OK. Been there and back. Thanks all for the references. Didn't manage the Hyatt disco but did Nana and Soi 4. Also found out that the famous Annie's between Soi 2 and 4 is closed. Apparently it's moved but I didn't understand where the guy said as he was pushing to drive me there.
There's a Mexican restaurant almost next door, by the parking area. I'm sure years ago that was a cool bar with TV screens and a very relaxed atmosphere. I remember sitting there with a beer, and pretty sure that was the place (bar maid at the time offered to take me upstairs for ST for about 1200 baht I think).
I swung by Morning Night, Stumble Inn and Hillarys (4 I think....wasn't expecting different Hillary bars). They all seemed like the perfect place to go early afternoon for a few cold ones. But as it was around 10 there weren't many seats available so I wandered all the way down the Soi and back and went into Nana.
It had been many years since walking around that area. Nana seems huger now (compared to 20 years ago from my memory). I wandered around all the floors....got grabbed numerous times by ladyboys, which I have no problem with (I have to admit some of them are serious eye candy) and then settled on Angelwitch, as it seemed to my liking. Good music, good girls and dark. I was surprised how many other places were so bright! I know dark isn't ideal for some people, but if I want effing Broadway lighting I'll go to the theatre, not a strip joint.
Angelwitch, now that I've read reviews AFTER returning, was fine for me. No pressure after I bought a drink. As I walked in one of the dancers zeroed in on me. Kind of funny looking around and so many stereotypes...Indian guys in pairs, Chinese guys in groups ordering Cokes, and middle-aged western dudes wearing shorts and sitting by themselves. As I fall into this last stereotype (sans shorts), I also felt the dollar sign on my chest. But that's ok, it goes with the territory IMHO. Of course the advice on this forum says snag the girl before another guy does, and sure enough before I could really settle in, the cute girl with blonde dyed hair came off stage and sat with another westerner.
I'd had my share of beer with a mate earlier in Soi 8,
so don't think anything was happening, plus I'm a massage type of guy. But still, it's always hard to settle for your second choice.
Stuck around for a while, finished my beer and left. Walked out to the right and down at the end there were lots of ladyboys. Not being shy, I stuck my head in the place in the corner, Chilis (I think). I thought why not just one beer. But the place was a bit too well lit, only two Chinese guys sitting in the front row, and as I walked in all 12 LBs on stage and off came over, each one eagerly looking at me like "pick me"......geez, the pressure was on.
In that case my second sense told me to come back another time when slightly more sober. As mentioned, they look amazing. Almost too perfect. Highly recommend it if you have time (which at this stage I didn't as it was nearly midnight).
I got a classic massage on another night and will report in the Thailand section, but thanks all for your comments. Maybe one day we can have a 141 meeting and manage a beer there.