As expected, many of Bangkok’s expats turned up for Friday’s closing night party to get turnt up on the Sukhumvit Soi 11 sub soi that formerly housed beloved bar Cheap Charlie’s, Stash, The Alchemist, Tapas Cafe, Charley Brown’s Mexicana, Suk 11 Hostel and Chez Pape.
Alyce Adams, pictured below, was lucky enough to have her mom in town from the States for the closing night party. She said, “Cheap Charlie’s was one of the first bars I went to when I moved to Bangkok. It was always a go-to place for my friends and I to get a couple of drinks to begin a night out. I loved the chill atmosphere and how easy it was to meet fellow expats and travelers — and of course the cheap drinks! I’m so glad I was able to show my mom one of my favorite spots in Bangkok on its closing night. Cheap Charlie’s, you’ll definitely be missed!”
The one-rai parcel of land, which has reportedly been sold to developers to build a hotel for the grand price of THB2 billion, has held lots of good memories for Bangkok’s expats and Thais alike over the last 35 years.
It was a sad, sweaty, crowded last call. In fact, it was so hard to get a drink at any of the bars that many people resorted of buying beer at the 7-Eleven around the corner. However, since they are knocking that down as well, the convenience story looked pretty apocalyptic too.
As Bangkok teacher Katie Corcoran said, “That sub soi and Cheap Charlie’s were the beginning of some pretty amazing nights for a lot of us here in Bangkok. We will miss your cheap booze and chilled out funky vibes.”
