Bar Yan Tree

55/11-22, Ratchadapisek Rd., 02-641-222. Open daily 8:30pm-2am
Just like your shisha, water bubbles under the transparent dance floor while you ogle the hired pretties dancing to commercial hip hop. Special light effects recreate thunder and lightening. Whoo! Shisha is available for B500 (1 hour).

Gazebo

Rooftop, 44 Jakrapong Rd., 02-629-0705. Open 8pm-late
Newly open in Khao San area, this one-of-a-kind Moroccan-styled bar boasts everything from food to booze and of course, shisha (B250). Stay tuned for a full review of this bar in a future issue of BK.

Indus

71 Sukhumvit Soi 26, 02-258-4900. Open daily 11am-midnight.
The bar section of this bar and restaurant is decorated in modern Moroccan style with a touch of dark red and black tones. Dance to Arabian tunes, plus there's a monthly Arabian Night. Shisha is available for B300 (small) and B600 (large).

One and Only

The latest luxurious scent by Dolce & Gabbana is The One. To represent the temptation, passion and sexiness in women, the gold fragrance combines exotic flowers and fruit extracts including bergamot, solar accord, plum, lychee, muguet, jasmine and Madonna lily. This elegantly packaged bottle comes at B3,050/50ml. Available at Dolce & Gabbana counters (Try M/F, Siam Paragon, 991/1 Rama1 Rd., 02-610-9332/-5.)

Soft Scent

Reveal your sweet charm with the new Femme by BOSS. Designed to give you a super feminine feeling, its natural scent is extracted from fresh fruits and flowers including tangerine, rose freesia and rose petals. B2,400/ 50ml. Sweeten your life today at any Hugo BOSS counter (try 1/F, Central Chidlom, 1027 Ploenchit Rd., 02-793-7777).

Women in Love

Making you feel like a dream upon waking with its extracts from star anise, rose and freesia, Light Rose is the latest fragrance by Jaspal and a good choice for romantic ladies. B1,295/ 50ml. Available at Jaspal Stores (Try 2/F, Central World, 999/9 Rama1 Rd., 02-255-9554.)

Since its inauguration in 1932 on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Rattanakosin era, Rama 1 Memorial Bridge (a.k.a. Sapan Poot) has been one of the most popular trading centers in town. By day, the bridge is but a link between Phranakorn and Thonburi, but when night falls, it turns into a busy, packed marketplace where you can find all kinds of clothes from secondhand jeans to hip T-shirts and even get your portrait, a tattoo or a piercing.

Being an early bird is not a good idea here. Most stalls open around 7pm and peak time doesn’t start until 9pm or a bit earlier on Fridays and Saturdays. The market stays packed with people as late as 1-2am. Be warned that the market is closed every Monday.

There are many buses that stop there or nearby, but a cab is still the best option if you are not in the mood for a little stroll. Starting at the Phranakorn end of the bridge, you’ll find a heap of stalls along both sides of the street, one of which deserves special mention. Facing the river, turn left, then walk for 200 meters and you’ll find it on your left. There lie T-shirts with catchy quotes usually found on the back of trucks (B100, and cheaper if you know how to bargain). We loved the “Rakna Dek-ngow” one.

From there, go straight to the guitar shop (08-1711-9554) that not only sells axes (both acoustic and electric at B790-890) but also harmonicas (B120-220) and guitar strings, and provides guitar repair services. Go on for about 100 meters and you’ll see a junction on your left where Sapan Poot River Market has recently opened. This clean and wide building gives off a great impression but it turns out that the three-story plaza is just too new. The first floor is literally empty while all the sellers on the second floor abandon their shops to watch soaps on a TV near the landing. Seems working people, students and dek naew alike enjoy street-side secondhand stuff more.

In front of the plaza, there are lots of secondhand shoes and bags but also some new things. One interesting stall sells brand new authentic Converse All Stars at cheaper rates than department stores. Prices are B750-1,990, depending on the style.

Like Chatuchak, cute trinkets can be found, too. Stroll down the road and take a tour of the back rows where you’ll find some nice pieces like at Tien Hom Tee Sud Nai Lok (08-1692-7713) that sells fragrant candles in handmade pots (B59 and B120). One stall nearby sells handmade key chains (08-9151-1430/-7, B39 and B59). And another has numerous styles of dog clothing (08-7925-5593), with prices ranging from B50-550.

Hungry? Take a short break after shopping and walk back to the junction. Kai Pla Mueg Naam Jim Rod Ded’s (08-4909-7423) fried squid eggs’ foamy sauce is truly delicious (B20-30). To refresh yourself, keep an eye out for passing trolleys. You may see Chaoguay Lanyamo, a cart stocked with glasses of Thai-style black jelly on ice.

Do’s & Don’t’s

Do: Bargain. It’s a must.

Don’t: Go alone. It’s a night market, you could get pickpocketed at any time, or even buy the wrong size.

Do: Wear light clothes, take a fan and
carry a bottle of water. It’s hot.

Don’t: Think about taking a bus to Thonburi side and walk here to save some money. It’s a hassle and not worth it.

Do: Check before you buy. Some goods may be broken, tainted or irreparably ugly.

Don’t: Go on Monday. It’s closed!

Studio Bar

Pathumwan Princess Hotel, Phyathai Rd., 02-216-3700 ext 20133
While enjoying the 10-man jazz band, The JRP, after a long hard day of shopping, in Siam or MBK, unwind with a wine buffet for B790. Enjoy as much as you want of their selection of five wines (two red, two white and one sparkling). Sun, 5-7pm. Through Feb 25.

Aldo’s

The Ascott Bldg., 187 South Sathorn Rd., 02-676-6982, www.cascadeclubandspa.com/aldos/.
Grab one of the outdoor salas, let a gentle breeze sway you into a Mediteranien mood, and sample some of Aldo’s famous pastas. To quench your first, go for free-flow wine B1,300 (non-member) and B990 (member). This month, a collection of Chardonnay wines from diverse countries are offered (you can call for the exact selection of wines). No music here—just wind and wine. Fri-Sun, 6-10pm.

Bacchus

20/6-7 The Ruam Rudee Village, Ploenchit Rd., 02-650-8986. Open daily 5pm-1am.
This venue sports a stylish contemporary interior, luscious food made with the most precious ingredients, and nightly lounge music. There’s also a wine bar boasting more than 200 different bottles but if you have no idea what to get, or are very thirsty, go for the wine buffet. At B699, you get three red, three white and one sparking wine to choose from, hailing from Chile, Australia, Italy and France. Mon-Fri, 5:30-8pm.

As the host of Bangkok Poetry Night and author of Last Tango in Aberystwyth and the forthcoming Don’t Cry for Me Aberystwyth, Malcolm Pryce knows a thing or two about big words.

Favorite Bangkok noise:
The "chop, chop" sound when the immigration official stamps your passport and lets you back into the country.

When writer's block strikes:
I stare into the mirror and mouth the words, "You’re a failure, you’ll never write another word again." It seems to work.

Reading:
Solzhenitsyn, Thomas Mann, Rilke, T.S. Eliot, anything by me.

On Bangkok Poetry Night groupies:
We need more.

Stupidest trend: 
TV commercials in lifts. And inside the Skytrain. In fact, anywhere except on TV.

Favorite crowd: 
Saigon schoolgirls.

Fail-safe crowd pleaser:
The best way to please a crowd, in my experience, is to lynch someone.

People always assume I’m: 
No idea.

But I’m really: 
I’m sure they’re right.

Idol:
Guy Fawkes

Advice for 2007:
Find out the truth about 9/11: 911smokingguns.com

Freestlyle us a little ditty: 
You’ll have to speak to my agent.

www.bangkokpoetry.com

Be Gentle, man

The latest branch of the British-style shirt-maker Meticulous (2/F, Zone A, Central World, 02-613-1040. www.meticulousshirt.com) is now open in the new hub of trendy brands, Central World. The black and white store is now considered the flagship of the Thai company.

Wear ’em Everywhere

For chic streetwise clothing, women in the know hand their money over to Thai designer T-ra Chantasawasdee. His recently opened shop, T-Ra (Unit 109, 1/F, All Seasons Place Retail Centre, 87/2 Wireless Rd., 02-654-3277. www.t-ra-design.com), is now featuring his Autumn/Winter 06/07 collection, made up of loose-fitting garments in urban monochrome. T-Ra clothing can also be found at Zen (CentralWorld, 02-264-5555).

Fogo Vivo

G/F President Arcade Tower, 973 Ploenchit Rd., 02-656-0384. Open daily 6pm-1am (in the upstairs bar). BTS Ploenchit.
It’s posh, it has a good location and of late it has been the rising star of nightlife. If you need some caloric intake before you dazzle everyone with your dance moves, try the Brazilian buffet (B960) downstairs. Every Latin lover or Latin lover lover should be there: the smooth movers, the curious, and even some tourists. You won’t be shipwrecked; they’re all very welcoming and there’s always someone to help you with your dance steps.

Senor Pico Bar and Restaurant

Rembrandt Hotel, Sukhumvit 18, 02-261-7100. Open daily 5pm-1am. BTS Asoke, MRT Sukhumvit.
Serves Mexican food in an atmosphere that walks a fine line between cheesy and authentic. There’s a sizeable dance floor where you can show off your skills but coming alone just for dancing isn’t such a great idea. Weekdays are better for dinner. Fri and Sat are filled with expats, which could be good for expanding your business network. Saucy salsa songs are provided by Los Gafas, Tue-Sun 7pm-midnight.

Patty’s Fiesta

109-111 Soi Patpong, Silom Rd., 02-632-7898/9. Open daily 11am-2am. BTS Saladaeng. MRT Silom.
Another well-known place packed to the rafters with Mexican décor. Opt for the mezzanine for a breeze and a bird’s eye view of the bar. Most customers are farangs with their “girlfriends” (cough cough) so you better bring your own dance partner. Enjoy live music and Patty’s Fiesta (B220), a strong cocktail that will make your moves smoother (or at least seem that way to you).

Growing up in St. Charles, Missouri, I felt like an outsider, considering I looked different. I was happy to move to Los Angeles at 17. My life and my world opened up to a whole new place.

When you are a kid, being different can make you insecure. However, you are happy to be different when older. Adversity builds character.

In Los Angeles, I started working with an artist named Tony Duquette. He introduced me to Asian culture, from Balinese and Chinese to Japanese. He was a world traveler and known for doing old Hollywood movies. He was a huge influence on me, opened my eyes to the world and who I really am.

Bangkok has always been one of my dream destinations. Thai food, which is really popular in Los Angeles, is my favorite. I want to get the sense of what Bangkok is really all about.

I have been so blown away by the immensity of the shopping structure in Asia. You can find big brand names like Louis Vuitton and Gucci and high-end fabric stores all in one place, which is not common in the US.

Fashion-wise, what I have seen here so far is very international. I want to experience people in sois and markets to get the real essence of cosmopolitan life here, which I have so far only seen out of a window during my cab rides.

The fame and notoriety of the show has been huge. It has opened up a lot of doors for me.

I transmit my stories through fashion.

As a fashion designer, I barely have free time. I am always busy looking and searching for inspiration.

My focus is currently on custom-made pieces. I need the right investors to take to the next level. You are going to see my own label or we will all die trying.

There is a big misconception about me because I was portrayed as an asshole on TV. Some parts were edited out until later on when my real personality showed through, not just soundbites. People who meet me would describe me as well rounded.

In life, I take a lot of risks. However, at the end of the day, if you are a current person and recognize the beauty in the world, you will make out OK, no matter if someone tries to paint you in a negative way.

I believe in being a master of your own destiny.

It is not about winning or losing. It is about the journey—where you go and where you take it.

I love music even when I don’t understand the lyrics. What matters is that I get the feeling of the music.

Reality TV can make things seem unreal. However, being on TV allows people to feel like they know you. When we get to meet in person, it creates an immediate connection. There are no walls.

Hard Rock Café

424/3-6 Siam Square Soi 11, 02-251-0797. BTS Siam. Open daily 11-2am.
The long running internationally branded bar and restaurant plays disco and rock tunes on all three floors. American music, beer and food (in American sized portions) also available.

Re-Feel

21/18-21, Block B, Royal City Avenue, Rama 9 Rd., 02-664-6459/60. Open daily, 6pm-2am.
The ground floor and mezzanine offer timeless Thai and international hits, spun by in-house DJs or faithfully covered by live bands. Dance on the second floor or chill in the small but fully equipped third floor.

Roadhouse Barbeque

942/1-4 Rama 4 Rd., on the corner of Suriyawongse Rd., 02-236-8010. Open daily noon-1am. MRT Silom.
www.roadhousebarbeque.com.
Roadhouse BBQ borrows a host of American bar traditions, including a “throw your peanut shells on the floor” rule, killer Buffalo wings, and pool and foosball tables on the third floor.

Never leave home without: Stuff to connect to the world via internet and my music

Stupidest Trend: Too many to try to find one

Favorite audience:  A happy, smiling one

Happiest moment:  When you have that new song you love, play it for the first time and it gets the crowd crazy—magical!

All time fave song: Change feat. Luther Vandross, “The Glow of Love”

On a night out you… Stay home! I’m out so much as a DJ that I do it reverse!

Last lie: I swear it wasn’t me

Rule for life: Try to live it in style

First job: Office clerk

Idol: Sean Connery

Favorite Bangkok sound/noise: The street food vendors scrapping and banging their woks

The path to inner peace: Find yourself first, then you can find the rest

Most annoying thing I have to encounter everyday: Grumpy taxi drivers

Last thing that made me stop and think: Plastic bags, do we really need that many?

Listening to: Too many things, but always soulful and musical

Best DJ groupie story: Groupies are for rock stars; you’re knocking at the wrong door

Make them think you’re cool: Why, didn’t I yet?

Most inspirational person: Quentin Tarantino

House music never dies because: It’s disco in disguise, and there hasn’t been anything better to get your groove on

Dimitri will be showcasing his trademark style at Polly Bar (see +nightlife previous page) on Friday, Dec 22. Advanced tickets B1,000 (call 08-5917-3616) or B1,500 at the door. Doors at 9:30pm.