Bangkok is a city that’s famous for evenings that end in massive headaches, sore feet and a guilty conscious. That’s the great thing about a Lush night out – you wind up with everything but the guilt.
Lush, the initiative that does Bangkok nightlife with a responsible twist, hit the grind again this weekend with its latest “Limited Edition” event at the Hotel Muse. The posh and trendy hotel, smack-dab in the middle of Lang Suan, was a far cry from the locale where Lush’s last party kicked off back in September. That night at the Rod Fai Market (which has since been demolished) ended in mud, sweat and a lot of spilled whiskey, as well as some pretty fond memories. So I showed up at the wood-carved doors of Hotel Muse – this time, in a cocktail dress instead of jeans and boots like before – wondering how exactly Lush was going to pull this one off.
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The entrance to Hotel Muse was transformed from its usual prim and proper affect to a full-blown madhouse. When I arrived, there was a crowd of at least 50 people spilling out of the entrance and stuffed like sardines into the lobby as they waited for the elevators. With the party taking place over four different floors in the hotel and only a limited capacity in the lifts, it was easy to see right off the top that logistics would be a little tricky.
The wait didn’t end up being too long, maybe around 20 minutes, and a service lift also opened to start handling some of the excess traffic. I would have liked to see drinks being served on the ground floor to counterbalance the impatience. In my crammed elevator group, there were a couple hotel guests who seemed annoyed at having to wait amidst rowdy, half-cut Bangkokians. I’m not sure how Hotel Muse dealt with their guests later on, but I imagine that may have been an issue.
Once I made it to the party, entertainments abounded. Lush boasted around 20 DJs, Thai and international, playing in areas like the Poolside House Floor, the Hip Hop Club Vault and the Speakeasy Funk Terrace. Every level featured an ever-changing crowd and a varied ambience, and it was this concept that made the night a constant adventure. It was easier to go between the different levels from the top as well, since you didn’t have to wait for the lift to go all the way down or climb a few flights of stairs.
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Tickets at the door cost a hefty THB1,200 with two free drinks before 11pm or one drink after 11pm. Pre-sale tickets were available at THB700 and THB900 –expensive by the standard of Bangkok’s nightlife. However, in retrospect, the cost was well worth it. The event was not only a lot of fun, but also very well executed. It managed to achieve 100% carbon neutrality from hi-tech renewable energy produced here in Thailand. Part of the proceeds also worked out to a THB100,000 donation to a project for vulnerable women in Bangkok implemented by Asylum Access Thailand. In fact, since its inception in 2009, Lush has raised THB1 million for 11 different local charities.
I don’t mind shelling out money for a good cause, especially if it comes with good music, good company and a solid buzz. I’m certain the rest of Bangkok’s nightlife crew feels the same and we’re all looking forward to Lush’s next big blowout.
Interesting in getting on the next party? Just head over here, my friend
Photos: Lush
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