The FARANG Speaks 2 Much

Shadow Bar, Soi Cowboy
Photo courtesy of Bangkok Eyes

Soi Cowboy’s newest bar, from the stable of Playskool Pete, is nothing to do with Crazy Jack’s Shadow Bar of yesteryear. It’s a spangly new beer bar, and it looks great.

In the aftermath of the shock departure of The Big Mango Bar, I’ve been looking for a new chilled-out bar where I can relax, drink cheap beer, and perhaps watch the football - until Mango 2 graces us with its presence. Shadow Bar seems to be the best fit so far.

It’s not a perfect replacement - it doesn’t have the pool tables or the girls of the Mango, but it does have my second- and third-favourite beers (Heineken and Tiger) on super-chilled draft, and available by the pint, which is the clincher for me. And to be fair, I don’t think draft Beer Lao even exists in Thailand. I certainly haven’t seen it in Bangkok yet.

Add to the above a ฿60 happy hour that runs until 9.30pm, the sights and sounds of Soi Cowboy to take in from the terrace, and the fact that there are enough plasma-screen TVs that there’s always one in view, and you’ve got a pretty impressive hangout.

There’s an impressive and affordable food menu - all orders are actually handled by the Old Dutch pub, at the end of the soi, which is run by the same owner as Shadow Bar. Okay, it’s not a Big Mango Burger, but it’s certainly decent enough!

Long-time readers will no doubt be hanging on tenterhooks awaiting a full and vivid description of the bathroom facilities. I’m happy to oblige. The toilet features white-tiled walls, encompassing a grey tiled floor and stained-wood surround. The delightful urinals positively invite the discerning customer to deposit his effluent with a smile. I have yet to give the stall a test-run - I like to pace myself, as well as to have something to look forward to on my next visit.

Cuter and more numerous service girls would be an impressive addition, but they’ve only been open for two weeks, so I’m happy to give them a chance. A good start.