White Cat Bar, Bangkok, is open

[mauRICE]

Finally this much anticipated bar is open. Is this Bangkok's first bar for admirers of middle-aged, ex-bodybuilders? These guys look like they haven't seen the inside of a gym in a long while but I just love Bangkok's attempts at diversity and that there's something for everyone. 🫶

[macaroni21]

5 hours ago, mauRICE said:

Is this Bangkok's first bar for admirers of middle-aged, ex-bodybuilders?... I just love Bangkok's attempts at diversity and that there's something for everyone

You're being so kind 😅

But seriously, for an official video announcing the reopening, it's quite pathetic. It's official because it was posted on their Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/people/White-Cat-BAR/61570325579094/ If one didn't know a bit of its previous incarnation, one would not have a clue what this White Cat is about. Four middle-aged men fully dressed standing still on a stage? Nothing in the background to suggest any other reason to go?

At one level, it suggests very poor marketing and management skills if they even thought that the video was good enough for release, which in turn may indicate that they do not have the capacity to reinvent the business. I cannot help but wonder if they're stuck in a nostalgic rut for a business model that was a success 10 to 15 years ago and has struggled for a decade since. However, at this point, I am only commenting on the video, not the bar itself which we should reserve judgement on till there have been at least 3 or 4 reports.

I also wonder if the readers on this board are also stuck in a nostalgic rut. Frankly, I don't think a muscle bar with gogo, nude shows and rent boys is viable any longer in Bangkok. Firstly staffing: In the present economy where is one to find new beefy blood willing to do public sex? From reports here and my visit last year, even ThanTawan has been unable to refresh their stable with younger guys. Secondly, market size: Even on this board, I think the number of members enamoured with body builder types can be counted on the fingers of two hands, and who on average visit just once or twice a year. How is any bar to survive with such a tiny market? Recent reports about pushy mamasans at Thantawan -- and @Shax's report about Thantawan upping its off fee to 800 baht on weekends -- may suggest financial desperation.

[Travelingguy]

They look more like they could be investors, excited that the bar is opened rather than actual performers

[hank75]

I thought they were the barkers up there for a lark. Maybe the actual boys don’t want to be videod (or worse, they don’t have any yet)

[Kiwi306]

Well, last night I decided to check out (for the second time) whether White Cat had opened. At 1045pm I decided to call it a day as there was no sign of life and the door remained closed. However, I saw a drag queen I recognized from Atlas, who exited the bar and returned within a few minutes, so I guess that it will open, but when is a mystery still to be solved.

[mauRICE]

2 hours ago, Travelingguy said:

They look more like they could be investors, excited that the bar is opened rather than actual performers

😅 They could be or as @hank75 says barkers or bouncers for the bar hence they're wearing the typical black top and have that tough guy look. They may have even been on loan from somewhere else while the bar seeks permanent staff.

Personally, I wouldn't trash a new venue (or an old venue for that matter).  As I said, Bangkok is unique in that there is a type for everybody and I've seen women and gay men drawn to the type of guys featured in the video. One old queen's used diaper could well be another gay man's pashmina.

22 minutes ago, Kiwi306 said:

Well, last night I decided to check out (for the second time) whether White Cat had opened. At 1045pm I decided to call it a day as there was no sign of life and the door remained closed. However, I saw a drag queen I recognized from Atlas, who exited the bar and returned within a few minutes, so I guess that it will open, but when is a mystery still to be solved.

I'm sorry to hear this @Kiwi306. They're social media stories say they're open.