A bar usually sells one product although here in Thailand, more often than not its two. Pussy as well as beer. So what characteristics make a popular bar? Why for instance is the Dubliner usually packed when over the road the Robin Hood has only a smattering of customers?
One of the best examples I can think of are two bars in Suk Soi 20.
One is called the Rolling stone (I think) anyway it has a Stones theme with the wet lips logo all over it. Its A/C with quite a lot of room available, 2 pool tables, a bevy of young girls to attract the punters.
Most of the ingrediants of a popular bar.
Right next door is the sportsman bar,a small cramped, non AC bar with a collection of what could be called more mature bar ladies. No pool tables, no room, in fact in the evening hard to find a seat and when you do its alongside a smoky concrete truck providing the materials for another building site in Soi 20.
So which bar is by far the most popular ?
The small cramped, uncomfortable sports bar. I believe the reason for this is that the small bar is owned by a diminutive and pleasant Septic man who has attracted a loyal following of regulars who work or live in the Soi. So when you walk past the Stones bar, take a look through the windows, it looks dead and empty despite the young girls standing outside with signs to try and atttract you in. Desperation measures I think.
Wheras the sports bar is usually heaving, not difficult as it can probably only accomodate maybe 30 customers. Although next door, they would be lucky to have 2/3 punters.