The Shooting Cafe is full of unexpected surprises. First of all, it’s right there in the Sino Zone at Patong’s Jungceylon. Yes, a shooting range in a shopping mall. With air conditioning. Best of all, a full-service cafe wraps around the shooting range, which gives a whole new meaning to the term “a shot of espresso”.

Owner Thana “Aon” Polpalangkul opened the business in May because of his love for shooting and an interest in guns that stems from his younger days as a police officer. Khun Aon always wanted to make his own business — a cafe, but with a little twist, something original. Since shooting tends to appeal to men rather than women, the cafe is a place couples and mixed groups of friends can meet for an entertaining evening, and no one has to wait in the dark for a loved one.

The Shooting Cafe has become a great place to meet people who are interested in guns and shooting. The staff are knowledgeable and experienced in professional shooting, and they’re only too happy help you perfect your technique. They are also extremely helpful towards first-timers making their debut on the shooting range, demonstrating correct technique and following health and safety regulations. All shooting range staff have certificates administered by Ministry of Commerce’s security division.

For this cafe, perhaps it’s best to order the espresso drinks before leaving. Best to have a steady hand when handling firearms instead of a jittery aim. When you arrive at the cafe counter, you specify which type of gun you want from the menu: .22, .38, .357, 9mm and 11mm. Then you choose a style of shooting range: moving target, fixed target or short gun range. For those (like me) who have never tried shooting, Aon recommends a handgun, which is easier to handle and doesn’t have a big kick. Once loaded up, the staff join you at the shooting range to give you tips and pointers, and to keep an eye on you.

While you’re inside the box, fire away — but you’re not allowed to take the gun outside the box. The staff on hand will make sure you abide by the rules and they will constantly check your gun.

To construct the shooting range, Aon explained, he installed bulletproof and soundproof walls inside the cafe. The walls are extra thick to protect passers-by from unwittingly taking one in the thigh while walking towards KFC. Safety is paramount; required procedures include wearing hearing protection, and the shooting range is surrounded by bullet-proof glass. There’s a closed-circuit TV system inside, too, so you can sit at the bar with a drink and watch shooters firing on all cylinders.

The Shooting Cafe doesn’t sell guns to the general public, but there’re plenty on show for viewing. Instead of a gun, you can take away a T-shirt or another souvenir. You can also take away the target you have been trying to hit for the past 30 minutes — just ask the staff. One round consists of 10 bullets, and typically groups of friends alternate on the range, competing against each other.

Unlike most shooting ranges, which close when the sun goes down, the Shooting Cafe stays open late, until 11.00pm.

The Shooting Cafe
Sino Zone at Jungceylon
181 Rat Uthit Rd., Patong
08-1596-8980
Open 10.00am to 11.00pm

On the Menu
Typical cafe fare, plus beer

On the Range
A round of 10 shots starts at 850 baht for one person