NEW BAR

[johnnyk]

There is a new bar, a little different. It is opening soon about 24th Feb. They have a promotion whereby you can enter a FREE contest to win a holiday. They will also be introducing Bikini nights every Sunday. Its called Papillon, (which is French for butterfly) and its near the bottom of Soi Selakem. happy days !!!

I'm gratified to hear the contest is FREE.
I doubt many would pay to enter a contest.

[johnnyk]

I'm quite looking forward to the French to Thai pronunciation.

From Pa-pe-yon to Pa-pin-on.

I knew a guy from Brooklyn who pronounced it Papillion.

[caducus]

As an Englishman whose second language is French and third language is Thai, I have noted that Thai French speakers tend to have more accurate pronunciation than English speakers of O-level French.

I was once complimented by a French colleague who told me that I spoke French with a cute Thai accent, rather than an ugly English one.

[Gus]

I am not sure if it is keeping it's old name, I guess that the bar may be waiting for a new sign.
It had a small sign outside saying there was a party around 5th February, but other than a few balloons it didn't attract much attention, even from the balloon chasers.

One or two bars along that Soi seem to have regular 'Golfing' clientele where the bar is quiet for a few days then one night becomes very busy.

I may open a 'Tiger Woods' bar

[hhfarang]

I may open a 'Tiger Woods' bar

You'd have to have lots of women working there to live up to that name!

[johnnyk]

I may open a 'Tiger Woods' bar

You'd have to have lots of women working there to live up to that name!

Will Lay's potato chips/crisps be available for quick snacks?

[Gus]

When I was in town recently I am sure that Pappilon(sp) bar was for sale, if I am correct this is about the 5th time it has changed hands in the past 5 years or so.

A small bar similar to this, how much would it cost to open up, with purchase of equipment, rents, key money etc etc.?
TIA

[mabubba]

When I was in town recently I am sure that Pappilon(sp) bar was for sale, if I am correct this is about the 5th time it has changed hands in the past 5 years or so.

A small bar similar to this, how much would it cost to open up, with purchase of equipment, rents, key money etc etc.?
TIA

I'd love to know as well. Shame the bar isn't going well.

[Jim]

When I was in town recently I am sure that Pappilon(sp) bar was for sale, if I am correct this is about the 5th time it has changed hands in the past 5 years or so.

A small bar similar to this, how much would it cost to open up, with purchase of equipment, rents, key money etc etc.?
TIA

Clearly more than you will ever make in return!!!!

[STEVE G]

I was just thinking the same thing.

[Super Joe]

Prospective bar owners should do a little bit of homework and sit in, or very near, the bar they're gonna buy. This one is always gonna struggle because of the Thai lads that sit across from it every night getting smashed. I've never noticed them to be any trouble, they just look like it.

SJ

[Super Joe]

When I was in town recently I am sure that Pappilon(sp) bar was for sale, if I am correct this is about the 5th time it has changed hands in the past 5 years or so.
A small bar similar to this, how much would it cost to open up, with purchase of equipment, rents, key money etc etc.? TIA

Clearly more than you will ever make in return!!!!

Yeah, I would take a wild stab at around 50% of the bars being successful and turning enough of a profit for their owners, and half failing. Just base that on the established owners staying the course, renewing their leases etc. I wouldn't have a clue how to run one but I think I can safely say it's not at all easy what with Hua Hin being a family orientated tourist resort, staff tantrums, the OB, and now the recession to deal with.

As to the price, over the years I've heard figures for this size of bar, with equipment, furniture and some stock, ranging from 800k-1.5M, with rent of 10-20k/month. Obviously that's a lot more expensive if it's only a 3 year lease than those offered on 5 or 6 year leases.

Someone more ITK can correct this probably, and I'd have thought in today's market you could walk around and find someone willing to cut their losses (or pass them on to the new owner )

SJ

[PeteC]

No for everyone, but I think a smart way to go is to buy a shop house and have a bar and/or restaurant downstairs and your home upstairs. No rent, on premises all the time in case of problems, convenience of changing what you're doing downstairs to fit the market or your mood. It seems to me that shop houses located centrally in any town or city seem to sell easily if that should need to happen. Just an IMO. Pete

[usual suspect]

Is 'Chopper123' who posted this thread any relation to 'chopper'.?? Who a coupla months ago lost everything to his Thai lady on more than 1 occasion (she did give him a STD in return). This man posted in 'night-crawlers begging us not to drink in his bar that SHE now had full control over..I'm also sure a clue was left to
the name of the bar being French for butterfly. I am very sorry if there are 2 bars in town by this name, and this post makes me look an even bigger prat. (previous topic in N/Cs was titled 'be aware,be very aware').

[TypicallyTropical]

Yeah, I would take a wild stab at around 50% of the bars being successful and turning enough of a profit for their owners, and half failing. SJ

If that's correct than I would want to open a bar in HH! In the USA 95% of F&B establishments fail within a year!