like....The place ROCKS!

cmwkings · #8 11-09-2005, 03:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by SafeAss (Alf)

is that "HARD" by any chance??

Certainly is...

Honestly gents....can you say anything bad about the place? Other than if you're a wanker and you don't like Rock n Roll.

faultytowers · #9 11-09-2005, 03:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmwkings

Certainly is...

Honestly gents....can you say anything bad about the place? Other than if you're a wanker and you don't like Rock n Roll.

A quick mention might have worked , but I think the "Hard" sell is not doing the place any favours.

And , yes I am a wanker.

, and a lot of other bars have great Rock n Roll music.

stevem · #10 11-09-2005, 06:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmwkings

Certainly is...

Honestly gents....can you say anything bad about the place? Other than if you're a wanker and you don't like Rock n Roll.

No need for name calling. It doesnt do much for me, have been in there numerous times, and the place has been empty and the girls have all looked bored shitless. But that the way things are in Patong at the moment.

Coyotee · #11 11-09-2005, 07:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmwkings

Certainly is...

Honestly gents....can you say anything bad about the place? Other than if you're a wanker and you don't like Rock n Roll.

Honestly? alright..been there during my last trip in August..boring and quality of the girls need to be improved! BUT Club Rio Rocks and I was there almost everyday!

Malaysian

domifletch · #12 11-09-2005, 08:02

Hi cmwkings,

Why not to have a deal with Nicke for advertising on his forum? Many of us use to recommand some places or services when it's an answer to a question, but make a thread in this optic is not the rule.

This forum is free so it's normal that you can't advertise for free.... same it wouldn't be allowed to Nicke to advertise in Rock Hard for MTB, no?

LivinLOS · #13 11-09-2005, 09:37

I too cant really say I enjoy hard rock.. Times I visited girls seemd bored and going through the motions.. doesnt have the quality of Dragon or the 'up for it' madness of Suzy Wongs or Crazy Girls..

Add in a 600 baht barfine and girls that seem to think they command top rates (too many easily impressed punbters due to location) when they are not better than other mentioned places just means its somewhere I walk past each night..

Nothing really wrong with it, I am sure many people have had great nights there (just not me) but think its over rated compared to other gogo's in town.. Different strokes for different folks..

Tim26swe · #14 11-09-2005, 09:39

i like the place. been there both last year and was there some times this time. good place with aircon.. same time as you watch beautiful honeys dancing.. if i had a place like that in my homtown.. i would be sitting there most of the party nights.

but when you are in phuket.. there is so many moore places you want to be in.. i find the favourite in soi eric.

they have great hostresses.. i remember last year (first time) when we go there.. every time we got same hostress.. and now.. they wuold not put other hostress at us when we arrive.. they still remember what hostress did serv us.. so thats a plus.. remember us by face and name.. and who knows who many customers passed us by?

pricey girls it can be.. but if you just want sit and have a beer or drink its no problem.. its no hussle there. i like the place and will take visit next time also.

for being a gogo in patong.. i think its best qualty girls working there

// tim

itstime · #15 11-09-2005, 10:21

In the old days The rock was the place to have fun as well as the expat staff where always to help you.. JB runs a tight ship as well as when the famous big bill was around. Now adays the place is more like a show in motion.

Nicke · #16 11-09-2005, 14:00

I remember the old wet t-shirt competitions held at Rock Hard 5-6 years ago, it was great events.

Hobbsy · #17 11-09-2005, 14:26

Not been to Rock Hard much since Rio opened underneath. Might give it another look (guess advertising pays

)

DREW · #18 11-09-2005, 15:26

A friend of mine owns the place.

Larry is quite a guy- always up to something- 2 wifes- one Western and one Thai- always trying to get them in bed together with varying success-

hes looking to buy another joint in south america- Costa Rica was the latest.

Have a look at his 'photos' page I think he has a pick of me and some friends.

Drew

barfly · #19 11-09-2005, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by dizbuster

If you take the words "HARD" and "ROCK" and put them in a different order to that already mentioned in this thread, then you get another very good bar in Patong, that "rocks" !!

Well, this wanker likes it anyway

Now who is it that has a signature saying something about being in LOS and never having to...

I'll give another vote to Hard Rock - no girls(though I do remember Ood!) but great music of your own choice and a good atmosphere.

faultytowers · #20 11-09-2005, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by dizbuster

If you take the words "HARD" and "ROCK" and put them in a different order to that already mentioned in this thread, then you get another very good bar in Patong, that "rocks" !!

I know where you mean, and I agree. Usually pop in when on holiday.

stevem · #21 11-09-2005, 15:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by faultytowers

I know where you mean, and I agree. Usually pop in when on holiday.

Thats because Simon (Golum) is their best customer!!!

faultytowers · #22 11-09-2005, 15:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevem

Thats because Simon (Golum) is their best customer!!!

He was the one who showed me where it was !!!!

Captain · #23 11-09-2005, 16:28

I am a fan of Rock Hard, and since 15 years. In fact I drink there every evening, I always have a bottle Black Label waiting for me, when I am in Patong. Now I switch between MTB and Rock Hard. Even come sometimes with some RH ladies to MTB.
-Barfines and ladies are quit expensive, but it is up to you. You can also have there a drink and get a lady at another place. Nobody pushes you. I barfine a lot of RH ladies. I am friend to a lot of them, but that makes it more difficult to butterfly. If I propose, they offer answer that I am with one of them, so butterflying is a no.

-I agree it is about the best music (for me) in Patong. Some may like other places better for the music.
-Tim26, I know why you like the RH

, although now you start butterflying.

-Nicke, I sponsored wet T-shirt contests in RH. I did that together with an American friend Marvin whose birthday was 2 days before mine, so we had our birthday party together, on his birthday as on mine all bars are closed in Thailand (King’s birthday).
-Drew, I did not know Larry got 2 wives. How can he manage as his Thai wife is living with him in California (together with their son)? He had a mia noi about 2 years ago but he dumped her (I saw here last trip in Rock Hard) and she was “very” pregnant, not sure if Lary was the father, difficult to ask). But maybe you were speaking about those 2 as you mentioned trying to get them in bed together.

tintin · #24 11-09-2005, 23:09

I went in that place several times and also went quickly out of it.

Once I took a drink there. I was alone. Girls were average, and nobody seemed to notice me, wich is very unuasual in Phuket!

The first time I went there was in x-mas season a few years ago. There I really saw a stunner (but not that "sympa"). I asked her how much it would be to take her out.

She asked "4000 bath"

ST! She did not care at all that I found that too much!

No, not such a fan of thatplace. Kind of joint, you happy with indeed in your hometown, but not in phuket.

Give me the warmth and the "bon acceuil" of MT bar any time!

cmwkings · #25 12-09-2005, 00:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by DREW

A friend of mine owns the place.

Larry is quite a guy- always up to something- 2 wifes- one Western and one Thai- always trying to get them in bed together with varying success-

hes looking to buy another joint in south america- Costa Rica was the latest.

Have a look at his 'photos' page I think he has a pick of me and some friends.

Drew

The Costa Rica deal didn't go through. The place was nice but a lot of work needed to be done. He was going to get a nice 5 house compound there but that didn't work out either. Too many "ifs" in that equation. Why try and re-invent the wheel when he has RH in Phuket?

I saw of mention of one of Larry's former mia nois being pregnant. Is that Mai Sai? If so it was NOT him. If not, he's always taken care of his women in the past.

When Larry is at RH it's a different place entirely (Meaning better) but he spends a lot of time at his house in San Pedro with his young son. 15 years ago he was there all the time...Anybody remember Brian Hicks?

Larry is trully a character and a genuinely great guy.

Captain · #26 12-09-2005, 02:10

Maybe I have known Brian, post a photo. I know Ira and Jeff. I've known Karen and "little" Lary. Also a guy who stayed there till last year, I think. And of course Big Bill. I am good friends with the old mamasans Jub and Roeng.

nkped · #27 12-09-2005, 10:20

RH takes a bit of a different approach. That may be good or bad--not sure myself. Most Patong go-gos weren't much more than viewing areas for potential BFs, at least as of last November. RH managed to have at least a little bit more going for it than that. Will be continuing my research in about two months.

Allybabba22 · #28 13-09-2005, 01:52

Have to say, I dont like the place either, Music is good but thats about it really, All the girls are really average if not below average and they are way over-priced compared to other bars, Rio downstairs on the otherhand is a good little spot for a few drinks and a few games of pool during the day

cmwkings · #29 13-09-2005, 03:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain

Maybe I have known Brian, post a photo. I know Ira and Jeff. I've known Karen and "little" Lary. Also a guy who stayed there till last year, I think. And of course Big Bill. I am good friends with the old mamasans Jub and Roeng.

Brian Hicks was one of the original owners back in 1985. He owned all those bar beers across the street and started the ill fated Extasy A-Go-Go and Jeff was working there as well. He screwed a lot of people including Larry but I heard he ultimately got his and is back in California somewhere. I used to live next door to him up by the temple as you come down into Patong. Not a well liked guy to say the least. I don't have a picture of Brian but I hope this helps jog your memory.

I remember when Larry and Karen first started out in RH back in 1994. Very odd couple.

Captain · #30 13-09-2005, 14:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmwkings

Brian Hicks was one of the original owners back in 1985. He owned all those bar beers across the street and started the ill fated Extasy A-Go-Go and Jeff was working there as well. He screwed a lot of people including Larry but I heard he ultimately got his and is back in California somewhere. I used to live next door to him up by the temple as you come down into Patong. Not a well liked guy to say the least. I don't have a picture of Brian but I hope this helps jog your memory.

I remember when Larry and Karen first started out in RH back in 1994. Very odd couple.

Now I remember Brian. Saw him 91/92. Moved to extasy around 93. Didn't like him.
Larry and Karen I know since 92. Stayed in the same hotel, started talking to them and met "big" Larry that way.
Larry and Karen first came as tourists to Patong. Started a club in a penthouse of that high building close to Christin around 93/94. Expensive. Didn't work out and started working for big Larry.
Karen is now in New Zealand and "little" Lary married and lives in Trang.

atomu · #31 13-09-2005, 18:28

Hard Rock is total crap. I have been there 3 times with the intention of BFing a girl and I have left before even finishing my beer. Each time the same thing has happened, I've bought lady drinks and they have been off before they even warmed the seat.

The last time I was there was last week with a friend. We bought two lady drinks and both girls were called to dance almost immediately. After dancing they went off to other guys that had bought them drinks. One girl had 3 lady drinks going. We decided to leave and refused to pay for the lady drinks, both girls came over to whinge about this, then the waitress had the nerve to beg for a tip. For the third time, on the way out I lectured the staff about shit attitudes.

Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice and you can't fool me a third time - or something like that.

Back at Mai Thai Bar, Nicke was probably ringing the bell and forcing his customers to drink another free shooter or six.

It was the girls that missed out, when I am happy the 1000 Baht notes flow quite freely. Ask the MTB BGs that got slipped notes just for having a big smile.

cmwkings · #32 12-10-2005, 22:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by atomu

Hard Rock is total crap. I have been there 3 times with the intention of BFing a girl and I have left before even finishing my beer. Each time the same thing has happened, I've bought lady drinks and they have been off before they even warmed the seat.

The last time I was there was last week with a friend. We bought two lady drinks and both girls were called to dance almost immediately. After dancing they went off to other guys that had bought them drinks. One girl had 3 lady drinks going. We decided to leave and refused to pay for the lady drinks, both girls came over to whinge about this, then the waitress had the nerve to beg for a tip. For the third time, on the way out I lectured the staff about shit attitudes.

Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice and you can't fool me a third time - or something like that.

Back at Mai Thai Bar, Nicke was probably ringing the bell and forcing his customers to drink another free shooter or six.

It was the girls that missed out, when I am happy the 1000 Baht notes flow quite freely. Ask the MTB BGs that got slipped notes just for having a big smile.

this happens in just about every establishment in Thailand and the World for that matter

Petter · #33 12-10-2005, 23:30

I think Rock Hard is the best Go Go in Patong
I have been a customer for 10 years and got many friends there.
They have in my opinion without competition the best music,and that is for me importent when you go to places like Rock Hard.
The girls is better then the most if you ask me.
Expensive? what is expensive ?

Drinks,girls,the price is what the customers are willing to pay.
I think its nice we have different places for different people and you can change environment from time to time.

For me Rock Hard is different from other Go Go,s in Patong,and i dont want them to be like al the others.