The Ladies Drink

In the world of Beer Bars, Bars and Go Go Bars the Ladies Drink plays a very important part. It may at times be the only source of income that some Bar Girls, Waitresses or Hostesses get.

The Ladies Drink is the drink purchased by a bar customer for a lady who works within a bar. It may be that she is drinking an identical drink to the customer. Identical in every way and yet it will cost more. A proportion of this 'extra' will go to the bar and some to the Lady who is keeping you company. This is not in any way a rip off or cheat. It is how these girls earn their money.

Sometimes she may choose to drink a weak orange juice that perhaps winked at a vodka bottle as it passed but the price will remain the same. In Thailand the average cost of a Ladies Drink is around 120 Baht. Some charge a little more and some less.

Whereas some bars will pay a wage, some do not. Some will divide tips between all staff and some just between regular employees.

The 'extra' part of the Ladies Drink is important to your hostess. It may be the difference between her eating or paying her rent. Nonetheless it is surprising how many customers do not buy a drink for the lady keeping him company and then leave a measley five Baht tip when they go.

Most Bar Girls will do their best to keep the customer happy. If it is clear that he wants to be alone then they will honour that need. They would prefer though that the customer drank more and hopefully bought a few drinks for her as well. Each time the customer buys her a drink it will either be noted on the chit or she will recieve a paper token which she will slip into her bra or elsewhere. The more drinks he buys the more she can earn. There is also a possibility of the Beer Goggle Effect taking place and she may even be Bar Fined.

Usually the only way that you will end up paying more for drinks in a bar is if you "ring the bell" which will mean a round for everybody. Perhaps too if you order shots.

Remember though that, in general, no one is trying to rip you off. Go on, buy a bar girl, a go go dancer a drink. You may have a friend for life.