Curiosity has got the better of me as to whether any of the right honourable Hua Hin learned would spare a desperate sort a moment to reflect upon your impressions of one Butterfly Rock Bar. Of late I have become mildly interested in purchasing the above mentioned. Or more to the point would any of you venture down that way were I indeed to assume control of the establishment with a firm regard to turning it back into a dolly watering hole instead of a satellite Dixons outlet. Is there indeed even a shred of hope in my madness. I would pledge to either turn down the volume on the Friday night live band or better still turf them out on their ear, or at very minimum provide you all with complimentary fluffy ear mufflers upon your entrance. Another idea I had was to invite you all down for a free beer on the condition that you all scribble something down on a blank piece of paper as to how I could bring the place around to your liking. Your idea deposited in what seemingly would likely need to be an extraordinarily large anonomous suggestions box as to how the bar could be re juvenated into a venue that you might frequent from time to time, or I wonder is it too far gone ? I can't seem to find a positive word about the place on the internet.
All experiences, comments, suggestions and rants most welcomed.
yours in feverish anticipation
Sweetarts.
Butterfly Rock Bar
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Randy Cornhole
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I would suggest you think long and hard about getting into the bar business. Its not for everyone. Very few if any make any money.
If you are in it only for the money then I would say, dontgo there. If you have plenty of money and just want a plaything. Why the hell not. Go for it...
Thats just my opinion though...
If you are in it only for the money then I would say, dontgo there. If you have plenty of money and just want a plaything. Why the hell not. Go for it...
Thats just my opinion though...
www.35mmview.com
Whilst I am the first to shy away from getting involved in a bar here ,some work and make good money .
I know the place well and pop in a couple of afternoons a week .Only recently did I discover that there are 11 rooms in total upstairs .It is one of the few aircon places in town .I think it is one of the few places on the market in town that has potential .I also think it is a snip at the asking price .
As for making it a good business ? See previous post below .
"Ozuncle
You are quite correct that a simple reduction of prices when overheads are constant is a recipe for disaster .So is reducing staff as it reduces quality of service .My 75% of something analogy did not refer to a straight drop in prices .Rather to investing a little more cash and effort into making the establishment more attractive to the target audience .Pay a bit more for lively go-getting staff,update the music collection,put on some promotions that don,t hit the pocket in the long run (quiz nights with prizes,spin the wheel ,toss the boss etc..etc..etc.) The drinks companies are usually only too happy to provide giveaways for promotional nights especially if you promise to take photos and have them published on line and in local publications .Of course you will have to support these publications but,if done right,its a win win situation all round .Make the place "FUN" people are on holiday,they want to enjoy themselves and spend money .Get together with a few other like-minded bar owners and put your heads together .Three legged pub crawls,pram races...etc..People love the opportunity to make a fool of themselves and have fun doing it .Get a bit of lively activity going and the locals will join in for sure ,giving you a bar full of people enjoying themselves which will bring repeat and new custom .In short,filling the place with bored girls ,devoid of enthusiasm until the next food cart comes past and sticking an A4 piece of paper on the toilet door with "VIP room available" written on it in felt-tip pen is not going to cut it this year .
I would guess there must be at least 2000 expats who like a drink and a laugh in Hua Hin at this time of year .If you can attract 1 in a 100 you have 20 people in your place before you even consider tourists .Not a bad start to the evening .
Good luck to you all "
Crazy 88
I know the place well and pop in a couple of afternoons a week .Only recently did I discover that there are 11 rooms in total upstairs .It is one of the few aircon places in town .I think it is one of the few places on the market in town that has potential .I also think it is a snip at the asking price .
As for making it a good business ? See previous post below .
"Ozuncle
You are quite correct that a simple reduction of prices when overheads are constant is a recipe for disaster .So is reducing staff as it reduces quality of service .My 75% of something analogy did not refer to a straight drop in prices .Rather to investing a little more cash and effort into making the establishment more attractive to the target audience .Pay a bit more for lively go-getting staff,update the music collection,put on some promotions that don,t hit the pocket in the long run (quiz nights with prizes,spin the wheel ,toss the boss etc..etc..etc.) The drinks companies are usually only too happy to provide giveaways for promotional nights especially if you promise to take photos and have them published on line and in local publications .Of course you will have to support these publications but,if done right,its a win win situation all round .Make the place "FUN" people are on holiday,they want to enjoy themselves and spend money .Get together with a few other like-minded bar owners and put your heads together .Three legged pub crawls,pram races...etc..People love the opportunity to make a fool of themselves and have fun doing it .Get a bit of lively activity going and the locals will join in for sure ,giving you a bar full of people enjoying themselves which will bring repeat and new custom .In short,filling the place with bored girls ,devoid of enthusiasm until the next food cart comes past and sticking an A4 piece of paper on the toilet door with "VIP room available" written on it in felt-tip pen is not going to cut it this year .
I would guess there must be at least 2000 expats who like a drink and a laugh in Hua Hin at this time of year .If you can attract 1 in a 100 you have 20 people in your place before you even consider tourists .Not a bad start to the evening .
Good luck to you all "
Crazy 88
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sandman67
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buying a bar here at the moment is a recipe for disaster unless you have a war chest to ride out the storm. Buying a bar/guesthouse just doubles your overheads and woes.
Since the recession kicked in out west we have seen drastically reduced tourist numbers. The recent political strife added the cherry to the cake. This is set to continue all through next year at least.
Mate there are scads of bars up for grabs now....that should tell you something.
Even well established places like Mrs S's are basically running on tickover via their established ex pat clientele. Even the "ex pat old boys club" bar I drink in sees less custom now as riggers retirees and offshore boys are all getting hit by the low exchange rates and economic woes back west. mates who have late night karaoke bars are saying the same...empty nights too many times.
These are really thin times....and it just may get worse. The situation up in BKK continues to look pretty bleak....the redshirts are already getting ready to rumble and Thaksin looks set to stoke the fire now his crony collection looks to be out of power.
SO
If you do want to buy, look at it as a longer term investment and hobby. Give it two or three years and have the finances in place to keep it running on tickover that long while you rebuild a customer base. as the Harley has shown, swish decor just wont cut it now....you need loyal customers and "regular" ex pats.
Otherwise dont buy a bar.
Since the recession kicked in out west we have seen drastically reduced tourist numbers. The recent political strife added the cherry to the cake. This is set to continue all through next year at least.
Mate there are scads of bars up for grabs now....that should tell you something.
Even well established places like Mrs S's are basically running on tickover via their established ex pat clientele. Even the "ex pat old boys club" bar I drink in sees less custom now as riggers retirees and offshore boys are all getting hit by the low exchange rates and economic woes back west. mates who have late night karaoke bars are saying the same...empty nights too many times.
These are really thin times....and it just may get worse. The situation up in BKK continues to look pretty bleak....the redshirts are already getting ready to rumble and Thaksin looks set to stoke the fire now his crony collection looks to be out of power.
SO
If you do want to buy, look at it as a longer term investment and hobby. Give it two or three years and have the finances in place to keep it running on tickover that long while you rebuild a customer base. as the Harley has shown, swish decor just wont cut it now....you need loyal customers and "regular" ex pats.
Otherwise dont buy a bar.
"Science flew men to the moon. Religion flew men into buildings."
"To sin by silence makes cowards of men."
"To sin by silence makes cowards of men."
Sweetarts
Ive been doing this game for 10 years here 16 hour days and all that.For the last year I have been answering the question to people who want to buy a bar with don't.
I have seen people come here with 60 grand lucky to get out with 10 after 6 months and that was in the good times.There is so many bars for sale now and they are for sale for mainly one reason-failure.
But if you really want a bar now is the time to buy so you get a highish season.
The only people not losing here are the landlords with every new owner they get higher rents and more keymoney.
Ive been doing this game for 10 years here 16 hour days and all that.For the last year I have been answering the question to people who want to buy a bar with don't.
I have seen people come here with 60 grand lucky to get out with 10 after 6 months and that was in the good times.There is so many bars for sale now and they are for sale for mainly one reason-failure.
But if you really want a bar now is the time to buy so you get a highish season.
The only people not losing here are the landlords with every new owner they get higher rents and more keymoney.
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bluezephyr
- Professional
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- Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2008 1:15 am
- Location: Norwich, Norfolk, England
Someone i know had a bar in HH, Owns pubs in the uk and thought he'd give it a shot, Rebuilt the interior, Best sound system and lights he could buy, After a few months he more or less gave it away (in comparison to what he spent making it really nice) to get rid of the hassles!. He has a war chest but isnt going to throw money at a failing business. Luckily his losses were affordable.
The Butterfly Rock was a fairly new bar so i was told when i visited in September, Wasnt doing too well then, Imo its too far away from the main bars, But better for locals and regulars.
The Butterfly Rock was a fairly new bar so i was told when i visited in September, Wasnt doing too well then, Imo its too far away from the main bars, But better for locals and regulars.
Mai ow Khup, Pom Ki Neow :)
ive been a few times,its ok ,would call in every now and again,but owning a bar is hard work and long hours,i used to have one years ago in pataya it was easier then less bars around,as long as you go in with eyes open and staff you can trust ,wife-g/f included then try
come cruising on the gulf of thailand with the mai thai in hua hin please click the link below
http://www.huahinmedia.com/huahin-boat-trips.php
http://www.huahinmedia.com/huahin-boat-trips.php
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Randy Cornhole
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The bloke that bought butterfly rock (I wont mention his name) but he used to play for Everton. Has plenty of money. Owning as he does several bars in the phillipines.
I think he bought into that road assuming it would one day be the next soi binterbart area. This thus far is not the case and probably wont ever be.
I therefore can't see this bar ever making any real money.
I think he bought into that road assuming it would one day be the next soi binterbart area. This thus far is not the case and probably wont ever be.
I therefore can't see this bar ever making any real money.
www.35mmview.com
Yeah he bought the freehold, so sitting on an asset that should only appreciate as the town has, putting to one side the current global financial do-da.
The person who took it over, nice guy, paid massive key money and committed to big rent, he now wants to sell the lease on as is not working for him. Good luck to him with that. As I said too big overheads to make it in a non-tourist route imo. It's got 3 floors of rooms, tried most of them, so maybe a guest house led affair may work better, with bar/restaurant on ground floor!?!?
I used to drink their regularly and many customers came in saying wow nice and cool air-conned in here, loved the 4 flat screens with 4 separate boxes so could watch pick of four different matches, then when bill came had kittens that their Chang was 5 Baht dearer than a bar down the road with no facilities. Beyond my comprehension.
Most drinkers in that road, are aged between 75 and 125 and prefer the cheaper bars from what I've witnessed. Upto them ofcourse, their perogative.
Another major disadvantage it has is that Victor frequents it
SJ
The person who took it over, nice guy, paid massive key money and committed to big rent, he now wants to sell the lease on as is not working for him. Good luck to him with that. As I said too big overheads to make it in a non-tourist route imo. It's got 3 floors of rooms, tried most of them, so maybe a guest house led affair may work better, with bar/restaurant on ground floor!?!?
I used to drink their regularly and many customers came in saying wow nice and cool air-conned in here, loved the 4 flat screens with 4 separate boxes so could watch pick of four different matches, then when bill came had kittens that their Chang was 5 Baht dearer than a bar down the road with no facilities. Beyond my comprehension.
Most drinkers in that road, are aged between 75 and 125 and prefer the cheaper bars from what I've witnessed. Upto them ofcourse, their perogative.
Another major disadvantage it has is that Victor frequents it
SJ
Last edited by Super Joe on Sat Dec 13, 2008 10:06 am, edited 1 time in total.