Guess Getting larger

[mardhi]

Jay has now agreed with the building landlords what she is doing. New lease has been agreed and the premises will be doubling in size within next 8 weeks.

The layout will become an L shape as she is taking over the premises formerly known as Alibar which was at the end of the corridor. Her and the interior design 'stylist' will be sitting down to decide what its all going to look like however some things are certain:-

1. The enlarged, but more private lounge area will be moving into the far end of the L shape - furthest away from the bar

2. Two brand new high quality pool tables with red baize will be coming into the bar area (1 in the area where the sofas are now, and the second will be next to it in the new bar area).

3. The 'bar' area will get a makeover with new seating and tables around the bar.

4. The music system will be upgraded and speakers relocated so that the bar area is background music with the main speakers around the podiums (incl new ones dotted around).

They are still working on the logistics on how to make this happen without impacting on the ongoing business. There may be a few days when some parts of the bar are closed of however the plan is NOT to close at all, however on some days the bar may not open until about 6pm. When this is likely it will be announced in advance.

With the change, the numbers of staff will be increasing.

Everything is expected to be totally finished and in place for the 1st birthday party on Friday 23rd November.

Cheers
Mardhi

[Snick]

What about my idea of a foam party before the renovation begins ?

[mardhi]

I am sure I can imagine her response to that suggestion Snick

By the way, the overall theme of the bar will not change - the new area will basically be similar to the existing bar - just more 'special features'. The overall impression will be similar - the hard part is how to keep it looking cosy and private by use of walls, screens, drapes etc - all of which can be opened up for special events and parties as the need arises. Fo example, the position of the entrance to the bar will not change and nor will the location of the bar counter itself.

Cheers
Mardhi

[Guest]

How about a good old fashioned "tear the house down" party the day before renovation?

Or, going the opposite way, a "make the house" day followed by party where all the handymen come in?

[stogie bear]

This all sounds like great news... I hope it all works out as good as she hopes. This forum will always support her in her ventures.

[Guest]

IMO Guess Bar was/is just fine the way it is however, you should never under estimate someones ambition and thus far I have been nothing but impressed with virtually everything that happens at this venue and whilst it continues in the current fashion my continued patronage is assured.
How about have a little BJ cubicle cos sometimes I get a bit embarassed when the gals are getting to know me and a stranger walks in

[Guest]

My only concern would be that Jay needs to make sure that the quality of the additional girls stays as high as it's always been. Some bars get bigger....bigger sizes means bigger bucks but when they let additional staff in, the quality tends to suffer. The owners become more interested on the bars daily operations and the baht being brought in versus what they originally had to begin with.

Nhscotsman

[brocklanders]

I like every idea except for the pool tables...they take up too much space. Not just where the actual pool table is but the area around it needs to be clear when people are taking shots. There are antisocial and a waste fo space IMHO. Just get a bunch of big expensive leather couches, more tables, spruce up the walls a bit and the place will have more space for punters and more lb's.

[divertwo]

yup...one table would seem to be enough for those bored with just socializing with the clientele.....I hope that she is not getting 2 tables just to be "in your face" with other LB bars that have only one pool table....

[mardhi]

(brocklanders @ Aug. 17 2007,11:04) I like every idea except for the pool tables...they take up too much space.  Not just where the actual pool table is but the area around it needs to be clear when people are taking shots.   There are antisocial and a waste fo space IMHO.   Just get a bunch of big expensive leather couches, more tables, spruce up the walls a bit and the place will have more space for punters and more lb's.

I tend to agree with your sentiment and Jay actually suggested a pool table originally in the bar and I and others said we thought it might be a bit naff + where would it go in the space she had available.

After 9 months of operation I and the other detractors have to agree that she was correct - she loses customers as a result of not having a pool table and she see's it every day where many of 'her' customers have to go to another bar within the building to play pool. This particularly affects the people who live in Thailand and support the bar day in and day out. She has also observed during the quiet periods her own staff play pool with other bar's customers - indirectly she is bolstering the revenue of those bars and her intention is to listen to the bars most valuable customers and provide the service herself, without detracting from the overall experience of Guess Bar in terms of ambience, service, comfort etc.

The design guy will be working on the layout to accomodate both an enlarged lounge area and the pool tables - the new bar area is actually about 20% bigger than the current Guess bar so infact the total area will more than double in size and the initial thoughts on where the pool tables will go will not detract from the overall feel so long as the lighting and decor are done asthetically.

Cheers
Mardhi

[mardhi]

(divertwo @ Aug. 17 2007,12:36)   yup...one table would seem to be enough for those bored with just socializing with the clientele.....I hope that she is not getting 2 tables just to be "in your face" with other LB bars that have only one pool table....  

There is also another reason why she is getting two pool tables however that wont become obvious until the modifications are completed and for the moment remains a commercial secret......

Cheers
Mardhi

[mardhi]

(pentire @ Aug. 17 2007,04:14) IMO Guess Bar was/is just fine the way it is however, you should never under estimate someones ambition and thus far I have been nothing but impressed with virtually everything that happens at this venue and whilst it continues in the current fashion my continued patronage is assured.
How about have a little BJ cubicle cos sometimes I get a bit embarassed when the gals are getting to know me and a stranger walks in  

There will not be cubicles however the new lounge area will be more private due to its location and the design style - more of which will become clearer once the design is unveiled.

The Gay stylist friend will have his work cut out for sure as Jays list of requirements for the space re-design grows.

Cheers
Mardhi

[jadeite]

I am one of those who has left Guess bar to walk to another bar to play pool. The pool table was the best news to me. That might just make it the only bar in town with ladyboys & pool! I just hope at least one table is regular sized rather than the slim type.

Also as long as Guess bar keeps a good number of great lookers, that's what matters. I can always look past any that I don't fancy. Also might be nice to have something for every taste. But so far it's been a real nice lineup and if that quality can be sustained that would be great too.

I envision a bigger, better Guess bar. Keep up the good work.

[mardhi]

(nhscotsman @ Aug. 17 2007,07:23) My only concern would be that Jay needs to make sure that the quality of the additional girls stays as high as it's always been. Some bars get bigger....bigger sizes means bigger bucks but when they let additional staff in, the quality tends to suffer. The owners become more interested on the bars daily operations and the baht being brought in versus what they originally had to begin with.

Nhscotsman

As far as I can tell, she is making no plans to lower the entry requirements or standards to work in the bar - infact since its opened she has tightened the requirements and severely cut back on freelancers.

Knowing her she already has a few new staff lined up and is looking for more to join the bar, but as always, she is fickle and still kicks back more than she accepts.

Cheers
Mardhi

[mardhi]

(jadeite @ Aug. 17 2007,13:05) I am one of those who has left Guess bar to walk to another bar to play pool. The pool table was the best news to me. That might just make it the only bar in town with ladyboys & pool! I just hope at least one table is regular sized rather than the slim type.

Also as long as Guess bar keeps a good number of great lookers, that's what matters. I can always look past any that I don't fancy. Also might be nice to have something for every taste. But so far it's been a real nice lineup and if that quality can be sustained that would be great too.

I envision a bigger, better Guess bar. Keep up the good work.

The latest I heard is that the discussions with Sovereign (the people who make the pool tables) are for an 8 foot table and a 7 foot table however thats subject to change - for sure they will not be both 6 foot tables which I assume are the 'slim' types you refer to.

Cheers
Mardhi