Pattaya Beer Garden - New Video and blurb

[PattayaPete 530]

I've noticed a few comments saying I have not posted about the Pattaya Beer Garden for a while. It’s not so much that I’m lazy (although that could have something to do with it) but more the fact that things have been carrying on in much the same manner. There is not too much new to report and my Dad always told me if I had nothing interesting to say then best to keep the mouth shut!

 

It has certainly been a very low, “Low Season” this year and Pattaya has been quieter than usual. I am happy to say though, that the Beer Garden has been doing OK. We are always working to improve our service and that’s been the main thrust of activity over the past few months.

 

I’ve done a few management training sessions for our Thai managers, which is a lot of fun. I used to train managers back in Farang land so it is fascinating to compare the difference. It can be a little frustrating getting Thais to show initiative. Not that they don’t have any, just that culturally, questioning the boss or suggesting something could be done better is not usually acceptable.

 

One improvement we have made is to the lighting on the balcony tables. It’s always been pretty dim out there but when we increased the strength of the light some customers complained that it ruined the view and the atmosphere. Each table now has it’s own portable lamp that works with rechargeable batteries. The lamp has 3 dimmer levels or you can turn it off so everybody can now set the light level to suit themselves.

 

I’d like to correct some wrong information I have seen posted on Pattaya message boards.

 

I’ve seen a few people commenting that they liked The Pattaya Beer Garden but the food service is slow. While it is true that we were very slow getting food out last Christmas, that is not the case anymore. I often run a stop watch on food orders and most are now served within 10 - 15 minutes. We have not had a 30 minute delay since February. I wrote about this problem in earlier blogs if you are interested in how we fixed it but enough for now to say you should find the service very quick these days. Even when we are full there are no appreciable delays.

 

The second wrong comment I see is about the number of freelancers at The PBG. The numbers have been improving monthly to the point now there are often more girls than guys in the bar after 8 pm. It is true that freelancers are sparse during the day time and early evening. Not because they don’t want to come but because when they do, there are no guys interested. Our daytime customers are mainly in for a drink or a meal and a chat with friends. No customers for the girls means they don’t bother coming in. It’s VERY different from Bangkok in this regard.

 

The promotions we do for the girls on Tuesday and Friday were partly intended to get the girls in earlier. It does bring in quite a few from 7pm but its biggest impact has been to improve the number of late night girls. (Go figure). Anyway it has been a big success and will continue for the foreseeable future. I’m thinking of adding a slightly different but similar promotion on Wednesdays and Thursdays from next month. If I do I’ll be writing about it in the blog.

 

Last Friday I took the trusty video camera down to the PBG and filmed some of the girls just to prove my point. It was shot mainly between 7 pm and 10 pm. As you can see, lots of girls around and although I can’t guarantee how many will be in the bar at any particular time (that’s why they are called “freelancers”) you can generally be pretty sure there will be plenty around between 8 pm and Midnight, especially on Tuesdays and Fridays when we run the promotion.

 

 

Well that's it for now. I hope to see you enjoying a meal or a drink or a freelancer at The PBG soon.

 

Pete

[dtyolmn 4]

Thanks for the video. Been along time since we've had one and I was having bad withdraws. Really appreciate it.

[sick buffalo 15]

See you in five days Pete... Have had great times at the PBG but always had my girl in tow. Never tried the FL takeaway...

[gentlemangeoff 16]

Thank you for the trip down memory lane Pete. See you in October.

[marcortez 0]

Your doing a fine job Pete......keep up the great work and update as often as you can.

[mkindyfan 0]

Many thanks...you have created an oasis in a very mad place.... I eat often and love the fact I can just chill with the paper before the madness of Pattaya beckons me into the night... I know it's nuts but I love to just relax in PBG and do the bangkok post crossword then go hunt down my teerak du jour..

 

keep up the good work...every time I have been in the staff have been a credit to the place and the food spot on..

 

 

2 weeks and I will resume my usual place early evening with the paper and the craic with the staff and FL's....

 

 

mkindy

[explorer2190 0]

Great video and thanks for the update. I really like your place and never had any issues with delays in food delivery. (Stayed 5 months from 2008/9). One tiny little request. Will you ever get the tap fixed in the wash basin as it always moving.

 

Cheers mate

[kikc69 45]

Some really good looking girls there Pete. Also glad to hear that you have some lighting on the tables now. It was always so difficult trying to read the menu with the waiter holding a flashlight.

[Bushcraft 2,579]

Thanks for the update. I eat at PBG frequently in the evenings, and both the food and staff are always excellent. Congratulations on a really well-run place to relax and feel ok in. There's even a urinal at normal farang height in the mens' loo - very thoughtful. I have one suggestion that would make a visit more pleasant on evenings when there is no breeze coming off the water, namely portable fans that can be brought to the tables in the outside area on request. It can get really uncomfortable out there when the weather is muggy, and that's turned a few meals into misery for lack of a breath of air. I know I can go to the area inside where you have ceiling fans, but sitting outside is so much more atmospheric and the girls love it. The new table lights are good. Keep up the good work, I wish you every success.

[Scottie 5]

Hi

never managed to go to the PBG but that was a terrific video.Will definately go

when I get to Pattaya again

Scottie

[Big_Brian 179]

So Pete, how did the hunt for seat cushions go?

[mmaaarrrkkk 41]

great food and location. Only problem is the heat and when there's no wind , its like a suana there. How about getting one of those giant fans and switch them on during the wind-less days?

[PattayaPete 530]

One tiny little request. Will you ever get the tap fixed in the wash basin as it always moving.

Tiny! Tiny! You think that is a tiny request!!! You would not believe the stress that tap has caused. Since it was installed it has moved like that. Discussions with the builders went along the lines of "well that's normal blah blah blah". Pointing out that none of the other taps move did not merit a response.

 

Attempt 2 at fixing it was to use our handy man (who also assured me it was normal). He replaced the moving tap with a brand new shiny moving tap. When I pointed out that the new tap was lovely BUT IT STILL MOVES, he shrugged and said it was normal.

 

Attempt 3 was to get my brother in law (who is also the day manager) to fix it. He managed to install a third tap which actually did not move. For about 1 week that is. When it started to move after 1 week, I asked the bro in law whats up. His response was of course that it was normal!

 

I have retired exhausted from the tap saga for now. After I regain my strength I will try again Never underestimate the difficulty of getting simple "tiny" things to work right in Thailand.

 

I have one suggestion that would make a visit more pleasant on evenings when there is no breeze coming off the water, namely portable fans that can be brought to the tables in the outside area on request.

 

 

great food and location. Only problem is the heat and when there's no wind , its like a suana there. How about getting one of those giant fans and switch them on during the wind-less days?

 

It's in the master plan. Not portable fans as I don't think they would be effective and with so many tables wiring would be a nightmare (and potentially dangerous). The master plan is to install special fans on the back wall that spray droplets of water. Not the ones you see in Thailand already, that can make you wet and don't actually work very well. There is a new technology in the States that reduces the water droplets to such a small size, they evaporate immediately on leaving the fan. This evaporation causes a temperature drop in the vicinity of the fan by as much as 10 degrees. I have already had a plan drawn up and a quote from an American company who are specialists. It can be done in such a way as to reduce the temperature across the whole balcony.

 

The only problem is that it is really expensive. I have tentatively scheduled the work to be done next low season. Rather than introduce a poor system that does not work very well, I've opted to wait till we can afford a great system that will do the job properly. Till then we have to rely on mother nature to keep the breeze blowing. Not 100% successful I know! On really hot days with no breeze it remains relatively cool in the inside area where ceiling fans are installed.

[drdod 0]

enjoyed the video.been in your bar a few times .................in the early days.

 

sure seems to of picked up with some lookers there pete !.

 

should be in during november for a reall look.

 

all the best with your bar.

 

drdod........shaun

[Obsession 571]

Im impressed with the quality of the girls. PBG is going to be my eating venue for sure. Good view of the bay, and TGs to boot

[2Dangerous 0]

Nice video pattaya Pete. Glad that you are weathering the 'low times", as I thought PBG was great place, when I visited. Will stop in several times for sure in October, to eat, drink and be merry . Keep up the good work sir.

[bruiser 0]

Well just back from another 30 day visit and again have to say your place was sensational.

Was good to meet you in person (Hope idea re getting outside cushions from boat industry helps??).

As usual the staff were best in town and always very friendly and efficient 10 out of 10,a real credit to who ever hires and trains them.

The food again was also 10 out of 10,with that Thai Seafood salad just the BEST,god I love that dish(never loose that one of the menue)and white snapper not far behind.

All the very best on your continued success and look forward to being back at your place next trip

Bruiser

[mmaaarrrkkk 41]

Tiny! Tiny! You think that is a tiny request!!! You would not believe the stress that tap has caused. Since it was installed it has moved like that. Discussions with the builders went along the lines of "well that's normal blah blah blah". Pointing out that none of the other taps move did not merit a response.

 

Attempt 2 at fixing it was to use our handy man (who also assured me it was normal). He replaced the moving tap with a brand new shiny moving tap. When I pointed out that the new tap was lovely BUT IT STILL MOVES, he shrugged and said it was normal.

 

Attempt 3 was to get my brother in law (who is also the day manager) to fix it. He managed to install a third tap which actually did not move. For about 1 week that is. When it started to move after 1 week, I asked the bro in law whats up. His response was of course that it was normal!

 

I have retired exhausted from the tap saga for now. After I regain my strength I will try again Never underestimate the difficulty of getting simple "tiny" things to work right in Thailand.

 

Not sure if i undertsand the problem as I've not seen it. Usually its becoz the nut does not have a stopper (at the underside end of the sink) so it's free to move around. You could try two nuts (the 'nut and bolt' type ; not the drunk type!) oe even three to try stop it moving. Squeezing some glue in before screwing in the nut may also work.

 

Give it a try ; costs next to nothing except my consultation fee in beers! An intro to your next lucky draw winner would also do!

 

There is a new technology in the States that reduces the water droplets to such a small size, they evaporate immediately on leaving the fan. This evaporation causes a temperature drop in the vicinity of the fan by as much as 10 degrees. I have already had a plan drawn up and a quote from an American company who are specialists. It can be done in such a way as to reduce the temperature across the whole balcony.

 

Wow ; I bet the maintainence contract would cost more than the fans itself!

Edited September 15, 2009 by mmaaarrrkkk

[bratpack 91]

Some tasty ladies in there Pete,better bring some of my monger friends in next week when they arrive.

[glynbuk 29]

Great video and thanks for that, lovely girls and looking forward to Xmas

[Topblue 0]

Nicely taken video Pete, i'll certainly pay the bar a few visits in November

[VicVegas 70]

I was in for dinner on Sept 4th, which I think was the night you shot the video. I can't say enough good stuff about the place. Chicken Cordon Blu was great, had a couple of beers, great service from bartender Nok. Plenty of hot freelancers, unfortunately I was not shopping at the moment. If I'd seen the hottie in the red-and-white-striped shirt I might not have left alone.

 

Love the coasters, as modeled here by Nok.

 

 

Great atmosphere. Then there's the view . . .

 

 

One of the best views in Pattaya, definitely the best from ground level.

 

You have a fan. I'm making a point of bringing my GF to your place in October. Keep up the great work.

Edited September 17, 2009 by VicVegas

[BigDUSA 71]

I'll stop in when I'm in town next week. I like the sound of that. Next week in Pattaya.

 

Three days till wheels UP............

[Fornicator 106]

Pete great video!!1

 

Can't wait till Dec to stop in and have a beer or two

[BigDUSA 71]

So far this trip I had two excellent meals served. The food came out of the kitchen quickly and there was a fair selection of freelancers for desert available.