This was a comment that we have elevated to a post for ease of use. Enjoy!
I have contributed a fair number of posts on member clubs (aka G-clubs or Gentlemen clubs as I call them) in the past to this website. As a member of both Forte and Sopranos, and a frequent visitor to Caribbean, Resort on Soi 13 Ratchada (very very good), Ritz on Soi 11 and Pent on Wireless Road, I still occasionally do the Nana and Cowboy scene (but hardly ever Patpong). As Smitty says -that is what makes Bangkok so great - it is not just one scene (like Pattaya is) but a real mix on any night of the week.
I have had a dancer from Sopranos as a live-in gf for a while late last year, and then moved on to a dancer from Forte who is now camped out in my apartment. Both are stunning, young, tall, Uni student girls who are funny, classy and speak pretty good English. They have a good eye for fashion and do not look at all out of place in the most hi-so shops or clubs in Bangkok. They have tons of hot friends and have introduced me to an entirely different part of Bangkok social scene. And, for me at least, nothing beats the sight of my girl putting on her uni uniform in the morning.
I have never bar-fined anyone from any member club. You can - but it costs a fortune and is not really the best approach anyway. I have visited a few times and always spent time with the same girl I have taken a fancy to. If the chemistry is right, they agree to meet me after work or on their evenings off. Sometimes the chemistry isn’t right, and so I have moved on to other girls. It is an investment in time and money and does not reward immediately, but the ultimate payoff has beem well worth it for me as a long term resident of Bangkok who enjoys the company of intelligent girls who I can feel proud to take with me to any occasion.
My experience has been that some of these girls (whether hostesses who are called ‘Pretties’ or the dancers) will not ‘go’ with just any customer - they might have serious boyfriends, or they might still be living at home and under close scrutiny or they are still ‘good girls’ saving themselves for Mr. Right. They also have to genuinely like the guy before they agree to anything. I know Smitty laughs every time I tell this, but I have met at least 2 genuine virgins doing incredibly sexy coyote dancing in member clubs!
In my cases, both the girls I eventually hooked up with stayed with me after 2-3 nights of ‘dating’ outside of the member club. They did not expect any money as direct payment for sex, and one was actually pissed off when I tried to give her 2000 bht the next morning. She told me in no uncertain terms that she was ‘not a hooker’, but if she was, 2000 bht would be an insult (and she was right). However, over time, girls from the member clubs can be expensive just as any great looking girlfriend can be! Nights out, dinners, trips away, the occasional gift and the costs of visiting them at their clubs can add up fast.
Many of the girls in these clubs are looking for long-term ’sponsors’ who can show them a good time, cover some if not most of their monthly expenses and be a frequent customer at their club (where they get paid on drinks consumed). Some are looking for more serious relationships - it is not uncommon for the girls in the member clubs to end up marrying frequent customers.
Some are experts at playing their customers, and can have several long-term ’sponsors’ on the go at once, earning 70k bht or more a month in the process. As a reqular customer, you will soon get to know which girls do what, and making friends with the mama-sans (or sales ladies) is always a good idea as they are invaluable sources of info.
If this scene sounds interesting to you then you are well advised to get introduced to the clubs by guys who already know the score.
To do well in these clubs you need to look half decent, dress well (but still casual), smell good, be clean and speak at least a little Thai. If you have a good sense of humor and look like you can afford to spend reasonably well, then you have most of the boxes ticked.
Member clubs are not for everyone and I have many friends who don’t like them or just don’t get it. That’s fine, but for me the whole go-go and freelance scene got tired very quickly, and I just find the girls in most of the member clubs to be so much more attractive than elsewhere.
Just like anything else in Bangkok, you have to know how to play the game and be prepared to make the investments necessary for the rewards.
Message received twice.
Repeat, message received twice.
Good stuff though. May I ask how much cash you spend on your live-in darling each month?
View all comments by Bangkok Bad Boy
Wait a sec. I deleted the comment once I got the post up. Not my fault if you have nothing better to do then constantly hit the refresh button!
I will answer for ML. They pay him each month due to his bedroom skills. Living the dream!
View all comments by smitty
Heheh, no I meant that the entire post above is repeated. The actual article is half as long, but got pasted twice in a row, I guess.
View all comments by Bangkok Bad Boy
I think u are seeing things.
I swear I was not posting and drinking…
View all comments by smitty
Ooh, stealth edit. Very smooth
View all comments by Bangkok Bad Boy
A lot more enlightening than today’s other post regarding the same subject.
Gentleman’s Club? Just because it costs more? Good one! Ha ha.
After your description I can’t really see the difference between the girls at the members’ clubs and the girls at Nana/SoiCowboy. G-Clubs just seem like a scam that is organized more professionally.
View all comments by rick
Costs?
For the clubs - a lot in one hit (20k-30k bht), but actually over time they don’t work out so bad…it is just that you are paying for your nights out in advance in one lump sum which can be a shock. But then I have had great nights out in Forte and Sopranos when my bill has been almost nothing as it is just eating into my membership that I paid previously.
I also find the entertainment value of these clubs worth paying some money for. The bands at Sopranos are superb, and the dancing routines are different every night with new costumes and real effort shown by the staff. This is NOTHING like the insipid dancing you see in the usual go-gos, or lame shows many go-gos put on. I have had great fun nights in these member clubs, whether I have ended up with a girl or not.
For my girls?
The Sopranos girl continued working and I guess she was costing me about 10k-15k per month in one way or another as a regular gf who stayed at my place after she finished work. Worst part was her waking me up most mornings at 3-4am, when I had to work the next day. Best part was that very occasionally she’d bring one of her friends from work back with her…..
I have a different arrangement with my current Forte girl. She quit the club and just takes care of me and concentrates on her studies now. I guess she is costing me about 20k-25k per month when you add it all up. But when I am with her, I just don’t feel the need or desire to indulge elsewhere (I certainly don’t see better in the Nana/Cowboy/Patpong/Freelance scene), so I figure I am actually saving money!
Telling a lot here about my own personal life and arrangements, so hope you all find it at least a bit useful….
View all comments by Mochalover
In response to Rick,
If Smitty and my own descriptions of the g-clubs and girls in them leave you with the impression that there is no difference between the girls in these clubs and Nana/Cowboy or the freelance scene then we have done a very bad job.
I think there is a big difference (especially for many of the dancers in the g-clubs) - in looks, in their experience, in their expectations, in their style, in their intelligence, in their humor, in their sophistication, and most importantly in their attitude.
The g-club girls, for the most part, are not tainted by the entire bar scene and are not ‘working girls’. For those of us who are here in Thailand longer term, and might need to take girls with us to business functions or whose gf’s might be expected to meet work colleagues, there is no comparison. In my own work environment and network, I could not possibly introduce any girl I have met from Nana/Cowboy or the Freelance scene. But I’d have no hesitation in introducing most of the girls I know from the g-clubs.
Both of my g-club girlfriends had never had a farang bf before, and had only had 2-3 sexual relationships previously. They do not have kids, Aunts needing cash, brothers in prison needing bail, parents in trouble or sick water buffalos.
But it is in the bedroom that I noticed the greatest difference. I don’t want to tell how many Nana/Cowboy/Freelance girls I have been with over the years, but in every case (except perhaps 2) I have ultimately felt like the girls were just going through the motions and putting on acts. Basically, it is all about a transaction. I have not felt that way at all with the girls I have been with from the g-clubs, where real passion and intensity has been shown.
I could go on, but am already beginning to sound like a commercial for g-clubs, when I realize that they are not for everyone and there is nothing wrong with the other scenes available either. I may also have just been lucky in my own experiences.
It is always difficult to compare one group of girls with another, since there will always be outstanding girls to be found in the usual go-go and freelance scene (which is what makes living here so much fun) and there are also probably some g-club girls and ‘pretties’ who are just like many of the girls you’ll find in Nana/Cowboy or Soi 33. We are talking in generalisations, which is always fraught with problems.
If you are in Bangkok for a few days or weeks, and ‘wham bam thank you ma’am’ is what you are after, then the g-club scene is a waste of time and money.
View all comments by Mochalover
Mochalover: Thanks for that. Very decent of you to share.
View all comments by Bangkok Bad Boy
ML: How would a customer who is not a heavy drinker fare at a g-club? Is it acceptable to drink anything other than alcohol at such places?
View all comments by Ling
L : you could drink water - I don’t think they would care. Your friends and the girls can drink your booze you get via the membership. So I my feeling is that it would not be a big deal.
View all comments by smitty
smitty: Thank you for letting me know.
View all comments by Ling
I don’t drink alcohol at all. I drink water, soda and cola when I go out. The clubs don’t much like this, and charge a fortune, but that is life.
BTW - many Thai girls I have met seem to suddenly warm to me when they discover I am not a drinker or smoker, and only have the one vice…..
View all comments by Mochalover
I don’t think you can even compare the girls in the two different scenes. One visit to one of the member clubs and you will know the difference.
View all comments by bkk22
bkk22 - THat is how I feel but I have taken friends who do not feel the same way. Some of it is the language thing the other part of it is the cost. THen they sometimes feel like they came away with no hook up or phone and decide the whole place is frustrating. I guess that is the key really - it takes some patience however I think they are different girls, not all of them, and the wait is worthwhile. Having not really closed much at member clubs I am still on the face but enjoying the hunt.
View all comments by smitty
I second BBB’s comment. Factual information is sometimes hard to come by; it is very much appreciated.
I’ve been to a few G-Clubs and I can understand and empathize with both perspectives. It’s easy to become accustomed to the easy pulls and instant gratification around seemingly most any corner in BKK. Even a rather ordinary pull from a go-go or freelancer joint is inestimably better than a hard fought and inequitable hook-up back in the West; especially considering, in many cases, how much beef there is on the hoof back there
Not to bludgeon a topic already hashed out, but I’ll for one put my voice with the G-club group. Hotter girls, better dancing, and in my limited conversations with the girls, much more engaging. Spendy? No way of getting around that….
After a too long already hiatus from Thailand however, I’ll be looking for a pull on Cowboy immediately upon my return. Just look for the guy with the s#%t-eating grin on his face.
View all comments by The Heckler
I think many times people feel like it is one or the other. To the contrary I have had many a night that started at Forte and ended on Cowboy. We have started at Nana and then headed to Forte. I like each for what they are individually and how diverse they are. If people simply want quick pulls or cheap thrills then the member clubs probably have no appeal but sometimes I tire of the hardened go go girls, the dingy bars and the attitude of the staff - the member clubs are a great diversion. Good service, nice clubs, gorgeous girls and sometimes some great entertainment.
I am currently exploring all avenues since that makes life all the more interesting.
U won’t hear me complain though when after Forte - I swing by the dollhouse to buy a drink for a naked Go Go girl. It’s all good!
View all comments by smitty
ML: Should I happen to have the good fortune to run into you at a g-club, your next non-alcoholic drink is on me.
View all comments by Ling
Thank you ML and Smitty for sharing, very much appreciated! I pretty much see what you mean and feel the urge to become a member at some venue…
View all comments by farangsay
The girls at places like Forte and Sopranos fall into one of two categories (from what I can tell, it is a 50-50 split). The first category is the nicer isarn woman - they are no different from the girls in the bars but they are just better looking and more appealing to the typical Thai (maybe a little taller, lighter and of course no children). They’re just as poor as their go-go brethren, thus if you take them home you’ll end up supporting them like some posters here. Not really different from a go-go girl.
The other category is the struggling bangkok girl. She, too has financial issues or comes from a questionable family (such as father out of the picture or abusive). They are a touch above the other category and, after time, will be willing to have an actual relationship if you are a decent guy who is age appropriate. Unless both parents are out of the picture, these girls will not move in with you, but you’ll still have to provide some support.
At the end of the day, they’re all just working girls. If you are a long term expat, you should be able to move to greener pastures (by that I mean nice middle class girls with good jobs who won’t need support). Of course, you have to be age appropriate, with a decent job (or other source of income) and otherwise presentable. Just my observations.
View all comments by Leftofcenter
If a not that experienced guy may dare a comment on this: even a nice middle class girl who basically don’t need your support will expect it as it is an important feature of thai culture that one financially supports their wife and their wife’s family… Isn’t it?
View all comments by farangsay
For middle class Thai Thais, then I’d probably agree. For middle class Thai Chinese, then no. The parents seem to have the foresight to prepare for their own old age instead of becoming a burden on their children. Of course, those are the hardest ones for foreigners to get, and you won’t find them at go go bars or gentlemen’s clubs. For longer term expats, it’s less of a problem (again, presuming you look decent, are age appropriate for the girl and have a respectable job). My girl is eight years younger than me (I’m 35, she’s 27) and that’s about as big of a difference the families will accept (it seems they follow the “Little Women” formula of 1/2 your age plus 7, thus a 40 year old guy is suitable for a 27 year old, but nothing younger). Again, this is just my experience after being here for five years. Others may have different opinions.
View all comments by Leftofcenter
What is this “Little Women”-formula you are talking about? Where does it come from?
View all comments by farangsay
LOC - You make some valid points as to a possible breakdowns at the member clubs when it comes to classifying the women but no way do they fall into only those 2 categories. Sure some do but even the one I am hanging with right now does not fit into those categories and nor do her 2 friends.
I don’t think they are just like go go girls for one simple reason - they are not dealing with the go go scene day and and day out. Many are more educated as well but not all.
I am not saying the member clubs are where to find your Thai sweetheart but if people are out partying and enjoy the scene then for sure the member clubs are a different experience.
yes - one could meet a middle class Thai girl and that is always an option. Although the one nice thing about meeting the girls in the member clubs is they probably understand ones lifestyle a little more when it comes to going out and partying. Some of my friend who have settled down with the nice middle class Thai girls have basically seen their going out and partying days come to an end. Not as a general rule of course but just some anecdotal observations.
View all comments by smitty
I think a main difference between a gogo and g-club is this. A gogo may have a handful of good looking girls and they are going to get taken early. G-clubs will be 95% really hot girls. You choose who you want and what you want to drink. No pushiness, no pressure.
They are what they are and I think they both serve different purposes. If you want to pump and dump then go to a gogo. If you want to hang out with gorgeous women, drink and watch some bands then go to a g-club. My friends and I go to the g-clubs, not to pick up girls but rather to get drunk as hell and just party with the girls. They are always more friendlier and easier to talk to then the standard “what’s your name?” “where you from?”.
As has been said before Bangkok is great because you can hit both in one night. go to a g-club party and have fun then go to Spicy for a pick up.
However, I think g-clubs are for people that either
1) live here
2) are visiting friends that live here
I don’t see them being as much fun for someone just visiting for a week. I like the service, the girls and the entertainment they offer every now and then.
View all comments by bkk22
When I said every now and then I meant going there 2-3 times a month, not that I like the service and girls every now and then. Sorry
View all comments by bkk22
Totally agree with bkk22 and Smitty.
I also think LOC is mostly right too, except just because the girls in the g-clubs and in the go-gos both end up costing money does not really make them the same at all. I find them to be very different most of the time, but now and again there is overlap.
I met a girl in a Soi 33 club last year that was classic g-club in her looks, attitude and experience. I have met a few girls in the g-clubs that would be right at home in Soi 33, some of the go-gos or even the up-market freelance scene (think Qbar).
For myself, the last thing I want is a relationship with a ‘good Thai girl’. Although a long time resident of Bangkok I am not single, and make that very clear to any girl I meet. I wouldn’t want to get into the complications of dealing with the expectations of a good Thai girl and the resulting constraints on my lifestyle.
With even the g-club girls that I have had as girlfriends, they know and understand that nothing should get too serious or long term, and that I need my occasional diversions.
View all comments by Mochalover
smitty - no, they aren’t all just like go go girls - that’s my point. to reiterate, one group is the hotter than average isarn girl who doesn’t need to work in a go-go given her looks. the other group consists of thai-thais most likely from bangkok from poor families. they’re both “good girls” if compared to a go-go girl i suppose in that they don’t have to sell their bodies to the same extent. i’m guessing those two groups cover a good 90% of the women. i seriously doubt you’d find many middle class Thais of any ethnic background or any Thai chinese of any class except the very poorest (or from very dysfunctional families).
bkk22 - i think you hit the nail on the head.
mochalover - yes, if you aren’t single (presumably this means you’re either married or else in what your partner would consider a committed relationship) then you are better off sticking with the go-go girls or the ones from the gentlemen’s clubs no question. i just think that most expats who are here for the long haul will eventually tire of the bar scenes and want to find someone who’s more compatible. unfortunately, these are the hardest ones for most to meet.
View all comments by LeftofCenter
Thanks for ML smitty, bkk22 and others. Like this kind of non-heated discussion where ppl but their words in nice way and trying to avoid heating up the ppl who have strong opinions.
I am definetly interested in member clubs, in case that I would finally get work in Thailand. All this sounds so great, I have some sort of longing for those men only clubs where guys smoke cigars and talk politics or shit. 
Member clubs seems to be perfect men hideouts, only coupled with gorgeous women as bonus! 
View all comments by Mr. Mike
mr mike - was chatting the other night with a long time resident of bkk and he was bemoaning the loss of the cocktail clubs in bkk. Used to be a lot of small but decadent clubs that catered to guys hanging out but of course women were on hand and available. I think member clubs are the only thing that comes close. They are not perfect, take some time to get the hang of but I think are enjoyable for people who invest a some time and coin into it. Enjoy.
View all comments by smitty
BK-22 totally agree but u left one item off your list:
3. have money to spend …
And I’m with you, my personal favourite being Resort
View all comments by psi100th