Join the club
Bill Bensley’s Coolies Club opens in Phuket, Thailand.
21 July 2024
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Coolies Club, conjured into life by Bill Bensley, has flung open its doors on Soi Romanee, poised to become the crown jewel of Old Phuket Town. Nestled within a venerable Sino-Portuguese shophouse on one of the globe’s most picturesque streets, this new culinary and libation haven weaves a tapestry of Phuket’s storied tin mining past, paying a colourful tribute to the days gone by.
Soi Romanee, once the notorious haunt of red lights, where tin miners squandered their earnings on brothels, gambling dens, and opium-induced reveries, now gleams with the lustre of its colonial façades and vibrant hues, a magnet for Instagrammers and curious souls alike.
Bill Bensley, the celebrated Star-chitect of Asia, shares his delight, saying, “Collaborating with Krystal once again to bring Coolies Club to life has been an exhilarating journey.
“We’ve infused it with riotous colours, rich narratives, and bespoke craftsmanship, all to honour the spirit of the labourers and their pursuit of hedonistic pleasures after gruelling days in the mines. This is not just a place to dine; it’s an immersive escapade into the pleasure palaces of yesteryear, with a dash of modern flair.”
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Coolies Club stands as the latest brainchild of Krystal Prakaikaew Na-Ranong, the visionary behind The Slate Phuket hotel. Her family’s saga is intricately woven into the fabric of Phuket’s history.
Her great grandfather arrived from China in 1912, seeking fortune and finding it in the tin mines of Phuket. His toil and loyalty earned him parcels of land and mining rights, a testament to the era’s ‘Coolies,’ the foreign labourers who laid the foundations of Phuket. Once a top tin exporter, the island has since shifted its economic sails towards tourism.
Krystal’s father, Wichit Na-Ranong, revered as the Father of Phuket tourism, played a pivotal role in transforming the island into an international hotspot, investing in its infrastructure and allure. Krystal continues his legacy with fervour, innovating the hospitality scene and now, with the inception of Coolies Club, fulfilling a long-cherished dream on iconic Soi Romanee.
“We’ve crafted a sanctuary that epitomises Phuket’s cultural melting pot,” Krystal says with pride. “It’s a nod to the island’s 19th-century joie de vivre, a time when sailors, gypsies, and labourers thronged here from the far corners of the world.
“Having lived in our family shophouse, I aspired to create a contemporary pleasure palace that mirrors the high-end bars and gambling dens where tin miners once sought solace, while honouring my great grandfather’s enduring legacy.”
Krystal’s passion for art, fashion, history, and storytelling breathes life into Coolies Club, with reclaimed tin pieces, bold hues, artworks, and vintage furnishings, evoking the spirit of Phuket’s tin mining era and the bohemian vibrancy of its former pleasure district.
The name Romanee itself, a Thai term for pleasure, also harks back to a renowned Romanian mamasan who once graced Soi Romanee with her presence.
Perched in a shophouse constructed by Chinese artisans in 1883, Coolies Club exudes the charm of Chinese Baroque architecture, with its ornate wooden doors, intricate fretwork, and a striking façade awash in white, turquoise, and antique red.
Inside, Bensley’s touch transforms the space into a sultry, evocative retreat, reminiscent of opium dens, with antique furnishings and rich materials in shades of coral, turquoise, and jade green.
The downstairs bar beckons with an array of themed cocktails like the Miner’s Whisper, Mama’s Twist, Spicy Maria, and Courtesan’s Kiss, accompanied by bar bites and hearty plates. Upstairs, two private bedrooms offer exclusive Opium Den dining experiences.
Krystal envisions the space as a cultural hub, collaborating with local artists, DJs, performers, and musicians to host themed events and regular performances, making Coolies Club a dynamic feast for all senses.
More than a mere dining venue, Coolies Club is a grand fête where meticulously crafted menus, soul-stirring music, and unparalleled libations coalesce.
The culinary offerings, steeped in tradition, use open-fire smoking to echo the miners’ cooking methods, resulting in a rustic yet sophisticated menu that transports guests through time and tradition, complemented by innovative cocktails, fine wines, and artisan spirits.
Guests of The Slate Phuket, another Bensley masterpiece celebrating the family’s tin mining heritage, will enjoy seamless access to Coolies Club, though it welcomes all visitors from noon to midnight, seven days a week.
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