Just talked to a friend on the phone. He went out to Jupiter last night and reports that drink prices are now 250 baht. No extra show or anything, just higher prices. He didn't off anybody so I don't know if that price has also increased. Don't see how they can justify the price hike. Higher petrol prices? I don't think so. That gives me another reason to avoid that bar. Any other reports of bars raising their prices?

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I agree. That said, even the 'standard' price for drinks in gay bars here is rather high. Hell, they are higher here in Bangkok than in my families' bars in the States (nude dance bars). And, as has been noted before, the gay bar drink prices here are approx double the price of most BKK lady bars I also frequent. Only a few Bangkok lady bars have 'shows' worth a shit these day, though, and this is one reason why I also agree with Wowpow's 'first drink' rule... really good shows are worth a bit extra.

Anyway... I'm not complaining, but it boggles my mind as to where these folks took their 'bar business management 101' course. Wowpow's last sentence is 100% correct and you cannot maintain ANY bar with customers drinking 1 drink and leaving. You make money in a bar by customer consumption and add-ons. It's a numbers game, plain and simple. If drink prices are good/fair, customers drink far more and remain in your bar. They are also far more willing then (after a few drinks) to buy drinks for the boys/girls, tip well, and actually take someone 'off.'

The increased tax on booze should have minimal impact on a bar's drink prices --- except for the most expensive of imported bottles (although you'll surely see it used as an excuse --- across the board!). This tax really is not much of an issue when dividing it out on a per-drink basis -- on most common 'favorites.' Do the math yourself and see how many bar 'pours' you get from a bottle of X-Y-Z.

Oh well, short of opening a chain of bars here... there is not much any of us can do about any of it...

Take care!

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