Korean Bar Reports

[QUOTE=Esk808;3400288]On the Diamond Head side of Yamato's was the "Gion Room" then "Club Ruby" and then "Sada Restaurant". I think Club Casino was next to Sada.

Wasn't Club Ruby the old Denver Grill? Denver Grill was before my time.

Towards Ewa from Yamato's was a Japanese bar called "Schontti" and later called "Club Eriko".[/QUOTE]I think you are right about Denver Grill. Damn you have good memory. Thanks for the 411. Much Mahalo. After all sooner or later there will be no more Kapiolani KB'S and the only thing left will be the memories and all the fun times.

[QUOTE=JohnRoss;3400301]I really hope the bars start picking up again. It has been slow, so my gf has been home since April. I'm a prisoner in my own home because when I go out, she wants to go with me. LOL. I'm living my life through your experiences nowdays.[/QUOTE]I'm in the same boat JR! For past year no can! If things start pick up again, maybe my SO go back to work and give me some freedom. Upside is I've dried out, saved a lot of money, and stopped paying other guys house payments!

[QUOTE=WarriorForLife;3400413]Bars would never go busy like it once was. Too much drama and BS. Too expansive to drink.

Look at how Summit and Camelot once was. Busy nitely and now it is almost empty at most nights.

Once the older generation move on. The KBs will die. It is just a matter when.[/QUOTE]I've posted the same thought myself, but a little more direct: "Once the older generation move on" - which means, as the old guys die off, which is already happening. I'm one of those guys, but I am on the "younger" side of old.

Once we're gone though, the industry here in Hawaii will fold. We are the customers for these places, our demographic are the patronizers, the youngsters do not care for these bars, "they are for old people".

[QUOTE=OldIslandBoy;3403468]I've posted the same thought myself, but a little more direct: "Once the older generation move on" - which means, as the old guys die off, which is already happening. I'm one of those guys, but I am on the "younger" side of old.

Once we're gone though, the industry here in Hawaii will fold. We are the customers for these places, our demographic are the patronizers, the youngsters do not care for these bars, "they are for old people".[/QUOTE]Yup, industry is slowly dying. IMHO, many like myself no longer see the value of paying $20/$40 drink or $100 soju or $300 /$400 champagne anymore. My guess is that the increased popularity of the MP took the allure away from the KB. Why go to the KB and spend $300 just for a tease when you can go straight to thw MP to get action.

The reason why some of these older folks still hanging around cause they are thinking there is real love connection at KBs. Hate to say there is none. Ask yourself If the cash flow to your " honey" is cut off. Do you think your " Honey" still be around?

Younger generation is pretty smart these days. They are not going to buy into these BS. They would rather go Waikiki night clubs in search of their real love.

Kapiolani bars are dying. Kalihi bars will survive for a while. But don't bet your money they are going to stay for a long haul. Remember 3 of the closed Kalihi bars still with the padlock on it. It does not seem like anyone is interested to open it back up again soon.

[QUOTE=OldIslandBoy;3403468]I've posted the same thought myself, but a little more direct: "Once the older generation move on" - which means, as the old guys die off, which is already happening. I'm one of those guys, but I am on the "younger" side of old.

Once we're gone though, the industry here in Hawaii will fold. We are the customers for these places, our demographic are the patronizers, the youngsters do not care for these bars, "they are for old people".[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=KeepGoing;3403655]Yup, industry is slowly dying. IMHO, many like myself no longer see the value of paying $20/$40 drink or $100 soju or $300 /$400 champagne anymore. My guess is that the increased popularity of the MP took the allure away from the KB. Why go to the KB and spend $300 just for a tease when you can go straight to thw MP to get action.[/QUOTE]You nailed it.

[QUOTE=KeepGoing;3403655]Yup, industry is slowly dying. IMHO, many like myself no longer see the value of paying $20/$40 drink or $100 soju or $300 /$400 champagne anymore. My guess is that the increased popularity of the MP took the allure away from the KB. Why go to the KB and spend $300 just for a tease when you can go straight to thw MP to get action.[/QUOTE]Don't they have AMP back in the day also? I always thought the older generation enjoyed the Korean bar scene and it wasn't as ripoffs as now.

[QUOTE=ExitOnly;3404167]Don't they have AMP back in the day also? I always thought the older generation enjoyed the Korean bar scene and it wasn't as ripoffs as now.[/QUOTE]Yes, however the total amount of MPs back then was just a fraction of what is available today.

Regarding the 3 closed Kalihi bars, two of them Canal and AKA P. Water are owned by a corporation (same corporation) and thus the liquor license is owned by the corporation. So I think if you lease these bars, they won't have a liquor license. I guess it can only be a food establishment. If anyone else knows the liquor licensing laws, please let me know as I'm not 100% sure.

[QUOTE=Lefty808;3404861]Regarding the 3 closed Kalihi bars, two of them Canal and AKA P. Water are owned by a corporation (same corporation) and thus the liquor license is owned by the corporation. So I think if you lease these bars, they won't have a liquor license. I guess it can only be a food establishment. If anyone else knows the liquor licensing laws, please let me know as I'm not 100% sure.[/QUOTE]The word is that AKA P. Water is going to reopen sometime in June. Have not heard about what is going to happen to Canal.

[QUOTE=Lefty808;3404861]I guess it can only be a food establishment. If anyone else knows the liquor licensing laws, please let me know as I'm not 100% sure.[/QUOTE]Try check out the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC); it governs corporations; liquor licensing is specific to dispensing the stuff. Anyway, that's where the corruption in the KBs is and how they play musical chairs with KB establishments, making money on leasing same (illegal).

[QUOTE=Apd30;3405032]The word is that AKA P. Water is going to reopen sometime in June. Have not heard about what is going to happen to Canal.[/QUOTE]Same former owner, Kimo (no longer licensee of those two defunct establishments). I guess if can settle the liens and can get one able-bodied partner who can get one liquor license, maybe can open. One day at a time.

[QUOTE=MitsFunai;3405458]Same former owner, Kimo (no longer licensee of those two defunct establishments). I guess if can settle the liens and can get one able-bodied partner who can get one liquor license, maybe can open. One day at a time.[/QUOTE]I think the former owner was racking up fees daily for non-compliance, operating with out a liquor license is what I heard thru the grape vine but I guess need to take that with a grain of salt as that is pretty stupid. I think the key is to clean up the mess Kimo made and see if can get one liquor license. That mall has one bar on the rocks, one bar that is getting new blood from Kapiolani and Canal fka Club Joyce. Joyce was always the last stop before home. She also took care of me really well sober or drunk. Better days for bars.

Aka p waters always had a smell in the bathroom that sometimes travelled out of the bathroom never did like that place. . anyway now is not the time to make a huge investment in the bars. Business is so slow and even they (workers) can see the writing on the wall. Customers expiring and no younger ones taking their place dwindling pool every year gets smaller and smaller. "only a matter of time" as one old timer put it.

[QUOTE=KeepGoing;3403655]Yup, industry is slowly dying. IMHO, many like myself no longer see the value of paying $20/$40 drink or $100 soju or $300 /$400 champagne anymore. My guess is that the increased popularity of the MP took the allure away from the KB. Why go to the KB and spend $300 just for a tease when you can go straight to thw MP to get action.[/QUOTE]I agree. Some of my older friends keep asking me to go to KB's. To me it's a waste of time and money. Spend $$ and nothing. I tell them better to go to an AMP. Spend $$ and get whatever you want. No teasing. No blue balls. Unless you're into that. Heehee.

Absolutely very slow in town, most girls I know stayed home or gone some where else working. Camelot was as dead as the mortuary. Splash was so so. Saw some nice princesses there, but it seem like they were more interested playing with their phone than approaching customers. Where is the aloha from these princesses?

Took a tour at 5 plex Kalihi. Why is half of the parking lot stalls painted reserved? Where they expected bars customers to park? Business is slow there too, but more girls and a lot friendlier than town girls.

Heard a lot of guys here saying KBs are dying. I agreed and the BGS know it too.