A visit to Nana Entertainment Plaza (late May 2022)
The Monkey King came for a Bangkok visit, so we had to check out Nana Plaza as it's open nowadays. Our first foray to the plaza was in 1993...
Fuel is important so we purchased plates of pork, fish and potato at the Old German Beerhouse on Soi 11. The OGB was crowded and the soi is re-energized after long months of COVID—I can't tell much difference from 2019.
After scoffing Schweinebraten und Paniertes Fischfilet mit Kartoffelsalat we strolled on Sukhumvit. Relatively early yet the street is heaving with pedestrians negotiating the sidewalk. Vendors hawk bootleg DVDs, giant dildos and dodgy boner pills. Again, 2019.
The other side features massive new buildings—Q condos and an office tower called “O-NES,” whatever that means. Pass the Landmark as we near Soi Nana. Cool and pleasant after an early evening storm. Big bad Bangkok, same as it ever was.
Sidewalk packed with the usual parade. There's COVID Theater to enter NEP: entrance/exit lanes plus a guy manning the hand-thermometer. That's it.
Billboard
This is one of the more popular strip clubs in the plaza, and we perch on stools at a table near the entrance. The jacuzzi features some shufflers, but no water. The rotating carousel is full of young Thai women, most wearing cocktail dresses. You see similar outfits on Bangkok streets.
The place is rammed—if planning an evening here, come early. Plenty of attractive women and loud thumping music.
Angelwitch
This one just opened up and as I spent many crazy evenings in the place, decided on a pilgrimage. Maybe it'll improve, but from what we saw: not much reason to pop in...and there's a lot of competition.
Spanky's
This club has always been a winner in terms of sanuk. True to their name, they have hollow foam tubes that produce a loud thwack when deployed, so anyone can whack anyone anytime. It sounds silly, but what is NOT silly about at Thai strip club?
The dancers are showing their tits, the place is packed and thump-music is at pain thresholds—I resorted to earplugs at Spanky's.
Fortunately the shows that no longer seem in evidence at Angelwitch are here now. The topless tart patrol leaves the stage, a carpeted platform is brought on, and a couple of lithe cuties in microdresses with brimless hats gyrate on top. Their garb emulates airline attendants and their entire schtick was tossing paper airplanes about. Simple as can be, but it worked.
Next was another cutie in male drag simulating sex with a couple of dancers, using a cucumber as a prop. She got a bit rough with one, who started laughing hard. Sanuk, gentlemen—this absurdity was well received and the gals were still laughing in the backstage area afterwards.
That was enough entertainment for me, although Monkey King went down Soi Nana, spotted a comely tart perched on a stationary motorbike and took her to a short-time hotel (1200 + 300 hotel room). All good.
Summary
The plaza is alive and well, we saw a total of two bars that weren't open. The business is still the business.
JtB | |
