Gaybutton Posted February 8, 2010 Posted February 8, 2010 Last night I spent some time wandering through Jomtien Complex. The biggest surprise for me was that the newest gay venue is now the newest failed gay venue. The Black Cat opened at Christmas. It was to be a combination gay bar, sauna, massage, and eatery. Now, six weeks later, they're already out of business and shut down. I'm rather surprised that they failed so quickly, given that they first opened during the prime of high season. The Panther Pub also no longer exists. That location and the storage facility next door have both been taken over by The Venue, which by the way was packed last night. From what I understand, The Venue has several different ideas for how that space will be used. Another recent addition to the Jomtien Complex scene is the Russian owned Lu'Bov Boys bar. It's still open and has about a half dozen boys working there, but it too is up for sale. They just don't seem to draw in the customers. I'm not sure why. Directly across the street from them is the Question Mark bar and they always have plenty of customers. Monty's is still open and still putting on their nightly show. Monty himself is in Australia and, according to the boys working there, is quite ill. I'm not sure who is actually running things at Monty's, but things seem to be going along smoothly enough. If you know who Alex and June are, they're the ones who seem to be in charge at present. Over on the next soi is the new Ganymede bar. I spoke to the manager. The bar itself is open and they seem to be doing well. They have taken over the adjoining building and are planning to put in a sauna. The current plan is for the sauna to be on the ground floor and at least one level above will have privacy rooms. They hope to keep it open until 4:00am each night, but it is at least one or two months away from being ready to open. There will also be a snooker room. The manager assured me that all of the boys working there are at least 18+ years old and have to prove it in order to be hired. The boys are not pushy and there is no pushy mama-san. The off fee is 300 baht. The boys get 100 baht from that fee. When a farang buys a drink for them, they get 30 baht out of it, which is 10 baht more than most bars give the boys. He also told me he pays the boys better than the other local bars pay their boys, but we did not get into a discussion of how much. I also can't tell you the drink prices. I didn't have a drink. I was only talking with the manager and didn't even think about asking the drink prices. Once he gets everything into place and can get it going, if he can attract a good customer base I think Ganymede will be a great success. I think it all depends on whether the "location, location, location" factor works out well for them. Other than that, all the rest of the long-established venues are still open and thriving. Quote
Guest RichLB Posted February 8, 2010 Posted February 8, 2010 I don't know if this is a new offering or just new to me, but the other day I had breakfast at Two Faces. The price was 129 baht for a full American breakfast (coffee not included) and they served bacon, ham, and pastrami with the eggs. Nice ambiance, nice waiters, nice prices, and the food was good. Quote
Guest richsilver Posted February 9, 2010 Posted February 9, 2010 Walking through the Complex this morning, I noticed the work was still going on (it's been several days now) in the large building next to the Venue. I asked one of the workers there and he told me it was going to be a supermarket. He wasn't sure what name. Good news (if true) for us residents of Jomtien. Quote
Guest RichLB Posted February 9, 2010 Posted February 9, 2010 he told me it was going to be a supermarket. I sure hope that worker is right. I've noticed them hauling display counters in and others out for the last couple days. The far entrance to the parking area is open, too. But, sadly, I've heard about this mystical supermarket for sometime. First it was to be another Villa Market, then a Tops, and now who knows. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. We sure need one in this area. Quote
Guest travelerjim Posted February 9, 2010 Posted February 9, 2010 I don't know if this is a new offering or just new to me, but the other day I had breakfast at Two Faces. The price was 129 baht for a full American breakfast (coffee not included) and they served bacon, ham, and pastrami with the eggs. Nice ambiance, nice waiters, nice prices, and the food was good. RichLB... IF you are hungry and want a good breakfast... may I suggest Shenanigan's (Jomtien Complex)... also have a second location at Second Ave (Villa Market) in So Pattaya. Opens 8:30am every day...and serves an American Breakfast til Noon. many breakfast choices available...but best value is this: 160 baht gets you two eggs cooked to order, fried potatoes, grilled tomatoes, two slices of dark or white toast (very good).. butter, jam, English back bacon...plus sausages (if you do not want sausages, then ask for more bacon..they will do it)... and price includes...TWO cups of Mocador Coffee or if you like...Tea. Wireless computer free and if you do not have a laptop, you can use their desktop computers free. Bangkok Post daily and other papers also available to read. Good service...air conditioned and they have many tv's on with news, sports etc .... Enjoy! tj Quote
Guest HeyGay Posted February 9, 2010 Posted February 9, 2010 RichLB... IF you are hungry and want a good breakfast... may I suggest Shenanigan's (Jomtien Complex)... also have a second location at Second Ave (Villa Market) in So Pattaya. Opens 8:30am every day...and serves an American Breakfast til Noon. many breakfast choices available...but best value is this: 160 baht gets you two eggs cooked to order, fried potatoes, grilled tomatoes, two slices of dark or white toast (very good).. butter, jam, English back bacon...plus sausages (if you do not want sausages, then ask for more bacon..they will do it)... and price includes...TWO cups of Mocador Coffee or if you like...Tea. Wireless computer free and if you do not have a laptop, you can use their desktop computers free. Bangkok Post daily and other papers also available to read. Good service...air conditioned and they have many tv's on with news, sports etc .... Enjoy! tj Good to hear Ill try it to see if it is better than the best breakfast in Pattaya, Papa Daves its on the left just as you come around the last bend in Jomtien Beach Rd before the beach. The decor is nice, with decent furniture for the patrons being the most noticeable aspect. the food is wonderful and classy. Continental Bakery in the jomtien area, The Continental is a small restaurant located almost on the corner of Theprasit and Jomtien Beach Rd in Jomtien. It markets itself as specializing in breakfasts but on the signage they have added that they do dinner as well. http://www.pattayamail.com/576/dining.shtml Quote
Gaybutton Posted February 9, 2010 Author Posted February 9, 2010 Did you know there is both a Papa David's and a Continental Bakery on "The Dark Side?" If anyone besides me lives out here, on the other side of Sukhumvit, the Papa David's is on Soi Khaotolo, about 100 yards east of the railroad tracks. The Continental Bakery is on Soi Khaonoi, near the top of the hill. If you are coming from Sukhumvit, both restaurants are on the right. Both restaurants serve the same breakfasts, lunches, and dinners that you'll find in Jomtien. The Continental Bakery also carries the same breads and desserts as their counterpart in Jomtien. Papa David's has a small selection of breads too. Apparently "The Dark Side" is quite up-and coming. A hell of a lot of people are moving out here and new construction is popping up just about everywhere. A lot of new, excellent restaurants are either already established here or have recently opened, with more on the way. If you want to read about what's available out here on "The Dark Side" have a look at the following link (the most recent posts are the last posts): http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Dark-Side-t172786.html Quote
Guest HeyGay Posted February 9, 2010 Posted February 9, 2010 Any one who needs to cross the most dangerous Road in Thailand sukhumvit road. Twice a day needs to review their health Insurance I would think. I can remember a time when you would never dare go down those roads, as they use to put rope across the road, if you was on a Motor bike you would get hit in the neck and robbed, also many Soi dogs use to bite any one who dare venture there with rabbis, the most hideous death you can endure . Quote
Gaybutton Posted February 9, 2010 Author Posted February 9, 2010 Any one who needs to cross the most dangerous Road in Thailand That's a ridiculous, misleading, and ignorant statement. There are traffic signals at each major intersection and there have been no accidents at any of them for over two years. Do you think you can say the same about the Third Road intersections? There are plenty of accidents on Sukhumvit itself, usually caused by drunk drivers, but there are many more accidents within Pattaya than on both Sukhumvit and "The Dark Side" combined. Do you have some reason why you are trying to frighten people away from exploring "The Dark Side"? I live over here and I know what I'm talking about. Quote
Guest RichLB Posted February 9, 2010 Posted February 9, 2010 Any one who needs to cross the most dangerous Road in Thailand sukhumvit road. Twice a day needs to review their health Insurance I would think. Aw, c'mon! That's hardly fair. I have friends who live on the "dark side" and while I rarely visit, the reason is that I have a terrible sense of direction and fear I wouldn't know where I was if I got lost. GB is quite correct when he says that crossing Sukhumvit is safe - at least as safe as about any other intersection in Pattaya. I'm betting we can all fill you in on some intersections where the only option is to close your eyes and just hope you survive the crossing. Hell, even getting across 2nd road on foot is scary. At least on Sukhumvit there are signals. Quote
Gaybutton Posted February 9, 2010 Author Posted February 9, 2010 Aw, c'mon! That's hardly fair. Also, that reference to the rope across the road is quite true. It happened once, and only once. It was a small group of teens who thought they had come up with a clever way of knocking a motorcycle driver off the bike and then robbing him. They were caught almost immediately and there has never been a similar incident before or since. Also, while there are street dogs over here, just as everywhere else in Pattaya, nearly all of them are quite tame and spend their time either sleeping, searching and begging for food, and howling in the middle of the night. I know of no dog attacks over here and I also know of no rabies cases. Not one. So, HeyGay, if you really want to try to portray "The Dark Side" as some sort of sinister place to be, back up what you say with credible evidence. You won't be able to because there is none. I live over here. I'm happy to live over here and quite frankly I'd rather be here than most other locations in Pattaya. And with all the new building and construction, new businesses, new residential neighborhoods, etc, I'm by no means alone in that. I'll help you out a little bit. You want to know what kind of trouble there is on "The Dark Side"? Street gangs. The police have had quite a bit of trouble with street gangs. Nearly all their activity takes place in the wee hours and they usually prey on each other. I've had my house since 1998. In all that time I have yet to ever actually see any of these gangs, but they're here. Quote
colmx Posted February 10, 2010 Posted February 10, 2010 C'mon GB who are you trying to Kid? Traffic on Sukhumvit flies past at 100++KmPH Traffic on any of the pattaya Beach/2/3rd roads goes by at a fraction of that An accident on Sukhumvit will invariably result in death An Accident on the main Pattaya city roads will result in a trip to hospital... but not death as frequently as on Sukhumvit Before you ask I don't have any stats to back up my point - but I think its pretty damn obvious! Even my Thai BF won't even drive on Sukhumvit as he is so scared of the the traffic! Quote
Gaybutton Posted February 10, 2010 Author Posted February 10, 2010 C'mon GB who are you trying to Kid? I'm not trying to kid anybody. I already said there are plenty of accidents on Sukhumvit. But there have been none at the major intersections where people cross Sukhumvit going to or coming from "The Dark Side." And your statement about traffic flying by at 100++KmPH is also nonsense. I drive on Sukhumvit every day. First, there's usually so much traffic that going at that speed is an impossibility in the first place. Second, even when traffic flows smoothly, it is rare to see anyone exceeding 60 to 80KmPH, the normal speed limit for Sukhumvit. I'm right out there with that traffic every day, usually several times every day. Are you? Before you start needlessly frightening people, try knowing what you're talking about. Crossing Sukhumvit is no less safe than crossing any other Pattaya intersections. And if you come over to "The Dark Side" you're not going to be confronted by street gangs. You're not going to be attacked by rabid dogs or any other dogs. If you're on a motorcycle you're not going to be knocked to the ground by ropes. All of that is absolutely ridiculous. So, stay on the west side of Sukhumvit. Don't come over to "The Dark Side." Don't try the Continental Bakery or Papa David's over here. Don't try restaurants out here such as Sure Park, Ann's Garden, Ticino's, Swiss Paradise, Magnolia's, Fisherman's, Mannekin Pis, Khun John's, Scott's Corner, Mulligan's, Il Panettiere, Cafe Uno, or any of the others. Stay on the west side of Sukhumvit . . . where you'll be safe. Quote
Guest TOQ Posted February 10, 2010 Posted February 10, 2010 Seems HeyGays "Windup" seems to of worked john Quote
Gaybutton Posted February 10, 2010 Author Posted February 10, 2010 Seems HeyGays "Windup" seems to of worked If that is what he was trying to do, yes it did. I don't see any need for people to be put off by people who don't know what they're talking about and probably have never even been over here themselves. You have been over here on "The Dark Side" with me. At any time did you feel unsafe? Did you observe any of the dangers HeyGay says are so rampant over here? Was there any problem crossing Sukhumvit? People who write such posts do a disservice to an up-and-coming community and also do a disservice to themselves by diminishing their own credibility. Quote
Guest TOQ Posted February 10, 2010 Posted February 10, 2010 You have been over here on "The Dark Side" with me. At any time did you feel unsafe? Did you observe any of the dangers HeyGay says are so rampant over here? Was there any problem crossing Sukhumvit? I have never had a problem on the Dark Side and I am there often. john Quote
Guest Soi10Tom Posted February 10, 2010 Posted February 10, 2010 While I don't have a dog in this fight: I'll jump in with my thoughts. I don't live on the "Dark Side", but I do own and ride several motorbikes in both Thailand and the US. I hadn't ridden a motorcycle since I was YDFC (Young, Dumb, and Full or Cum), but once I arrived in Pattaya as something more than a tourist I decided that we all die of something, and I was not going to let fear stop me from living life with vigor. At first I was frightened by the motor sports on the roads here in Pattaya. As time has passed I have become much more self assured on a motorcycle, and have fallen into rhythm of the streets. Now I find it safer and easier to ride in Pattaya than in the USA. Riding on Sukhumvit is, in my opinion, safer than riding on PCH in California. I only live one block off of PCH in California and ride a motorcycle on PCH almost every day that I am at my home in the US. To ride on either PCH or Sukhumvit after bar closing times shear insanity, but other wise just relax and go with the rhythm. Crossing Sukhumvit to the "Dark Side" is not a big deal..just stay awake and go with the flow of traffic. Once across Sukhumvit you can go to the railroad road it parallels Sukhumvit and you can totally 100% avoid the traffic jams on Sukumvit and rocket all the way to the Bangkok turn off. Once on the "Dark Side" just start riding there are so many great things to be seen. You really can't get very lost; if lost just follow the setting sun back to Sukhumvit, and you are on your way home. I've done that many times. Quote
kokopelli Posted February 10, 2010 Posted February 10, 2010 many Soi dogs use to bite any one who dare venture there with rabbis, the most hideous death you can endure . I don't fear Soi dogs but those "rabbis"are another thing! Do they carry knives and do circumcisions on the unwary pedestrian? Quote
Guest mauRICE Posted February 10, 2010 Posted February 10, 2010 Any one who needs to cross the most dangerous Road in Thailand sukhumvit road. Twice a day needs to review their health Insurance I would think. ...also many Soi dogs use to bite any one who dare venture there with rabbis, the most hideous death you can endure . Even the dogs are anti-semitic in Pattaya. Where are we to socialise with our rabbi friends then - Mr Moo? Quote
Guest HeyGay Posted February 10, 2010 Posted February 10, 2010 Lol No! I'm not trying to wind GB up, those days are long gone, I think we understand each other a bit more now, the reason I say its the most dangerous Road is a dear friend of mine who does not get paid for his services, has to clean up the mess of Death and major Accidents on The Sukhumvit Road every day or evening, he was saying the Town Elders are at a loss on how to STOP so many deaths on this road, between mainly South Pattaya Road and North Pattaya Road and beyond. May be you have been lucky so far as you cross on the lights but coming back many come on to the sukhumvit road via side roads and this is where the problems arise, he see whole families wiped out Farangs by the dozen he was telling me dead daily, some of the states of the bodies end up in are some thing from a horror story he says and they are half alive under a truck or mangled around a car, Motor bikes seems to be a big problem and twighlight seems to be the most dangerous time or after 11pm. I know your trying to get more guys to Go Over to the Dark side but this is the very reason several of my friends 4 to be pr Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted February 10, 2010 Posted February 10, 2010 How did a thread about Jomtien Complex become one about the dangers of Sukhumvit Rd. and the dark side? Quote
Gaybutton Posted February 10, 2010 Author Posted February 10, 2010 If you look in the restaurants over there also, as I have, you will see there is not many people using them, apart from a few farangs who need a quick bite to eat before going to a club or bar, No good restaurants are doing well there unfortunately Where are you coming up with this nonsense from? That is simply not true. Neither is what you say about the streets not being well lit at night. The restaurants here get just as crowded as anywhere else in Pattaya. Sometimes you can't get a table. And all these road deaths? I suppose next you will tell us all about hordes of people filling hospital emergency rooms due to injuries suffered from tripping over all the dead bodies. Come over here some time and go around to these places with me. Then we'll see who's right. Quote
Gaybutton Posted February 10, 2010 Author Posted February 10, 2010 How did a thread about Jomtien Complex become one about the dangers of Sukhumvit Rd. and the dark side? The same way so many other threads end up being hijacked. You're right. Let's get back to the subject of Jomtien Complex. Quote
Guest mauRICE Posted February 10, 2010 Posted February 10, 2010 Where exactly is the Continental Bakery? I know where Dick's Cafe and The Venue are but where is the the bakery in relation to these? Quote
Guest HeyGay Posted February 10, 2010 Posted February 10, 2010 Where exactly is the Continental Bakery? I know where Dick's Cafe and The Venue are but where is the the bakery in relation to these? If you read this thread you will find out the answer:- "Continental Bakery in the jomtien area, The Continental is a small restaurant located almost on the corner of Theprasit and Jomtien Beach Rd in Jomtien. It markets itself as specializing in breakfasts but on the signage they have added that they do dinner as well." Quote
