Over the years and amongst the cognoscenti there can be no doubt that Silom Soi 4 has acquired the reputation of being one of the world’s famous "gay" streets. There had been gay bars and pubs in Soi 4 since the mid-1960s but the soi only came to prominence in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The gay bars at this time were no more than shop-houses converted into beer bars, host bars and an ever-changing scene of a go go bars.
Unlike a go go bar-packed "Soi Twilight" on Surriwongse Road, Soi 4 has never been an exclusively gay venue and has always been host to a number of restaurants and bars catering to all and sundry. In its early days Soi 4’s nocturnal entertainment was fairly low-key. Except for one bar which was perhaps the most famous and popular of the early gay venues.
The Rise of the Rome Club
The Rome Club had a number of unsuccessful incarnations before its long run as Bangkok’s erstwhile foremost gay/mixed venue; initially occupying a single shop-house it was so popular that it soon quadrupled in size. The club presented a successful mix of extravagantly staged dance shows with a Saturday Night Fever-style disco.
The owners presided over the events and the place did not warm up until the DJ strode across the floor, entered his box and played music that many recall as being the best disco selection in Bangkok. From 11 PM to closing the place was buzzing with bodies gyrating to the sounds of Abba, U2, Culture Club, Michael Jackson, Gloria Gaynor, Duran Duran and other pop greats. For the times it was an unbeatable formula.
Decline and Fall of the Rome Club
The Rome was a kind of Asian Studio 54, attracting a diverse and eclectic global clientele with many of what has been described as Bangkok’s "Beautiful People" mixing and mingling with the more ordinary mortals.
For many years the Rome Club dominated the Bangkok gay scene by providing what their public wanted and operating an inclusive door policy: if you were gay or gay friendly, bisexual or some other orientation and above all good looking and trendy you were welcomed to enjoy the bar. But in a strange, sudden and inexplicable reversal of strategy the club’s owners decided that their gay clientele were no longer welcome heralding the beginning of the end for this particular empire.
It has to be said that many an aging Disco Bunny has fond memories of The Rome Club. That it lives in the memory establishes it a truly iconic symbol of gayness that held its prime position as the place to see and be seen for over 20 years.
Telephone Pub and Balcony Bar
At the time that The Rome Club was excluding its faithful troupe of local and international gays another pub quietly opened its doors and was soon to take on the mantle of Bangkok’s best known gay bar. The Telephone Pub is now over 21-years-old and si still going strong.
But that is another story.
John Howe - John Howe is a qualified nurse, lecturer and journalist, he has written extensively on health, travel and lifestyle in Asia and Europe.
