A look at Sunee Plaza and Day-Night Areas

What distinguishes Sunee Plaza from other gay friendly entertainment areas is its vibrant and intimate mood. Many think the drink prices here are lower and many establishments offer “happy hours” and other specials. Also if you’re into “femme” types of gay guys or ladyboys, you’ll find lots of them here. However with such a variety, you’re sure to come across whatever type of guy you like in one of the many venues.
The website www.suneeplaza.info is a loose alliance of about thirty gay and gay friendly businesses that wanted to upgrade the area’s image and promote its venues as a safe and exciting neighborhood. According to Guy who founded the website, Sunee Plaza boasts the highest concentration of gay and gay friendly businesses outside of Bangkok. Good stories and more information can be found on their website.
 One of the things that makes Sunee Plaza so special is the array of open air “beer bars” and coffee shops where you can relax and watch the world go by which is great for “people watching” and gives a European café feel to the area.  These beer bars have names like Crazy Bar, Forest House (near Soi VC), Up 2 U Boy Bar and Restaurant, Wan’s Place and Wunderbar, which are near Euroboys. There is a cozy friendly beer bar across from Villa Rouge called Three Zone, where everybody knows your name. Corner Bar at the intersection of the two sois offers a great location to relax and watch the scene.
Several bars cater to the locals and have weekly and special events like Mike’s Bar La Cage on Soi VC which is adorned with beautiful art and offers special parties every two weeks or so. Memories Music Bar presents a variety of musical selections and will try to accommodate requests, Uniform Bar (next to Villa Rouge) is currently being converted into a gogo bar) and is a good vantage point. Oud’s, hosted by the adorable young man of the same name also offers burgers and other sandwiches with good drinks and great company. Duc’s place offers a quiz night on the 15th of each month and classic movies at 8 pm. This is a place where you won’t be hassled and can leisurely savor a beer or cup of freshly brewed coffee. Other options include New Queens, Redgy’s and Place2B in the heart of the plaza.

 Other spots to relax and have a drink or meal include Balkan Express which offers delicious European and Thai food and across the street the Don Plaza Hotel Terrace. Also in the area is Po Pot Restaurant for good set menus and European & Thai food. If you are looking for cheap tasty Thai food while watching the cute guys next door, try the Thai restaurant, Song Kwae, next to Euroboys.
There’s a great mix of venues including go-go bars, some of which present cabaret or exotic shows and many “host bars” where you can relax with a leisurely drink or cup of coffee in the company of a handsome host if you desire.
Part of the fun is “bar hopping” until you find the guy of your fantasies.  Here you will find many youthful (over 18 years) young men as there are plenty in the various go-go and host bars. (It is always wise to check ID if you decide to “take off” a staff member and not just trust a waiter’s word). There are also many older (and buff) men to be seen here. You’ll find lots of these guys at Krazy Dragon “table top dancing a go go”, for example and a lot of the waiters and other staff at many of the venues fall into this category. Sunee Plaza also has a great international feel as many of the venues have Western management. Each establishment has its own individual character and flavor but for me it’s the guys as so many beautiful young men are to be seen here.
It all started back in 1996 when the old Crazy Pub opened (now Krazy Dragon). The entertainment back then was quite daring. Before too long other businesses popped up creating an exciting area of venues catering to the gay tourist. Although still exciting and erotic the area is attempting to shed its “perceived” image. Krazy Dragon is now a large “table top” dancing venue, featuring sexy dancing lads minimally attired and also offers special events and shows as does Happy Bar on Soi Yensabai. Other go-go bars include Euroboys, which was recently refurbished; Eros, a large new venue at the Marine Plaza Hotel end of Sunee Plaza; the recently opened Mic My and the adjacent Nice Boys, both on Soi VC. Sunee Plaza will be hosting a huge Street Party on 15 November, to help raise funds for SWING (Sex Workers in Group), which offers support and education for sex workers and gives condoms and lube to bar staff. Rather than setting up a large, central stage there’ll be roving acts at the various bars. In addition, each bar will have its own special event for this occasion. If you’re in town on 15 November, do check it out. There will also be a special Valentine’s Day party in February. Watch the Sunee website and SPICE! for more details.
 
There are several other places where one can get a great meal or a snack. On Soi Yensabai Mansion, there are three spots worth your attention. Ristorante Volterra (see mini review in this issue) serves delicious Italian dishes. L’arche de Noe specializes in European food with a French accent; and the adjacent Belgium restaurant, Sanong, is also a great choice. Both offer reasonably priced set menus. Bring your appetite. Little Mango, on Soi VC, offers inexpensive and tasty Thai and western food and is hosted by the cute and handsome, Ken. Tasty beef stew is back on their menu. Getting tired? Howard’s Guesthouse and Bar, offers nice rooms at budget rates. It also contains an extremely popular bar with many “freelancers.” So, if you meet someone you like, there’s no bar fine. Another inexpensive guest house (also a restaurant) is Two Guys Guesthouse and Restaurant, located on Soi Yensabai.
The Soi Day Night area is actually a large square area made up of several sois along Day Night 1 & 2 and from Pattaya Tai road over to Soi 17. Old timers will remember with nostalgia the Studio Boys and Jolly Boys bars that are long gone. Lek Bar turn into Birdcage Cabaret in the Day Night Hotel which is gone as well. Lately the area has seen a mini resurgence as a gay magnet. Do you remember Niddy’s Nook? Its reincarnation is the Office Boy host bar. Day Night also has a couple of newly opened go-go bars. Cat’s Place is a small go-go that gives you a ticket when you order a drink. If you return on Sunday evening you have a chance to win a waiver of the bar fine for the guy of your choice. Number One Go-Go Bar on the site of what was JJ Pub located near Tuk.Com is a large flashy establishment offering many go-go dancers. However the Blue House and Royal House massage venues have been around for years and are still going strong.
There are also several good and reasonably priced places to eat in the Day Night area. Le Petite Planet and La Cuisine Au Beurre, both opposite Tuk.com, present tasty set menus at extremely affordable prices. Gossip Cafe in the middle of the Day Night area is a bistro with an extensive menu and more schnitzel choices than you’ll know what to do with. Salt and Pepper next to the now closed Flamingo Hotel, presents tasty dishes at budget prices. Cucumber located on South Pattaya Road across from Tuk.com presents delicious authentic Thai food that’s not overly spicy, as well as tasty western food. Also on South Pattaya Road, across from the old Soi Hollywood, is Or Aharn Thai, serving absolutely delicious Thai food at incredibly low prices.
So for a fun night out give these areas a try. You haven’t really done the Pattaya gay scene unless you’ve experienced the Sunee Plaza and Soi Day Night areas.