Very Tired of Loud Music in GoGo Bars

[TotallyOz]

I was in a gogo bar that I spent at least 7k baht every month and when I walked in last night and the music was OK so I entered and bought a drink. I enjoyed the guys on stage for a bit. Then all of the sudden, the music started blaring so loud that one could not hear someone next to them. I politely asked the waiter to turn it down. No luck. I then asked the mamasan. No luck. I got my bill and left. I told the owner on the way out how loud it was and most falangs don't like it that loud. It seemed to go inside one ear and out the other.

 

The attitude for most gogo bars is they don't give a fuck. It is high season and they are going to get customers and they won't cater to a group of 5 or 6 even if they are regulars year round. During low season, the begging to come in for just one drink will return. But, high season carries a certain "I'll do what ever the fuck I want" attitude.

 

Why can no one with any business savvy open a gogo bar in Sunee Plaza and make it?

[Guest]

Why can no one with any business savvy open a gogo bar in Sunee Plaza and make it?

 

Perhaps anyone with business savvy would be hounded out of town by the brown shirted mafia?

Or even discouraged from opening bars in the first place. After all, who wants to be in a business where it's necessary to pay tea money?

[Guest Mark7711]

Michael People in glass house should not through stones I am not sure if you are referring to my bar but as you have lumped us all under one banner I feel obliged this time to reply.

You have stated in previous posts that the show bars In Pattaya no longer live up to your expectations and now it would seem the gogo bars have fallen below your expectations you appear to be suffering from the Pattaya Blues this tends to happen after a while here using the F word in your posts won

[Bob]

while here using the F word in your posts wont help your course just detract from what could be a genuine complaint.

 

Your customer relations tact falls just a bit short here, Mark, when you also don't deal with a genuine complaint - the noise level of the bars. I would guess (don't really know) that a majority of the falang customers would appreciate the decibel level being lowered (and I'm doubtful that lowering the music to just a roar would deter anybody from going into a given bar).

 

In general, the music of most of the bars is way too loud for me and I either don't go into those bars or stay a shorter time. I know the boys like it that way but I thought that what the customers might want would also fit into the equation somewhere. But, if not, that's fine, I'll go elsewhere.

[Guest fountainhall]

I was recently in Circle Pub in Chiang Mai. I found the show remarkable good - slick, varied, polished and with none of the 3-minute longueurs between acts that are so common elsewhere. It was made even more enjoyable by the pre-show film of three very good looking naked guys (but with their modesty kept more or less intact) - a nice touch, I thought. The sound, though, was not only appallingly loud, it was more than slightly distorted. I stayed only because friends wanted to see the full show, but anyone working in that environment night after night will have to be careful about their hearing.

 

In fact, reading this and other threads related to noise in bars, I wonder if bar owners give much thought to the effect such high decibel levels over such relatively long periods have on their employees' aural health. I read somewhere that if you are playing music through headphones and you are unable to hear someone speak to you, you are already listening at too high a volume. Since it is impossible to have any conversation whatever in some bars, clearly the decibel level is at a point that threatens to be dangerous for both customers and employees.

 

The following is an excerpt from a study published more than 13 years ago. Since then, the situation has got considerably worse. Loss of hearing is affecting more and more people, with the higher frequencies the first to go at much earlier ages.

 

For the typical teenager, graced by the taken-for-granted health of youth, hearing loss might seem as remote as Alzheimer's disease-a problem to be faced decades from now, if ever.

 

But University of Florida research shows that 17 percent of middle-and high-school students already have lost some ability to hear. And the problem will keep getting worse if they don't protect themselves from the piercing decibels of loud music, motorcycles, target-shooting and other assaults on their ears.

 

"They probably haven't noticed that they have lost the ability to hear very high pitches, such as that of a dog whistle," said Alice Holmes, associate professor of communicative disorders in UF's College of Health Professions. "It isn't affecting their day-to-day life yet. But the more they are exposed to loud noises, the more damage will be done. As time goes by, they will have increasing difficulty understanding conversation. They may wind up being candidates for hearing aids."

 

Can't trust such dire talk from an ivory tower researcher--or a parent with a headache? Plenty of rockers, including The Who's Peter Townshend and most of the heavy metal group Metallica, will testify that they don't hear so well anymore. Excessive noise has permanently damaged the cochlea, tiny hair-like receptors in the inner ear that are instrumental in transmitting sounds to the brain.

 

Holmes' team screened 342 middle and high school students in Gainesville . . . The students, ages 10 to 20, underwent pure-tone screening in both ears. Test administrators asked them to indicate when they heard a beep. The beeps were 20 decibels loud at pitches ranging from 1,000 to 6,000 hertz (cycles per second). "One thousand hertz is equivalent to about a middle C on the piano, and the tests went up in pitch from there," Holmes said.

 

Seventeen percent of the students did not hear one or more of the sounds in at least one ear. They were most likely to fail at the highest pitch tested. Two students did not hear any of the tones in either ear, and five students failed all frequencies in one ear but passed in the opposite ear.

 

"These results should serve as a warning that today's young people, who often have their headphones or car stereos cranked up high, are at great risk for losing some of their hearing in the coming years," said Holmes, who published her research earlier this year in Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, a journal of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1997/08/970821134051.htm

 

Of course the problem is not just confined to music in bars. Disco music and listening to music at too high a level on earphones contribute to the problem. But the constant and regular exposure to damaging decibel levels in bars will inevitably have an effect on employees hearing over the longer term.

[firecat69]

Mark7711

 

 

You screwed up this time Mark. He wasn't talking about your Bar and in fact during our conversation, we both felt the level of music in your bar is OK..

[Guest Thor69]

I was in a gogo bar that I spent at least 7k baht every month and when I walked in last night and the music was OK so I entered and bought a drink. I enjoyed the guys on stage for a bit. Then all of the sudden, the music started blaring so loud that one could not hear someone next to them. I politely asked the waiter to turn it down. No luck. I then asked the mamasan. No luck. I got my bill and left. I told the owner on the way out how loud it was and most falangs don't like it that loud. It seemed to go inside one ear and out the other.

 

The attitude for most gogo bars is they don't give a fuck. It is high season and they are going to get customers and they won't cater to a group of 5 or 6 even if they are regulars year round. During low season, the begging to come in for just one drink will return. But, high season carries a certain "I'll do what ever the fuck I want" attitude.

 

Why can no one with any business savvy open a gogo bar in Sunee Plaza and make it?

 

Why don't you open one and show everyone how its done?

That would make more sense than trashing every one in sight.

[TotallyOz]

Michael People in glass house should not through stones I am not sure if you are referring to my bar but as you have lumped us all under one banner I feel obliged this time to reply.

You have stated in previous posts that the show bars In Pattaya no longer live up to your expectations and now it would seem the gogo bars have fallen below your expectations you appear to be suffering from the Pattaya Blues this tends to happen after a while here using the F word in your posts won't help your course just detract from what could be a genuine complaint.

If you see an opening for a better style show bar of more professionally run gogo bar then jump in on the opportunity and open one.

 

LOL Mark7711. I was not referring to your bar. As you know, I rarely go in the bar. When I have gone in, I have been OK with the music. If not, I would have left. But, as to your assumption that I have the Pattaya Blues, you are mistaken. That is not something new to you. But, don't assume anything on me. I don't assume things on you. I didn't mention you or your bar so I don't know why you got your panties in a wad.

 

On the same note, if you read over my posts on this and other sites, I have done nothing but compliment your bar and the way it is run. However, if you want some advice, I'm happy to share with you. There are several areas that could be improved. But, if you get this upset when I mention "a bar" I would hate to see your reaction if I said something negative about your bar.

 

As far as opening a bar in Pattaya, I have ZERO desire to do that and if any friend of mine was going to do that, I'd advise against it. I have also written posts in the past critical of a restaurant. That doesn't mean that I want to open up one of those to show how it is done either. Tonight, I went to the movie and I enjoyed the show but I thought the script should have been a bit more detailed. You also won't see me jumping on the plane to go to Hollywood to produce or direct a movie. In other words, if I wanted to do something with a bar in Pattaya, I would do it but just because I am not opening a bar doesn't mean I don't have the right to my opinion. Like my mother always said, "opinions are like assholes. Everyone has one." So, feel free to take my opinion on loud music or dismiss it. I don't really care one way or the other. I'm just another asshole trying to tell someone how to run their business (or that is what you may think.) But, I really do want Pattaya to be a better destination for gays. I want Sunee to shine in that area. Don't get upset with a supporter of your bar and the area you do business because you get upset or paranoid that someone is talking about you or your bar.

 

Pattaya is a fun city. Some bars are well run and others are run like crap (I used crap as not to offend you by using the word shit). Heaven forbid that the "f" word is used by anyone reading this thread or frequenting gogo bars in Pattaya. I am sure all of those that go to the bars are there for the "entertainment" only and never would use the "f" word in conversation or in any other way. Right?

 

When bar owners decide not to listen to what customers want, it is then that they will see their business drop. My money is my fucking business and I'll spend it where I want to spend it. I'll also decide if I want to spend it in a place that has loud music or if I'll avoid the place like the plague. I am one of the people that don't mind wasting a shit load of money in a bar. But, I'll do it in a place that appreciates it and that is comfortable to sit and chat with someone.

 

Like you, if it sounds like my panties are in a wad, I apologize. But, jumping on someone who has complimented you over and over and brought customers into your bar is a bit over the top for me. So, I'll just say thank you for your comments and I wish you and your bar great success. And, that I do truly mean.

 

Why don't you open one and show everyone how its done? That would make more sense than trashing every one in sight.

 

Yes, it would. Perhaps I will. Can I borrow 3 million baht to buy a 3 year lease and then another 2 million to renovate it? I promise I'll pay you back!

[PattayaMale]

May I suggest Eros Bar as a GOGO bar that does not have loud music. If it gets too loud I just ask them to turn it down and it is done without any problem. This bar is not as new as some others. It has good Air conditioning, but they do lack a large staff. With drink prices at 89 or 99 baht.

 

When music gets loud, I and some friends pay up and leave. We like to see who is on stage and talk to a boy or two. When music is loud, I can;t hear what is being said and neither can they.

 

I have been in KD gogo a few times. It has an interesting concept. I may noy explain this well, but i wish that instead of the boys rotating, there would be a way of calling them to dance at the table. I feel awkward having a boy dance in front of me that I may not care for. I feel I should tip him. I would rather give a bigger tip to those I choose. I understand that I don't have to tip each dancer that comes in front of me (several times) but I do feel awkward if I don't. Mark of KD has usually been welcoming to customer suggestions, so I was surprised at his response to Michael's post.

 

Putting that aside, I wish the music at most of the bars was not as loud

[Guest Thor69]

LOL Mark7711. I was not referring to your bar. As you know, I rarely go in the bar. When I have gone in, I have been OK with the music. If not, I would have left. But, as to your assumption that I have the Pattaya Blues, you are mistaken. That is not something new to you. But, don't assume anything on me. I don't assume things on you. I didn't mention you or your bar so I don't know why you got your panties in a wad.

 

On the same note, if you read over my posts on this and other sites, I have done nothing but compliment your bar and the way it is run. However, if you want some advice, I'm happy to share with you. There are several areas that could be improved. But, if you get this upset when I mention "a bar" I would hate to see your reaction if I said something negative about your bar.

 

As far as opening a bar in Pattaya, I have ZERO desire to do that and if any friend of mine was going to do that, I'd advise against it. I have also written posts in the past critical of a restaurant. That doesn't mean that I want to open up one of those to show how it is done either. Tonight, I went to the movie and I enjoyed the show but I thought the script should have been a bit more detailed. You also won't see me jumping on the plane to go to Hollywood to produce or direct a movie. In other words, if I wanted to do something with a bar in Pattaya, I would do it but just because I am not opening a bar doesn't mean I don't have the right to my opinion. Like my mother always said, "opinions are like assholes. Everyone has one." So, feel free to take my opinion on loud music or dismiss it. I don't really care one way or the other. I'm just another asshole trying to tell someone how to run their business (or that is what you may think.) But, I really do want Pattaya to be a better destination for gays. I want Sunee to shine in that area. Don't get upset with a supporter of your bar and the area you do business because you get upset or paranoid that someone is talking about you or your bar.

 

Pattaya is a fun city. Some bars are well run and others are run like crap (I used crap as not to offend you by using the word shit). Heaven forbid that the "f" word is used by anyone reading this thread or frequenting gogo bars in Pattaya. I am sure all of those that go to the bars are there for the "entertainment" only and never would use the "f" word in conversation or in any other way. Right?

 

When bar owners decide not to listen to what customers want, it is then that they will see their business drop. My money is my fucking business and I'll spend it where I want to spend it. I'll also decide if I want to spend it in a place that has loud music or if I'll avoid the place like the plague. I am one of the people that don't mind wasting a shit load of money in a bar. But, I'll do it in a place that appreciates it and that is comfortable to sit and chat with someone.

 

Like you, if it sounds like my panties are in a wad, I apologize. But, jumping on someone who has complimented you over and over and brought customers into your bar is a bit over the top for me. So, I'll just say thank you for your comments and I wish you and your bar great success. And, that I do truly mean.

 

 

 

Yes, it would. Perhaps I will. Can I borrow 3 million baht to buy a 3 year lease and then another 2 million to renovate it? I promise I'll pay you back!

 

Darling, you know it isn't polite to cry poor mouth. We all know that would be just pocket change for you. Shall I order the cake for the grand opening?

[Guest]

Any customer's entitled to an opinion on a business.

For example, I have no intention of opening an airline, but I have every right to praise the good ones and criticise the bad ones.

 

The same goes for gogo bars.

If a bar turns the music up to an excessive level, then ignores the requests of a regular customer to turn it down, they deserve to see the customer leave.

Should there be a good selection of alternative bars in the area, this may be a permanent loss of custom. Do this too often and the business fails.

That's one of the reasons why competition improves customer service.

 

Luckily there are still quite a few gogo bars that don't have loud music, so it's possible to go elsewhere.

[KhorTose]

I do not know what else is going on here, but I hate it when the music is to loud and I leave if they do not turn it down. There is one club in Chiang Mai where the music was incredibly loud and when I asked them to turn it down they ignored me. I have never returned to that club and will never do so. Mark, I have noticed the same attitude in other clubs during the high season that Michael complains about. Therefore, for what it is worth, I find Michael's opening letter reasonable, your reply out-of-line, and his answer to you logical, well thought out,and extremely magnanimous, considering he was not talking about your bar to begin with.

That said, I can not imagine a worse job then running a go-go bar. Having read your post over many years, I think very highly of you. I know the high season is when you make the most money. Money that will help you survive the low season. Nevertheless, I think it is just as important to your well being that you do not over stress during this period of time. Mark I think you would be well advised to take a short vacation. Life is to short, to let job pressures get you down.

[TotallyOz]

Darling, you know it isn't polite to cry poor mouth. We all know that would be just pocket change for you. Shall I order the cake for the grand opening?

 

I didn't know you had access to my bank accounts. Truth is the economy has devastated me and I need your help. I assure you that if you put in the 5M needed to open the bar I'll pay you back with all the money left over. After-all, we would need only 138,000 baht per month after rent and all expenses just to cover the money you put in. I am sure this is possible. If you have doubts, let me just say, I promise it will be a great success!

 

Luckily there are still quite a few gogo bars that don't have loud music, so it's possible to go elsewhere.

 

I agree with everything you said Z909. Except the last statement. In Sunee, there is not much competition. There use to be and you are right, it made for better bars IMHO.

 

I am saddened to know you are not going to open your own airline. I was looking forward to some cute Thai boys as stewards. Damn, I guess I'll have to settle for Singapore Airlines.

[Guest Mark7711]

Michael,s last sentence was (Why can no one with any business savvy open a gogo bar in Sunee Plaza and make it?)

 

I started my post by stating I did not know if he was referring to me or my bar or not a few months ago on this board the volume of music was the topic I listened to what was said and the volume in my bar has been turned down ever since I have had no complaints that I have been made aware of ever since, although I am sure the music will still be too loud for some it is always going to be, not trying to be flippant just can

[TotallyOz]

Michael,s last sentence was (Why can no one with any business savvy open a gogo bar in Sunee Plaza and make it?)

 

Mark, I have said since Day 1 of the "new" Dragon opening that I thought the concept was great and creative. Do I really need to clarify every statement I make by stating the exceptions to the rule? I think I have a proven record of publicly supporting your bar.

 

Don't assume that someone who makes a statement is talking about you or your bar. I was not and you really had no need to respond for all bar owners. If you represent them, then that is different. I thought they were represented by Sunee Plaza Info organization. I applaud you for taking up for your bar. But, you do not need to represent all the other bars. IMHO

 

 

Dec 4, 2010:

I went early. The place was packed with cute boys, coyote dancers and customers. I didn't stay for all the festivities as I had a later commitment. But, the party was very well done. Congrats to the owners for many years of good service.

 

http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/topic/6420-krazy-dragon-5th-anniversary-party dec-4/page__p__45678__hl__krazy__fromsearch__1#entry45678

 

Jan 3, 2010

Mark, you keep improving the venue and the website. A great job IMHO. I hope your work keeps paying off and that other bars will see your effort and mimic it. I especially enjoy your photos of the guys and the parties when you have them. It is nice to see some familiar faces when one is not in LOS.

 

http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/topic/4982-krazy-dragon-new-2010-website/page__p__32258__hl__krazy__fromsearch__1#entry32258

 

June 17, 2009

Krazy has a very laid back atmosphere. The music was no so loud and I was able to have a conversation with the guy I was talking to.

 

http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/topic/4293-a-night-at-krazy-dragon-in-pattaya/page__p__26554__hl__krazy__fromsearch__1#entry26554

[Guest Mark7711]

Michael the last post was my way of apologizing if i did not make it clear then you have my apologizes for jumping to the wrong conclusion about your post in the first place.

 

Mark

[Guest]

In Sunee, there is not much competition. There used to be and you are right, it made for better bars IMHO.

I agree there has been a reduction in competition in Sunee. However if your preferred bar in Sunee is now showing disregard for regular customers, then Boystown provides options for the customer to vote with his feet.

 

 

I am saddened to know you are not going to open your own airline. I was looking forward to some cute Thai boys as stewards. Damn, I guess I'll have to settle for Singapore Airlines.

Airlines are a fine way to lose money. Now a hotel with swimming pool would be a much better environment for the cute staff & it should be easier to make money.

[KhorTose]

Now a hotel with swimming pool would be a much better environment for the cute staff & it should be easier to make money.

 

I agree, please forward me a picture of my personal "towel boy" prior to me making a reservation.

[TotallyOz]

I agree, please forward me a picture of my personal "towel boy" prior to me making a reservation.

 

OK. Here he is!

[daddydawg]

Michael.....isn't that Jomtien BEFORE the accident???

[Guest]

OK. Here he is!

 

That's not what I had in mind . The following photo shows the type of pool attendants that might be appropriate for an Asian hotel!

[Guest BobbO]

Well I don't post very often, but I love Sunee and appreciate reviews like the original post by Michael. I think it's too bad that the conversation digresses as it goes along. Can't we all just get along?

I agree that loud noise is a deterent to a comfortable bar visit, but I go where the boys are and if the music is too loud and they won't correct it, I carry little foam ear plugs to dampen the volume. IF not, my ears ring for two days.

Looking forward to my next visit. . . .

[Guest BobbO]

Speaking of pools, did I read that the Marina pool is now open for business???

[KhorTose]

That's not what I had in mind . The following photo shows the type of pool attendants that might be appropriate for an Asian hotel!

 

Yes, Yes, Yes. Sorry Michael, but I'm booking with Z909

[TotallyOz]

Yes, Yes, Yes. Sorry Michael, but I'm booking with Z909

 

LOL See, poor businesses in LOS. See, you take my towel boy to any disco in Thailand and you get all the other cute boys for free. Pay for one towel boy and get hundreds of hotties. Or, pay for 3 and get what you pay for.

 

Good luck with your booking with Z. I'll take number 1 for you.