Halloween is just around the corner and Whirlybird is pleased to report that Sphinx is feverishly working on its new upstairs bar for a mid-November opening. It promises to be fab with a spiffy dance floor, a circle bar, gorgeous guys and of course, the tasteful Sphinx décor.

Invites for the opening will be available at Sphinx and will get you some free drinks so be sure to inquire and be on hand for the festivities! The Whirlybird will be soaking up the goings-on, you can be sure. No cover charge. Halloween festivities will, of course, be part and parcel of the downstairs pub and probably most of Soi 4 and Soi 2.

DJ Station will most likely be its outrageous self. Frock alert! Check out their (finally) updated web page at http://www.dj-station.com. Speaking of web sites and such, be sure to check out Sphinx at http://www.sphinxpub.com and Albury Men's Club at http://www.alburyclub.com.

Got friends in on holiday looking for a place to stay? Check out the Tarntawan Place on Surawong, which has a special offer for "friends of Balcony" - a deluxe double for 1,700 baht. Call 238-2620 or email tarntawan@mozart.inet.co.th, and be sure to tell 'em Balcony sent you. Speaking of, the Malaysia Hotel offers Internet access.

Kudos to J. W. for all those tasteful tidbits in Metro. Remind me never to cook for you, ok? And a belated Happy Birthday to Richard at Telephone, who celebrated his big day Sept 17 upstairs with pals. Lots of renovation has been going on at Telephone, by the way. One faithful patron swears the floor is brand spanking new.

Whirlybird also got wind of a new show in Pattaya. We quote "International entertainer Dale Gutzman brings for the fifth time an explosive fun-filled Musical Revue to Le Café Royale in South Pattaya for a series of shows from 12th to 21st November. The show this year is entitled CELEBRATION."

It promises lots of pop tunes and standards with a good dash of comedy and audience participation. Contact Le Café Royale in Pattayaland Soi 3, South Pattaya in person or by telephone on 423515 or 428303; fax 424579; or email to caferoyl@loxinfo.co.th for information. We also got another email about old and rare Asian books. See http://www.erols.com/arbs/ for more information.

The police are doing the usual "annual reshuffle and let's close down the bars early to show we mean business" routine. Expect it to last for a few weeks.

Late nights at JJ Park on the weekends are outrageously fun. DJ is still elbow to elbow. And Bank Studio (or TG Studio) is still the place to go for afterhours merrymaking.