Cherry forever

[Pattaya One]

‘Would the last one out of Soi 8 please turn out the lights’. That seems to be the growing feeling of many bar owners down in the Soi 8 and Soi 7 areas as they’ve watched a gradual but definite decline in recent years in the area.
One of those who decided to jump before he could be pushed is Adam, the long-running operator of the popular Cherry Bar. As he noted in a message to me recently, his bar had been operating in Soi 8 for more than seven years but ‘over the last few years there has been a heavy decline in foot traffic on Sois 7 and 8.’
Adam said he considered most bar owners are paying far too much in rent in Sois 7 and 8, although I think this is a common problem throughout much of Pattaya.
This is something many people never seem to get their heads around when deciding whether to open or buy a bar, especially of the outside beer bar variety.
Just to digress, it often surprises me when someone says ‘I’m only paying 30,000 baht a month rent,’ then goes on to say he’s got to pay key money of, say, 150,000 baht for his next three year lease in a few months. So, in reality, his rent is more like 34,166 baht a month.
It might not sound like that much extra, but if the bar is selling bottled beer at, say, 90 baht a throw then it equates to an extra 46 drinks a month, every month, they need to sell.
In some ways it’s a little surprising that Soi 8 is not doing better. After all, the new hotels that have sprung up along the street provide a ready market for those beer bars that are left.
Perhaps the numbers of punters just aren’t enough to provide the turnover the operators need to stay solvent, or at least reasonably profitable for the hours involved.
Whatever the underlying reasons, Cherry Bar has now moved into Soi Diana Inn, next to the Papagayo coyotes-r-us den. Adam held an opening party on 15 September and naturally expects to be able to keep his regulars and pick up plenty more new imbibers.

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[gareth]

more hotels on soi 8 means less bars , as they knock down the bars to build them , soi 8 used to look a lot like soi 7 before , loads of bars and a great atmosphere , only reason i have been down there in the last few years is to say hi to adam

[whitespider - RIP]

Adams new bar is bigger, better and a great location these days.

 

I doubt I will be the only BM wishing him all the very best.

[whitespider - RIP]

I called in last night around 01.30. Adam was in good form and the bar was very busy so it all seems to be doing well.

[robio]

Best wishes to Adam - definitely one of the good guys on the Pattaya scene

[999Baht]

I found out in another thread about the move.

Sounds like it was a good decision already!

This area is just going to become bigger and better I feel.

Good luck Adam!

[mikeyboy]

Yes , good luck to Adam and his relocated cherry bar . As one area of bars shrink/vanish for whatever reason another area springs up . A well run beer bar with a good crop of girls is always going to get my baht .

 

Mikeyboy

[paul b.]

I stopped by the new location several times last month. Didn't see Adam but he will do well in this location. Good on him for the move.