Chiang Mai Gay friendly restaurants, guest houses, bars and massage in Chiang Mai - gay scene

Chiang Mai gay guide

Songkran water festival is a great chance to get out darling!

Chiang Mai, and Thailand in general is such a comfortable place for the gay community that foreigners feel welcome and safe here. The Thai are seldom prejudiced, openly accepting all around them, which is why ladyboys are prominent. For this reason Chiang Mai is a popular place for gay couples to meet and settle. It supports the lively and large community with plenty of gay bars or gay friendly restaurants and guesthouses. For gay visitors it’s a memorable experience.

Many have found their special partner here while others prefer to simply have a bit of fun! The Chiang Mai gay culture is centred on bars, bistros, private massage cluges and even go-go clubs; but many also prefer a quieter life.

For the first time visitor looking to meet boys, there are a number of thriving bars in an area behind the Night Bazaar Centre, as well as other bars, clubs and saunas spread out throughout the city (see listings below) Additionally, there are many gay-friendly hotels and guesthouses. The lesbian scene is somewhat more subdued, with the first official lesbian bar opening up in January 2004.

Chiang Mai is a popular destination for many gay men, especially those aged 35 and older. Thai culture does not place a premium on youth in the way that Western societies do, and older men can still be quite desirable in Thailand. Chiang Mai is also a popular place to retire, for straights and gays. Thai boys are gorgeous, with toned bodies, lovely features and a soft nature. It’s no wonder some have become ladyboys, they have a very feminine side to them and the ladyboys themselves can be great fun. Everyone is friendly here.

In the past, the most visible, public gay establishments in the country consisted of bars, go-go clubs, saunas and massage parlours. Although these still account for the majority of gay venues, tamer discos, bars and coffeehouses are sprouting up around Thailand.

Gay bars and restaurants in Chiang Mai

Glass Onion:: is a sophisticated and classy wine bar popular gay owned and run, attracting gay and stylish people later in the evening. Located across town on Nimminhemin avenue along with Munros. Room 1, Project, 61, Nimmanhaemin Rd Tel. (053) 21 - 8479.
Soho Bar:: this gay friendly bar has a relaxed but classy atmosphere with a garden bar and trendy interior. Convenietly located near Kad Suan Kaew mall. 20/3 Huay Kaew Road. Tel. 08 6743 8202
Kudos:: is a quieter location, tricky to find in the Gold Place Centre off the moat near Thapae Gate. It has an air conditioned lounge and fills up sometimes. Easy if you are on foot. 70/16-17 Gold Place Centre, Chiyapoom Rd. Tel. 086 115 1341.
Ruby Munro Restaurant and Show Bar:: is a new large place on Nimminhemin road, featuring drag shows nightly (closed Mon.) at 8:30pm, as well as contemporary, flamenco, Thai classical dance, and singers. Serves food and drinks at reasonable prices. 45 Nimmanhemin Road, T.Suthep Muang, Chiang Mai 50100. Tel. 053 895209
Lotus Garden Bar:: next to Lotus Hotel, is an open-air bamboo hut bar filled with friendly people. Located opposite Adam's Apple Bar. 2/25 Soi Viengbua, Chotana Rd, Chang Phuak (053) 21 - 5376
Adams' Apple go-go bar:: is a well-known and popular venue with some exciting shows. 132 soi Viengbua, Chotana rd. Tel: (053) 220-381-2
Seven Suns Guesthouse:: a nice friendly atmosphere with terrace restaurant, located in the old town. 155 Ratchamanka rd. (053) 814 276
Bubbles Disco:: both in Pornping Hotel, are lively places for gays and straights, featuring live bands. Beneath Porn Ping Tower hotel near Night Bazaar (053) 270099
Caesar Club and Discothéque: is geared towards gays but is open to everyone. The late night disco plays tribal, house, trance, dance, pop, and disco music. Kaew Nawarat rd, opposite Arcade Inn at the Arcade Bus Depot.
La Femme Fatale:: open between 19:00 to 02:00 daily, in Chiang Mai Land, off Chang Klan road south of the city.
Simon Cabaret:: was a fun drag extravaganza featuring an all ladyboy cast but unfortunately it closed at the end of October 2007 until further notice. Enquire locally, as they promise to be back and it’s a show not to be missed.

Thailand's cross-gender extravaganza

Simon Caberet is uniquely Thai. Only here can you experience an evening of beautifully slender bodies, exquisite faces, colourful costume and unmisstakeable flambouyancy from an all male cast of ladyboys, gay actors and transsexuals. Whether you're straight or gay, this outrageous permanent performance, which also has a show in Phuket, is a worthwhile evening's entertainment.

Others

DD Club: is a great place to meet ladyboys 161 Chang Phuek Road soi 4.
Garden Bar: 2/25 soi Viengbua Chotana rd. Tel: (053) 215 376
Chez Nous: Tapae Soi 1, Night Bazaar right besides "The Peak"
Hot Boy Club: 161/5-6 Changpauk. Tel: (053) 226 099
Circle Club: 161/7-8 soi Erawan, Chotana rd. Tel: (053) 214-996.
Doi Boy: 27/1-2 soi 4 Chang Puek rd. Tel: 053 410 241.
My Way: 3/5-6 Hatsadee Sewee rd. Tel (081) 474-1913.

Gay massage and spas in Chiang Mai

House of Male: is a sauna and gym, with swimming pool, bar and friendly single people. Large complex, popular enjoyment place for some. Soi 3 of Sirimankalajarn rd. Tel: (053) 89 4133.
Blue’s Club: is located among the karaoke bars of Chiang Mai Land, south of the Night Market. It offers massage and body scrubs by male therapists at affordable prices, open until midnight. 422/18 Chiang Mai Land. Tel: (053) 204 968.
Sparoma Sauna and Fitness: has a pool, gym, sauna, restaurant, Jacuzzi, video theatre, karaoke and massage. It is located on Pa Daed rd. Tel. (053) 81 - 2900.
Barai Traditional Thai Massage: is located at 47/11 Sri Ping Muang rd. Tel: (01) 961 2622.
Man Male Massage: is located at 45/7 Santitham rd, Tel: (053) 357 346.

Gay accommodation and guesthouses in Chiang Mai

The following are specifically gay friendly.

Seven Suns: is a popular and lively place at 155 Ratchamanka rd. bookings@sevensuns.net, www.sevensuns.net.
Ricefield House: is a private rural residence that offers unique accommodation in superb setting with lovely owners. (053) 865605, www.ricefield-house.com.
Lotus Hotel: 2/25 Soi Viangbua, Chotana rd, is gay-owned and very popular with visiting gays. (053) 215 376, www.lotus-hotel.com.
Baan Sammi: offers gay homestay accommodation near Doi Saket. www.geocities.com/baansammi/index.html.
Pagoda Inn: is off soi Wat Chompu, Chang Moi rd. Tel: 053 233290.
Chiang Dao Nest: is a mini resort and restaurant in a beautiful natural area. An hour North of Chiang Mai. www.chiangdao.com.