More activity on the ‘Dark Side’ with the soft opening of Shenanigans by the Lake (Loch), a pub which is going to be one of the most dynamic and extensive hostelry’s in Pattaya and not just the ‘Dark Side’.
This is a sister pub to the very popular Shenanigans Jomtien, though conceptually quite different in some ways. It is very much a family sports pub (eight TV screens) with a picnic area at the front, and much work in progress including a dedicated soft play area for kids inside, a snooker/pool room, a deli/supermarket coming with many English items such as sausages and cheeses and seven rooms of accommodation as well as an air-conditioned inside bar and another covered open-air bar and a swimming pool. It is a ‘complex’ on its own!
This new Shenanigans is not difficult to find as it is on Siam Country Club road about 4 km from the only traffic lights around the Mabprachan Reservoir (to give its correct title). As you get close to the turn off to Horseshoe Point, Shenanigans is on your right and is the second last building before the turn off.
We chose the outer area in which to dine as it is not hot these balmy nights. A glass of white wine (B. 90) refreshed the palate while we took in the menu. By the way, local beers are B. 60-80 and draft beer B. 50 for half pints. Tiger and Heineken beers are B. 99, Fosters B. 120, Magners B. 165 and Guinness B. 199. There is also a page of children’s meals (B. 99).
On the table is a sea salt grinder and a Jamie Oliver pepper grinder, a name well known to the English fraternity, and there were many British accents on the night we went to do the review.
Mains include an all-day Irish breakfast (B. 190), steak sandwich (B. 275), spaghetti bolognaise (B. 190), sausage and mash (two Smithfield’s Fatboy sausages), pork chops 350 gm (B. 295), various sandwiches (B. 110-150) and a 250 gm Australian rib eye (B. 450).
Other meals on offer include a traditional ploughman’s lunch with ham, cheese and a Scotch egg (B. 325) and a hefty BLT at B. 150.
Being a family venue there are many children’s meals, all at B.99, including potato skins, fish fingers and fries, spaghetti carbonara and a beef burger slider and chicken nuggets.
Madame decided on the Bad Boy Burger (B. 285) and proclaimed it was the best burger she had ever eaten. The ingredients include 200 gm beef, Colby cheese, plus mushrooms and onion and middle back bacon, and comes with chips. A meal all on its own!
I chose the gammon steak (B. 295) which came with chips and a fried egg and pineapple. Good sized portion and the gammon was not over-cooked.
We had a Thai guest with the Dining Out team that evening and the yum woon sen from the Thai menu (B. 80-180) was given (spicy) top marks too.
This is a true pub that sells food, not to be confused with restaurants that sell beer. For those in the area, Shenanigans by the Lake (Loch for those North of Hadrian’s Wall) will obviously become their local, and for those with families the concept of a dedicated children’s area and menu will be a godsend at weekends.
The venue is excellent and the kitchen is delivering quality meals better than just ‘pub grub’ and reasonably priced as well. The deli and supermarket will be a bonus and the accommodation is offering a value added aspect to the pub. (There will be those who will stay after a heavy evening, rather than run the breathalyzer gauntlet on the way home.)
We enjoyed ourselves so much, we went back on the Sunday for their roasts that run from 12 till 6 (B. 240-280 and children B. 150). These came with all the trimmings, Yorkshire pudding and all.
A very welcome addition to the pub scene in Pattaya. Highly recommended.
Shenanigans by the Lake (Loch), Mabprachan, Siam Country Club Road, open seven days 11 a.m. till midnight (but kitchen closes 9 p.m.), telephone 092 471 1744, off-road parking.
