After 9 months of Guess - what would you do?

[azza33]

(stogie bear @ Jul. 15 2007,04:11)

For the time being I would suggest leave things be and perhaps find a marketing way of tempting some of those well healed North Asian or Singaporian LB lovers through the doors.

Good post and your point about targeting the wealthy Asians is one I've been bleating about since day 1!

I tend to think leave the bar where it is....

IMO great location!!!

However, promoting high end asian customers with big $$$...

I can understand from a business perspective for Jay

But i think you need to be careful as some girls
may start to think they are worth a whole lot more after getting big $$$ from someone with far too much cash

... just a thought, as i dont think you want to price out the average punter who has made Guess bar the success it is today

[mr bartman]

stay

[Guest]

not really relevant but is there a telephone for Guess ?

[Guest]

sorry folks should have said telephonr number

[qwerty]

from the start, this bar set out to be something different, so it served that a physically different address from its 'competition' would strengthen that benefit.

and it shows how smart the management is for even consulting thier clientel with a decision as important to this.

i don't mind where it is. i'd probably leave it. there is merit to the saying "if it ain't broke- don't fix it". though i wish there was a more private way up. i'm still shy and hate waltzing up there with all the g-girls along the way knowing that i'm headed upstairs to take a cock in my mouth ! they realize this when you roll by and ignore them!

if she went closer to nana or cowboy, she would get more customers of the new and transient sort. i dont know if this is good or bad. but it would run the risk of turning into one of those other kinds of places.

however she should play tough if the current landlord try to raise her rent. she is packing out the short-time upstairs i believe and should use that. she should threaten to leave if he raises the rent.

as for aquiring more space- the pool table bar next door- brilliant. i and my few shy LB lover friends would be more likely to go if we could ease into the environment by a game of pool. imagine the how sexy those girls would look bending over a table for a long shot. another activity to pass the time before your ready to barfine. i dont go that often because i feel like its a place that you get in, have a drink, and should barfine. not that much going on. if there was pool, its a great activity to keep patrons drinking for a while.

the most important thing i would say is that if more space is aquired, do not separate the rooms. because then the girls will more or less commit to and hang out in one room or the other. imagine if your a guy who wants to relax in the bar part, but all the girls are over in the pool room? leave it open so that any customer can see any girl at any time. good business.

[Snick]

I would look into expanding into the empty space at the end of the hall, and making that the dance/music section. While the current bar area would become the quieter lounge area. Maybe put the pool table inbetween.

I'm not suggesting any partitioning or anything, just moving the Sound System to the far end of the new space.

During a sporting event (like an American Football games) we could even turn on the TV sound.

But the biggest reason to get more space is to fit in more girls !

[mardhi]

Some great feedback here guys - I just need to simplify this and summarise is to Jay at some point soon. Keep the ideas flowing if anyone has anything else to add.

I like the idea of the expansion if only to create more defined areas within the bar. Snick's idea of sport being televised with sound, hits right on the mark to me at least, with music continuing in the relaxing/sofa area.

The volume of music continues to be a struggle - Jay is worried that if the music is too low - the girls just become sleepy. Feel free to suggest they turn it down if you feel its too loud (as I often do....)

I also agree that moving is not a great idea - for the faults of the building (decor primarily) - its actually quite a friendly environment for the various owners - they dont see Jay as a threat and like the fact that she is bringing in new customers. Of course, the odds of those customers going into another bar seems pretty remote, but they dont seem to consider that. My personal view is that a lick of paint would do wonders for the common parts and actually pay a slightly higher price and use the paint that resists dust settling (and you can get it now in Thailand).

The Asian question is more complex - by their nature, Japanese customers tend to be slow to migrate to a new bar - a bit like doing business in Japan - it takes time to build up credibility in their book. However if anyone knows of any sites or forums (probably in Japanese) like this one, feel free to post the details here or in a PM to me.

Cheers
Mardhi

[koykaeng]

I can't see any rationale in relocating from the current location. Whilst the Sukhumvit 1 Beer Bar Complex is pretty bland & forgettable, Guess Bar is a wonderful hidden oasis.
I recall there was an opportunity to expand not long after Guess Bar had first opened the doors, and at that time I advised against it.
Given that the business has now become more "established" and the pattern of revenue is better understood, I'm more positive about the idea of expansion.
I think the bar would definitely benefit from being able to boost the staffing ranks, and possibly even incorporate a few post ops in the mix.
One of the common negative comments about Guess Bar relates to the limited number of LB's on offer, so expanding will no doubt provide more scope to hire a few more LB's which will be a clear bonus.

I do think it's important to retain a space in the bar where you can sit and have a quiet conversation without needing to compete with the music.

Cheers
Koykaeng

[divertwo]

...definately need to keep a quiet space for sitting and shooting the shit with friends. One reason I went there 5-6 times during my last trip was just for that purpose...and maybe for the eye candy too. As far as seclusion and privacy, I think it is perfect. I had zero efforts finding it, and had no huge crowds like NEP to navigate. I always said hi to the numerous girls in the lower level clubs on my way up stairs. As far as I know there is only one LB bar in the building, all others are mostly filled with real girls so the idea that the staff at other bars know you are a LB fan is without much basis in my book. There are always alternatives for those worried what complete strangers think............"who was that masked man....and a hearty Hi Ho Silver, Away"?

[bangkoksins]

I would imagine that it is only a matter of time before that building gets knocked down and a new high rise put in its place. It is too prime a location to be used only as bars, and mainly crappy ones at that.

I think it is ok where it is. Not far from Ploenchit or Nana BTS. I have always said it could be bigger but I also have never seen more than one punter in there at a time, so maybe I am wrong.

If the bar is making money, keep it where it is until it can attract more customers. I see little point in expanding and even less in moving, both of which cost a lot of money, unless more customers could make the move viable.

Instead of offering 250 Baht fines, launch a happy hour. Let's face it if you are going to take a lady from there you will pay the 500 Baht so there is no need to reduce that. If though the bar could get more custom, that would increase profits, customers would drink more, and probably take out more.

I would suggest trying to improve on what is there already. Many (regular) bars in Bangkok offer pints of Heineken at 75 Baht in Happy Hour. Cheers and good luck.

Added: Just remembered to say not every bar needs a pool table. I hope Guess does not get one either.

[peterpan]

My initial response would be "stay", for all the reasons already mentioned earlier. To add to that point; moving to another location may include building new relationships with different people that currently are "collecting" on a weekly or monthly basis and if this is significantly different and the chemistry isn't good, this could at worst case means the bar would be no more. That's been the case other places before!

Maybe I'm over cautious, just a thought...

Here's some question for K. Jay:

What's the real outcome in moving? Seriously, why?

What would the new location give, that couldn't be obtained at the current location?

What's the current exit strategy and has that plan been followed and met or exceeded expectations? In any case, why is that, what did you do?

Does the current location meet all the needs or can they be met where Guess Bar is? If so, why move?

What is the notification from the owners in case the building is sold? Will that time frame be enough to find a different location? Maybe make a wish list of places/areas and get to know the neighborhood in that desired new location, already now (coming back to the exit strategy again).

****

I am not a frequent flyer in Guess, I go there sometimes, the attraction for me is the friendliness, the no BS (mostly) and Jay's and the staff's ability to remember me (since I don't go there often).

Quality of girls are fantastic, with expansion comes a factor no one can deny, less control, which is one of the main reasons why so many small entrepreneurs fail, they simply can't let go of that.....

Maybe something to keep in mind as Guess goes into the next phase. How to have quality control, same level of good girls, curves, no drugs, behaviors. I wouldn't mind a few posties also

Is the pool table expansion really what the bar needs? The place is top class as it is, would "being like the rest" starts to attract punters who drinks ONE beer in a hour and not producing revenues.

Could there be other alternatives for entertainment in the plans?

Cheers,

PP

[katoeylover]

(bangkoksins @ Jul. 15 2007,09:51) not every bar needs a pool table. I hope Guess does not get one either.

[koykaeng]

Although there is something rather arousing about a lovely ladyboy leaning over a pool table....

Cheers
Koykaeng

[mardhi]

I suppose they could always go and buy some connect 4 games and not to forget "snakes and ladders" as well......

Might as well rename it the "Guess Game Bar" as well but luckily Snick has not reminded us about that dance machine thingy or even twister

Cheers
Mardhi

[Tomcat]

(mardhi @ Jul. 15 2007,14:35) The volume of music continues to be a struggle - Jay is worried that if the music is too low - the girls just become sleepy.   Feel free to suggest they turn it down if you feel its too loud (as I often do....)    

The Music is always to loud in most bars IMO. i think when you have to shout in someones ear its to loud.

having a conversation is a struggle sometimes.