Pattaya Beer Garden - Week 3 is done.

[PattayaPete]

And what a week it was. I lost my cool for the first time and yelled at some staff members. I hate that but Thai’s and Computers can be a trying mix.

 

It all started last weekend when we had a really busy Friday and Saturday. Both afternoons and nights were very busy and the staff did not handle the pressure well. We just did not have enough bodies to deal with the numbers of customers and our manual check bin system started to fall apart. Staff were so busy getting the food and drinks out that they were forgetting to write the check bins.

 

Several honest people called me over to say they had 6 drinks but only two drinks appeared on the bill or they ordered food and drink but no bill was written out for the food. Our prices are cheap but giving the stuff away for free is definitely not in the business plan. Many thanks to the people who pointed this out to me.

 

It was always my intention to install a computerized check bin system but originally I thought we would wait a few months and get the manual systems all working properly first. With money walking out the door waiting was no longer an option so I called in the computer gurus on Monday and by Wednesday three shiny new computers were installed and working. The night cashier (who had no computer experience) took to the system instantly and within 10 minutes was producing new bins like a pro. She made a few mistakes the first night but thereafter her performance has been perfect.

 

The day cashier on the other hand was a complete nightmare. On her first day with the system it took three hours for her to get the idea and she made way to many mistakes. On the second day she tried it alone and really screwed things up badly. By day three she was suffering constant brain freeze and kept pushing the wrong buttons. It was a nightmare. Day four she started to understand and today is day five and I’m mildly confident she has got it at last.

 

I yelled at her more than once and felt stressed to the max as she produced bill after bill of nonsense. A big thanks to the many customers who got screwed up bins and waited patiently while the mess was sorted out. Very frustrating for all involved but its amazing how understanding most people are when they know the reason for the cock ups.

 

We also obviously needed more staff and luckily we have had some great new people start this week. I think the word is getting out that we pay quite well and we had some good, experienced people apply for work. We are only taking on those with good (by Thai standards) English and reasonable experience. Six new people bring the staff numbers up to 41. I suspect we will end up with close to 50 which seems an amazingly large number to me but it’s what we need to deliver the level of service I hope to achieve.

 

Now that things have settled down with the computers I expect the quality of service to improve greatly. Please ask for the Manager or me if we do not meet your expectations. We can only fix things if we know that they are wrong.

 

There is something about the Pattaya Beer Garden which seems to excite a lot of interest in the place and the concept. Lot’s of people have told me they just love it but many have added their ideas for improving things. Some of the ideas are great and are on the list of things we will add over the next few weeks. The funny thing is that quite a few people want me to change it to be more like other bars or discos.

 

Suggestions like put in a live band, add a dancing area, turn up the music volume, play music the girls like and so on come thick and fast. It seems to me that doing these things would just make the place the same as 50 other bars that do that already. We will not be following up on these suggestions.

 

It is easy to tell already that the concept works and the bar is going to be viable with its present format. So a chill out place with good rock music played at low enough volume to allow easy conversation and selling very reasonably priced food and drink, where you can meet freelancers if you want or sit alone or with your friends without being bothered, is what we will remain. I understand that not everybody wants this. Those looking for a party are best to head elsewhere. We are not and never will be a party bar.

 

One internet poster stated that we had it all wrong and that the formula for success was to cater for the girl’s tastes in music, environment and food and the guys would then surely follow. That is in fact what most bars do which is why you see 50 year old guys shouting above thumping techno music in an environment they would not usually go near. They put up with it because they are chasing the girls. Nothing wrong with that but we will not be copying that concept.

 

Our mission is to provide a comfortable environment which caters to the tastes of western males older than the techno / hip hop generation. If the girls can put up with that then fine, if they can not then they can head off to the hundreds of other bars that cater more to those tastes . . . no problem.

 

Our freelancer numbers are increasing daily so I guess there are still some girls who understand that the paying customer need to be catered to and a place where men like to hang out can be a good hunting ground for them as well. Some girls actually like rock music and being able to have a reasonable conversation with their potential conquests.

 

I never thought we would be a late night establishment but I’d really like to stress that we often have more girls than guys in the bar after 10 pm. Some of the disco girls are making a nightly stop in the PBG before hitting the disco. To date the number of potential guys at that time has been disappointing. Last Thursday night at 11 pm I counted 25 girls and 6 guys. Just two hours earlier we had 65 guys and 10 girls. It would be nice if we could get things a bit more balanced. I’m sure it will all work out once people see how things are working.

 

There have been a few internet jibes about skanky girls potentially flocking to the PBG and scaring off the stunners. Some times these guys make me laugh. I’d like to set there minds at rest. Yes we get some girls who are not what you might call beauty queens but they do not scare off the better looking girls. On the contrary, the stunners feel real good about how they look in comparison. Anybody who has spent any time in Pattaya, quickly realizes that one mans skank is another mans idea of the perfect woman. There is room for the beautiful and not so beautiful in Pattaya and the Pattaya Beer Garden too.

 

The less attractive girls also add to the fun of people watching in the PBG. It has always fascinated me how people connect. Beautiful girls with skanky old men (like me) is not an uncommon sight in Pattaya but more interestingly when any man, old or ugly, rich or poor can easily hook up with a stunner, many choose a girl of plain looks. Everyone has their own idea about what is right for them and I certainly will not be imposing my ideas about what sort of girl a guy should go with, on anyone. It is all up to you. That is what makes Pattaya great.

 

As I said last week I have noticed that the really old and ugly girls have passed through the PBG but do not return. In the main the girls who come in are in the middle range of looks peppered by a few stunners and a few canines. The perfect mix for a freelancer hang out. I enjoy the diversity. Some of the late night girls have been really stunning and it saddens my heart to see them head off into the night alone, so come on stunner hunters, get with the program.

 

No new photos this week. Sorting out the computer stuff meant the camera stayed firmly locked away all week. I’ll try and do better next week.

[aussiechic]

Thanks Pete we enjoyed an evening meal there one night before heading to the FLB , you have hired one of our favorite ex waitresses from the FLB her name is Su short and stumpy. She gave as great service and your view is great.

 

Sue

[BigDUSA]

I've stopped by a couple of times and enjoyed the new bar. Good food at a reasonable price. Music played was decent and not to loud.

[mykl]

I'm booked for August and your place is on the checklist.

[skippy_nl]

Been in the place about a dozen times

 

good place for a quiet drink and snack

 

Use the place to wait and meet up with the mates for a night on the town.

 

Always something to see. People watching can be and is fun.

 

 

Skippy

[Dr Mick]

Pete

Think you should keep same,may even be my local when I retire in LOS in 3 months.

sure be good on my monthly budget also taking a few ladies back to keep me company

when im in the mood ,lol thats most nights

[martin99z]

I was in last night (Saturday) at 10 and it was dead. Now, 10pm is not when you would expect to be busy anyway, but I will make a few hopefully constructive suggestions

 

1. You need way more billboard guys out on the street, facing in both directions, to catch the trade. I walked past twice before I actually found the way in and I was looking for the place

 

2. I sat at the bar but maybe I should have been offered a food menu?

 

3. The place is a cavern with a stunning view and a lovely breeze - you either need to fill it up (with music, people, action) or tone it down into a much more intimate venue (lower the lights etc.)

 

4. There is masses of space between the bar and the outer terrace and this is kind of a 'dead zone'. Maybe fill it up with some big sofas around coffee tables and generate a 'hang-out and smooch/schmooze' area

 

Great location - all power to you

 

Cheers

 

Martin

[Big_Brian]

I had a look before it opened and am looking forward to chilling there in November.

 

One question though; where's the f***ing garden! You know what a garden's like, plants, bushes, grass, etc. I don't see any of that on the photo's. Pattaya, yes. Beer, yes. Garden????

[csm]

Pete

Think you should keep same,may even be my local when I retire in LOS in 3 months.

sure be good on my monthly budget also taking a few ladies back to keep me company

when im in the mood ,lol thats most nights

 

Mick, does this mean you got your early retirement approved, sorry if you posted this elsewhere and I missed it.

[bvthunder]

I just completed 14 days (and nights) in Pattaya. During my stay I visited PBG a total of eight times and I also ate six meals there.

 

I love the place. It's going to become my basic hangout when I am in Pattaya (a couple of times a year).

 

I also introducred four girls to the bar. They were all impressed with it and the setup and none of them complained about the type of music.

 

I thought the food was quite good and priced reasonably.

 

If you sit at one of the tables on the outside you have some wonderful views at any time of the day or night.

 

Pete has introduced a nice (and different venue) to Pattaya. The folks I talked to all seem to appreciate it -- I know that I certainly do.

 

Good luck and best wishes for your continued success. I cannot wait to return.

[dontcha]

One internet poster stated that we had it all wrong and that the formula for success was to cater for the girl’s tastes in music, environment and food and the guys would then surely follow. That is in fact what most bars do which is why you see 50 year old guys shouting above thumping techno music in an environment they would not usually go near. They put up with it because they are chasing the girls. Nothing wrong with that but we will not be copying that concept.

 

Our mission is to provide a comfortable environment which caters to the tastes of western males older than the techno / hip hop generation. If the girls can put up with that then fine, if they can not then they can head off to the hundreds of other bars that cater more to those tastes . . . no problem.

 

It is because you don't play techno that i will visit your place.

The girls dont like techno ... it's only the gay Ladyboy chasers/Ibiza thugs that listen to techno

As Eminem sang in "without me"

And Moby? You can get stomped by Obie

You thirty-six year old baldheaded fag, blow me

You don't know me, you're too old, let go

It's over, nobody listens to techno

Now let's go,

Hip Hop and soul are cool ... if you play Amy Winehouse I'll drink there everynight of my trip.

 

I say to you fuck the begrudgers .. my guess is that some barowners are getting worried because there is no barfine or ladydrink to be paid in your joint that they will loose dozens of potential customers everynight.

Good luck in your venture.

[CalEden]

Pete, I think your concept is a winner and you invested your money in it. As they say "Opinions are like ass holes every ones got one". Cheers and Good Luck!

[joekicker]

It is because you don't play techno that i will visit your place.

The girls dont like techno ... it's only the gay Ladyboy chasers/Ibiza thugs that listen to techno

 

The only music the girls consistently like is luk thuong (northeastern country music). Second would be some Bangkok bubble gum. They "like" it because that's what they hear and heard most of their lives. They really don't give a xrap what is played in an outdoor bar where they're not dancing. They're as cool with Pete's music as anything else.

[capdagde]

Our comments in our TR tell it all Pete. The concept is spot on. In the afternoon your place is an oasis beach bar without having to get your feet wet. In the evening it is a good-value alternative to the overpriced "overlooking-the-sea" food venues on Walking Street. Food is top notch in our opinion and there was no wait in our two eats with you.... and so what, we're on fkin holiday not on a timetable WTF?

 

P.S. Could you get rid of some of the more skanky mongers

 

Andy Cap

[btm1735]

"I yelled at her more than once and felt stressed to the max as she produced bill after bill of nonsense. A big thanks to the many customers who got screwed up bins and waited patiently while the mess was sorted out. Very frustrating for all involved but its amazing how understanding most people are when they know the reason for the cock ups."

 

 

It really doesn't amaze me. I think the main problem with check bins is that there no admittance by management that the problem could be on their end. If management is willing to admit the problem could be on their end, guys would be willing to relax and let it be sorted.

 

There was blog posting from last week where a few friends and blogger went to a gogo. The blogger's friend gave the waitress a 1000 baht to settle the bill but was shorted out of 420 baht change. The first farang manager got upset when confronted (this is from a blog so I don't how accurate the story is so am not siting the blog or gogo) and was beyond rude. When the farang owner tried to settle the matter for by offering the wronged punter 1000 baht, it is reported that the wronged punter just wanted the 420 baht he was owed and refused the 1000 baht and just vowed not to darken the said gogos doorstep ever again.

 

Thing is that it is rarely about the money amount. It more about a problem being acknowledged and address in timely fashion. A simple "I am sorry, we are training our employees on a new system, we will be happy to correct any any problems" goes along way. If that was said to me, I would have probably said, add another beer to my bill while I wait. Just to help you with your training. Customer service is everything.

[mykl]

Thing is that it is rarely about the money amount. It more about a problem being acknowledged and address in timely fashion. A simple "I am sorry, we are training our employees on a new system, we will be happy to correct any any problems" goes along way. If that was said to me, I would have probably said, add another beer to my bill while I wait. Just to help you with your training. Customer service is everything.

 

Very true. Mistakes happen and a trainee is bound to make them. Most customers are not stupid and can easily tell the difference between a simple mistake and being deliberately ripped off.

[Kev]

(and no I don't mean agent09 who is a gent)

 

Andy Cap

Lucky you said that otherwise he would have had to keel you

[teelack]

Pete. Read your diatribe at the start. I thought this was well reasoned and extremely sensible. Looking forward to meeting the place for real in June but so far you have passed the "Communications" test with flying colours.

[Guest anto1]

>>P.S. Could you get rid of some of the more skanky mongers as they are scaring Winglady away (and no I don't mean agent09 who is a gent)

 

Andy Cap<<

 

At least he should stop sending his Thai men out looking for them and inviting them in .

Sorry read it wrong .I think Pete should not incourage the less than attractive Beach road free lancers to come in .

Edited May 22, 2008 by anto1

[beefos]

I just got back from 2 weeks in pattaya and visited the PBG a number of times.

I enjoyed it every time and being English I tried the Fish and chips which went down well.

Music choice and level was great, service was good - I was there one day when you had the problem with the new computer system - no problem for me though.

I assume there are some signs on order to inform us customers what the various other bar areas are - one looked like it is for cocktails? Another for food?

 

The biggest problem you have is getting the customers that have to run the gauntlet of the girls trying to get them into their bar along the corridor to PBG. Hopefully word of mouth and some marketing will cover this.

 

I will be back on my next trip.

[flighty]

It is a unique, thoroughly pleasant place in the pm with some fresh sea air. And in the evenings the walkway gives an opprtunity to view the beer bar gals you would not see from the road. - And some pleasant surprises there... If you want to attrack the Lucifer crowd I guess the music would need to change and a light show would get it buzzing but all in all a great asset to the monger crowd, well done Pete.

[bigorange1]

hi pete-

 

i was there a few weeks ago and really loved the place!

 

fell in lubb several times and the girls were great...

 

had the opportunity to speak with you and i will be back in october.

 

keep up the great work....