The party scene in Bangkok takes you to a variety of venues on any given day of the week. One night you’re at a run-of-the-mill bar or club, then you’re at a fancy hotel ballroom, next there’s a pool party, then a boat party… after a while things start to blur together.
But sometimes you stumble across something really spectacular: For those in-the-know, it’s called Kolour Sundays.
Started towards the end 2011, the Kolour Sundays party grew to hosting over 600 party people at its peak. A month before the first event, organizers successfully built buzz around the party and sent personalized invitations about a mystery location for the bash. Everyone was kept guessing until the day before the party when Viva & Aviv, the then newly opened restaurant on the pier of River City Shopping Mall, was named as the venue.
It turned out to be an incredible place to have a day-to-night party. Imagine drinking and dancing on a boardwalk in broad daylight and then watching the sun dip into the horizon while a DJ spins the “sickest of beats.” One of the most unforgettable moments included being amongst hundreds of like-minded individuals who were screaming and cheering in an almost animalistic way as the sun descended.
It’s no wonder then that there was a lot of excitement for the long-awaited return of Kolour Sundays. The party was put on hold during Thailand’s rainy season and finally there were hints of a big return in the works. Revelers were yearning for long afternoons spent on the Chao Phraya Pier with music blasting in broad daylight and an atmosphere closer to St. Tropez than Bangkok.
So more than a few Kolour Sundays veterans were slightly put off by the fact that the much anticipated return of Kolour Sundays was held at a wine bar on the 37th floor of a hotel…
For what it’s worth, the Kolour Sundays team did a stunning job transforming Scarlett Wine Bar into a real party venue, but it could never be the same as before. Something was missing. Perhaps a certain energy emanated from the majestic river that we all took for granted back then. Some of us felt a bit out of place in our casual tank tops and colorful, fun attire as we entered the fancy-schmancy hotel, and there was no sound of music or hint of a party going on at the reception counter. Back on the pier there was no question about how great the party was and everyone gladly paid the modest entrance fee because they could already see how much fun it was. Now we found ourselves wondering, “Is there even a party going on up there?”
Inside the walls of Scarlett at the Pullman Bangkok Hotel G, some were murmuring about the good ol’ days while others were having the time of their lives. On the plus side, we did enjoy some freshly spun cotton-candy that made us feel like kids for a moment. First-timers were overwhelmed by the beautiful people and high energy that was on display on the patio where DJ Co2an was making the crowd move their bodies. Some of us had to take a breather back inside the wine bar because it was just sweltering hot out there. Inside, there was another DJ booth, but the sound system was less perfect and fewer people were feeling the inspiration to dance.
Other than the initial disappointment at the changed venue (one girl reportedly went to the great riverside site and was puzzled for a good minute), we’re certain Kolours has gained additional fans and we will all be waiting for the next party… and secretly hoping it will resume at our favorite riverside venue.
