Pub makeover frenzy as Eruptions keeps gogoing
Shano’s had be renovated following the takeover by George, of Gecko fame. The decor changes are long overdue with the whole area is now light and airy with the floor scrubbed clean and the windows letting in light. The bar has also been cleaned up. The old pool table end is now portioned off to form a poker room due to open in the next few weeks at which time the operation will go to 24 hours. The pool tables are on the raised area and the door actually opens the right way. Gone are the hoard of mamasung driven waitresses that had little interest in serving whilst in a vertical position. There are waitresses and bar staff to serve as well as free lancers for those who go to the boozer to practice horizontal folk dancing. There are now more televisions with different channels thus sport will be very much a feature of the operation. Shano remains as general manager and George is there to keep a steely eye on things during the day and early doors periods.
Roy’s Bar changed hands a few months ago and one wondered why the new owners had bought it. They did nothing other than pretend it was a country and western bar: the changes involved making the girls wear strange uniforms, playing C & W music and changing the signs to Cowboys and Cowgirls. Needless to say these inventive improvements, let us assume they were, did little for the trade. Quite the converse since Clive was no longer there to meet and greet. So yet another change has taken place with David the new owner. He already operates bars in Makati. He has Jools and the interesting Ascot Club which really should have W Hills written outside it; the racing channel is the feature and the walls are strewn with race cards, it is considerably more comfortable than Mr Hills’ establishments and it does have a bar! At Roy’s the improvement, that I always thought should come first, has finally happened: it now has windows. In addition there are more tellies and more channels so two or more events can be shown at the same time. I tried the food and was less convinced; I fear more attention is needed in that department, but getting a bet on is less of a problem!
Tequila Reef has finally opened after what must be one of the longest builds in history. It is a partnership between the owner of the Tequila Reef, Pattaya and the owner of Margarita Station in Angeles. With that kind of background one would expect a scintillating operation. However I remember the Tequila Reef in Pattaya when it first opened and I was never excited about that, and I must say I rather had the same feeling when I trundled into this new operation. Of course I do not come from California so I do not think Tex Mex is the only food on the planet, quite the converse. But even Tex Mex enthusiasts I have spoken where less than excited about this new operation, “Yes we will use it but....” seemed to be the standard reply. But, of course, it is early days and as I have already said I never thought a lot of TR in Pattaya when it opened 9 years ago and it is still going strong. So for those who like their beans refried, as opposed to 57 varieties, they will know where to go. Tequila Reef is on the corner of Santos street, 20 yards from Fields and Kokomos, next door to the Swiss Chalet.
Mentioning Margarita Station I understand that the site is soon to be redeveloped which is why no money has been spent for years on this landmark institution. I found it very sad when I caterpillared in a few weeks ago. It is now dingy, dirty and hot as there is no air con; I can understand the owners wishing to spend no money but I think I would carry out euthanasia whilst it still has some kind of a reputation.
For the initiated the Perimeter Road bars offer a friendlier and cheaper alternative to the main Fields Avenue bars; of course they are smaller and generally operate afternoons and early evening rather than into the wee hours. The many gogo bars of Perimeter Road area are quite a hike from the central Fields area and therefore the tourists stay in Fields area. For those of a contortionist bent the trikes offer a route there, but the lower bars are just after the ABC hotel and only about a 5 minutes hike, a hike that may well need to be made to visit the ATM at the ABC.
There are a few bars in that area. The one I rate the highest is Eruptions(at the top of the first road 30 yards after ABC), just behind the strangely named Dr Holmes. It is a large space with a decent bar as well as a stage area and separate pool area. Eruptions is normally lively and has a few table dancers as well as girls gogoing on the stage. They seem to have some special, more revealing uniforms that in some cases are strange to say the least. It looks like somebody thought them up without trying them on a real body! The music is about right: in other words the girls have enough volume to dance to and conversation is also possible. The drink prices are that much lower than Fields with 60 Peso bottled beers, lady drinks 105 peso and EWR (bar fine) 1,200 peso.
One of the differences between Thailand and the Philippines is the availability of free web boards. In Thailand web boards are free but the main PI ones are mainly charged for. Therefore I have little hesitation in mentioning the Angeles City portal as a useful resource with plenty of information plus a free web board: (but you do need to sign up and confirm your email address as is normal.)
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