French 
It is beyond a doubt that Pattaya’s famous Bar Scene is the industry that really drove the development of Pattaya over the years. Some will consider this to be the more salubrious side of Pattaya and will avoid it, others will launch themselves into it and have a fantastic time in the process.
The Bars are essentially split into two main categories – Beer Bars and A Go Go Bars. However, they all have one thing in common – waitress/waiter service is the norm and you’ll never be sitting there staring at an empty glass or queuing up for 20 minutes to get a drink! The Thais have realised that an empty glass equals lost revenue – something it’s a shame some European establishments haven’t cottoned on to quite yet!
Pattaya Beer Bars
The Beer Bars are mainly open air (although there are many inside, air conditioned premises) where you’ll find rather too many ‘barmaids’ for the number of customers. Essentially, in addition to serving drinks and chatting with customers, the majority of the barmaids are also available as escorts. If you see the girl of your dreams in a bar and you’d like her to accompany you for the evening, week or longer, then you’ll be asked to pay the Bar Fine (generally around 200 baht per day and, purportedly levied as removing one of the girls from the bar makes the bar less attractive to passing customers) on which the girl gets a very small commission. It’s then expected that you’ll ‘tip’ the girl at the end of the evening/day (anything from 500 baht to 2000 baht for each evening/day you’re with her). You’ll probably also notice that if you buy a girl a drink, it’s slightly more expensive than your own drink – again, because the girls receive a small commission on drinks bought for them.
Don’t, however, for one minute imagine that these are merely ‘pick up’ joints – if you go with your children and/or partner, the girls will make a tremendous fuss of them (especially children – they adore them). You’ll be welcomed and made to feel at home to enjoy a cool beer. I’ve watched on many occasions the girls helping wives/girlfriends with hair and make-up and having an absolute ball!!
