Coolies Club bar and restaurant opened in historic Phuket Old Town neighbourhood
September 5th, 2024
Recently opened in Phuket’s historic Old Town within a traditional Sino-Portuguese shophouse, Coolies Club celebrates Phuket’s rich tin mining history and pays homage to the area’s colourful past. Located along Soi Romanee – formerly the red-light district of Phuket, where 19th Century tin miners would go to visit brothels, gambling houses, and opium dens. Today, the street is more famous for its vibrant colours, colonial architecture, and beautifully styled shopfronts drawing visitors from around the world.
Created by 4th-generation Phuket resident and owner of The Slate Phuket hotel, Krystal Prakaikaew Na-Ranong, her family history is intrinsically entwined with the history of Phuket with her great grandfather coming from China to work in Phuket’s tin mines in 1912, searching for fortune in Southeast Asia. Krystal’s father, Wichit Na-Ranong, is hailed as the Father of Phuket tourism, having been instrumental in building the island’s reputation as an international destination and investing in its infrastructure and growth. Krystal is proud to share her father’s passion for constantly innovating the hospitality scene in Phuket and the new signature club on iconic Soi Romanee is a dream come true.
Design
Acclaimed Bangkok-based designer, architect and artist Bill Bensley was engaged to transform the old shophouse into a moody, sexy interior that harks back to the area’s famous opium dens using antique furnishings, rich materials, and gorgeous shades of coral, turquoise and jade green. Bill Bensley: “It was wonderful to work with Krystal again to create Coolies Club with its vibrant colours, rich stories, and bespoke craftsmanship designed to honour the spirit of the laborers who worked the tine mines of Phuket and the hedonistic pleasures they sought after a hard day’s work. More than just a place to eat and drink, it is an immersive experience that transports you to the pleasure palaces of the former red-light district, with a modern twist.”
The Club features typical Chinese Baroque architecture, with ornate wooden doors, intricate Chinese fretwork and a striking façade in white, turquoise and antique red. Downstairs, guests can enjoy a themed list of creative cocktails including the Miner’s Whisper, Mama’s Twist, Spicy Maria, and Courtesan’s Kiss alongside bar bites and bigger plates. Upstairs, the venue features two private bedrooms, where Opium Den dining experiences will be offered. Krystal also plans to work with local artists, DJs, performers, and musicians to bring themed events to the space. Regular performances will be staged at the Club to entertain visitors.
Cuisine & Cocktails
Paying respect to the methods by which tin miners cooked their food, the restaurant uses smoking over an open fire for many of its dishes, the most primary and sensory of cooking methods. The result is a rustic but sophisticated menu that takes guests on a journey through time and tradition, complemented by an innovative cocktail list, fine wines, and artisan spirits.
Coolies Club opens daily (closed Mondays) between midday and midnight. Themed weekly promotions include:
Every Saturday: Chinoiserie Soirée: A Night of Exotic Elegance at Coolies Club – with live performances, themed cocktails and cuisine.
Every Sunday: Sparkling Dim Sum Brunch – from midday to 5pm – an irresistible mix of dim sum and bubbles for just 1,050 Baht
See Coolies Club Facebook for details.
(images credit Coolies Club)
