Pics of Mango Renovation 2011
Posted by admin | Big Mango Bar, Blog, General, Posts | Posted on April 20th, 2011
Hi folks,
Some pics of the Mango Bar after the renovation are now posted here.
We are still tidying it up a bit so excuse the unfinished touches, but it’s open for business so c’mon over.
We’re always looking for an excuse to throw a party so stay tuned for details on the Renovation Party.
Team Mango










I was in there last night. The new set up is great and I really like the vibe. Creating that outdoor space for the dirty smokers and moving the wall in makes a good change. Its a bit disconcerting that you kept the side of the bar that was used for YP’s moment of shame at DW1. I see the crack and shiver at the memory of what cannot be unseen. The new staff seem quite nice too!
View all comments by Spats
Particularly liked the outdoor AC unit for the “dirty smokers” will be down soon to check the new look out for myself. Good Luck guys.
View all comments by Riodon
There is a bit of the ‘old Mango’ vibe to the place now.
Something that patrons of the old place will pick up on.
Great responses coming back from people. Glad everyone likes the changes
View all comments by Daywalker
I was in last night for a visit, and it is undoubtedly remeniscent of the original Big Mango. The bar on the side (instead of down the middle) really opens up the space, the glass front lightens everything up, and it’s great to have a pool table that isn’t blocked by any obstacles. One problem in the past has always been the uncomfortable position of the TVs, and that’s been fixed. The bar was hopping when I was in around 8 pm, and the service had a fresh feel with the complete turnover of the staff. This layout just feels a lot better. My only negative comment would be that a little cosmetic work is needed to hide the cables that drop from the ceiling to the register area. All in all a bunch of improvements… Well done!
View all comments by Werewolf
Photos look great. Was not a fan before as I found it a bit dingy with the front wall as it was and did not like the centre bar although I often called in for a lunchtime burger. Good job. Will check it out late June and spend more time there.
What is happening re opening hours? Extending??
View all comments by whisperingoldman
Oh yeah, I witnessed YP’s moment of shame first hand (I’m talking about Daywalker’s Birthday 1 – there’s been plenty of other moments of shame). If only that bar could tell the stories it’s seen.
I’m looking forward to checking out the new bar. I’ll fly in tomorrow evening. Drinks are on me Spats – you better bring your drinking shoes mate.
View all comments by Rick Masters
So is it true, no more bar fining the serving staff?
View all comments by docsmith
Looks good fella’s,like the recessed front entry area-good job!!
View all comments by KhunKunta
Nice reno. Good to see the sheep molesters flag has been lost. Look forward to inspecting the work in person tomorrow night. Which reminds me. Beer Lao Light. Cold. 10pm. Please.
View all comments by Wombat
Oh yeah. Not a Star Trek poster in sight, though to be fair, that’s not due to the renovation. It’s been a while, now, since Captain Kirk was replaced by Homer Simpson.
I’m pleased to say that Homer survived the remodel and holds the place of honor on the toilet wall, proudly wearing his tee shirt that proclaims “beer is the source of — and solution to — all of my problems”.
View all comments by Werewolf
Thanks for the feedback everyone. It is great to hear. We still have some items to work out around operations but we’re glad the reno is done. We’re thinking about a party the weekend of the 30th so stay tuned.
View all comments by pmmp
Star Trek lives on!
You just have to venture upstairs. (to the crapper)
View all comments by Daywalker
Nice changes. I’ve always thought that center bars only work in REALLY big rooms. When it’s slow, the bar seems more empty, when it’s busy I’m always bumping into more people.
I’ve heard about, but did not witness, Penfolds Special Moment. However, what is it about the scamp that would make such an event surprising, disquieting, or even notable. It’s sort of like saying, ‘Remember the time Scampering Jack was drinking tequila?’
View all comments by Scampering Jack Wilshere
were you guys able to get that big stain and nasty funk out of the sofa upstairs? YP can leave a persistent mark!
BTW the pics look great, looking forward to seeing all that’s new first hand this month! see ya soon and be warned…
View all comments by nurseRon
nurseRon,
We kept the stain and got rid of YP.
View all comments by Daywalker
Scampering Jack, Rick Masters will be in the mango tonight! If you are around, come join!
View all comments by spats
Okay. New in town. Looking to make some drinking buddies. is a Friday night a good night at the BM??
View all comments by Brad
Tough to say Brad. You can find drinking buddies all over. It’s a crap shoot since it depends on so many factors. It’s generally a friendly scene at the Mango so might be worth a shot. Next Saturday the 30th is looking like a BBQ party to celebrate the new renovations so it may be a good time to meet some of the bloggers. Again, totally depends on who shows up.
@spats: Don’t kill Rick before I get there next weekend ya maniac.
View all comments by pmmp
I got first shift. I am hoping The Heckler or The Man will do the second..
View all comments by spats
Too late. I managed a circuit around Nana before Spats had to go home in a screaming heap. I’m currently in Cowboy, it’s early but I’m cunted already. And not a wingman in sight. Lots of potential but I might have to call it a night. Pmmp where are you when I need you?!
View all comments by Rick Masters
Stopped in for 3… Nice girls and nice bar. Will be in again next week
I am a ready wingman!
View all comments by Brad
Brad… next time you are in the Mango, make yourself known to the ‘resident Pool player’. He should be able to point you in the right direction for some drinking buddies.
Also, if you are new in town…. it’d be good to hear about your experiences as a newbie. We were all there once, and it’s fun to hear about those times when we thought it was normal for women to have big hands and feet.
Have you been to TWINS yet? Soi 23
View all comments by Daywalker
DW, twins? You’re not a nice person!
View all comments by Riodon
Don’t know what you mean? TWINS is a nice place.
View all comments by Daywalker
Spat’s going home in a screaming heap-wouldn’t be the first time!!
View all comments by KhunKunta
To Spats’ credit, he does usually start very early. Although, when he starts too early, like doing a Vodka shot at 7am, he begins the day in a screaming heap.
View all comments by pmmp
When ‘one’ invest’s in the house special of “1400″bt Jimmy Black and free mixer’s,for the benefit of consumption over the span of say,3 day’s to a week(maybe…) and then,drop’s tha lot in a single sitting-’ONE’ is expected to Crash ‘N’ Burn.
On top of this,’ONE’ become’s free game for the multitude of FL’s at any number of late night disco’s,in which ‘ONE’ will inevitably end up at as a result!
View all comments by KhunKunta
Reminiscing-NOT ramblllliinnngggg…
View all comments by KhunKunta
no way? the Jimmy Black special is still going!
View all comments by nurseRon
So I like the Mango renovations. looks cool.
However, there seems to be a subdued atmosphere in here. is it true that if a customer buys one of the girls a drink, that the girl cannot sit and talk to the customer?
View all comments by AUK
@Spats – sadly, I’m still back in the land of the free. However, later this year I’m relocating permanently to SE Asia, not in BKK but close by. With any luck NEXT time Rick hits sin city I’ll be a very quick flight away and can join the party.
View all comments by Scampering Jack Wilshere
Having been a regular and having bought one of your long term employees a drink tonight, I expect her to be able to sit when I ask her to and not have to stand as if she is some hand maiden. Good manners alone would expect me to invite her to sit while I talk to her.
The old business maxim that the customer is always right, obviously does not apply to your new business model. When I specifically tell the manager that I want the girl to sit while I talk to her and be told she can not do that, and that she must stand, leads me to believe there are better places to spend my money.
Daywalkers comment not so along ago, to go to the Stumbling Inn and have a drink with Am and Yo, 2 really friendy girls, and ex employees of yours, sounds good to me.
PMMP your comment above “We still have some items to work out around operations” certainly needs immediate attention, before you chase away any more customers.
View all comments by docsmith
Point taken guys and thanks for the comments. Will get back on this one…
View all comments by pmmp
The old Mango model I remember, was that a girl may be drinking and talking with you, but they always had an eye on new customers coming through the door. Any Mango regular respected this. I am not a Bar Owner, so may be wrong.
View all comments by AUK
First, I’m just shocked that AUK is buying somebody a drink. Bloody Scouser. But seriously folks, we are first getting the operation down with some new staff. Some things may change. Still needs to be worked out so please be patient.
View all comments by pmmp
Odd “concerns” by docsmith and AUK, I’d say.
View all comments by RealDaffyDuck
PMMP – Scouser eh! My dad Robin Hood, will not be happy. Will you be showing the Royal wedding on Friday?
Apologies if my comment came across too serious.
View all comments by AUK
No worries mate. Appreciate it. I know how you Jordies love your Royals and all so if it’s on the telly, we can certainly put it on. If you’re around Saturday night for the Mango Renov party (details coming any day now), it would be good to see ya. I’ll be back on Saturday. Newcy Browns forever!
View all comments by pmmp
PMMP I did mean to come across as serious about my comments. As a bar owner( amongst your other talents) you made for an excellent front for the business. Always a happy smile, friendly attitude and willing to talk to all your customers, not just a select few. And you having less hair than me was also an advantage.
I realise that as a business owner it is always more difficult to employ staff that have the same enthusiasim for the business than you. And given Thai employees unwilliness to think outside the rules they have been given, makes it especially difficult to operate a customer orientated business such as yours.
So having vented my spleen, patient I will be.
View all comments by docsmith
Looks very nice…I should have stopped in for a drink or 10…was in town last Thu thru Sunday.
On another note…any idea as to why most of the late-night clubs were closed at 2pm on Friday and Saturday? Both Climaxx and Nana Liquid were shut down on both nights…had to go to Bossy on Saturday night around 3am…it was absolutely heaving.
View all comments by Indu WangZi
Have to agree with Docsmith about the enthusiasm aspect. When PMMP has stopped playing with silly computers, then maybe he will return in a full capacity one day.
I will be around Saturday, but will wait till I have tucked my wife’s parents, safely into their hotel.
View all comments by AUK
…and I didn’t mean to take your comments so seriously, even though I did. Seriously though, we will take feedback good or bad anytime, unless it’s bad.
@docsmith: I will bet a standing lady drink that I have more hair than you? My back is like shag carpeting baby.
@Indu: Not sure, been out of town for a spell, but I’m hoping things are back to normal this weekend. After Hours Bangkok is top of the food chain baby! Patts is pretty damn good too of course.
@AUK: Please keep what you do with your wife’s parent in hotels to yourself. Please. This is a family blog.
View all comments by pmmp
Well it’s nice to see how easily people are ready to jump on the, “any bang wagon” for a change. I for one having been around the pike for more years than I care to remember, don’t think that what you have done is so shit hot, next to the old place NANA. The first move was pretty good for those of us that live here all the time, it wasn’t the same as Na Na but pretty damn good, a great crowd, of real people and you could spend a fine night talking more shit than the law allowed. I also may add that there were a few honeys that knew what it was all about and guess what, they were kissable, In short it was fun!! From what I saw last Friday night, the fun is gone. Now, that is my opinion, and of course it’s my money, that I spend, wherever. Until there is a fast improvement in service and staff, I’m out. Let also add that you PMMP or anyone else involved could have, had you paid attention, cut it off at the pass long ago.
View all comments by The Man
Personally I love the challenge – buy a round of drinks and get cursed by Daywalker for not buying two rounds… On a more serious note (and yes, I know this is Bangkok, not Blighty) but I like to buy a drink for a person without it implying some sort of debt – I get no joy from staff in the bar talking to me because they feel obliged to. In a GoGo bar fair enough…. it’s a different vibe – buy a drink, get to cop something. In the Mango, buy a drink because you like em…. they made you laugh… you want to supplement their wages… Daywalker is dangling your expensive camera ten feet above the concrete floor…whatever
View all comments by doctorbond
@The Man
The fun only went because I asked people to stop making fun of you.
View all comments by Daywalker
I hate always being so negative with my recent comments but don’t misguided by the ones that kiss your ass and say what a great job you are doing. The silent majority seem to be commenting by going elswhere.
I have up until recently always had a good night out at your establishment. And I have always taken out of town visitors there who have also had a good time. Such a good time that we would not need to head out anywhere else to be entertained. Consequently we spent a lot of cash and felt we got good value for money.
I am sure that your ever decreasing takings was sufficient motivation for your to do an expensive remodelling. But The Man is right. The fun has gone. I never went to the Old Nana Mango Bar, so my experience is only with the new location, but from basically day 1.
The decor was not the problem, the staff was. They majority were bored, tired and just not fun. I have spoken to a small number, but a good sample of ex patrons that now prefer to drink somewhere else for that reason. Where the staff are glad to see you. On nearly every night I would drink at your bar recently I would see a new customer sitting alone, ignored by the staff and management. I will give Daywalker his due, he is always inviting new customers when he is there in person or via this forum to a night on the town. That is great PR, but customer service did not extend much past the owners.
I agree with Doctorbond’s comment that he does not like to have someone drink with you because they felt obliged to is exactly how it felt when buying drinks for some of your old staff.
Yes most of those have now gone and time will tell how the new ones go. But there is even less fun to the place now. The two shining lights with the service girls is May, she at least is trying and Inn is her usual, if restrained self.
I sincerly hope you can do something to make it come back. Yes I know, be patient.
View all comments by docsmith
DW Thank you, I was going to say that you were the only shining light in the place for these last 6 months, that is when you weren’t tossing your cookies all over the place. At least you were interested.
PS Never make fun of money walking!!
View all comments by The Man
docsmith,
Totally understand what you are saying. I know people don’t want the hear the ‘be patient’, but in this instance it is applicable due to the Mango now being in the ‘Staff Recruitment Phase’.
Feedback was given that the bar wasn’t suited for TV/Sport watching and wasn’t smoker friendly, so that was addressed with the remodel.
The next step is to change out the staff to more ‘customer friendly’ girls. (which is underway)
So if anyone knows of some nice friendly Service girls looking for work, please let us know.
Finally… be a little bit more patient!!
View all comments by Daywalker
Some of these “concerns” certainly sound familiar… Interesting.
Personally, it looks to me like the MangoBoys are taking many suggestions to heart, and are making much appreciated additions and changes. This is good – I don’t expect those to happen overnight.
View all comments by RealDaffyDuck
Stopped by last night (4 of us) for a burger, food was of the same high standard and service was ok, they did manage to forget the extra bacon which I asked for and the service girl confirmed but apart from that it was ok for a “new place”. Stayed for a while and rang the bell, fluk me it took forever to decide and pour the six or so drinks, so tried them with a tray full of Mango Nipples which were served up pretty smartish. BUT if you get busy on Saturday you will need someone behind the bar that knows what there doing! Anyway second visit to the new Mango jury is still out, plan to drop by on Saturday and see how they cope with a crowd – hopefully.
View all comments by Riodon
Will also be in on Saturday. Looking to give the boys A+
Is that being patient?
View all comments by AUK
AUK,
How long do I have to wait for that Mango sign we spoke about?
And please don’t tell me to be ‘patient’
View all comments by Daywalker
DW – Rome was not built in a day.
View all comments by AUK
Yeah, Rome was not built in a day cos there were no Aussies on the job!
Maybe a happy customer box (pardon d pun) could be installed and little blank cards left around d bar and if a girl makes the effort to be nice then we could write a little happy note and d girl with the most happy notes gets 200bt,2nd gets 100bt n 3rd 50bt, say drawn once a week or once a month?? Needs a bit more thought but…
View all comments by Miss u
I spy a potential fortune to be made in counterfeit happy notes – how about rewards for great customers? Customer of the month gets a free Mango McMuffin, runner up gets the same but with hash browns
View all comments by doctorbond
Better idea…
The winner gets a week in Oz. Second place gets 2 weeks.
Nice idea… there used to be a comments box in the bar, but someone left the comment saying there was a silly box where beer should be.
I have a sneaky feeling that box would be full of love notes to DW anyway.
View all comments by Daywalker
All,
Please note that the Free WIFI is back up and running. It was down for a while due to the re-wiring.
View all comments by Daywalker
@Miss u – there already is such a mechanism, it’s referred to in the vernacular as a ‘nice tip.’ I’ve worked in the service industry, so I know of what I speak.
View all comments by Scampering Jack Wilshere
@DB, counterfeit in BKK,really! but I like the way you have spun it around, BTW are you on the invite list for the wedding as someone should be representing the Big Mango!
@DW, great, but make sure it is the girl winner that gets to come to Oz, unaccompanied off course as I’d hate to think of her condition on arrival in Oz with one of you lot being her chaperone.
@SJW, you must be a Yank! 555
View all comments by Miss u
DB is on the Wedding invite list and my ‘plus one’.
However, it’s during daylight hours so I can’t go.
View all comments by Daywalker
@ miss u …. jeeze, you don’t know the half of it… I can’t remember a time when I wished more that I was in BKK. I’m not a violent man but if anyone else waves a Union Jack in my face I may go completely beserk. Not that I wish the couple in question any ill will – it’s just that I am so fed up with it all – Roll on Saturday and let’s get it over with.
View all comments by doctorbond