OK, I know the Why Not bar/club is a well-established venue, but for the sake of a 'First Time' visitor to the bar/club in the evening, here's my retrospective... Went on Friday night at 10pm. Place started to fill up around 11pm. Service was typically slow and the beers were not that cold (a pet hate of mine) but not overly expensive and for a small venue it didn't seem that over crowded etc. Music was actually pretty good, although like so many DJ's nowadays who like to 'showboat', the guy couldn't resist interfering with the tunes and changing/mixing songs too frequently. A good mix of locals and foreigners. Most were sat around chatting in small groups and (typically) staring into their drinks or their phones. (another pet hate) Myself & wife had a good time. It's not an intimidating place and we both chatted to several foreigners, locals and 'freelancers' alike. All friendly, no trouble and certainly a reasonable place to go do your 'John Travolta thing', should you feel the need. 7/10.
Send a couple back and they learn very quickly to bring out the cold ones for you. Or tell them when you order that you want a very cold beer. They have them but they reserve them for the regular customers who complain about warm beer. I am guilty of the phone thing. I go there to play billiards, I'm not good enough to win every game so while I wait for the next game I have nothing much else to do. Not interested in the music or chatting with the ladies.
No worries Wrye - I found slide which I think diagrammatically highlights the skills of your average Why Not pool player:
They have some decent regular players. Some nights there are just too many people on the waiting list though. The left table is where the people who have some clue usually play. The "working girls" usually play on the right table. You can hit two birds with one stone on the table on the right....if that is what you are looking for. (this is also why there is a counter facing the table on the right)
Up to early evening - cue, chalk & a couple of beers to settle the nerves. After approx. 9PM? I reckon you would also benefit from one of these:
Not a big fan of WHY-NOT....had some bad experiences there.... and Marcos and I are not friends.... I wont run the place down...BUT ... just be careful
Generally, the best way to improve places = Competition. Venues akin to Why Not tend to have a monopoly when alternatives are limited. As a young family with a baby, we don't get out much on an evening, so I suppose these types of places are OK once a month etc. With the [Filipino] wife 'in-tow' these places take on a different vibe too I reckon? Perhaps when you're with a Filipino (irrespective of whom) other's just leave you be? Not always, granted; but likewise, I don't feel like I have "Fresh Meat" written all over me like I would if I ventured into these establishments on my own!