Changing of the Guard

It's been far too long since my last post and there have been significant changes in the neighborhood.  First of all the old complex of bars off Thonglor Soi 10 (aka Ekamai Soi 5) is dead.  However the good news is that the new Jet Metropolitan is now open and is a huge improvement consisting of a full wine bar called Mist as well as a typical Thai mega-club stuffed with pretentious teens and all too familiar live Thai music.

The old Ichi bar between Ekamai Soi 12 and 14 (directly across from Nang Len) has now been renamed and reworked into In Da Club.  Unfortunately it still attracts the same audience it had previously consisting of a handful of misdirected clubbers, the standard door whores (you know the hotties that stand outside the bar making you think you're at a happening place) and the occasional soi dog.

Now on Ekamai Soi 5, Bam Blu has opened in an entirely new building.  The fixtures are nice and no expense has been spared except for the cheap tables and chairs that make you feel like you're in a cheerful prison cafeteria.  The live music is good with western songs performed very well thanks in part to the latest Bose sound system.

Escudo, between Thonglor Soi 13 and 15, has collapsed into a single floor venue.  Apparently the year off for renovation work that resulted in a new coat of paint and  a stupidly deadly dance floor failed to re-ignite the club's former glory.  Duh!  Now only the upper level is open and has taken on more of a techno club which is exactly what was needed in the first place.

The entire Liberty House complex of bars at the top of Thonglor has pulled an Elvis and left the building.  No loss here as these venues all had an old seedy feeling reminiscent of Nana, smelling of mothballs, urine and vomit.

Directly across the big Boss club has changed names to Soi Sod but retains the run-down feel with well worn carpeting, outrageously priced drinks, and a mandatory service charge that is more than the beverages.

Nang Wak has opened right on the corner of Thonglor and Soi 10 in the same complex as True.  The venue looks more upper class and stylish and should be frequented by the many new ET condo owners all within a stone-throw away.

Paradox near Ekamai Soi 19 has failed to find a tenant and is now sitting empty with nothing but a small art museum and mediterranean restaurant.  Very unfortunate considering that this facility is the nicest looking on the upper end of Ekamai.

Sky Beach has been very active on the social networking scene sending annoying invites to numerous events but maintains an otherwise low profile.  The type of flip-flop wearing, fire throwers that this place appeals to don't have the coin to make it back from the islands in the first place and the high society of ET is not impressed with drinking buckets of Red Bull.  Now add a little chair for Fido and watch all the girls in little dresses tempt fate climbing the 4 flights of crazy stairs while wearing sunglasses.

Santika and Blog 9 have been able to maintain a strong presence amid all the construction and are still a more relaxed choice for farang.  Meanwhile the new Jet International and Curve are just feeding the insatiable demand for more Thai venues in the area.

Given the momentum of the ET zone it still amazes me that no one has tried to introduce a real clubbing venue like those on Sukhumvit Soi 11 (Bed Supper Club, Q Bar).  Keep the Thai music out, introduce new DJs to the scene, and cap the numbers at something more like a Greek wedding. Oh, and burn those freakin' little mushroom seats.  They aren't comfortable and they make for a very anti-social atmosphere with customers unable to move around and mingle.

The ET Zone is starting to look like the MBK of bars...plenty of locations but with little to distinguish them from one another.  No wonder the scenery changes so fast.