High Season in Gay Chiang Mai
Welcome to December in Gay Chiang Mai. Loy Krathong, traditionally regarded as the starty of Chiang Mai’s high season, was more than a week ago so we take a look at what’s going on in Chiang Mai and what awaits visitors this high season.
When it comes to the bar scene this time of year always sees a few changes as we see who survived the long rainy season, and who is brave enough to open something new ahead of the anticipated tourist influx. Sadly, this year, the scene has lost more places than it has gained.
Gay Soi 6
Ram Bar
Without a doubt Gay soi 6 (Charoen Prathet Rd Soi 6 which runs from Chang Klan road, the main night bazaar street down along side the Kalare night bazaar complex), has become the defacto location for the the farang orientated gay scene. As ever, Ram bar leads the way with its fabulous cabaret show still playing to a packed bar every night, despite some new competition (see later).
The show starts at 10 p.m. every night and we recommend going early to get a seat as it is often heaving. Or call Khun Wat on 0924963962 to book a table.
Ram bar has gained a reputation as Chiang Mai’s friendliest gay bar with some great staff to wait on you and make you feel welcome.
Secrets Bar and Orion Bar
Next door to Ram Bar, Secrets bar, now Chiang Mai’s oldest gay bar, is still a popular hangout for visitors. If you are looking for some younger company Secrets bar always has a selection of guys playing pool and happy to meet you.
The other place to meet friendly younger men is Orion bar at the top end of the soi. Orion also has a pool table and the owner, Khun Mai always makes sure everyone has a good time.
Other Bars
If you are just looking for a sociable drink without the money boys Jacky Bar, near Orion, and Pandee Bar, Off Soi 6 in the kalare Night Bazaar complex are good choices. Both are run by veterans of the old peak bars; Chiang Mai’s famous gay area of a decade ago. Another old timers bar is Chiang Mai 19 on Thape Soi 1 at the rear of the night bazaar building.
Gone however are Ozeed Bar, Station 1 and 69 Bar/Black Jack Bar.
Chang Puek District
Lotus Hotel
A big loss for gay visitors to Chiang Mai is the Lotus Hotel and Garden Bar. Situated right across the road from Adam’s Apple Club, the Lotus Hotel has always been a popular place for visitors to stay and was Chiang Mai’s only exclusively gay hotel. The adjoining outdoor garden bar was a popular meeting place for Chiang Mai’s gay ex-pats and aways a hive of activity with punters enjoying a drink before going upstairs to Adam’s Apple for the show. The hotel is still open but has been under new, non LGBT management, since 1st October.
Go-Go Bars
Adam’s Apple Club
Chang Puek is still home to Chiang Mai’s remaining boy go-go bars. First, best known and lomngest running is Adam’s Apple Club which continues to titillate and delight with its erotic and raunchy show and sexy Tai Yai boys (From Myanmar’s Shan State). Adam’s has nightly shows starting at 10.30 p.m. with not much left to the imagination. Up and coming special nights at Adams Apple Club include Mamasans birthday party on the 21st Christmas party on 25th and New Year’s Countdown on 31 December.
New My Way and Circle Pub
New My Way and Circle Pub are Chiang Mai’s other two Go-Go bars both of which have been around for years and are well established. Both have slightly more macho muscle boys (still all Tai Yai) than Adam’s Apple and tend to attract more Thai patrons than foreigners.
Common Massage
If you are looking for a massage, Common Massage, located near the New My Way bar has one of the best reputations in Chiang Mai, not least because of its great selection of masseurs. As the saying goes, a picture speaks a thousand words:
Karaoke Bars
Karaoke remains popular entertainment as the night get older and our old favourite Karaoke bar, Free Guy has re-opened under a new guise as Phoenix Club. The New Club is in the same soi off Chang Puek Rd a couple of doors down from the old Free Guy. As you would expect from a boy karaoke there are plenty of handsome hosts to keep you company.
Restaurants No More
Chang Puek once had several fun gay restaurants – but not anymore. In the last few months we have not only lost the restaurant at the Garden Bar, but also Bird of Paradise and Bai Plu (former Sabaidee Santitham) have gone too.
Of course, there is no shortage of decent places to eat in Chiang Mai with new places opening every week. Trip Advisor lists more than 2,000 Chiang Mai eateries, though you may want to take some reviews with a pinch of salt or a few drops of fish sauce! Customers are evermore demanding and expect more than a wok and a scruffy menu which was so typical of many Chiang Mai restaurants in the past.
Chang Klan
In Chiang Mai’s Chang Klan district to the south of the night bazaar gay life is stirring. The biggest attraction is Club One Seven, Chiang Mai’s number one gay sauna which remains as popular as ever. Previously there were several massage shops in the area but they had all closed. However, this year has seen several openings and re-openings. Meanwhile, Chiang Mai’s second ladyboy Cabaret bar 6ixcret has opened up here too.
Club One Seven
Club One Seven is fabulously located in a beautiful old teakwood mansion right on the banks of the Ping River on Charoen Prathet Rd, just ten minutes south of the night bazaar and gay soi 6. As well as being Chiang Mai’s most popular gay sauna, Club One Seven offers a guest house and hostel too. With the demise of the Lotus Hotel, Club One Seven is now about the only exclusively gay, male only accommodation in Chiang Mai. Facilities include bar and river terrace, swimming pool, gym, steam room and sauna.
Club One seven has regular party nights with a naked theme on the 1st, 7th 17th and 27th of each month. Check out our events calendar for details. If you are in town over New Year and looking for somewhere different to enjoy the countdown in exclusive male company Club One Seven has a countdown party on 31 December, or if you need somewhere to relax after celebrating the new year, they have a party on New Year’s day too.
Massage
There are now three massage shops in the Chang Klan area. Maya Club is in the soi opposite Empress Hotel, whilst His CLub re-opened last year in its old location.
The newcomer is Apollo Massage
Apollo is situated on Rangang Road, (left off Chang Klan Rd at the lights before Lana Palace Hotel, after about 1km coming from the Night Bazaar). A nicely renovated shop house with stylish furnishings makes this an interesting new-entrant to Chiang Mai’s massage scene.
6ixcret show
6ixcret Show is a new (August 2018) Cabaret Show bar situated close to the intersection between Chang klan Rd and Sridonchai Rd. Good reports of the show though the two drink minimum charge may put off some visitors.
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