Go go bars are a core part of the local economy in Pattaya. Although some seem committed to transforming Pattaya into a family friendly resort town the reality is that Thai women are still the center of attraction in Thailand’s sin city. Tourist groups even frequent Walking Street to gawk at the agogos.
79 Club is one of the newer go go bars on the city’s famous Walking Street. Located next to the long-standing and popular Baccara a-go-go it struggles to stand out in a sea of neon lights. Though the illuminated sign covered with sexy images of women’s bodies does help to some degree.
So do the female touts who can be found outside. Though in the crowded conditions of a popular night on Walking Street everything just seems to blend in. Who can tell one person from the next when fighting through crowds gathered to watch a team of dancers or a street magician?
Entertainment is what drives people to Walking Street. Though the form may have changed from adult oriented to something more like a spectacle for visitors to gawk over. Unfortunately most go go bars in operation these days follow a similar business model. It seems to be based around a combination of shock and awe. Tourists file in and are mesmerized by what they see. Meanwhile hustlers on staff milk as much money out of the very same tourists as they can.
79 ain’t nothing but a number
Inside 79 Club is somewhat narrow. There are bench seats up against the walls on both sides. In the middle of the floor there are several slightly raised stages with poles. While this is no strip club with a large center stage the place is still pretty interesting. The stages are mirror like with led lights and projections inside. It is quite a sight.
A lot of money changes hands here as the lights strobe and the music thumps. A draft beer is 95 Baht ($2.75 USD). Bottles of beer and glasses of whisky are available for 170 Baht ($5.00 USD). Lady drinks go for 220 Baht ($6.40 USD) each. Unless we’re talking about the more expensive tequila shots.
This is a crowded place popular with big spenders. It seems to attract more Asian customers than some other bars too. Does this mean it is a better place? Or just more expensive? I guess it depends on what you expect from a Thai go go bar.
Staff and summary
I have to give credit to 79 Club for hiring a large amount of women. The stages and surrounding seats are never empty. I have to imagine that it takes a large investment to open a bar on Walking Street these days. Especially after kitting it out, hooking up an involved lighting and sound system, and paying many women to show up for work. But what does it all amount to?
A good looking but bored team of women dressed in sexy clothes. Short skirts and matching crop tops or black lingerie is the norm as the dancers shuffle back and forth on stage. There are a lot of ladies working at this bar. And a significantly high percentage of those women are attractive gals in their early 20’s with good bodies. Sagging breasts, stretch marks and large tattoos aren’t as common in this go go as they are in many others these days. Sadly that is not enough to redeem 79 Club.
Roving teams of drink peddlers continually make the way around the bar pushing overpriced tequila shots on customers. They do take no for an answer. But to say they are pushy would be an understatement. I understand why a business or women working on commission would want to sell expensive shots of liquor. I don’t necessarily understand why customers would agree to buy them.
Perhaps I am jaded or just not the target audience. I have been traveling to Pattaya for many years. I remember when go go bars were basically brothels where guys could see the available women on stage before making a choice. Barfines are certainly still a part of the proceedings. But for better or worse things have definitely changed over time. As I stands I don’t think 79 Club deserves a score higher than two stars. 
79 Club. Walking Street, Pattaya, Thailand. Click here for a map. Open every day from 8:00 PM until 3:00 AM.
