Guest Motel69 Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 Let me first start out be recanting some previous entries casting a negative light on Silom Soi 4 because these days that soi is fucking alive! It even has some new posh-looking nightclubs that are giving the alley some of the ambience It used to have in the mid- to late 1990s. But the two businesses that have most of the buzz are Balcony and Telephone. They seem to have their business models finely honed to Soi 4. Lots of chairs facing the soi where everyone just sits down, drinks way too much, banters about and watches everyone else doing exactly the same. I was on Soi 4 Thursday night, two days after Christmas and my first night on town. It was kickin'. DJ Station on the other hand ... well, the music just doesn't do anything for me, the layout makes it very difficult to squeeze through certain corridors and the crowd just isn't as young and sexy as it used to be. I was in DJ Thursday and Friday nights and just couldn't get into it either night. So on to GOD. Just awesome. If you're gay and love to go clubbing GOD is worth the trip to Thailand all by itself. I've been there all three nights so far and each night has been better than the last. Can't wait to hit the place tonight. One final note on GOD: The crowd seems to be arriving earlier than it used to. I got there at 2:30 the past two mornings and it was already mobbed. During previous trips, it would have been all but empty at that time. Tomorrow I'm off to Pattaya and if I find anything worth posting about I'll let everyone know how Pattaya gay nightlife is doing, though I don't expect to do the go-go bar circuit. Quote
TotallyOz Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 Great report. Thanks. How long will you be in Pattaya? It sounds like you are a late night person. What are your planned stops in Pattaya? Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 Soi 4 was the same 10 days ago - absolutely packed, whereas the gogo bars on Soi Twilight off Suriwong was doing pretty lousy business. Quote
Guest snapshot Posted December 31, 2012 Posted December 31, 2012 Thanks for the update. Haven't been to GOD for ages... Do you still walk out of there with your clothes stinking of smoke? Quote
Guest abang Posted January 2, 2013 Posted January 2, 2013 I have to agree that Soi 4 continues to do brisk business while that of the go-go bars in Soi Twilight aint looking good. When for a show at Boys of Bangkok on my very first day, 23 Dec 2012. The performers lacked chemistry and their efforts were half-hearted. Wasted my THB 250 on a drink... Quote
Guest joseph44 Posted January 2, 2013 Posted January 2, 2013 Spend last week in Bangkok. Arrived on 29-12 and I was amazed about the traffic.........there wasn't any!! From Bang Saen is was in an hour in Soi Saladaeng 1 where I spent 3 night in Center Point. Great hotel BTW. Decided to visit Babylon, which was a complete turn off!! 95% of the way too many visitors were foreigners; the only attractive Thai guys were the staff of Babylon. Spent 45 minutes there and went back to the hotel. Visited Soi Silom 4 and was pleasantly surprised by the Stranger Bar; nice atmosphere, nice music, no pushy boys, all in all a good experience. On New Year's Eve Soi Silom 4 was crowded.......not packed and there was a good atmosphere. Had a lovely dinner in Spanish On 4 (tapas restaurant) and a great evening in the Stranger Bar. Did also visit Suriwong, but: no, not my beer!! Anyway, Bangkok around New Year is really pleasant with low traffic and reasonable temperatures. Quote
Guest thaiworthy Posted January 2, 2013 Posted January 2, 2013 Decided to visit Babylon, which was a complete turn off!! 95% of the way too many visitors were foreigners; the only attractive Thai guys were the staff of Babylon. Spent 45 minutes there and went back to the hotel. Thanks for this excellent report. You have confirmed what I have always suspected and why I never bothered with such places anywhere, even in Thailand. You'd have to drag me kicking and screaming to get into Babylon. The last place I want to be is in dark room surrounded by 95% farang groping their way around me. I wonder how old the usual farang crowd is there. I'm surprised the place doesn't have wheelchair access for the mobility-challenged. I have stayed far away from Babylon and will continue to do so in the future. Give me go-go any day or at least a relaxing massage. You were wise to cut your losses and make a clean getaway after 45 minutes. Quote
Guest Jovianmoon Posted January 2, 2013 Posted January 2, 2013 I agree with most of your sentiments on Babylon, thaiworthy, but I like going to Babylon to use the pool (I know that's what they all say), and when I'm with a group of friends, I like to slip in and out of the pool ordering drinks at the bar and chatting into the late afternoon. It's a good atmosphere - not so much fun if you're totally alone. I agree I would not try to pick up at Babylon, however, and I never go into gropey areas (is that a word, gropey?) I generally leave when the sun starts to set and take a taxi to Soi 4. The little girl Newt in 'Aliens' always comes to mind: "We'd better get back 'cause it'll be dark soon. And they mostly come at night.. mostly". Quote
Rogie Posted January 2, 2013 Posted January 2, 2013 Re: Babylon I wrote this a few hours ago but had difficulty posting until now. Many of my comments are similar to Jovianmoon's but I haven't bothered editing my post. If you're bored by Babylon by now, just skip it! I think you have to be realistic. Anyone going there swept along on an Hey Gay/LMTU-induced high expecting to have a wonderful time may well be disappointed. On the other hand you may be lucky, but don't count on it. In my early visits there I did have fun and there were lots of lovely locals but more recently I've lost interest in the kind of thing TW mentions: those dark rooms where the guys - mostly falung seemingly - hang around are a turn-off for me. You turn a corner only to come across another fat falung leaning against a cubicle door. Is he really and truly expecting a young slim Thai guy to usher him into said cubicle? In his dreams maybe! My more recent visits to Babylon I have been mid-afternoon when you can bag a lounger around the pool and alternate between reading the latest thriller, having a swim, and ordering a beer, coffee or whatever drink appeals. The service is always good, and that goes for the very decent restaurant where the food options are tasty and reasonablr value. I get up every so often and go for a wander into the rest of Babylon . . . Unless you yourself are a stunner, keep your expectations realistic and it can be quite enjoyable. If you've not been before, consider going with a friend, either another falung or a local. Then, if your wanderings come to nothing, you've got good company to pass the time with. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted January 2, 2013 Posted January 2, 2013 In my early visits there I did have fun and there were lots of lovely locals but more recently I've lost interest in the kind of thing TW mentions I find the same but perhaps - just perhaps - advancing years could play a small role in that! :nea: I used to be a regular at the old Babylon and really enjoyed it. I have never been a fan of the larger premises and it's been some years since my last visit. But then jovanmoon is far younger than me and I'm glad Babylon still has some attractions. Quote
Rogie Posted January 2, 2013 Posted January 2, 2013 Abang wrote in post #5: Wasted my THB 250 on a drink... With these high prices it pays to plan ahead. You don't say whether you were there for the show Abang. If so, and you enjoyed it, it's fair value. If there was no show and what was on offer was lacklustre, i'm afraid that's the risk people take. It might be worth taking the risk if you are determined to off a guy or, owing to a previous visit, know there's a guy likely to appeal to you. Or you could take a quick look, and leave straightaway, if the vibe isn't there. Quote
