Music Cafe

[PattayaMale]

I went to the relaunch of Cafe Royale August 17. It had good support from the community. I saw several people I have not seen for awhile. The owners even had trays of "finger food" being delivered by the waiters as El Duo sang.

 

The look is crisp and modern. and the bar is curved which looks good. All the wood and cabinets have been removed as has the elevated seating area. The front of the cafe has wooden folding doors so the doors can be opened to include the terrace. It really looks nice.

 

I hope that the owners will correct some things that seem to be over looked or did not turn out as planned, such as:

 

Opening the doors in front so those siting on the terrace can see in to the Cafe has made the Cafe way too hot! The air con, is not even close to adequate. Several of my friends decided go across the street to Funny Boys which has good air con.

 

The Cafe's menu should maybe change to match the "new look". 2 friends had chosen to eat dinner there. They both said, their dinner was not that good. Now since the Cafe was severing other "free" food, it could be that they were not set up to do both that night.

 

The sound system needs adjustment. The sound is terrible. It bangs off all the hard surfaces so you get a real echo effect. El Duo did their best but with the sound system and nothing to deaden the sound waves bouncing all over the place the quality was lost.

 

If you are looking for a nice quiet meal, well, with all the hard surfaces, conversation is difficult. It would be like eating in a bus station. Again nothing to soften or deaden the sound.

 

I realize that this opening night review sounds negative. However, Cafe Music could return to their glory days if they now focus in on the "other" important things.

[PattayaMale]

The night after the opening of Cafe Music, I returned to see how the place was doing. I had been told that a new air conditioner was coming. It was about 9:15pm when I stopped by.

 

Sadly, there was not one customer inside.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

It is my understanding that Cafe Royale doesn't have the same rooms upstairs that they had in the past...that the COPA has taken over some of the rooms. Can you shed any light on that information???

[Guest lvdkeyes]

I saw no advance notice of the re-opening.

[PattayaMale]

It is my understanding that Cafe Royale doesn't have the same rooms upstairs that they had in the past...that the COPA has taken over some of the rooms. Can you shed any light on that information???

When Kevin Quill went into partnership with the owners of Ambiance Hotel, the property that is now called the COPA had very nice hotel rooms built that was part of or managed bythe Ambiance Hotel. When the property was sold to the current owners of what is now the COPA, the new owners made a deal with Cafe Royale for them to manage their rooms. An entrance was cut into Cafe Royal at reception so the one desk could take care of BOTH hotels under the name Cafe Royale. A year or so ago that arrangement ended. Now Cafe Royale now just offer the older rooms that was part of the original Cafe Royale. Copa manages its own rooms

[Guest buckeroo2]

The night after the opening of Cafe Music, I returned to see how the place was doing. I had been told that a new air conditioner was coming. It was about 9:15pm when I stopped by.

 

Sadly, there was not one customer inside.

I think Cafe Royale was always been considered a late night hang out - a fun place to go after hours. I can remeber spending so many nights there until 4:00-5:00AM over he years - everyone came there after the bars closed. With the clamp down on entertainment venues and the earlier closing times the past few years Cafe Royale has seen its business greatly diminished. The after hours crowd has shifted to Dave Men's Club and NAB. Those places are always busy. And they have established a sense of continuity - unlike so many other after hours venues that catered to the gay scene. I think the dynamics have changed for that market and while Cafe Royale tries new decor and remodeling, the gay crowd has moved onto hipper, more high enegry locales.

I have a friend who works at Cafe Royale and he told me that crowd for re-opening celebration was just OK and since then, the past 2 nights have been very quiet.

[Guest Martelly]

Was at the relaunch also. I agree also that they have a long way to go to bring back the good old days. Would never dream of having a meal at Le Cafe as have seen the kitchen.

I do not think that decor will bring back the custom. I also think, not wishing to sound rude that someone more hip and young would have been the ideal manager for the place. With better sound system and also the lighting is still not right.

[Guest buckeroo2]

Toi just celebrated his 40th birthday and goes back to the Icon days. El Duo will celebrate their 2nd anniversay at Cafe Royale in a few weeks - tried and true does not always get you to the head of the class.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

Is 40 Toi's real age?

[Guest buckeroo2]

Is 40 Toi's real age?

I have no idea but Toi just had a huge 40th birthday bash at Cafe Royale. I am assuming 40 years old is legit - seems about right to me

[PattayaMale]

I had dinner this evening with a former waiter from Le Cafe Royale and his long time Farang boy friend. One of the things we talked about was why the food and service at what is now Cafe Music has slipped. The farang ate there at the opening and Saturday (?) and said he only eats 2 things there now, one of which is a hamburger.

 

The Thai former waiter had some strong views. He is still friends with some of the staff. One of the things he said is that no one trains the staff any more. Some don't even know the English word for 'sour cream'. So when someone asks for "sour cream" for a baked potato, they don't know what it is. The other thing he said is "they don't care".

 

The farang also said they have improved the sound since the opening.

 

The special events, like Toi's Birthday brings in customers and I imagine so did El Duo's anniversary. So it seems that the management is trying.

 

For those that attended how is the air conditioning now?

[Guest travelerjim]

Toi and El Duo have CONTRACTS..

so they will be there for whatever time remains...

 

My bf and I enjoy Toi very much...he is a very good entertainer.

 

I like El Duo, but before remodel...bf says volume TOO LOUD! ..and true..I agreed that volume for their singing was TOO LOUD.

 

Hopefully that has changed with the new Music Cafe.

Will go to see the new Music Cafe and their singing this week.

 

As for the food...before it was on the decline..

What was "great" years ago...though higher prices vs others...

became "good" then almost "pass it by"...a hit & miss.

 

Seeing the recently posted prices for their weekend buffets ..I think they have priced themselves out of the market...I believe they should be offering menu prices to promote and bring back customers to the Music Cafe...500 baht meals ++ will not bring me back.

 

The POT of Coffee became a CUP of Coffee, which then became a

"Where's the Coffee?" as they would bring a Cup of Coffee half filled.

Not my Cup of Coffee place.

 

The infamous Breakfast served was wonderful...once upon a time...

but the staff of cooks and waiters forgot how to maintain the quality

of served foods...from reading Pattaya Male's recent report...

I fear it is not any better.

 

Hope the new management has made changes for the better..

wish them much success and good luck!

 

I miss visiting with Mick..such a great guy and gentleman..always welcoming..anytime we entered the club...and such a shame he has passed...and same-same for both Ian's...who really were the keys to hospitality successes for many years at Cafe Royale Hotel.

 

tj