Latin House brightens up Patong’s back road
Ladyboys go Latin. Ay caramba!
It was the ultimate Patong opening: lip-synching ladyboys galumphing around the stage, tiny skirts (on girls and boys alike) and big fronts (on the ladyboys, mostly), volume cranked up, crowds of passers-by rubbernecking to see what was going on, free drinks, balloons, flowers and an opening ceremony presided over by the deputy mayor and the deputy police chief of Phuket’s Big Play Pen.
But this was no ordinary bar opening. It was the inauguration party for the Latin House, self-described as a “restaurant, lounge, coffee, hotel and dance school.”
Warm and inviting lighting.
This is no idle boast. On the ground level is a classily-lit bar serving tables inside and outside on the veranda, while on the floor above is the main restaurant, with another bar. Above that is a dance studio – lots of floor space with plenty of mirrors – while the top two floors contain 10 rooms to let at prices from B1,000 a night. And yes, you can get coffee, too.
Owner Supaporn “Ooy” Chengkrathoh describes the Latin House as “my dream come true”, adding that she made it come true in just three months. The design is hot, sassy, dominated by reds and oranges with a splash of neon blue or yellow here and there.
Hot colours for hot Latin nights.
At the opening night, naturally, was the super-energetic designer of Latin House, Poy Ratanaphan, who recently opened her own establishment, a gay-friendly bar on Surin Beach called Buoy Bar. Did we mention she’s also about three weeks away from having a baby? We have now. A designer baby, no less. No idea how she does it all, but she does.
Proprietor Ooy’s dream encompasses a school for Latin dancing, with two professional teachers. They were on hand for a demonstration. Not as glittery as the ladyboys, but definitely not as galumphing, either. A French couple, too, stepped up for a bit of a salsa demo.
Proprietor Ooy with two of the most important men in her life - her bankers. They say they still have some money left.
The Latin House does make a change from the “dhoom-dhoom-dhoom” of the bars on most of Patong’s streets, and should attract a more discerning crowd. It also brings life to lumpy Pang Meung Sai Ko Rd, which runs behind Jungceylon, parallel to Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd. Apart from Jungceylon the road features Banzaan Market, the Bangla Boxing Stadium and a few small businesses, but not much else.
There was plenty of energy at the opening of Latin House. All Ooy needs to do is keep that energy going and she’s probably got a winner. After all, where else you gonna mambo till waaay after dawn and then get breakfast? (Latin House serves food 24 hours a day.)
To find Latin House, go north from the back entrance of Jungceylon and look for the signs on the right side of the road about 500 metres on. It’s hard to miss. ¡Me gusta!
An update: The Latin dance lessons start April 1. Call Daniel at +66 (0) 8 6974 6312 for details.