Opening a Beer Bar in Pattaya

[dirtydog]

Stolen from here but I am sure he wont mind

This is the story of Mr Hammer and his first month or so of owning a beer bar, I hope you like it

This First post is titled "Living The Dream

Doesn’t time fly, it’s now six weeks that I’ve been in Pattaya, and now I am finally living the dream. So am I shagging a different bird and getting pissed, out of my head every night ? well only at the weekends !

The first couple of weeks are still a bit of a blur, too much networking (i.e getting pissed every night while scouting out bars and getting advice from bar owners around town) But I soon realised I had to get out of holiday mode,or I would piss my money up the wall, quicker than a Thai girl in a gold shop.

So how easy was it to find a bar ? Well the avenues I went through, were firstly the four main agencies in town - Evans, Emerald, Sunbelt & TSBA. My views, after initially being very helpful, they all seemed to follow a very Thai mentality, and it was always seemed to me, who was ringing and chasing them.

I also went through all the local publications, like the Pattaya Mail, Pattaya Trader etc with a fine tooth comb as well as the internet, but again I was quite surprised by the lack of options that were available. I feel one of the reasons for this, was the sudden closure of all the beer bars opposite the Lek Hotel, before I came out. This meant a lot of people were buying up bars at the same time. Soi 7 being a prime example, all those new bars which were recently built, were very quickly snapped up.

The next method was to just visit as many different bar areas as possible,looking for “sale signs”, and just letting it known that I was looking to buy a bar.

Most options I had, were either in locations, I felt were too quiet, or were too expensive for my budget. My early favourites, were a bar in the new complex, “Convent Garden” at the end of Walking Street. However, I decided against that one, because as it was a new complex, which meant that it had no fittings, no girls, not even a fridge. And for a new bar owner, it would of been too difficult for me to get everything started off the ground.

My next viable choice was a beer bar in Soi Happy, on Walking Street, which was going at a reasonable price, and seemed to get steady trade. I must of drunk in that Soi every night for weeks ! :beer It was quite annoying, I bumped into a real stunner in one of the bars, who I got on with really well. The only problem was, it was the bar I was looking to buy. She knew I liked her, I think the huge number of lady drinks I bought her, (amounting to totals, similar to some third world country’s debts, must of been a clue). However there was no way a future boss can barfine one of his future employees. So like my todger, she was left very confused. However the current owner of this bar was in hospital, and even though I was keen to buy, nothing seemed to be happing.

When suddenly I got lucky. I’m good friends with the crazy Mamasan at the Chicken Farm bar in Soi 8, she had told me before that her best friend was in the process of selling her bar to a Thai. When suddenly the deal fell through, and with her friend wanting a quick sale, I was introduced.

The bar in question is currently called LUCKY’S Beer Bar in Soi 8, not to be confused with the Lucky Bar which is on the same side of the Soi and in the same complex.

It is between the Planet bar and another new bar called the Midnight Magic bar. It is opposite the Sexy Bar, in the liveliest part of Soi 8.

I was very worried before, about the legalities of the purchase, as I didn’t want to be caught out, by buying a bar from a person, who wasn’t even the owner of the bar, or not having the right licenses. And again I got lucky.

Before I flew out, I wanted a PO box number, that I could forward all my mail to in Thailand, So somebody recommended this site to me.

http://www.thaipostalboxes.com/

It was a local law office who were charging only 3000 Baht for 6 months.

After being there for a week, I discovered that the office manager was somebody from the FLB board, Justtony. He never put any pressure on me to use his services, but just offered me loads of free advice on the bar business, as he had been the business for quite a few years previously.

Then once, a private sale become available, I decided to go with his services rather than one of the agencies, due to his helpfulness. His team of Thai lawyers draw up all the contracts for me, did all the necessary searches and obtained the correct licences for me. So I can’t thank him enough, for all his teams hard work on my behalf. So if you need any legal advice, while you’re out here, give them a try. http://www.lawofficethailand.com/

Back to the bar, I opened last Monday, and the first weeks trade have been pretty steady, thanks to Bob and some board members who have been very supportive. The weekend was a bit disappointing, but hey it’s low season.

It hasn’t been plain sailing though, on my first day, the day cashier left and half the old staff didn’t turn up for work !, on the second day, the night cashier left. On the third day, one of my freelancer girls wanted to fight the Mamasan next door. And on the Saturday, I had to let the Lady Boy that was working, go (which i was pleased to do), because she was nicking stuff !

So out of the original stuff that were there before, only 3 remain, but I have brought in some good girls who have brought with them their friends. I still have to do a lot of work, to improve the bar, but I’m in for quite a roller-coaster adventure.

So why should you come and visit my bar ?

May be you’ll be tempted by one of the staff !

[dirtydog]

[dirtydog]

[dirtydog]

Now there must be some gals that you want to shag in that line up

[dirtydog]

Of course the bar name was changed and is now called the Cherry Bar, oh and don't complain about the thumbnails as his pics are to big and waste to much time for the auto resizer thingy to change it.

[dirtydog]

Part Two;

Now after owning the beer bar for three weeks

It’s three weeks now, I’ve been a bar owner, and I’m still smiling. Business has been steady, I’m getting to play around a couple of times a week (never near my bar though), having a lot of fun at the bar and meeting some very interesting people as well.

I’m still having to deal with lots of different challenges, like lateness, absence and laziness from the staff. All the girls seem to be getting on really well, so I still have to look forward to my first cat fight at the bar. There was a very good one at the bar next door, yesterday. Hair pulling, kicking, face scratching. It took about 8 people to pull them apart !

Another big issue is communication, either they don’t understand what I tell them, or may be they just don’t want to do what they are told !

To start with, I’ve been quite a soft boss, but I know I have to toughen up. I’ve only let one girl go, and I’m still showing a blind eye to their laziness. I’m buying them quite a bit of Whisky to get them in the mood most evenings (which has been counterproductive for one girl, who one night, we thought had gone home, but had fallen asleep in the toilets !) And I’ve even taken all the girls to a Karoake bar one night when it was quiet. (I had four new girls wanting to work for me the next day , after that, so word must get around)

Recruitment is also quite challenging, their are a lot of older girls on want to come work for salary (i.e fixed start and end times, who I pay at the of the month), but the younger girls prefer to work freelance (i.e they turn up when they like, but I don’t have to pay them a salary) but I’m managing to get my staffing numbers up. For if my bar doesn’t have enough girls, I know, I will struggle, but now, hopefully I have quite a mix of girls to cater for all tastes.

I’ve been quite lucky so far, concerning problems with drunken customers, and I have only had to deal with one issue so far, which was quickly resolved, but I’m sure, I’ll have plenty more to look forward to !

On Saturday, I had my official opening party, thanks for everybody who popped into say hello, and here are some pictures.

The food was very good, and went down well.

[dirtydog]

It was a quiet night on soi 8


But I had a steady turnout (Warning - Loud Shirt Alert !)

[dirtydog]

[dirtydog]

It's got to be better than building or teaching

[dirtydog]

Well 2 months have now passed, since I took over the Cherry Bar, and the time has gone quicker than a Soi 6 girl going for your groin area !

On the positive side, last month, the bar made a profit, which isn’t bad for a new bar, which has just opened. I’d like to thank all board members who have visited me since I’ve been opened. I hope you had a good time, while at my bar.

Unfortunately the profits I made, didn’t cover my living expenses, and If I’m going to be a long term success in Pattaya, I have to realise I’m not on holiday any more, and I have to curb my own spending.

It has been far from easy though, and I’ve had so many problems, I don’t know where to begin. From my girls fighting amongst themselves, to them fighting girls from other bars, to them fighting customers. The girls being late to work, not turning up for work, disappearing for long periods when at work, getting too drunk at work, falling asleep at work, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc.

I’ve also had problems with other bars in the area, and have even been warned it might not be safe for me to walk alone at night !!!! So for all those guys out there, that think it’s an easy life, then think again !

There has been a lot of good times at the bar though, and the girls seem to enjoy working here .


And I’ve made a lot of new friends, who without, I would of probably have gone mad by now.

The other major problem I have, is how much time should I spend at the bar ? I need to be there, to meet and look after customers and make sure the girls are working, but don’t I deserve a life as well ? Otherwise I’m scared I might become a news item on the Pattaya News !

I hope this report shows that living the dream isn’t as easy as many people might think, and I hope I haven’t depressed too many of you. So to leave on a high note, here are a few more pictures of my girls !

[dirtydog]

[dirtydog]

[dirtydog]

[Marmite the Dog]

Is he your mate or summit?

[dirtydog]

Nope, I don't know the guy, just thought it was a nice insight on opening a bar

[Big Tony]

I am thinking of buying a bar in Pattaya, I shall follow this thread in the hope of some tips.

[MeMock]

And let me guess, it will be called .....Big Tony's?

[njdesi]

I am thinking of buying a bar in Pattaya, I shall follow this thread in the hope of some tips.

What do you want to achieve when you open up a beer bar? If you are an alcoholic hoping to drink himself to death, it is a great option. You get to pay wholesale prices for liquor and have punters subsidize your addiction. Just make sure you don't live for more than three years.

Will you use the bar to support yourself and don't want anything else? First off, you can only have a one or two watered down drinks with a good customer and spend the rest of your night watching the till like a hawk and diffusing fights before they happen. Like the guy in DD's post, you have to make enough money in the high season to cover your losses/break-even in the low season. The fact that this fellow barely made a profit in the beginning of the high season is bad news. I'll be surprised if he lasts through the summer. To get through the low season, you'll have to work your ass off cultivating a group of regulars who are in Pattaya trying to do their best imitation of Nicholas Cage in "Leaving Las Vegas." In any case, it won't be a working vacation if you plan on lasting more than two years.

What if you want to get rich? I've never meet one rich beer bar owner. The money is in the gogos. But you'll need 4 million baht down and another 1 million for working capital/refurbishments. And you better be in a good location and be willing to work investment banker hours. You don't need to be a management guru walking in, but you have to learn fast. And no drinking, of course.

That's my experience. But I just gathered this info from talking to some managers and bar owners. Don't know how truthful they were with me. I never bothered to do any follow-up. Personally, I couldn't think of a more miserable way of making a living.

[Big Tony]

Big Tony's would be a great name, It seem's that the idea of owning a beer bar is not a good one then in your opinion.

So what would be a good idea to make a living in Thailand?

[davethailand]

Big Tony's would be a great name, It seem's that the idea of owning a beer bar is not a good one then in your opinion.

So what would be a good idea to make a living in Thailand?

Bars can work and can be a good source of income, Beer bars won't cover you all month IMO but look into it a bit more.

[dirtydog]

Some beer bars do good, I remember when the buffalo bar opened on 3rd road, it was like who the hell is gonna travel all that way? then they got loads of gals so we travelled people will travel for good food or gals, they wont travel for cheap beer and other silly gimmicks,plus there is no point in selling cheap beer as you attract the wrong sort and it just cuts into your profit at the end of the day, so the moral of the story is to fill your beer bar up with loads of gals that will do any perverse act that you can think of hell if it don't work out you will of had fun training the gals up

[Casper]

Sounds like a much better gig than teaching English. How much start up wedge would I need?

[njdesi]

I don't know why, but I am always ignored by all the gals when I go to the Buffalo Bar. They have the fat mamasan get my beer. If I smile at a gal, she will turn away.

Every other beer bar, I get mobbed by the gals who are happy to see a guy who they don't have to call Papa.

BT,
Most of us know fook all on how to market product and services to Thais. When the guy opened up Pizza Company, how the fook did he know that corn is a required topping and you had to include ketchup packets?

But I am not one of those cynics who thinks that there is no way to make money in LOS. The best business models involve catering to Westerners. If you are in the West right now, build up your clientele list for whatever product/service you want to sell. Complete the work in LOS and get paid in pounds/euro/dollars. These are usually the most successful people in LOS.

I had one good business idea for making cash in LOS, but I would have had trouble getting around Thai labor laws. All the employees would have to be Westerners for it to have worked.