CallMeLee

Thanks. Hardly a professional writer. But I recently learned to feed my ramblings and writings to a proofreading app before uploading. I re-read my previous trip reports and I was horrified with the spelling and grammatical errors. I can imagine you guys popping a couple of Tylenol after reading through my reports. 🤣 😂

Thanks - and at the end of the day, we all want Atlas to succeed - and I'm looking forward to visit again for sure.

Fully agree with you on this. I find meal service to be odd as well. I remember them serving the dinner roll separately and way after everyone finished their meal (happened on two separate flights). And I was surprised and so confused finding a large pouch of vegetable like the ones below with my airline meal.

Stepping into Atlas felt like walking into a new restaurant that used to be your favorite hole-in-the-wall—you’re hopeful, cautiously excited, and also silently bracing for disappointment. This was my first time visiting, and I had questions. So many questions. What did they do to the space? Was that famously awful pillar finally gone? Would this new incarnation finally live up to the slow-burning hype I’d been feeding for the past few months? At first glance, the place felt vaguely familiar. Despite the change in name and a few cosmetic tweaks—mostly in the form of shirtless, oil-slicked musclemen on the walls—it was still recognizably the old Sol / Dreamboys Bar. The core layout hadn’t shifted much, and I couldn’t decide if that was laziness or just holding onto a blueprint that never quite worked. But fine. I wasn’t there to review their feng shui. I was chasing that elusive Tawan-style magic, hoping to feel that spark that made you grin like an idiot after a couple of overpriced drinks. But then came the first red flag. Or maybe beige flag, since it was more sad than alarming. The place was almost empty. Including myself, there were exactly three customers. One table was occupied by a group of three elderly men, clearly regulars judging by how comfortable they looked. One of them, the oldest, needed help from his companions every time he got up or sat down, and once, be assisted to get him to the toilet. But honestly, I found it touching. If I’m still around and still going out for this kind of whorish fun when I’m his age, I hope I have a pair of devoted partners-in-crime like these two. He wasn’t just getting old,he was doing it in style. The show took its sweet time, only kicking off after eleven like it was waiting for a more enthusiastic crowd that never came. And when it did start, it sort of... flopped in. The guys on stage looked like they were counting down the minutes until they could go home. Zero cheekiness, zero spark. Even the drag performers, usually the reliable saviors of any limp show, were barely going through the motions. At one point, a performer got bent over while another squirted beer from behind him in what I assume was an attempt at humor or eroticism, though it missed both marks and landed somewhere between confusing and mildly unhygienic. But the real gut punch? The lack of connection. Most of the guys there were from Tawan, or at least previously affiliated, but the vibe was nowhere near what Tawan was known for. That casual charm, the way the boys would stroll up, flash a grin, chat you up with zero pressure—it just wasn’t there. Instead, they clustered together in their own little bubble, chattering and giggling while customers sat like forgotten ornaments. And because the space was bigger, that feeling of isolation echoed harder. It was like watching a party from behind soundproof glass. You could see the movement, but none of it reached you. Now to be fair, the new location has promise. It sits in an alley that’s already home to similar venues, meaning curious foot traffic and wandering souls are almost guaranteed. But potential only goes so far when the product still feels like it’s in beta testing. Right now, it reminds me too much of The One bar—empty, awkward, and hoping you’ll stay long enough to convince yourself you’re having a good time. Eventually, out of sheer boredom and the creeping dread that I might actually fall asleep at the bar, I made eye contact with one of the performers. I gave him the look. You know the one. The universal gesture of “save me from this dead air.” He picked up on it immediately and walked over, all smiles. His name was James, and before I could say much of anything, he handed me a business card like we were about to discuss stock options or schedule a team-building workshop. I found it unintentionally charming. James, it turned out, also worked at Prince Spa. And without missing a beat, he launched into his pitch. He told me he could take care of me that night, said it three different ways, and made it clear that this was a limited-time offer. I eventually gave in. Not because I was sold on the sales pitch, but because he was the only one in the whole building who seemed remotely interested in interacting with me. Back at the hotel, we ordered food through Grab. And this is when I discovered that James wasn’t just talkative—he was relentlessly chatty. Every few minutes, he would pause to thank me for calling him over, then launch into a variation of how he just knew I was a kind person with a good heart. I wasn’t sure if this was part of his client engagement strategy or a deeply awkward personality quirk, but whatever it was, it had me smiling politely while internally trying to distract myself. The silver lining, though, was the massage. He really put in the work, clearly trying to make the whole experience as enjoyable as possible. He was attentive, warm, and cheeky in all the right ways. The extras? Also lovely. The only downside was that even after the deed was done, he couldn’t stop talking. I think I fell asleep somewhere between his third story about his coworker and a detailed breakdown of his favorite noodle dish. In the morning, we had a quiet breakfast together. Or at least, I tried to keep it quiet—James was still on his one-man monologue tour. Before heading out, he mentioned Songkran, saying he wanted to play water with me and insisted I call him. I believe he meant well. He’s genuinely nice, and I don’t think there was any game in his words. But there’s only so much constant talking I can take before my brain starts buffering. I didn’t promise anything. Just gave him a vague smile and said we’ll see. We hugged it out, and I watched him disappear down the hallway. Then I went back to my bed, stretched out, and soaked in the beautiful silence of a Bangkok morning. After the underwhelming night and James’ constant verbal fireworks, the stillness felt sacred. Sometimes, the best thing a city can give you is the space to breathe again.

I like runny egg yolks but I agree the crispy edges are good too!

Date night! Lol

The day started the best way any Bangkok day can start: with Nine. Yes, that Nine. Those of you who've followed my trip reports for a while will know exactly who I mean—my long-standing, tried-and-true favourite. Even back in the days when I wasn’t fully sold on Banana Bar, I still showed up for him. Because Nine? He’s worth it. And of course, he delivered. As always. Same great vibe, same easy charm, same experience that leaves you wondering how he can be effortlessly Delightful.” At this point, we’ve built up a familiarity that just makes everything click. No awkward warm-ups or polite small talk—it’s like catching up with an old friend, if that friend also happens to be very good at massages and even better at everything that comes after. After our usual post-fun breakfast, Nine gave his customary gentle nudge—reminding me I can always text him if I want to meet outside the bar. Just include the off fee if it’s during work hours, and he’s there. I made a mental note. Having a reliable option like Nine on standby? A luxury worth treasuring—especially for those times when you need to recover from a less-than-great massage session or bar off. Feeling recharged and smugly content, I decided to get a jump on my shopping list before the impending Songkran madness turned my plan into a splash zone. Off to Platinum Mall I went, armed with a list, a vague sense of direction, and a wildly optimistic belief that my feet would hold out. Several hours and several bags later, my legs were sending out distress signals. I surrendered, paused for a quick food court lunch, and added in a foot massage for good measure. It helped. Sort of. But my inner hedonist wasn’t quite satisfied. Enter: Prince Spa. But first, coffee. Suan Phlu’s midday heat had me on the verge of dozing off on the sidewalk. That’s when I stumbled across a little gem—Nola Café. Cute, cool, and most importantly: they serve fresh beignets. Now, I don’t know about you, but finding hot, fluffy beignets in Bangkok is like finding a unicorn at the mall. For 245 baht, I was treated to six pillowy beignets, each dusted with just the right amount of powdered sugar, paired with a strong Americano that was basically rocket fuel for the soul. It was the kind of sweet, delicious moment that made me forget about the heat and get a little too comfortable in my food coma. Buzzed and sugar-fueled, I made my way to Prince Spa. You know the ritual—take a seat, sip your drink, stop yourself from choking from your drink and attempt the impossible: picking just one guy from a sea of gorgeous. It’s like being on the judging panel of Thailand’s Next Top Something. Then I spotted him—stocky, toned, with a broad build that reminded me of the Saboten Escorts in Tokyo. I pointed him out, and a moment later, he was striding toward me. “Hi, I’m Maxie,” he said, flashing a smile that could charge your phone. Maxie was, in a word, EXTRA. He’s just full of positivity and cheer, and his vibe? Think overly affectionate golden retriever meets flirty cartoon sidekick. He practically bounced into the shower with me, where he proceeded to turn a simple rinse into an aquatic comedy sketch—splashing, laughing, cheeky little nudges. Then came the massage. And look, “massage” might be generous. It was less “targeted muscle relief” and more “theatre of affection.” Every few minutes, Maxie would pause to nibble, cuddle, tickle, or whisper, “Are you happy?” with the earnestness of someone handing you a newborn puppy. His hands wandered as often as his thoughts, and the whole thing felt like I’d accidentally booked a spa day with an excitable boyfriend. To his credit, he did dial it up during the extras—suddenly shifting gears into something more sensual. But just as quickly, he bounced back to full Maxie-mode: affectionate, giggly, and absolutely incapable of sitting still. It was chaotic. It was oddly wholesome. And honestly? I kind of low key loved it. He’s not someone I’d book when I’m in the mood for quiet, slow-burning intensity. But for a day when you want a bit of light-hearted fun and nonstop serotonin? Maxie’s your guy. He made me laugh, feel doted on, and left me in that weirdly specific post-session state of both relaxed and slightly confused. Back at the hotel, I crashed for a nap—still smiling, slightly ticklish, and with powdered sugar memories lingering in my mind. Next stop: Atlas Bar.

Decided to sleep in today to re energise and prepare for the days ahead. Wanting to take it a bit slow but by mid day my feet are itching and the temptation of going out proved to be too compelling.Bangkok isn’t the kind of place that lets you chill for too long anyway—the city calls and you answer. Made my way to Siam Paragon and immediately noticed the festive buzz and Songkran is definitely in the air. The decorations, the crowd, even the music had that extra spark. I wandered around a bit, letting the escalators and connecting walkways carry me from one mall to another. There's something comforting about these mega-malls: cool air, clean spaces, and a constant stream of people doing their own thing. I took my time, soaking in the vibes, enjoying the rhythm of people-watching like it was a low-key sport. Eventually made my way to the food court, where I refueled with something satisfying. After that, I plopped myself down at a Starbucks, cold drink in hand, continuing my quiet observation of the world moving around me. When I had my fill, I decided to try out Nine Spa in Sukhumvit. Messaged via Line and I was provided with their menu of services. One positive I picked up from their pricing is the difference between 1 hour and 1.5 hours massage is only 100 baht. And the minimum tip for 1 and 1.5 hours is the same which is 1000 baht. Unlike other shops that you will end up paying 500 baht or more (as both massage and minimum tip increases), Nine Spa's menu shows more value just for an additional 100 baht Hopped in a taxi, but made the rookie mistake of trusting the app’s pin instead of following Nine Spa’s actual directions. Got dropped off a street away and ended up doing a mini-trek to the place. It's tucked not too far from the Quarter Phrom Phong, just a short walk once you figure out the right alley. When I arrived, I was introduced to my chosen Masseur (Chay) and off we went. Now one negative thing about Nine Spa is that there is no private shower. Lucky my room is basically right next to the shower and there's only two rooms sharing a shower in my floor. Shower room looKs decent and the large bottle of mouthwash a good plus (not all spa have this). When Chay returned to the room he asked me if I want a "clean" massage. I was confused and don't know what to say. Should I be upfront and say I'm not after anything clean at all ? Good thing when I asked him to repeat, he actually meant "cream" massage and showed me a bowl with massage cream on it. Crisis averted! To be honest, I came in with low expectations of the massage component given the price. I was expecting one of those mechanical, let's-get-this-over-with routines. But Chay surprised me. It wasn’t Ssense-level finesse, but the massage had actual technique and effort. Long, deliberate strokes that made me feel like I was in good hands, literally. Then came the fun part. The extras were... thorough. He took his time. Checked in. Looked pleased with himself. After I finished, he cleaned me up, gave me a look, and asked if I could return the favour. Who am I to deny good manners? Let’s just say Chay didn’t hold back. Gave me a surprise ending right across my chest. Cream massage indeed. I nearly clapped. Gave Chay more than the minimum tip. I really wouldn't mind returning to Nine Spa. Sukhumvit is not really my area but there are some nice malls to explore in there that makes the trip worth it. Plus their pricing is competitive with Saphan Kwai shops. Night time came and Banana Club was my destination. As always, performance is on point but one thing I noticed, is that there's a bit more exposure time for their guys now. Their roster have grown and I can see some former hotmale and freshboys guys in their lineup. I locked eyes with my usual guy Nine and he smiled. I motioned him to join me in my seat which he gladly did. "You say you come Sunday I was waiting for you" nine said sulking. It only took a few minutes and he's back to the usual clingy sweet guy especially when I asked him if he wants to go with me. While waiting for a taxi, Nine was full-on affectionate—holding my hand, throwing his arm around me, sneaking in quick kisses. Normally, I’d cringe at that much PDA, but tonight I just rolled with it. No point overthinking when you’re vibing with someone who’s just happy you showed up.

The historical and geopolitical analysis and conversation from this thread is so impressive! Unfortunately, not much I can contribute around the topic. Writing this report while having a foot spa / pedi at a massage shop in Surawong. Gave me some time to do a bit of writing in between whoring! ---------- After James left, I realized how completely drained I was. The moment the door closed behind him, I collapsed onto the bed and sank into a deep, dreamless sleep. It was honestly the reset I didn’t know I needed. As fun as our time was, I really need to start being mindful of my energy. I'm not as young as I used to be—and my body’s definitely not shy about reminding me. Woke up late and slow. Breakfast was just a bunch of random stuff from 7-11—some snacks and whatever looked vaguely breakfast-y—chased down with black coffee. Nothing fancy, but it did the job. Checked work emails just to make sure there were no small fires to put out. Thankfully, it was a quiet inbox. Spent the morning lounging and taking my time. No rush, no noise. Just how I like it sometimes. Sometime in the afternoon, I messaged Ssense and booked Mai for a two-hour session via their Line account. They did what they always do—tried to push the expensive package. I passed. Paying an extra 300 baht just to get rubbed down with fancy oil isn’t worth it to me. Feels like paying more for the same outcome. Got to the place and everything felt familiar. I started to relax and mentally settled into what I expected to be the usual decent experience. The massage itself was fine—same level as before—but it ended way too early. Mai stepped out after about 90 minutes, saying he’d go shower. I figured, sure, he wants to rinse off after the B2B part. But when he came back, he told me to shower, and I noticed he was already tidying up the room, setting it for the next customer. There were still at least 15 minutes left. Just like that, it was done. Tipped the bare minimum and messaged Mr. S about it. He apologized, but I don’t really expect anything to come of it. First time this has happened, and fingers crossed it’s also the last. Headed out after that to Suan Phlu market. Picked up some fruit and grabbed a couple of waterproof bags for Songkran. Afterward, made my way to Icon Siam to kill some time. The Souk Siam food market was lively as ever—this time with a Songkran theme going on. Sat by the waterfront for a while, just enjoying the view and watching the crowd. The mood felt normal again. Seems the recent earthquake has slipped from the forefront of people’s minds. Chatted with the taxi driver on the way there—he brought up the structure collapse in Chatuchak. He said some of the workers who were “missing” might not be under the rubble at all, but are actually undocumented and hiding to avoid being found. Not sure if it’s true or just gossip, so I didn’t say much. Spent the early evening chilling in the hotel. Then, once the timing felt right, I headed over to Good Boy. The Mama San greeted me like an old friend—we sat outside on the couch and had a quick catch-up. Tee the papasan showed up not long after. He looked tired and a little worn out. I asked how he was, and he told me he'd just gotten out of the hospital after a three-month stay. Even showed me a photo. Said he’s trying to live healthier now, but working in a bar makes that an uphill battle. Inside, the show was starting. Same format as always, though the faces had changed—apparently a fresh batch from Laos and Vietnam. One noticeable change: Mai wasn’t in the Big Cock show. That stung. To make it worse, my favorite from last time—Number 7—got scooped up right away. No chance. Double heartbreak. Still, I scanned the lineup and noticed Number 73—cute, with a shy vibe that stood out. I waved him over. Turns out he’s only been working there for a couple of months. Took him a few minutes to open up, but soon enough he was smiling, getting playful, and clearly trying to seal the deal. I found his awkwardness kind of adorable, so I offed him. Wasn’t sure yet if I wanted him for LT. When I asked, he just said, “Up to you,” with that same sheepish smile. We stopped by Foodland after and I asked what he wanted to eat. He just said, “You can order for me.” Again—so unsure of himself but in a sweet way. It made me wonder how many more months he’ll stay that way before the bar life fully gets to him. Back at the hotel, things shifted. He relaxed a lot more and was surprisingly cheeky and passionate once we were alone. The whole thing turned out better than I expected. Afterward, we were curled up in bed and I asked if he wanted to stay the night. Same answer, same shy smile: “Up to you.” And just like that, another Bangkok night ended—with cuddles, quiet, and the buzz of the city outside.

I woke up in a mild panic, thinking I’d slept through my alarm—but nope, it was only 8:45 p.m. Crisis averted. Still plenty of time to get ready before heading out to Surawong. First order of business: a well-deserved foot massage. A little treat to get me in the right mood for the night.It’s one of those simple pleasures that just never gets old. Relaxing, quiet, cheap. Bangkok doing what Bangkok does best. After that, I made my way to Dragon and Koi. It was already past ten, and from the outside, the place looked pretty dead—just a couple of customers inside. Still, I figured why not? Let’s check it out anyway. As soon as I sat down and ordered, one of the hosts came over like clockwork. You know the drill—“Where you from?”, “How long are you in Bangkok?”—the usual icebreakers. But this guy was different. His name was Pi, and he could actually hold a conversation. I was genuinely enjoying our chat, so I offered to buy him drinks. Turns out, Pi is from Myanmar. He used to be a science and math teacher back home and has a Physics degree (which, honestly, blew my mind a little). But because of everything going on politically, he left the country. He doesn’t want to be part of the current regime and ended up in Bangkok, trying to start over. He’s learning Thai and hoping to teach again—either here or when things get better back home. It was a heavy story, but he carried himself with such positivity. I really admired that. We ended up talking about all sorts of things—he showed me pictures from Myanmar’s version of Songkran, and I could see how proud he was. I actually had a great time, and when I left, I made a mental note: I’m coming back here for sure. On the way back, I passed by Atlas around midnight, but it looked kind of dead. So I pulled a U-turn and headed to Hotmale instead. Few customers, which was a relief—I never love being the only one with 10 boys on stage staring you down like you're the last chicken wing at a party. Hotmale had definitely changed since last year. New faces, new performances, and even a couple of drag lip-sync acts thrown in. The red jogging pants were gone (RIP), replaced by white shorts, and in one act, black underwear. No complaints here. I didn’t waste time and invited someone from the stage—James. And guess what? He’s also from Myanmar. I swear I don’t plan this, but I always end up with Burmese guys without realizing it. They’re just… really good-looking, okay? When I asked about long time, James kind of danced around the answer, giving me some vague excuse. I was this close to sending him back, but then I looked at his face again and thought—eh, maybe a short quiet night in with good company isn’t such a bad idea. I already had two consecutive long time offs during this trip so maybe time for a break. So a few minutes later we were in a Grab taxi heading back to my hotel.

The trip kicked off with two nights in Tokyo, and let’s just say it was planned with a certain kind of experience in mind. I decided to treat myself to a couple of high-quality overnight sessions through Saboten Escorts (https://mens-salon-saboten.com/en/staff/ ) And since I figured I’d be spending most of my nights at their location, I cheekily skipped the hotel and thought I’d rough it by using a train station locker for my stuff. It sounded practical on paper and honestly, kind of adventurous too. That said, reality hit when I realised I’d need to provide a local address on the arrival card. Concerned it might raise some red flags, I played it safe and booked a cheap hostel at the last minute. It worked out well—nothing fancy, but it did the job, and I still ended up saving quite a bit while keeping things simple and efficient. Kenji: And here's Taiga: For both nights, I booked time with Kenji and Taiga, and wow—I lucked out. My sessions ended up being booked in a hotel (Hotel Queen Annex), which might’ve been because the shop itself was fully booked. Whatever the reason, I was grateful. The hotel was spacious and comfortable and both Kenji and Taiga were incredibly warm and eager to please, even with the language barrier. What made the experience even better was the casual time spent outside the room. They were game for dinner and drinks, which made everything feel more relaxed and less transactional. Honestly, it was the perfect combo of physical fun and chill hangout vibes. I’d totally do it again, but two nights feels like the sweet spot—enough to indulge without going overboard. After Tokyo, it was straight to Bangkok. I’ll admit—I was a bit nervous that two intense nights in Japan would burn me out before even hitting Thailand. But the moment I stepped off the plane in Bangkok, I felt this surge of energy. It’s that unexplainable buzz you get just being in this city. Immigration was a breeze—no line at all. I got processed and stamped in literally under two minutes. The baggage carousel, however, wasn’t quite as efficient—it took about 15 to 20 minutes before any bags showed up. Not a big deal though; I used the time to get a local SIM card and pull out some baht from the ATM. By the time I got back, my luggage was already waiting for me. On the way to my hotel via a pre-booked shuttle, I took in the sights and was happy to see things feeling almost back to normal. The driver confirmed that tourism had been a bit slower than usual—probably due to the recent earthquake—but everyone’s optimistic that Songkran will bring a much-needed spike in visitors. Fingers crossed! This time around, I chose to stay outside of Silom, in the Narathiwas area. It’s a quieter, more residential part of Bangkok—not walking distance from a train station, but it has its perks. The area has everything I need within a few minutes’ walk: a 7-11, some okay-ish restaurants, cafes, and even a laundromat. After the buzz and sensory overload of Tokyo, I actually appreciated the slightly slower pace. Once I got to my room, I had that usual Day 3 jet lag creeping in. I was really tempted to just crash, especially after the last two nights of near-zero sleep. The bed looked way too inviting. I gave in and let myself have a proper nap, but not before setting an alarm for 9 PM. Jet lag or not, there’s no way I was going to sleep through my first night in Bangkok!

Trying out another hotel a wee bit away from Silom this time.

If they start looking for HR people to handle the recruitment process, let me know 😁

I’ll be landing in Bangkok on April 6th after a quick two-night side trip from Tokyo! Not the biggest fan of Songkran, but my schedule worked out this way—so here we are. If anyone else is in Bangkok and up for a meetup, let me know! Hoping for an exciting and eventful trip so I’ll have plenty to share in my trip report. Fingers crossed!

I just came back from my Tokyo trip and used this provider exclusively: https://mens-salon-saboten.com/en/staff/ Their roster is not as extensive as other shops but I left satisfied 4 out of the 4 times I visited. Shop is a quick walk from Shinjuku Gyoemmae station but I am unable to comment about their facilities as I was hosted in a hotel room nearby as they seem to be fully booked.

I'm pleading the fifth. 😁 I was sifting through the Japan forum planning a trip - then this piece of news disrupted my plans! Fingers crossed the new bar will be a success.

Any idea how tipping works in these places? I'm curious as tipping is not expected in Japan - and some might perceive it as offensive.

I think diamond emoji means something else? (i.e. crystal meth)

Your trip report is such a joy to read @sudoxi! Can't help but wax nostalgic about my first time exploring the boy bar scene many moons ago.

I've visited SSENSE quite a number of times during the last three years. I've always been asked to leave a review but didn't bother to post or update the first one I made. I agree that google reviews doesn't have much bearing for me for shops such as this ---- since it leaves out the detail that I am most interested in. The same can be said for rankings or the order their profile will be placed in the booking site. I will still scroll past their most decorated and awarded staff and keep scrolling down till I find the profile that makes my heart skip a beat.

Yeah. Will depend mostly on the duration. I know some customers who will stay cuddled up with their chosen guy for the entire night without intention to off. I'm hoping the boy will receive a tip commensurate to that. In my case, doing the vibe check, due diligence, expectation setting etc. doesn't take so much time. So if they failed the vibe check within the first 10 minutes, I immediately send them back to rotation with a 100 baht note. If I may add a question - what's the expectation when you call a guy from stage to join you? Should you buy him drink immediately or is it alright to chat for a few minutes to decide if you want him to stay for drinks?

Not a definitive answer but based from experience: They will stay as long as you keep the drinks flowing (which can be pricey unless you avail of their bottle service). They will leave everytime they have to do their stage work as their endgame is to be offed. Once the topic of being offed is breached and there's mutual understanding that it will not progress to that stage, handing them a tip is the universal code for saying thanks and you are sending them back to rotation.

Yeah, it's hard to imagine visiting Thailand without these iconic institutions! 😄 But here's the thing: if I go for the bar boy service during the day, that's dipping into my 'daytime fun' budget. Not that it means I’ll skip the nightlife—I’m still clocking in when the sun goes down! It's really the naughty massages that'll be competing and missing out on my Baht if I take the plunge with Option 3.

Yeah. I tried this option a couple of times (as per the boy's suggestion). Saves time and baht as well i.e. entrance plus boy drinks plus tips do add up at the end of the night. The only downside is you will miss out the entire bar experience --- if you like and enjoy those kind of things. Maybe you can mix it up. First few days visit the bar to scope the lay of the land then focus on your 'reliables' when the bar scene loses its novelty. There's actually a third option - meet the 'reliable' boy outside bar hours (they need to be at the bar around 8pm) and no need to pay off fee.

Given that Saphan Khwai shops originally catered to local clients—and I believe a significant portion of their current business still comes from local patrons—the 100 THB savings per session can be a good deal for them. However, for more transient customers like us, this may not offer optimal value.