The Birdcage - GB's Review

[Gaybutton]

I am rarely impressed with a new bar and anyone who knows me will tell you that I dislike bar shows. Tonight that all changed. Tonight I visited The Birdcage for the first time since their opening a week ago. ( see http://www.birdcagepattaya.com ).

 

I arrived about 10:00 PM and had a chat with Mark (aka Marsha). The bar is smoke free. There are plenty of signs, both inside and outside to let people know that smoking is verboten inside. There are smoking areas outside for those who wish to smoke.

 

I really like the way the bar is set up. The elevated stage is where the go-go boys perform. I knew I was going to like this bar the moment I saw that the boys were actually dancing and enjoying themselves. There was none of the "one-knee shuffle" going on, with boys looking like they're bored out of their minds. These boys really dance and some are quite talented. Directly in front of the stage, in close proximity to the audience, but not in-your-face, are the coyote dancers. There are also four "birdcages," each housing a coyote dancer. They switch positions regularly, so you don't end up staring at the same face and body all night (although there were several I could easily stare at all night, all day, and then some!). The "cages" are cleverly positioned so that no matter where you are seated in the bar, you're going to get an excellent view of the boys dancing in the "birdcages," along with an excellent view of the go-go boys.

 

By 11:00 PM the first of the two nightly shows began. There's another show at 12:15 AM. Now, usually when it's show time in a bar that's invariably the cue for me to pay my bill and leave. I stayed, however, for this show. I'm glad I did. I can honestly say this was the first bar show in all the years and all the shows I've seen in the Thailand bars that I really enjoyed. My congratulations to Mark. He has put together a highly amusing show, quite unique.

 

So many of the bar shows are essentially clones of each other and too often the boys seem to be halfheartedly going through the motions and appear as if they can't wait to get it over with. However, it's a different story at The Birdcage. The different acts were truly sparkling, witty, and the most appropriate word to use is "clever." The boys performing the acts were not only talented, but were obviously having a lot of fun, and that makes it much more fun for the audience. I'm not going to describe any of the acts. You've just got to get there and see for yourself. I have never returned to a bar to see a show a second time, but I can tell you I will be back to see "The Birdcage" show again and again, and Mark will be changing the show periodically. I overheard other "farang" commenting about how much they also enjoyed the show.

 

Mark has really put together quite a bar. I'm certainly going to be back, and often. He told me he is still working on improvements, especially to the lighting. In all honesty, I didn't think much of anything even needs improving. I thought it was just fine the way it is, and Mark is going to make it even better.

 

I was also impressed with the drinks. Generous portions are served and the bartender actually puts alcohol in his liquor. None of the watered down garbage at The Birdcage. You'll find the drinks menu and prices on their web site.

 

I was greatly pleased that there was no presence of mama-sans. Not one. There were no mama-sans trying to sit down next to anyone, uninvited and unwanted, trying to cajole people into having a boy sit down with them or trying to get anyone to take a boy "off." That, in itself, is a great relief. If you want a boy to sit with you, signal him to come over yourself, or tell one of the waiters.

 

The go-go boys all wear number badges. The coyote boys do not, although they can be called over to sit with you and can be taken "off." The "off" fees are 300 baht for a go-go boy, 400 baht for a waiter or staff member, and 500 baht for a coyote boy. That's standard pricing in Pattaya these days.

 

In my opinion, The Birdcage is not only well worth a visit, but I would go as far as recommending placing this bar on your "Must Do" list when visiting Pattaya.

 

Finding The Birdcage is quite easy. It's adjacent to the Day-Night Hotel on Soi Day-Night. You can't miss it.

 

I truly believe this bar is really going to bring new life to Soi Day-Night. It is already doing so, although if and when more bars open on Soi Day-Night, The Birdcage is going to be an awfully tough act to follow. It was already getting crowded when I arrived at 10:00. By show time the bar was packed and every customer seemed greatly pleased. I think most of you will be too.

 

So, my congratulations to Kevin, Mark, and the boys. They have really put together something quite unique and of high quality. Go and see for yourself . . .

[Guest]

Wow! I am shocked. Your reviews of restaurants have always been on mark and your advice on Visas and life in Pattaya has been a life saver for many. But, I don't remember you ever speaking so highly of a bar. I have to say that just based on this review, I am going there tonight to give it a try. Thank you for the great review and the Gaybutton Seal of Approval. That gives me enough to take a night off from my regular haunts and spend a night in Day/Night.

[Gaybutton]

the Gaybutton Seal of Approval.

 

Now there's an ego-satisfying new term! I never thought about it like that and you're probably over estimating my influence, but yes, The Birdcage definitely gets my seal of approval and you're right; I don't often review bars.

 

Have a great time there tonight. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

[Guest]

Have a great time there tonight. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

 

I think you know my favorite restaurant in all of Pattaya is Salt and Pepper in Day/Night. I don't like Luxor and always found the food very bland and overpriced. If I want a new place to try, is there anything in this area you can recommend? I saw a new Irish place there. Also, the French place is there and I really enjoyed it in the past. Anything else pop to mind in that area?

[Gaybutton]

Anything else pop to mind in that area?

 

Yes. Right down the street from Lux'or, directly across from the entrance to Tuk Com, is Cuisine au Buerre. I think the food is very good there at excellent prices.

[Guest pattayageorge]

Are we talking about the same bar here? I went there last night, very excited too see what had been done to place, after hearing all the hype and adverts on the radio, and I couldn't have been more dissapointed! I arrived at 10.30pm, where I counted approx 9 customers, this increased to 13, which is when the 1st show started, for starters you couldn't see much on the stage because the lighting is dreadful, but in retrospect, it was probably a good thing as the show was awful, the costumes looked like something pulled from a rubbish bin, the content and the chorography was very poor, my friend told me it was based on the old Throb show from years ago, which, if this is anything to go by, I am very pleased I didn't see it. I agree about the quality of the measures of the drinks, but this is not unique to this bar, most reputable bars do not water down there drinks, it is such a large venue, and when you only have a handful of people in it, there is no atmosphere. I certainly will not return, but as they say "horses for courses"

[dapitt]

I do not know the term "coyote dancer". What is this, and what is the difference in a 'coyote dancer' and a go-go boy? Thanks!

[Gaybutton]

I do not know the term "coyote dancer". What is this, and what is the difference in a 'coyote dancer' and a go-go boy? Thanks!

 

A go-go boy is what you have been seeing in the bars for years . . . boys in underwear, sometimes dancing, sometimes doing nothing more than the "one-knee shuffle." Basically, a go-go boy is putting himself on display and that's about it.

 

A coyote dancer is an altogether different thing, far more specialized than the average go-go dancer. Coyote dancers appear in, shall we say, provocative attire and dance with intentionally sexually explicit moves. Often their moves are choreographed. Personally, I prefer it when there is no choreography and their dancing is much more spontaneous and, for lack of a better term, ad libbed.

[Gaybutton]

Are we talking about the same bar here?

 

Based on your post, I'd say no, we weren't in the same bar. I suppose people see things the way they decide to see them. I don't agree with your assessment at all.

[dapitt]

Coyote dancers appear in, shall we say, provocative attire and dance with intentionally sexually explicit moves.

 

Ahh, I see! Sort of like those dancers that used to be at Throb that would dance onward into the audience. I was one of the lucky gawkers there one evening when I had one of them dance/'hump' right in front of, and on, my face! Ahh...memories!

 

On the next visit to Thailand this coming Summer, I think perhaps I should find my way down to Pattaya and the Birdcage. Thanks!

 

[atri1666]

End of may i will have a look also when i break my stay in tawana and also will test baan dok mai for the weekend.

[bkkguy]

I do not know the term "coyote dancer". What is this, and what is the difference in a 'coyote dancer' and a go-go boy?

 

now that the bars have given up on trying to get the go-go boys to actually dance they are now employing coyote dancers to do the dancing instead. If bars can just get some guys in who are willing to actually have sex for money then the go-go boys can get back to what they really want to do - sitting around smoking, using their mobile phones and talking amongst themselves without getting bothered by the pesky falungs!

 

bkkguy

 

[Guest bali_exodus]

I been to the birdcage several times

the shows is not so good and quite boring...

they need more variety show...

[Gaybutton]

I been to the birdcage several times

the shows is not so good and quite boring...

they need more variety show...

 

I didn't find the show boring at all. I imagine that visiting the same bar several times and seeing the same show several times would eventually become boring. They can't present a different show every night, you know. My information is that the show will be changed periodically, but I have no idea when or how often. You're not going to get Broadway quality at a bar show. As I said above, I don't usually like any of the bar shows, but I did like the Birdcage show.

 

A message board is the wrong place to state your complaint. Next time you're at the Birdcage, talk to Marsha. He's listening seriously to comments and suggestions and what you suggest to him will not fall on deaf ears.

[Guest pattayageorge]

I didn't find the show boring at all. I imagine that visiting the same bar several times and seeing the same show several times would eventually become boring. They can't present a different show every night, you know. My information is that the show will be changed periodically, but I have no idea when or how often. You're not going to get Broadway quality at a bar show. As I said above, I don't usually like any of the bar shows, but I did like the Birdcage show.

 

A message board is the wrong place to state your complaint. Next time you're at the Birdcage, talk to Marsha. He's listening seriously to comments and suggestions and what you suggest to him will not fall on deaf ears.

I see no reason why a mesage board is the wrong place to state your complaint, you do it often enough! The problem with the Birdcage show is that it is old hat, using the same showboys from Throb of nearly 10 years ago, most of whom, like ourselves have added a few kilo's, also they have too few dancers, I counted 6. When I was there you waited about 3-5 minutes between songs so that the dancers could go off and change, which was very boring, say what you like about BBB or Throb/Splash, at least when one song ends, the next one starts immediately, also they both have at least 10-12 dancers, so you are not looking at the same people each song, also they need new costumes, which requires investment, whether the owner is prepared to do this I don't know, but judging by the attendance when I went in on Friday evening, I counted 10 people, and this was for the 1st show, but if they want to build up custom then they must do better.

[Gaybutton]

I see no reason why a mesage board is the wrong place to state your complaint, you do it often enough!

 

What I meant was that if someone has a complaint about the Birdcage show, then posting about it here is unlikely to change anything. Marsha does listen and if someone wants something changed, then taking it directly to him will be the most effective way to see the changes actually happen, rather than complaining on the message board.

 

You might notice that the complaints I post "often enough" never result in any changes. You know why? Because the only people reading the complaints are people who are in no position to do anything about it. Marsha is in a position to do something about it. Maybe he reads this board and maybe he doesn't. I don't know. But if you want to see changes made to the things you're complaining about, then it seems to me that talking directly to Marsha is the best way to go about it.

[Guest shockdevil]

I see no reason why a mesage board is the wrong place to state your complaint...

 

I, too, attended the opening night event at the Bird Cage and found it a bit disappointing. Since a friend of mine enjoys visiting the Bird Cage, I figured I give them a few more chances as well as more baht to show improvement. Each visit was just as disheartening. I guess I was hoping the Bird Cage would live up to the movie of the same name presenting excitement, glitz and glamour. Unfortunately what I found was nice venue with a poorly executed show and unmotivated bar boys either in need of a good meal or could stand to skip 1 or 2. The lighting, costumes and props seemed a little dated (to be mild). I guess things will improve in time but for right now I am taking my baht and since of adventure elsewhere until I hear that the Bird Cage is the place to be.

 

Also, when planning a trip to the LOS (or anywhere else), I look to message boards and other forums for an idea of where to go and what to do in an effort to maximize my time and hard earned money when I am vacationing. The opinions of ordinary individuals who have visited and experienced Thailand (Pattaya in particular) are very valuable to me. I hope to continue to hear the uncompensated opinions from all posters to this and other sites (good, bad or otherwise).

 

[Gaybutton]

what I found was nice venue with a poorly executed show and unmotivated bar boys either in need of a good meal or could stand to skip 1 or 2. The lighting, costumes and props seemed a little dated (to be mild).

 

I don't share your opinion, but you are, of course, entitled to it. I think some people are expecting too much. Some out there must be expecting Broadway quality at a bar. Try to remember that you're going to a bar, one that offers a show along with everything else. It's one of the few shows I have ever liked. Sure, it could stand improvement. What bar show couldn't? I think this one is the best bar show available in Pattaya. If you know of a better one, please let us know where it is. As far as the quality of the boys is concerned, that's a matter of individual taste. Boys who could easily replace Michaelangelo's 'David' are not usually found in a go-go bar.

 

I do have one complaint, however. There is a toilet attendant. I never did like that and don't understand why anyone would think that is necessary or even desirable. When I go to a toilet, all I want to do is pee and go back to my seat. I very much dislike having someone try to massage me or stare at me while I'm trying to go. I can't even do what I went in there to do when that sort of thing is going on and I'm extremely uncomfortable with it. I end up going into a stall instead. At least the attendant can't follow me in there.

 

If I were to request a change at Birdcage, being left alone in the toilet would be my first request. I've managed to take care of myself just fine in toilets ever since I was first potty-trained. I neither need nor want an attendant in the toilet and, in my opinion, having a toilet attendant is a terrible idea. Maybe whoever it was who thought that one up enjoys it, thinks it's a wonderful idea, and assumes everyone else thinks the same thing, but I'm someone who ends up feeling harassed and being made miserable in the toilet when an attendant is present.

 

In short, when I have a need to go to the toilet, please . . . leave me alone.

[Guest JoeM]

The proprietors have consider the feedback from the boards and made some adjustments.

 

The other guy's board

[Guest luvthai]

I am not a big Cabaret fan but did enjoy going to Simon Cabaret when it was on Walking Street and went one time on each of my trips. I like the Birdcage as well and will make it a once a trip outing as well. I did find the gogo boys just average with the lighting making the stage hard to see. A lot of thought and money went into the place and I thought the show was well done.