Q&A with the mighty Q

While Bangkok clubbing people enjoy such variety of choices in the city’s fast-paced scene, many clubs eventually close due to increasingly fierce competition. One among the very few that has stood the test of time and remains the city’s prime institution is Q Bar on Sukhumvit soi 11. It’s celebrating its 13th anniversary tonight.
We chatted with owner David Jacobson and general manager Denis Hamakom about the history Bangkok’s longest-standing club.

When did it all start?
Jacobson: Q Bar started in 1992 in Saigon, my first bar effort. It was successful beyond my imagination. Guests included Kate Moss, Bruce Weber, Robert De Niro, John Kennedy Jr with Daryl Hannah, Matt Dillon and Norman Mailer, among many, many others. I opened in Bangkok in December 1999 with a local partner, Andrew Clark.

How was Soi 11 back then?
Jacobson: It was pretty much a dead soi, but I liked the location. Bangkok’s clubbing scene was embryonic at the time – no real music-driven or alcohol-driven club really existed.

How is Q Bar different from the others?
Jacobson: We wanted to be international-standard from the beginning. We started with a hi-so crowd but morphed into an international crowd once foreigners realised a club of this nature was now in Bangkok.

What kinds of music and drinks did you offer when you first opened? How is it different now?
Hemakom: From a musical standpoint, we’ve changed with the times and have always tried to blend current trends with emerging sounds. Depending on the night of the week, you might hear anything from old-school hip-hop to up-front house to dubstep and trap to polka and bluegrass. Now with the DJs on the terrace, we’re able to explore even more eclectic sounds in a more laid-back manner.

What have been your most memorable parties?
Hemakom: Too many to name, but one that sticks out in my mind is LTJ Bukem’s first show seven years ago, during the height of the rainy season. Soi 11 used to have terrible drainage, and on that particular night, it poured and Soi 11 turned into a small klong.
Other crazy nights were Ice T, Jazzy Jeff, DJ Premier, Hed Kandi, Kevin Saunderson and many others.
Jacobson: My favourite parties at Q Bar have been our Halloween and anniversary parties. They’re always terrific.

Q Bar has survived 13 years. What turbulence hit you hardest?
Jacobson: You mean Sars, H1N1, the tsunami, the military coup, the yellow shirts, red shirts and floods?
In reality, the Thaksin years were the hardest. Early closings and the use of draconian stormtrooper methods to enforce Thai Rak Thai’s war on drugs were lethal for the club scene.
Hemakom: There does seem to be a yearly routine for us in Bangkok where something will go horribly wrong. I’d say the protests, by both the yellow and red shirts, were most damaging to the country as a whole. The curfew imposed during the last protest was particularly bad.

Why do you think Q Bar has lasted this long?
Jacobson: It’s just such a great place to be! It’s friendly. We’ve renovated frequently, keeping it fresh. We have dance areas with excellent sound, conversation areas that are totally chill, terrific DJs, a huge selection of drinks, a knowledgeable staff and management. It’s become a second home for many of our regulars.
Hemakom: Persistence and a steady core of management and staff have helped keep things strong at Q Bar all these years. Most importantly, though, the owners are always looking for new ways to improve on the space itself and keep things interesting.

What’s planned next?
Jacobson: Next at Q Bar is our “Birdcage”, a tree house-like area to chill in a bit of nature in the middle of the city. Also Le Derriere, a new area in the back that will be very French in its inspiration and something totally different for us.


RSVP ASAP

>> Q Bar’s Apocalypto Now Party is tonight.
>> The club is on Sukhumvit soi 11 near Nana BTS. Call (02) 252 3274; www.QBarBangkok.com.