Smokin’ Bangkok

While the law enforcement is trying to “guide” us on how to play hard—yet healthily—by banning smoke out of bars and clubs, as Thais, we still think it’s our duty to find a loophole or just bribe our way through this little technicality. If you love to croon in public, there is a bar and restaurant in Ekamai with a name close to that of a tuna fish. Smoking in the private KTV rooms is only a B300 tip to the waiting staff away. Or go to a hotel where the police dare  not venture—the isolated one on Wireless Road or the one on Rangnam Road. In the latter, we once asked, “Is this zone smoking?” The manager took the little paper “No Smoking” sign on our table, crushed it into a ball, and replied, “It is now.”

Cinderella Men

A couple of months ago, cops were everywhere and forced everyone to close either earlier than usual or right on time. Booooring. Most places are now back to business as usual. The popular live music bar and restaurant on Lang Suan that used to close at midnight now throws out its patrons at 1am—not as good as the 3am bedtime it used to enjoy but better than the Cinderella hour anyhow. But if you’re gay (or straight and really thirsty), you still have the option of after-hours venues in Silom (5am) and Narathiwat (3:30am).

J-Pop

For the release of his latest album, “Seventh Heaven,” J Jetrin rocked Impact Arena on Apr 26. Surrounded by super hot REDioactive angels, J got the crowds standing and jumping to his pop/ hip hop. Guests like Aof Pongsak lent an R&B touch to the concert while legends Tuu Direk and Tik Chiro provided the pop dance. With all the other guests and celebs on stage, we were in heaven for over four hours!—Chaiyot Norkaew

Blissful Balls

Two new venues to report this week. Bliss, we are told, is somewhere on Soi Lang Suan, and we promise by this time next week we’ll be able to tell you exactly where—and more. Then there is Pool 13, which—we’re going to take a stab at it here—is on Sukhumvit Soi 13 and the main draw is knocking colored balls around with long sticks.