What
really amazes me sometimes, are the locations in which
people choose to open their clubs. Now, we have all
heard that the three most important aspects to consider
when embarking on such a venture are "location,
location, location". So you would really expect
all venues to be on main roads with plenty of traffic,
pedestrian and vehicular, centrally located, preferably
near a tourist area, blah, blah blah. This week’s
gig proves all that wrong, located on Cheuplerng Road,
which in turn is located off Rama IV, not exactly
renowned as a hotbed of night time entertainment.
To get there you turn right, as if to get on the expressway
heading to Bang Na, but instead of entering the expressway
you stay to the right and follow the road running
below the expressway itself, along the railroad tracks.
About half a click or so up that road to the right
is Gasso.
The parking lot is large, but not large enough. On
the weekends the street outside is lined with cars
of every description. This is mainly a club for the
younger generation, as I found out on my visit. From
the outside it looks like a large converted house
with a garden area that has been turned into something
of a beer garden. What you see is what you get. Under
a large tree, and with a large bar at the far end,
the beer garden was a comfortable enough place to
start. Aside from the cars and occasional train passing
by the atmosphere was peaceful and surprisingly relaxing.
Large fans are set up for those nights when there
just isn't even a hint of a cool breeze. The sound
of the band playing inside could be heard in the distance,
and as I sat and watched, people were arriving in
droves.
The wall facing the outside is glass from floor to
ceiling, effectively meaning you can see the band,
but barely hear them. I know a few bands where that
would be a blessing. Immediately to the left upon
entry is a pool table that was always busy. The bar
is directly opposite with a kitchen hidden in the
back. Judging by the amount of customers' bottles
behind the bar Gasso is doing a good trade in these
lean times. The tables are simple, small and round,
and set in pairs with red and white table cloths;
that is, one red, and one white. The seating is on
stools as opposed to chairs, almost the same kind
you see in a noodle shop. With the amount of people
in the place and the space available it made quite
a lot of sense. There is a large area upstairs with
almost as much floor space as down below. The stairs
are potentially lethal, very steep and with the steps
spaced further apart than usual, not recommended for
those intent on having more than a couple. For the
first time I saw an electric dartboard. However, since
I was there on official business, there was no time
for such trivialities.
Back downstairs in front of the stage, is a DJ booth
to the right and a long, low table facing the outside
beer garden. The stage itself is almost level with
the floor and features a huge red curtain as a backdrop.
At first glance the band looked like they should be
playing Punk Rock or at the very least some Heavy
Metal, with low slung guitars and the lead guitar
player in a knit skullcap. However, that was not to
be.
The group does mainstream Thai pop songs and the usual
assortment of Top 40 western hits, but by the reaction
of the crowd, that's the way to go. Two singers, male
and female, alternate on lead vocals and backup. The
quality of the music was actually quite good and the
band did very well in entertaining the crowd. Although,
what seemed to be a large group of their buddies seated
right in front of the stage area did help. But not
to take anything away from them, an important part
of a band's success in a club situation depends on
being able to keep the crowds interest, not only with
the music, but in between songs as well. Despite the
fact that the PA speakers on one side sounded like
they had been overloaded and blown out as result,
the sound was good. The music was loud, the crowd
was loud, and if conversation is your thing, that's
what the garden outside is for.
The menu is mainly in Thai and I must confess to not
being even peckish on this night and so did not venture
forth into the many specialties on offer. For those
who are impaired when it comes to reading Thai, pictures
are used to clearly illustrate the more interesting
dishes. The beer was cold, to spec, and in the usual
dedicated fashion I tried several to make sure that
it was no fluke. It wasn't. Again, going by the bottles
behind the bar, it looked like the preference of Gasso's
clientele is for whisky and beer. I did mention earlier
that it is geared mainly at the younger crowd, making
price more important than an extensive menu of exotic
beverages. The decor is kept simple and the many staff
are quite attentive. There really isn't much more
to say. If a night out in a typical place geared to
the younger generation is what you are looking for,
Gasso is the place for you. |
