I consulted a large dictionary to ensure that “Shenanigans” was an accepted word in English, and there it was described as “Prankishness, Mischief”. And so I thought to myself, just how apt that name has to be for a hostelry run by the mad-cap Aussie Stewart Fraser! Forgive me, Stewart, but anybody who goes round the patrons playing “Toss the boss” with an Australian 50 cent coin is no shrinking violet!
A short historical note – There was initially a Shenanigans in town under the Marriott, which then moved across the road and then expanded resulting in another Shenanigans this time in Jomtien.
The large central rectangular bar is the focus point.
Further historical note – Landlord Stewart Fraser has been running Irish pubs (Molly Malones and Kilkenny come to mind) for as long as I have known him, and that’s a few years these days, but in Shenanigans Jomtien he has molded the pub around himself resulting in a very smooth running outfit.
Shenanigans Jomtien is not difficult to find. Come down Thappraya Road to the commonly called “Hanuman” statue (but that’s not Hanuman, in actual fact) and turn right and head towards the beach. Just before the arch over the road you will see the Jomtien Complex Condo building with Shenanigans Jomtien on your right. Drive in and park anywhere!
The library has booths with deeply padded button upholstery for dining as well as drinking.
The pub itself is divided into different areas. There is a large central rectangular bar, which is the focus point. However, there are booths along one side with deeply padded button upholstery for dining as well as drinking, then there is a beer garden outside with seating for around 24 people, a sports area with darts and pool and a semi-enclosed library area as well.
Stuart told us that the emphasis was to cater for sports with lots of TV screens for all sports and for families. To that end, on the Sundays the library becomes an area just for children, allowing the parents to enjoy themselves without constant interruptions. (All parents will understand this!)
The menu is large, and loaded with weekly ‘specials’. These begin with lunch specials (11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Saturday and a small draft beer B. 249). These include fish and chips. (No British style pub can get by without fish and chips!) Also roast of the day, sausages mash and onion gravy (how traditional can you get)?
The daily specials are of the rotating type, with most around B. 280 and includes beef stew, curries, kebabs, a Saturday roast and on Sunday it is an all you can eat carvery deal for B. 450 and to look after the family groups, children under nine years of age eat at no charge.
Continuing on with the traditional menu items there are salads, pies and stews, snacks, starters and soups, with the pea and ham soup B. 130. Then comes the “main event” with two pages of hearty main courses, most under B. 400, with for example, a chicken schnitzel at B. 280 or a chicken tikka masala at B. 325.
There is also a full page of Thai food items at B. 165.
The Wednesday evening on which we went was a special buffet curry night (B. 280 all you can eat) and we decided to go with the flow, and had no regrets. The pork and chicken curries were flavorsome without being too spicy. Very much a British style of curries. It was also a beer promotion night with a pint of Tiger being only B. 75, so a really inexpensive evening.
It was certainly a very popular watering hole, with a constant stream of people coming through the door all evening (yes we did stay for a while and visited the curry buffet more than once).
Shenanigans Jomtien certainly more than adequately fills a niche down in that area. It has become the ‘local’ for the expats down in Jomtien, and fills that niche so well there is no need for them to look elsewhere. It has the atmosphere, food and drinks and is very reasonable price-wise. Quite frankly, it was difficult to fault.
Shenanigans Jomtien, Jomtien Complex Condo, 414/21 Moo 12, Thappraya Road, telephone 038 303 490, web http://www.shenanigansthailand.com, open 11 a.m. until late (kitchen 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.), secure parking.
