 The Artists Bars
There is a strip of bars on Sukhumvit Soi 33 that are known collectively as the artists bars. It all began back in the eighties as an alternative area for people who had got bored with the go-go bars.
The first bar to open in the area was called Renoir. This was quickly followed by Van Gough, Degas and Manet (later Monet). Hence the artist theme. But they were not all named after painters. Auction houses are represented by Christie's and there is the usual selection of other familiar bar names as well such as The Other Office, Casablanka and Wall Street.
For the interior decor some have tried harder than others. Goya looks nice. I'm not at all sure what cowboys hats have to do with Goya but the girls do look fetching in them.
 Dali looks good on the outside, all pink with squiffy windows but the interior doesn't quite live up to its potential. Which could be a good thing after a beer too many.
My favourite is Christie's. The exterior walls are painted pale yellow with white trim reminiscent of the Peterhof in St Petersburg. But on a much smaller scale ... though I don't suppose the Peterhof has a giant penis by the toilets. I'll reserve judgement on the large bronze horse in the courtyard.
Inside there is a nice long bar. At the front is a smokey billiards area complete with bow-tied attendants to retrieve uncooperative cue balls out from pockets.
To the rear there is a nice Victorian drawing room with wallpaper and paintings nice leather seats to sprawl on.
The model is essentially that of a hostess bar. You buy a girl a drink and she comes and talks to you for an agreed amount of time. Otherwise the normal rules of engagement apply. The standard of English is considerably higher here and it is possible to have a reasonable conversation.
 There is no pressure to buy any of the girls a drink. It's perfectly acceptable to just have a drink and a game of pool with your buddies if you prefer. Though you are paying a premium for your beer
Few tourists venture up this way, probably because it doesn't offer the immediate satisfaction of a near naked girl on your arm. The area is patronised largely by ex-pat residents. |
