Couple of good parties last week, both giving away Free Beer! Firstly, I thought i’d call down and see my mate Elvin from Pacino’s Bar, turns out it was his birthday (61 years young). Turns out he forget to tell me about it, so much for our friendship! Then again, it was my birthday two days before and I didn’t tell him I guess.

Anyway, stayed there for a few hours and had a great time, always a fun guy to be around. Does throw a great party too, free draught beer, inexpensive spirits, good selection of finger food, party hats, great music and a friendly crowd. I may have my next birthday party there!

Turns out there was actually two parties on the same night though, and a few of us made the semi-reluctant move over to Angelo’s Restaurant a short walk away. André has decided to close Angelo’s to concentrate his efforts in other areas. A sad shame, as Angelo’s was a popular eatery offering an excellent Mixed Grill and amazing Cocacola Ribs.

Free Beer and Spirits was the order here, basically everything had to go and the staff made a concerted effort to force as much drink into everyone as they could. In the end it was the ‘mixers’ that went first ….. anyone for Jack Daniel’s ‘red’ with Tonic? eventually moving to Gin and Sprite.

No Free Food, or if there was, we arrived too late. Though André was seen Steve from Star Design with peanuts, from a range of about 20ft!

Ann’s Bar (sorry Ann’s Pub and Restaurant) has closed down, sadly it seems the Thai staff have decided to return to Thailand. Shame as it appeared that the place was starting to ‘take off’.

Jack’s Shack down on Ochheuteal Beach was taken over by the team from Chivas Shack as far as evening business went. The locaton of Chivas Shack being right down at the southern most point of Ochheuteal Beach meant business had dropped off and being right next door to the Dolphin Shack was thought a much better location.

It seemed to work, as I’d never seen the place so busy, they certainly took a lot of trade from the Dolphin. Sadly it wasn’t to last and after a few weeks they’ve handed Jack’s Shack back to the owner Jack. Have to say that i’m secretly pleased as the music wasn’t really my scene. As much as I hate to admit, the music at the Dolphin is a much better mix.

Jack’s Shack itself though attracts a good regular crowd of expats and long term visitors, it’s also a good, inexpensive, eating place for travelers.

The Ocean’s Hotel was raided by the Police where they found illegal drugs in the room of the owner Ronald (Ron) Haswell, as well as at least one of the guests. Strong words were exchanged and within the hour Ron was on his way to Thailand. The other guest, I’ve heard, slipped off to Vietnam.

The Oceans Hotel and the sickeningly named ‘Daddys Bar’ have now reverted back to the Khmer landlord but nobody, as yet, knows what his plans are.

Another ‘landmark’ business has closed, The Pocoloco Nightclub down near the Golden Lions. It really is a great shame that this bar never reached its full potential, and it genuinely wasn’t down to lack of effort on behalf of the owners.

On a positive side, a few new hotels have opened in recent months. The New World Hotel, Czech owned, on Ekareach Street, Aahaa! Guesthouse on the same road as the Golden Lion Plaza and Hooha House in between the two.

Its rumoured that this road is going to be the link to the Airport (when it opens) so if this is the case, it’s a very good move.

Nothing to do with Sihanouville!

Sessions Bar have purchased a new bar in the Golden Lion Complex, they advertised a grand opening night which sadly I wasn’t able to attend. Seems i’ve missed out too, as the bar hasn’t been open since, so i’m told.

Apparently though, they’ve invested in the bar because the rumours are building that work will be starting down on Ochheuateal Beach. When / if it does, it’ll shut down most if not all of the bars there. A clever move by Sessions methinks.

Dolphin shack is still banning the Taxi Girls, and any Khmer girls from dancing in the bar. Prevented at least until the place gets busy, I really fail to see the logic. I was there over Khmer New Year and the local girls were certainly in ‘Party Mode’. I saw a group of 5 girls dancing in the middle of the floor, all holding 4 dollar ‘buckets’ of drink, they were told to get off the floor by one of the staff.

Happy to say that they took themselves off to Jack’s Shack.

Speaking of Jack’s Shack, this has been taken over for an indefinite period by the team from Chivas Shack. The staff, the music, the atmosphere and the prices have changed. It’s certainly a lot busier, but to me the change isn’t for the better. Obviously everybody has a business to run though.

What is confusing though, is that there is rumoured to be a connection between the Chivas Team and the Freedom Bar, not sure exactly what the tie-in is, but apparently the Freedom Bar has an interest.

Rumours too that there is no love lost between Chivas Shack and the Dolphin Bar, you can actually ‘feel’ the competition between the two bars. Dolphin Bar has erected a screen to block off easy access to, and direct view of Jack’s Shack and the Chivas owner works like a Sheepdog rounding up stray backpackers. It’s great to watch.

One thing I have to get off my chest is the ‘Special Offers’ that are happening at Utopia and the ‘new’ Jack’s Shack. Beers for 25c sounds great, but when it’s served in a half-size plastic glass it kind of takes the edge off it. I’d happily pay, 50, 75 or even a dollar for beer down there, so PLEASE don’t try to fool people with FALSE offers.

It seems ‘Ann’ is from Thailand and the Bar, Restaurant and Guesthouse will be offering both Western and Thai food. On opening night last night, we were able to sample a little of it and I have to say, whilst it was by no means ‘bad’, the Pad Krapow just wasn’t to my own personal taste. Just not spicy enough.

Angkor Beer is available on Draft at a reasonable price of 75cents, and canned Anchor is 1.25.

Last night also saw the 3rd Anniversary party for the opening of the Snake Pit Bar over near Victory Hill. Certainly one of the ‘nicest’ bars in town, but despite this it always seems to be lacking in ‘atmosphere’. It’s the closest thing to a ‘go go bar’ i’ve seen in town, with a couple of girls doing the ‘chrome pole shuffle’ at any one time, but it just doesn’t seem work. The music is loud, the girls are a little gaudy and the huge projection TV just doesn’t sit well with the tasteful decor and comfortable seating.

Drinks are at the ‘high end’ for Sihanoukville as regards pricing, with topshelf Brandy costing 4 usd, all Cocktails are only 3.50 usd and good value for money. At the party last night though, all drinks were 50% off and of course the place was very busy, though surprisingly none of the ‘usual suspects’ were in attendance. Free ‘light bites’ and Live Music supplied by a very capable performer completed the night. A good show and I look forward to the 4th Anniversary!

Back down to the Freedom Bar next, the recently formed ‘Angkor Waves’ band were in full flow with ‘Oscar’ entertaining as ever on the Mouth Organ, that guy can ‘blow a mean tune’! The Angkor Waves seem to be a ‘spin off’ band from the towns ‘Route 66′ band who also perform at the Freedom Bar, as well as other venues around Sihanoukville.

The Freedom Bar was busy as always, and despite the new 1000 riel charge for playing pool on the ‘front table’, the balls were flying. I don’t understand though, why do they only allow people to play on this table from after 4pm? Also, why does it take the owners wife to monitor all the games? We’re hardly talking about a huge financial responsibility.

Jack’s Shack next and it’s good to see this place still doing well, mainly on the back of the recent changes at the Dolphin Shack I guess. That said, Jack, Shifty and Steve are great hosts and run a good team of guys behind the bar, it’s simply a fun place.

The Dolphin Shack next door have taken the strange decision to ban all Khmers from their bar, well certainly the girls anyway. I was in there a few nights back with my longterm girlfriend and another couple. The girls were dancing by themselves on the dancefloor and were approached by one of the Khmer owners and told to leave. The girls explained that they weren’t “taxi girls” and were with their boyfriends but this made no difference, so the four of us went over to Jack’s Shack.

I popped my head in again last night and the dancefloor was empty. The place was busy of course, as they always seem to have a ready supply of drunken / spaced out backpackers taking ‘timeout’ in Sihanoukville over the high season. I have to wonder what will happen to the Dolphin Shack when these ‘birds’ fly home for the summer though. The girls that have been ‘barred’ will have long memories i’m sure. Good for them.