Ahh, those of you who have haunted the streets of Pham Ngu Lao and De Tham, as most residents of HCMC have at some point, will recognise this corner. However, it is goodbye to Allez Boo which entertained pissed backpackers and English teachers for ten years. Although not a place I would go to often, it represented a multi-cultural part of the city in what is still a very homogeneous metropolis. Unfortunately, Highlands have the ability to gobble up any available street frontage in a frighteningly casual manner. There were rumours of the backpacker area being 'moved'. Perhaps the appearance of this new Starbucks, sorry I mean Highlands, is a subtle message that reads : no more tacky bamboo joints and street side drinking in this juicy piece of land that is so nicely located and has incredible potential for development if only all you bizarre foreigners with greasy hair and who keep all your possessions in a bag on your back would bugger off and find somewhere else to ferment and complain about being ripped off 30 pence by your motorbike taxi with other bizarre foreigners of a similar ilk.....(complaints about this sentence's validity can be sent here).
8 comments:
The Allez Boo was a horrible place - I once witnessed a member of staff literally kick kids out the door who were trying to sell postcards. (I mean he actually repeatedly kicked them and they were under 10 years old).
Good riddance. Not sure what your problem is with Highlands. It's an indigenous brand, not Starbucks and it employs lots of people - which considering the migration from the countryside is highly necessary.
It also provides very good training.
I think it looks great.
I don't have a problem with Starbucks, I mean Highlands, it was just a little joke...as for the story at Allez Boo, that's unfortunate but it could have happened anywhere (not sticking up for the place either, I agree it was an absolute toilet, but symbolic in many ways too).
I hope you're not suggesting just because it is indigenous that it is wholesome and fuzzy! I often go to numerous HC around the city, they have a good menu (try the Nasi Goreng). But I have to say, most of the kids that work there are definitely not from the countryside. More like city students.
Allez Boo stank of stale cigarette smoke and was dark and depressing in the daytime. The staff were brusque and prices were well beyond VN levels.
Still, I'll miss the place, as it was PNL's leading landmark.
I do like the Highland's behind the Opera House.
We often go the Highlands on Nguyen Du right under the trade center. There is a new one just opened on Mac Dinh Chi as well, in a very nice old wooden building with a beautiful garden area. Check it out!
The Allez Boo was always busy, I didn't think it would change. It was the first bar I went to in Viet Nam, so it is sentimental for me.
When a new foreigner would enter, they would have a gong hanging over the bar. They would hand the foreigner a gong stick to hit the gong with. The foreigner would hit the gong. Then one of the bar staff would turn the gong around, and on the back of the gong was a sign that read "anyone that hits this going must buy a drink for all staff!". They would then produce a plastic jar in which you were supposed to tip the bar staff. It was all done in fun.
At least the Go2 up the road might still be open??
It's reopening in August, this time on the other corner, across the road from the old location.
For me, it was the number one bar in PNL. Not the cleanest place in town but a great night out.
We had a club in my home town in England that used to be packed every weekend. Then the owners spent a fortune on the place. So yeah, it became clean and sparkly but it lost its 'charm' so no one want.
ALLEZ BOO was that same club...
Martin
This Place Near my home.
Post a Comment