City Buzz

 |  January 29, 2010


A new pearl has been added to Chiang Mai’s party scene. Club 54 is a hip, multi-facetted, cooler than school night club situated near Airport Plaza. It welcomes party_goers of all ages above 18, races and sexual preferences (gay friendly but not exclusive). Club 54 does not have one musical style but plays hip hop, pop, house, etc. from both international and Thai artists. A live band also rocks the house when the dj takes a rest. The bar has tons of drinks to quench your thirst: a wide selection of beers, spirits and cocktails are offered. Even though this club does not say it’s a copy of the famous Studio 54 from New York, it is certainly influenced by the legendary venue…go and see for yourself.

Open 8 a.m. – late
179 Mahidol Road
Tel: 053 267 389

The Sports Bar is an interesting new development down in the Night Bazaar. With plasma TVs just about all over the place you won’t fail to get a good seat if you’ve come for a sporting event, and if you’re not interested in the sport then you can always go out onto the balcony to chill and down some cocktails. They have an extensive menu featuring all sorts of foreign and Thai dishes along with a huge drinks menu. All is very modern and no expense has been spared here, Sports Bar is one of the funkier new places in town. They regulary hold events and special nights, including Grind House, which features local and international djs.

Open 11.30 – 2 a.m.
The Plaza 4th floor, Night Bazaar
100/1 Chang Klan Road
Tel: 053 235 771
info@sportsbarchiangmai.com
www.sportsbarchiangmai.com

‘Annie Beauty’ only uses chemical-free products to treat their customers’ faces, they informed Citylife, because all the most beautiful things in the world are natural. Fair enough. The new beauty shop only opened three months ago and is located on the ground floor of the Annie Court building on Sirimunklajarn Road. They will service your vanity and give you the best face you’ve had for years with their herbal facial treatments. No chemical preservatives are used, they use only Thai herbal products that contain simple natural ingredients. Treatment courses include: facial scrub, skin firming, collagen, whitening, lifting and acne treatment, ozone spray, pressure points facial massage, and more. Annie Beauty also sells mineral make up brands imported from the USA. They are now offering a Valentine Promotion for couples with discounts of 10%. A special promotion for Citylife readers, just present this text at the shop and get 10% off.

Open daily from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
106 Annie Court, Sirimankalajarn Road
Tel: 087 661 6317

Although it seems our city is full to the brim of boutique hotels, as unlikely as it sounds, more are opening, replacing, for a tad extra cost, the guesthouses of yesteryear. Some of these boutique hotels are standout venues, Anoma Boutique House being one of them. Finely decorated in a modern style fused with traditional Lanna design and paintings, Anoma is always pleasing to the eye. The colourful hotel has many places in which to sit and chill, with balconies and verandahs everywhere, plus a fabulous rooftop Jacuzzi. Other treats offered: free internet in the coffee house and restaurant, car and motorcycle rental, laundry services, etc, while rooms are equipped with all mod cons. For pretty reasonable prices, 1400+ baht, Anoma gives you hell of a lot for your money.

57/3 Rajpakinai Road
Tel: 053 276 280, 084 378 0868
anomaboutiquehouse@gmail.com
www.anomaboutiquehouse.com

The latest bling on the Nim strip is The Box, which has been packed from the first day it opened its door before the new year. Chiang Mai’s beautiful people, and the rest of us who enjoy a good glass of wine, flock there every night for the very decent wine menu offered at even more decent rates. New and old world wines, of younger, but well-selected vintages, are available from around 600-1500 baht a bottle, with most sitting happily at around 800 baht per bottle. Other beverages are also offered in this air-conditioned and nice outdoors patio. Live music is played every night and the staff are very friendly and welcoming. Basically a great addition to the bourgeoning and bulging hot zone.

Open daily from 6 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Conner of Soi 5 Nimmanhaemin Road
Tel: 053 218 315 -7
iamaom32@hotmail.com

Chiang Mai’s finest dining venue _ lush leather chairs, dripping chandeliers, exquisite wood carving, collectable oil paintings, haute French cuisine and sweeping views of the plush Mandarin Oriental _ has now not only reopened but repositioned itself to be much more affordable. The restaurant, while maintaining some of its special dishes such as surf and turf, fresh Canadian lobster and other exotic imports, now offers a bistro-priced range of dishes such as white truffle butter risotto (390 baht), pan-fried sea bass (480 baht) and braised wagyu Burgundy style (550 baht). A great opportunity to dine in one of the city’s finest restaurants at now-affordable prices. Don’t forget the 17% ubiquitous plus plus charge (though Dine in Style members get whopping discounts). And why not stop off for a nightcap at the sexy Horn Bar before heading home.

Open 6:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai-Sankampaeng Road
Tel: 053 888 888
mocnx-enquiry@mohg.com
www.mandarinoriental.com/chiangmai