Soho Bar and Guesthouse in Gay Chiang Mai

TotallyOz · July 11, 2011

Soho Bar is one of Chiang Mai's most sophisticated gay-friendly venues. You can socialise here in pleasant convivial surroundings, in either the street-side bar or in the tastefully-decorated and more relaxed interior lounge bar. Music is played at a volume which doesn't intrude on conversation, but can be cranked up when the crowd gets going. The bar sits on the prime location of Huay Kaew Road, almost directly opposite the Kad Suan Kaew Shopping Complex. A popular venue with Chiang Mai's expatriates, Soho is a friendly and fun bar perfect for meeting new friends or simply sitting back and indulging in fine conversation and wine.

Coffee Bar open from 12 noon

(coffee, smoothies, wine, wine coolers and beer) and full service bar from 6 p.m. until 12:30 a.m.

http://www.sohochiangmai.com

20/3 Huay Kaew Rd. Chiang Mai 50300

E-Mail: sohocm@hotmail.com

Tel: +66 53 404175, +66 85 029 8485

MrBill · August 22, 2013

Last year I stayed at the Soho Guesthouse because the guesthouse recommended by several GT members was fully booked. First off, make sure the taxi driver knows you want to go to the bar & guesthouse, not the Soho Hotel which is far away. I arrived around 11:00 AM to find the place chained and padlocked. I banged on the grates for about 10 minutes and finally the one staff who lives there heard me and came down. He was a very gregarious and polite young man (and VERY cute) who spoke no English. We finally got me registered and checked in. I should mention that while I arrived in CM, my luggage didn't. The shopping center across the street was a Godsend.

That evening I met the owners. I briefly spoke with both independently and 1) asked for assistance in the morning to contact the airline about my lost luggage (one owner is a native Thai speaker), and 2) asked for toilet paper as my room had none. Both owners said no problem, they would take care of both. When I returned from dinner both were gone and no toilet paper. In the morning After returning from breakfast across the street there was a note on my door that read, "Haven't heard from airline. Suggest you call them." I did find the resident staff, grabbed him by the hand and took him to the first floor toilet and pointed to toilet paper. He understood and promptly arrived at my door with two rolls.

I should mention that my room came with a private bath, but the bathroom was located outside my room adjacent to the breakfast room, so I had to cross the stairway to get to my bathroom. In spite of being "private" I found cigarette butts and garbage left by other residents in my bathroom. During the 3 days I was there the refrigerator in the breakfast room was never restocked. Some of the jars (such as jams) looked like they had been there for months. For that reason I decided tio eat out rather than avail myself of the included breakfast. The door to the guesthouse are had a lock on it and I was given a key, but it was never locked, so anyone who came into the bar had access to the guesthouse floors. That unnerved me a bit.

I asked staff about check out as I needed to be at the airport around 9 AM to fly back to BKK. I was told I needed to settle my bill the night before at the bar, then in the morning, bring my luggage down, unlock the chained/padlocked gate, take my luggage through the gate to the outside, go back and place my keys behind the bar, exit the gate again and re-chain lock the gate.

After that first night I never saw the owners again.

I would wholeheartedly agree about the relaxing friendly atmosphere of the bar. Staff tried to be helpful though some had very limited English skills. If I return to CM I would definitely visit the bar again for an evening, but I would not stay at the guesthouse again, primarily because of the lack of professionalism/attention of the owners.

October 7, 2013

(Information from Their Facebook & Website)

Small Gay owned and operated guesthouse.

Soho Bar & Guesthouse is one of Chiang Mai's most sophisticated mixed clientele and gay-friendly venues. You can socialize here in pleasant convivial surroundings, in either the street-side bar or in the tastefully decorated and more relaxed interior lounge bar. Music is played at a volume, which doesn’t intrude on conversation, but can be cranked up when the crowd gets going. The bar sits on the prime location of Huay Kaew Road, almost directly opposite the Kad Suan Kaew Shopping Complex. A popular venue with Chiang Mai’s expatriates, Soho is a friendly and fun bar perfect for meeting new friends or simply sitting back and indulging in fine conversation and wine.

Room Description

Room 1(Standard)

Room one has 2 queen beds and a small balcony overlooking Huay Kaew Road, located on the second floor with modern furniture, cable television, shared microwave, refrigerator, and a shared bathroom on the same floor. This room is better suited for a late sleeper.

Room 2(Standard)

Located on the second floor has 1 king bed, modern furniture cable television, shared microwave, refrigerator, and a shared bathroom on the same floor. This room is very quiet, and is located away from the street with a window overlooking Chang Puak.

Room 3(Budget)

Located on the third floor has 1 king bed, modern furniture cable television, shared microwave and refrigerator, with a shared bathroom on the second floor. This room is very quiet, and is located away from the street with a window overlooking Chang Puak.

Superior King Room 9

Room Nine is a Large room with teak furniture, a king bed, private en-suite bathroom, balcony with sliding glass door, refrigerator, microwave oven and extra amenities. This room is located on the 3rd floor overlooking Huay Kaew Road.

Room 4 Private Bath

Room Four has one king bed, private en-suite bathroom, microwave, mini refrigerator, and cable TV. A very private and quiet room designed for true comfort and privacy. This room is located on the fourth floor with a window overlooking Huay Kaew Road.

***A full breakfast is included in your room rate ***

***Soho Bar is a friendly and fun bar, perfect for indulging in fine conversation and wine***

***We are centrally located ***

***Our rooms are updated every low season***

***Daily maid services with friendly and helpful***

Please tell us about your experience and do not forget to post some photo If you have.

Information

Address: 20/3 Huay Kaew Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 50300

Bar Opening Hour’s: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Phone: +66 53 404 175

Website: http://sohochiangmai.com

Email: sohoguesthouse@gmail.com