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.

[vinapu]

31 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.

We must  miss each other by mere minutes, at 10.53 I passed by, no sign of life, door closed, drag quessn from Atlas already marched out, no barkers at front. In short , news about bar being opened already seem great exaggeration. Surely will check tonight on my way between monastery and church. 

[mauRICE]

23 minutes ago, vinapu said:

We must  miss each other by mere minutes, at 10.53 I passed by, no sign of life, door closed, drag quessn from Atlas already marched out, no bakers at front. 

Even if there were I reckon their goods wouldn't be fresh at that hour, kind of like the barkers! 🤣😅 In my experience, it's best to buy baked goods in the morning when they're fresh out of the oven.

Have you tried the freshly made baguettes in Vientiane? They're delish!

[vinapu]

8 minutes ago, mauRICE said:

😅 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.

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

Another point to support social media trustworthiness. 

You are right about people having different tastes so criticizing it laughing at at any bar offering is at best premature. On daily basis I see people dressed in stuff I never would, eating food looking awful and siting/walking with boys I'd never look at. And no doubt there are those who think the same about my choices. 

[vinapu]

2 minutes ago, mauRICE said:

Even if there were I reckon their goods wouldn't be fresh, kind of like the barkers! 🤣😅 In my experience, it's best to buy baked goods in the morning when they're fresh out of the oven.

Thank you for pointing it out. Managed to correct my typo. 

Sometimes I wonder if using my vacation time to post on the forum to generate that kind of responses is the best use of the said time. Sigh

[vinapu]

6 minutes ago, mauRICE said:

 🤣😅have you tried the freshly made baguettes in Vientiane? They're delish!

I'm coming from fresh bread culture so baguettes  are my staple for breakfast at home. If I can sample them on the road, even better. 

[mauRICE]

39 minutes ago, vinapu said:

Another point to support social media trustworthiness. 

I don't think the problem lies with the medium but the management for not keeping it up-to-date. Perhaps they had intended to do a soft opening, encountered some problems and decided to remain closed until they have them sorted. 🤷

[vinapu]

1 minute ago, mauRICE said:

I don't think the problem lies with the medium but the management for not keeping it up-to-date. Perhaps they had a soft opening and encountered some teething problems and decided to close until they have them sorted out. 🤷

Since Sunday I'm passing by at least twice, around 9-9.30pm

and again then between 11pm and midnight and didn't notice any sign of live whatsoever. 

[mauRICE]

15 minutes ago, vinapu said:

Since Sunday I'm passing by at least twice, around 9-9.30pm

and again then between 11pm and midnight and didn't notice any sign of live whatsoever. 

Yup, they announced the opening at around 3 PM Thai time yesterday, perhaps couldn't open for some reason (staff didn't show up?) and haven't updated their announcement.

I believe Department of Agriculture has a contact there and he may have more up-to-date information.

[floridarob]

1 hour ago, vinapu said:

And no doubt there are those who think the same about my choices. 

They wonder if you'll be ok because of the Axe murderer with you... or could  be looking at all the pockets on your shirt 🤷‍♂️

 

[caeron]

If I wanted to hire a truck driver, a bar isn't my first choice of places to look.

[mauRICE]

1 hour ago, floridarob said:

They wonder if you'll be ok because of the Axe murderer with you... or could  be looking at all the pockets on your shirt 🤷‍♂️

Nah, that's not the way I imagine my Aunty Vin at all. I've never met him but have this image of a warm, grand, portly materteral figure who would come over to the house uninvited and slightly inebriated, carrying her large tote bag bearing the "just go" logo, filled with sweets and condoms which she'd generously hand out to her eager nephews and nieces. And if she had a bit of leftover housekeeping money, she'd bring us some root beer and jesus juice too - yay! We'd all then sit around Aunty, jostling among ourselves to get as close to her as possible, to feel her warmth and listen to the non-parental approved stories of her sexcapades in Patpong. We all love our Aunty Vin dearly. 🫶😍🥰

[mauRICE]

14 minutes ago, caeron said:

If I wanted to hire a truck driver, a bar isn't my first choice of places to look.

You'd go to a gas station toilet first? Can't say I'm surprised. 😏

[hank75]

56 minutes ago, caeron said:

If I wanted to hire a truck driver, a bar isn't my first choice of places to look.

Well Tawan has missed this memo for the past two decades or so. Even the old (and current) Dreamboys have certain individuals who look like they should be operating heavy machinery and no I do not mean geriatric gearshifts 

[mauRICE]

22 minutes ago, hank75 said:

Well Tawan has missed this memo for the past two decades or so. Even the old (and current) Dreamboys have certain individuals who look like they should be operating heavy machinery and no I do not mean geriatric gearshifts 

🙀 Meowww...