Building A Better Pattaya Beer Garden

[BigDUSA 71]

You are beginning to remind me of BigD..... let that be a warning. Will you be taking a holiday from the Forum during this time?

 

I arrive in BKK on 8 May drop the wife off at the BKK airport on 12 May and head to Pattaya for three weeks maybe more or a bit less. I've an open ticket and a 60 day visa.

[Rick1079 0]

I arrive in BKK on 8 May drop the wife off at the BKK airport on 12 May and head to Pattaya for three weeks maybe more or a bit less. I've an open ticket and a 60 day visa.

 

Our paths might cross then mate, will be a pleasure to meet up with you at some time.

[jacko 8,822]

Our paths might cross then mate, will be a pleasure to meet up with you at some time.

You coming to Pattaya soon Rick?

[bvthunder 3]

Congratulations on achieving one year operations. I was in to see you recently, but you were away on your R&R. You will be happy to know that everything functioned as it should while you were away. Your Thai managers are doing very well in looking after your business. Good luck.

[BKKsaint 1]

I made it a point to stop by when I was in town recently - I had a really great meal - just a Singha light and your pork KaPow stir fry (with rice) - perhaps the best Thai meal I had while on vacation :) Nice job on how the place turned out.

 

-Khun BKKsaint

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Tom:

 

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but I must disagree. What? Throw in the towel now?

 

So, there were only 3- FL's at the PBG at the time he visited. OK, not exactly what one would find at the Biergarten in BKK. However, Pete is still trying to attrack the ladies in larger numbers, as all of us that have followed the progress know, but unfortunately it is not attracting the FL's in the manner Pete was expecting. But, I give him an A+ for continuing his efforts. After one year of operation he is still trying to attrack more FL's.

 

Jerry,

 

I wasn't suggesting Pete throw in the towel; far from it. What I was suggesting that, as in any business, you focus on what you are good at. All the positive reviews I've seen for the place focus on the ambiance, prices and quality of food. Very few have made much of a deal about the freelancers on offer.

 

Pattaya has the distinction of having a Coconut Bar that is in operation day and night and is very well established. This is unlike BKK. Sure, you have the late night FL's hanging out at the Nana car park, but nothing in BKK that I am aware of that serves as a day & night operation such as the Coconut Bar. BIG obstacle to overcome; if one can?

 

Bangkok certainly does have its equivalent ..... it's called Thanon Sukhumvit.

 

Pete has constantly promoted different ways of attracting greater numbers of FL's but it appears that at present he has not hit on the "magic formula." Maybe there isn't one? But, I would hate to see him throw in the towel and forsake the original intent.

 

The original formula for the FLB was to attract freelancers. It didn't work and Pete changed the focus. That worked very well for him and there's no reason why the same wouldn't happen.

 

Fortunately, it also appears tht PBG is doing quite well on drinks and food so Pete is under no financial pressure to make a move such as he did with the FLB

.

 

It depends if the place could do better concentrating on drinks and food (and entertainment).

 

I for one, hope he continues his efforts!

 

So do I.

Edited April 4, 2009 by CheshireTom

[stevoman 2]

You coming to Pattaya soon Rick?

 

Another with a warped sense of humour,like mine!

[rockinjerry 2]

Jerry,

 

I wasn't suggesting Pete throw in the towel; far from it. What I was suggesting that, as in any business, you focus on what you are good at. All the positive reviews I've seen for the place focus on the ambiance, prices and quality of food. Very few have made much of a deal about the freelancers on offer.

 

 

Bangkok certainly does have its equivalent ..... it's called Thanon Sukhumvit.

The original formula for the FLB was to attract freelancers. It didn't work and Pete changed the focus. That worked very well for him and there's no reason why the same wouldn't happen.

 

.

 

It depends if the place could do better concentrating on drinks and food (and entertainment).

So do I.

 

 

Tom:

 

1. Glad to hear that!

I agree about the FL's, obvious it didn't/hasn't taken off like hoped for. But, I give Pete credit for continuing to try to attract them! Pete has repeatedly stated that the numbers are no what he hoped for, but he is like the Energizer Bunny, he keeps on going in this direction!

 

2. Thanon Sukhumvit. Defer to your experience as I know nothing about it. Educate us. Where is and what goes on? Abundance of ladies, prices, etc.

 

Original Formula FLB. Yep, didn't work and Pete changed format. But, "the same" is happening without change as the food and drink business is doing very well, per Pete. Downside. Seems to be a problem with timing of food orders arriving after being ordered. However, Pete writes that he is constantly trying to improve this.

 

3. Pete has and is concentrating on the food and drinks, which seem to be doing very well. Both are reasonably priced. Although, when PBG is crowded for food orders, seems there is still a problem on faster service to get the order out. But, being worked on. However, still making a profit, per Pete.

 

As far as entertainement, apparently it is not being given serious thought, at least at this point. One thing that the past has revealed about Pete, is that when he feels a change in format is necessary he will make that change, as he did with the FLB.

 

I hope that Pete continues to seek out ways, through promotion, word of mouth, etc., so that the FL's will start coming in force.

[midlifecrisis 4,048]

I am sorry but this place is dead when it should be hopping.

 

I posted this on another thread:

 

OK my opinion.

 

I went in there this past Feb.

 

Pete was not in at the times I was so I was unable to re-introduce myself from FLB 2007.

 

OK, I am 58. During the day, I am not usually looking for any tail. I save that for my nights out. If I wanted short time fun, there is Soi 6, Lolitas, Soi Honey, Soapies, etc.

 

During the day, this bar is just a bar to get a brewski like many others. A woman would have to be DDG for me to take her ST at any daytime beer bar. I also don't drink much until the heat of the day subsides so I am not inebriated enough to make questionable choices in the looks department.

 

I enjoyed the bar at sunset the most. I met a lady who works for a hotel and she likes to go there after work. She is "respectable" and enjoyed having me to escort her after to walking street venues she might not otherewise ever get to see. I had a lady friend in AC that wanted to see the Fields Ave clubs and was happy I took her. Same deal. Some moral judgement on their part.

 

Honestly, I think the market for ST daytime freelancers is low. This bar would be a great place to get ladies with regular jobs to come to after work to meet guys for an evening of fun. I know many non-pro ladies ask me about Walking Street and wish they could see the gogos with an escort. I have taken a few. They have a blast and feel safe.

 

PBG is a great location for the right business plan. My idea may be debated but I do not think the current plan is hitting the mark. I think if I could go there and find the right lady for an evening out, I would tend to go there at the start of my evening to try and hook up with someone. It would be more of a challenge than a guaranteed bargirl.

 

I don't think I will be there much in the daytime any more. Sunset is golden there. It is a great spot to come on the water and stay until WS really gets hopping.

 

I would make it a place where frelancers (pro and amature, so to speak) are welcome at the end of the work day. Serve great meals for dinner. Make it a place local ladies and farang men want to go to, meet, eat, drink, pair up and then go to WS.

[Sailfast 503]

I agree, it's worth it to keep trying to attract them. I cannot imagine why the place isn't crawling with them by now. One thing I noticed is that the PBG does not have that the BKK version does have is seating along the entrance. If I remember correctly on soi 7, as you walk through the entrance there are chairs or bar stools along the wall with girls hanging out in that area. Maybe they don't want to take up space at the bar if they are not going to spend money?

 

One suggestion might be to offer free water w/ lime or some crap/cheap instant lemonade from powder (or whatever) so the girls can sit at the bar and sip something cool and not appear to be freeloaders.

 

In Macau some of the night clubs offer a dirt cheap sangria type drink to the freelancers. One way to tell who is in the game is by looking for the girls with big glasses of wine with chopped fruit in it. That might not be the exact answer you are looking for, but, maybe you could take something from that.

 

 

 

Anyway, I stopped by several times last month and didn't find anything at all in the area of ladies. However, the service is good as is the view and breeze.

 

 

 

Now, on the the really important stuff, the vegatarian food Tofu is easiest to work with and tastes best as a protien where meat would normally be used when it is the of the dry(er) variety.

 

The soft wet stuff just does not cook up well. It's fine for miso soup, added to a mix to make veggie patties or in smoothies, etc. However, if you want to add tofu to fried rice, curry, stir fry, etc. it should be the type that comes cryovac'd or take the extra firm 'wet' tofu and press it till most of the water is removed.

 

 

 

So, if you stock some of the 'dry' tofu and simpy add it as an option to your Thai curries, fried rice, etc. along with the beef/chix/pork option, then I think that would make many of us very happy.

 

 

 

As to a good 'veggie burger' option for your menu, I'm not sure what is available in LOS so here is my suggestion. Try some pre-made and try some in house prepared recipes. Be as creative as you would with beef. A thick, well cooked patty topped with beefsteak tomato, onion, mayo or BBQ sauce. Offer some taste tests. If your average meat eating burger loving guy says: "hey, this ain't half bad" then you probably have a winner.

 

 

 

More suggesions:

 

Hummus and peta bread

 

Indian curries, might be popular with the non veg crowd as well.. what Brit don't love a currie to cure a hangover?

 

A hearty, spicey, bean based texmex style chillie

 

Tomato and fresh mozz w/ fresh basil

 

 

 

... mmm making myself hungry...later...

[Rick1079 0]

Another with a warped sense of humour,like mine!

 

Don't know if I can keep up with you mate, but I'll give it a go.

[stevoman 2]

We might even meet up at PBG as I'm there in late May for 1 month stay!

[papillon 695]

We might even meet up at PBG as I'm there in late May for 1 month stay!

 

Can't you afford a hotel?

[Indiscipline 6]

Can't you afford a hotel?

 

A classic!

[stevoman 2]

Can't you afford a hotel?

 

Good one

Paps1---Stevo 0 ! Will give your best wishes to Alex next month, as I know your just scared to death to be seen crossing 2nd road!