Beach Bar

[JW]

What does everyone think are the major ingrediants to a really good beach bar? Right now there isnt one in Hua Hin, it think it is something that would work here, its getting the location that presents the problem.

[buksida]

I've been thinking about this for a while, its the one thing that Hua Hin lacks. After spending a lot of time on Koh Tao and Samui I do miss the beach bar. I think a lot of the problem here is beach access and land ownership.

There is no real beach road and you can only access it by own road and a number of small sois. The alternative is walking along the beach to get to the bar which may not be a good idea at night.

There is a little Thai place along from the Sofitel where they play live music, I forget the name but its a nice place to spend the afternoon.

There is also the Veranda but thats too far out of town and the service there is shocking. We were virtually told to leave because we changed the seating arrangement as there were four of us. Not the way to run a business.

Ingredients:
1) Location has to be top priority
2) Laid back atmosphere that you can expect from a beach bar
3) Beach seating or mats to lay out on
4) Opening later than 6pm would be nice
5) Good selection of music, preferably some ambient stuff
6) Nice selection of reasonably priced beer (so staying for a few hours isnt a wallet busting experience).

[Norseman]

Right you are JW and buksida.
It's the location that must be solved..
The rest should be peanuts to fix.
Who has the ownership of the beach?
Should have all the ingredient to be a BIG success!
Very good idea.

[Gin tonic - no lime]

Spent a week on Koh Lanta last Dec. One of the best attractions was a small beach bar called "Bump Bar". Bump is an ex DJ, and had a great eclectic sound track that he put together running. There was chaise lounge seating with tree stumps “plantedâ€

[buksida]

I know a little off topic but where did you stay on Lanta GT, we're heading that way for the xmas week but not sure where to stay yet.

I will check out that beach bar though.

[Gin tonic - no lime]

buksida the spot we stayed was Andaman Lanta Resort
http://r24.org/bangkokhotels.nu/krabi/andamanlanta/
compared to many of the places on that beach, I would say it is quite a bit nicer. Ask for a room on the ocean side, as the one we had towards the road not only got morning sun but annoying 2 stroke motorcycle noise. The one thing you may not like is that it is a bit far from the main town, but there are many of the 3 wheel motorcycle taxi units, and they will take you to town for 40 baht ~4 - 5 minute ride, or rental for 250 baht a day. Try Lanta Seafood to the left as you enter town from the hotel road. The hotel's day long snorkel trip for about 1000 baht (I think) was very good, including a nice lunch at one of the outlying islands. I can send some pics if you are interested. I'm pretty sure you will like it there, save the noise, I had no complaints! There is only one 7 - 11 there!

[JW]

This questions is for Buksi - "are there any construction workers within a 2 mile radius!!" i am sure this will be very important information

[Bamboo Grove]

Not really beach bars in the sense that you guys are talking but there are two nice spots where I occasinally go for a frosty.
1. The place next to the Chinese temple near Hilton. Very nice views and very relaxing and with big bottle of Chang costing 70 baht it's hard to beat. The only problem is that there is no toilet, although this problems dissappears when the sun has set
2. Veranda, about 2 km south of down town. You have a restaurant with roof, a balcony and beach chairs. Food is rather expensive but drinks are not.

[Jockey]

Not really beach bars in the sense that you guys are talking but there are two nice spots where I occasinally go for a frosty.
1. The place next to the Chinese temple near Hilton. Very nice views and very relaxing and with big bottle of Chang costing 70 baht it's hard to beat. The only problem is that there is no toilet, although this problems dissappears when the sun has set
2. Veranda, about 2 km south of down town. You have a restaurant with roof, a balcony and beach chairs. Food is rather expensive but drinks are not.

There is also "Let's Sea" Mr Bamboo Grove, on the way to Khao Takiab. Very nice, but again expensive and closes early.

[buksida]

This questions is for Buksi - "are there any construction workers within a 2 mile radius!!" i am sure this will be very important information

is there anywhere in this town thats devoid of this filth? I guess the beach is the only option ... bring on that beach bar ... someone !

Veranda, about 2 km south of down town. You have a restaurant with roof, a balcony and beach chairs. Food is rather expensive but drinks are not.

I would NOT recommend this place at all, went there about 3 weeks ago as a group of four with a baby and were told we were not allowed to change the seating arrangements so we could sit together. The stupid woman who was in charge there would rather lose at least a grand's worth of business than let people sit together. Retard.

[Jockey]

This questions is for Buksi - "are there any construction workers within a 2 mile radius!!" i am sure this will be very important information

is there anywhere in this town thats devoid of this filth? I guess the beach is the only option ... bring on that beach bar ... someone !

Veranda, about 2 km south of down town. You have a restaurant with roof, a balcony and beach chairs. Food is rather expensive but drinks are not.

I would NOT recommend this place at all, .

Agreed - good location - but devoid of atmosphere.

[Digger]

Feel comments on Veranda bar are not really fair.It was a great beach side bar up till 2 years ago when the lady who owns it built a hotel behind her beautiful Thai wooden house and rebuilt the bar at the same time.Certainly it is different but not super expensive and very good service.Samui is not the same as Hua Hin and in all probality Veranda is cheaper than most bars on Chaweng beach.There is another bar further down called Tims,run by a german married to a Thai Lady who sells cheap beer and excellent food.I believe the original name for this bar was another 'Cocunuts'.
If you want multitudinal beach bars catch the train to Samui or another island,Hua Hin is different.It has a pier where you can eat and drink.Thats the beauty of Thailand every place is slightly different.

[buksida]

Feel comments on Veranda bar are not really fair.

Have to disagree, I feel they are fair and justified. If you go somewhere and get treated like shit the place deserves negative comments to reflect their negative attitudes. Its happening far too much now in whats becoming a hostile hospitality industry.

If proprietors are too ignorant to take care of their customers they don't deserve the business.

I for one would like to see a little more beach culture here, afterall we have a nice beach so why not enjoy it a little more.

[Gin tonic - no lime]

right on buksida I would post the exact same comments as you if treated that way in any service based business in HH or elsewhere, where is the old "the customer is KING attitude" absolutely ignorant on their part IMO
I’ll never patronize the Veranda either because of your warning. I have taken the advice of other posters here, and tried spots that got a good rating, like Usa Fasang for instance, been there a few times and had an enjoyable experience!!

[Jaime]

I’ll never patronize the Veranda either because of your warning.

Bad service deserves to be reported of course, but personally I like to try places out and see for myself, whatever others have said. Sometimes places are just having a bad day. I had a similar experience as Buksida at one of the pier restaurants a couple of years ago and must admit have never been back there but friends have and given it glowing reports.