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Martini’s Longevity

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dicey eye

Martini’s Longevity

The survival rate for bars/eateries in Phnom Penh is consistently low. The revolving door syndrome. High hope openings, then 6 to 9 months later cashing in the chips at a super discount rate. Not merely diminishing returns but no returns.

Though there are a handful of anomalies to this bleak picture. One such exception is Martini Pub in the BKK area of Phnom Penh. Martini’s has several not-so special draws. It serves cheap beer; has edible food; a half way decent 120 inch flat screen TV; a Retro disco circa 1970s, around the time John Travolta was gyrating to the tunes of Saturday Night Fever; a large open air beer garden, pool tables and an abundant selection of sociable gals.

Martini’s seems to have been around forever. What is the secret of its durability?

Certainly not its location; it’s a lengthy and costly tuk-tuk ride from Riverside or Street 51 (Phnom Penh’s bordello row). Ya can cross out cheap booze as a factor, many bars now-a-days have extended Happy Hours with drinks for a pittance. Barely edible cuisine isn’t much of a draw and beer gardens with supersized flat screen TVs are cropping up all over in the Land of KTV, so that’s a non-issue.

By process of elimination that leaves the “friendship factor†as Martini’s main draw.

And alluring friends they are: winning smiles, stiletto heels and short skirts. Of late a contingent of rather forthright Vietnam ladies has adopted Martini’s as their home base. Some posters are put off by their bluntness; I have no problems with the girls’ frankness. I find it both refreshing and slightly shocking in a naughty-nice way. Not a whole lotta traditional courting necessary. And that “friendliness trait†sure does attract a steady stream of expats; western, Chinese, Russian and Korean. An international melting pot of patrons. And some of those friendly Vietnamese gals have a real knack for language. Poly-lingual; speak passable English, Khmer and Chinese. Quite cunning linguists.

Martini’s longevity can be attributed to its friendly ambiance via cute companions. It has developed a niche market and sticks with it. Those travelers that are looking for spiritual enlightenment should visit the Buddhist temples. Those travelers looking for more carnal forms of enlightenment should head to Martini’s Pub.

The opening lines from “Cheers†theme song, pretty much sum up Martini’s appeal:
“Making your way in the world today
Takes everything you've got;
Taking a break from all your worries
Sure would help a lot.â€

Along with a cutie on your arm.

Edited by dicey eye
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luigi

Dicey Eye, for the total novice where is the Martini bar. I googled & came up with the one in Albany NY. is that the one?

I kid, I kid.

L

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