The sun is setting on a barrier-breaking venue that for over a decade has been part hostel and part social experiment in western Bangkok.
The owners of The Overstay, a shophouse joint haunted by colorful characters since it opened in 2008 across the river in Pinklao, announced today they are calling it quits and looking for someone to take over.
“It sucks because I really thought my kids one day might grow up in it or something,” said Yuval Schwok who has run the venue with his wife, Fon Supanafai. “But me chasing two rabbits made one rabbit get away.”
It was a grungey place where mosh pits and hardcore punk coexisted with new-age spirituality and art shows.
Schwok cites Bangkok’s changing character for making the venue, where all things underground were given space to breathe, a place out of time.
The Overstay opened at a time when throngs of new arrivals were escaping the economic malaise of the West. It took a place alongside venues such as the former Raindogs and drew Thais and expats looking for nightlife fare other than RCA or Thonglor.
In the years since, it hosted long-term budget travelers on personal sabbaticals as well as expat regulars at its bar and events.
They were two worlds that didn’t always mesh well, and Schwok said the fringe-leaning travelers it used to draw don’t show up anymore.
“Those kind of people don’t really come to Thailand anymore,” he said.
Schwok said they wanted to focus solely on the rice barge they bought and refit into a floating river venue. Called Bangkok Island, it took its maiden voyage in October and has been hosting regular events since then, including an aquatic concert this weekend by Danish post-punk band Iceage.
Meanwhile, events will continue at The Overstay until a new tenant is found.
FIND IT:
The Overstay
Charan Sanitwong Road
Bang Phlat, Bangkok 10700
02-883-4836
