Singapore any good?

[a447]

In my quest for an alternative to LOS I'm now looking at Singapore.
Is it a good gay destination? Are the massage places any good?
Also, I'm looking for a gay friendly hotel but don't know where the gay area in Singapore is. Can anyone help me?
Thanks.

[Thai Dyed]

In my quest for an alternative to LOS I'm now looking at Singapore.


Back to the drawing board Leonardo.

[thonglor55]

In my quest for an alternative to LOS I'm now looking at Singapore.A good place to start is Utopia's page on Singapore (http://www.utopia-asia.com/tipssing.htm). I've also contributed to a question by kquill on commercial sex (http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/gay-thailand-f9/straight-answers-prices-for-moneyboys-asia-t21019.html) in Singapore (lots of Indonesian money boys) which might also give you some ideas about alternatives to LOS. I wouldn't worry about what's a gay friendly hotel in Singapore as I've never found a hotel there that gave a damn about who their guests had in or took to their rooms. Were I living in Europe I'd be inclined to try Eastern Europe, Prague in particular, and a friend of mine who has just returned from Buenos Aires raves about Argentina in general and BA in particular for those living in the Americas. A friend here who is an Australian returned there for a visit a few months ago and raved about Sydney (http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/global-forum-f12/sydney-australia-t20826.html) - lots of Thai boys and other Asian students offering massage and the like for around $100 a pop. Beachlover wrote an excellent trip report on Phnom Penh, Cambodia (http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/any-other-country-f15/phnom-penh-cambodia-trip-report-t20485.html) last December. There are plenty of alternatives - maybe if you'd like to set out some preferences (continent, type of boy, etc.) people may be able to offer more targetted responses.

[a447]

Back to the drawing board Leonardo

??? Lost me here.

Thonglor55 thanks for your excellent advice. I've been to gay cities all over Europe but prefer Asian masculine-looking guys. Never been to a massage place, but I guess there are lots in Singpore that offer "extra" services.

I've been looking at Gayromeo but some of the prices are luducous. Some guy in India wants $1500 per night!!!

[thonglor55]

Thonglor55 thanks for your excellent advice. I've been to gay cities all over Europe but prefer Asian masculine-looking guys. Never been to a massage place, but I guess there are lots in Singpore that offer "extra" services.Indeed there are, and at "First World" prices. I find Indians generally have a somewhat exaggerated sense of entitlement.

... Beachlover wrote an excellent trip report on Phnom Penh, Cambodia last December....

He did indeed - but I can't say that his suggestion of a day out at the Genocide Museum made me rush to book any flights.

:rolling:

[atri1666]

In my quest for an alternative to LOS I'm now looking at Singapore.
Is it a good gay destination? Are the massage places any good?
Also, I'm looking for a gay friendly hotel but don't know where the gay area in Singapore is. Can anyone help me?
Thanks.

I only know Queenresident and Queen Resort as gayhotel and sauna.
http://www.queenresident.com/
Good informations and contacts >>>
http://www.trevvy.com/ and also www.fridae.com (http://www.fridae.com)

Some fun had also in Shogun >> http://www.shogun.com.sg/

One good bar is >> http://www.backstagebar.moonfruit.com/

Some cruising is going on in Mustafa shopping center , 145 Syed Alwi Road, Singapore

All hotels i used to stay in Singapore are good to take boys to the room. Never had any problems

[Beachlover]

... Beachlover wrote an excellent trip report on Phnom Penh, Cambodia last December....
He did indeed - but I can't say that his suggestion of a day out at the Genocide Museum made me rush to book any flights. :rolling:
How about a visit to Phnom Penh's garbage dump? I didn't check it out myself but apparently, it's a popular tourist attraction. :rolling:

[Beachlover]

In my quest for an alternative to LOS I'm now looking at Singapore. Is it a good gay destination?
a447, I love SIngapore and have stopped over there more times than I can remember...

Singapore has a thriving gay community, at least two reasonably large gay nightclubs and LOTS of other businesses oriented towards gays. But if you're looking for gogo bars where you can pick near-naked boys off a stage like you can in Thailand, you won't find this in Singapore.

Gay Nightclubs/DIscos in Singapore:

The two main gay nightclubs I know of are:

1. Play: http://www.playclub.com.sg/ - Mostly a younger crowd of early-mid 20s and but you get some older late 20s/30s/40s guys there too. I've met a few cuties here but it can be kind of hard as most people tend to be in groups. As far as I know, it only gets going on Friday/Saturday nights. Don't go on Thursday night as that is Lesbian night.

2. Taboo: http://www.taboo.sg/ - Here you get a slightly older crowd ranging from mid-late 20s to 40s. Seems kind of friendlier and easier to meet people. Have had some great nights here. Only gets going on Friday/Saturday nights, as far as I know.

I think there might be some other gay clubs or clubs with gay nights (I heard there's a "Gay Sundays" night in another club) but I only ever drop into Singapore for 2-3 days at a time so these are the only two gay clubs I've checked out. I've been to most of the clubs at Clarke Quay with straight mates but these are all straight clubs.

Gay Bars in Singapore:

The only two gay bars I've been to are Tantric Bar (across the road from Taboo Nightclub) and Backstage Bar (http://www.backstagebar.moonfruit.com/) but I don't think these bars are really for meeting people so you probably want to be with others when visiting these places.

Gay Saunas in Singapore:

I think the best sauna is Absolute (http://www.absolute.sg)... Lots and lots of cuties. Friday night after 7pm is nude night.

As atri1666 mentioned above, the forum at http://www.trevvy.com/sgboyx/ is probably the best place to get the most up to date info on the gay scene in Singapore.


Are the massage places any good?
I know Singapore has a few gay happy ending massage places but never been to any. Best place to get info is the forum at http://www.trevvy.com

I always get an excellent massage at Oasis - http://www.ospa.sg/ - but it's a professional place. Their fusion signature massage is fantastic for loosening up tight muscles.


I'm looking for a gay friendly hotel but don't know where the gay area in Singapore is. Can anyone help me?
Many of the gay oriented businesses, bars, nightclubs, gay massage/spas, saunas are around the Chinatown and Outram area. This is a really nice, chilled out area to stay and there are lots of nice budget/boutique hotels around.

There are two MRT (train) stations within walking distance (Chinatown and Outram) so it's really easy to go places. The eateries within walking distance in this area are fantastic, including Maxwell Food Centre.

If you're on a tight budget there are plenty of under-SGD$100/night (USD$80) hotels in the area...

1. Hotel81 Chinatown: I've never stayed here but a friend liked it and it's is really popular with backpackers...

2. Keong Saik Hotel: http://www.keongsaikhotel.com.sg - Cheap and lousy rooms but fantastic location on Keong Saik Rd, which is nice and chilled out, across the road from Outram MRT Station and has a few nice eaties.

3. G Hotel: http://www.ghotel.com.sg/ - Also, fairly lousy/small rooms but great location on Keong Saik Rd.

If you're on an under SGD$160/night (USD$130) budget...

4. Hotel1929: http://www.hotel1929.com - I've stayed here several times. Also located on Keong Saik Rd. Fantastic hotel, set in a beautifully refurbished row of Chinese shop houses. Really nice design, very clean, great service, super-comfortable beds, good restaurant/breakfast and internet. The main downside is the rooms are absolutely TINY but they're so bright and nicely designed and have a desk to work on so I don't mind. Get a deluxe room so you have a little balcony.

The more expensive hotels in the area are...

5. The Scarlett Hotel - http://www.thescarlethotel.com (don't get the cheapest room, I've heard they have no windows)

6. New Majestic Hotel - http://www.newmajestichotel.com.

You shouldn't have any problems bringing guests back to your room. I've never had a problem in any of the hotels I've stayed in.

Utopia has this fantastic map of the Chinatown/Outram area with all the businesses marked out: http://www.utopia-asia.com/map/singchin.htm


Some cruising is going on in Mustafa shopping center , 145 Syed Alwi Road, Singapore
LOL Really?! That massive Indian shopping centre near Farrah Place? I never would have thought...

[atri1666]

I visited Absolute 3 times with my thai boyfriend when we stayed in Singapore. I recommend dont visit it if you are out of shape and to old. It is wasted time and money.
The Scarlett is a real nice hotel but not for people with small budget
The new runner is the sauna Keybox near Bugis Station or Golden Landmark Hotel ( my preferred place to stay in exec. floor). Weekends they open from 1pm till 10 am next day. Very much action in the late night. Very clean place.

[Beachlover]

I visited Absolute 3 times with my thai boyfriend when we stayed in Singapore. I recommend dont visit it if you are out of shape and to old. It is wasted time and money.
Hey Atri1666... Yeah, you're right and I probably should've pointed this out.

95% of the crowd at Absolute are young and cute Asians (mostly Singaporean but I've met Malays and Japanese there) and they are picky. So yeah, probably not easy to pick up if you're not in shape. It's the only sauna in I've visited in the last couple of years in Singapore. Never had a reason to go elsewhere. There used to be another sauna called "RAW" which I went to a couple of times, which was ok but that's closed now.

I noticed the owners of The Scarlett Hotel have opened a new hotel called The Saff Hotel, also in the Outram/Chinatown area. It looks really nice. I think the location is better than The Scarlett and the rates are much lower, from around SGD$170 to $240 (USD$140 to $200) per night, which is very reasonable. Keen to try it out...

http://www.thesaffhotel.com/flash.html

[atri1666]

RAW and Blue Heaven had been my places to visit over many years. RAW is now Queenresort and Queenresident near Chinatown. Had many good experiences in RAW.

[Beachlover]

Ah, so that's what happened to RAW - Thanks, Atri1666. I remember going to RAW on one of my first visits to Singapore and hooking up with a very cute 18/19 year old Malay boy who was fresh out of army training. I think it was only his first or second time with a guy.

Is it true theres a train station called Dopey Cunt in Singapore my friend tells me there are lots of gay guys in a park near there.

[Beachlover]

Is it true theres a train station called Dopey Cunt in Singapore my friend tells me there are lots of gay guys in a park near there.
It's called "Dhoby Ghaut"... you bogan.

[Beachlover]

http://www.GlobalGayz.com recently published a great new article on "The New Gay Singapore".

It gives a nice overview of how gay life in Singapore has tranformed rapidly in recent years...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: http://www.globalgayz.com/country/Singa ... pore-02-06 (http://www.globalgayz.com/country/Singapore/view/SGP/the-new-gay-singapore-02-06)

Gay Singapore 2010

Intro: An updated trip to this prosperous city-state where the LGBT community has learned well the rules for survival and good business. Today's gay Singapore is surprisingly active, varied and always pushing the envelop of tolerance.

By Richard Ammon
Updated December 2010

Ventures and Adventures

A weekтАЩs crawl through SingaporeтАЩs and its emerging gay тАШghettoтАЩ in the Chinatown district is not just a visual treat, but also a strategic triumph in this city-state famous for repressing тАШalternativeтАЩ ideas and risqu├й behavior. In the course of an evening with Alex Au--businessman, noted activist, prolific author, web site owner (Yawning Bread) I was invited to see and listen to a тАШnewтАЩ gay pulse in this prosperous gem of life in southeast Asia.

It was nearly five years since my last visit here, a time when the gay тАШhorizonтАЩ was creeping tentatively toward the political-commercial sunlight and testing the climate by having occasional тАШgayтАЩ night at certain discos and bars. Private parties and friendship networks existed, of course, and the community knew each other by face and name but mostly in private. It was a time when activist Au tried to hold a gay symposium and invited presenters to read thoughtful papers on homosexuality, and a time when the government denied him permission. It was a time when the gay group тАШPeople Like UsтАЩ wanted to register as an official organization but was turned downтАФon a technicalityтАФbut really because they were too controversial.

Fast forward to March 2002. тАШPeople Like UsтАЩ still cannot get registered and political agitators are held suspect by the authorities. But the winds of change have calmly yet discernibly blown across Singapore. The once taboo homosexual style of life has continued to find increasing vocal and visible presence in the arts, in fashion, in entertainment, nightlife and, importantly, in business. There are now three lesbian bars, gay saunas, several gay massage parlors as well as several gay bars, discos and clubs with lesbian-only-nights around the city with new ones emerging and unpopular ones closing.

As if to tease the authorities while pushing the social envelop, one of the most popular gay bar/discos in Chinatown is deliberately named тАШTabooтАЩ. Situated on a main street, it is no back alley den on a low budget. ItтАЩs design is vibrant, hard edged and chic. With the latest high tech lighting, surround-sounds and flashy industrial-tech interior.

This is home, especially on weekends, to hundreds of bare-chested gyrating mostly young (and mostly drug-free) guys carried off by the latest Sing-tech rhythms. Alex and I stopped by early on a Wednesday night when the crowd was sparse; a few friends sipped drinks and no one on the dance floor yet. Things warm up closer to midnight we were told by one of the too-cute waiters.

To Alex Au, this is not just the result of good business acumen, hip design, and sex appeal. ItтАЩs also a political process, an evolution of a community that has discerned wiser survival tactics against a very alert and reactive government. At one of our stops, at the upstairs Backstage Bar in ChinatownтАФa comfortable lounge with outdoor balcony seating and drenched in musicals postersтАФAu explained himself.

"Opening these new saunas and bars and holding events has become our way of reflecting our Singaporean passion for business discreetly mixed with pleasure; and in the gay business qualitynow goes hand in hand with commerce as people here have come to expect style in their social venues. In the process of doing business, we are also exercising political muscle more than ever before."

Such an assertion about gay life hasnтАЩt come suddenly or out of out nowhere. The politics of gay commerce in Singapore have been developing over the years. An example is VincentтАЩs bar in the Lucky shopping center, the oldest gay venue in Singapore. "The place has never generated controversy, and neither have most gay efforts here. What we noticed eventually was that these places were, in return, undisturbed by the authorities, It took us a while to escape from our own paranoia and self-censorship to realize that we were not under тАШfirst-strikeтАЩ attack," Au observed insightfully.

"So now, over the past four years we have bars, gyms amd clubs like Taboo, Backstage,Orange, double тАШOтАЩ. V-club, Why Not, Stroke, the Box and others, plus massage parlors like Luap Luap (all in or near Chinatown), five saunas including sauna One-Seven; and of course we have the people who own and run Fridae.com web site ".

--

A Vibrant Community

Over the course of a few nights, in Singapore, I went to a lesbian play, visited a Singaporean based gay web site, stopped at two (out of half a dozen) popular full-time gay bars, browsed among dozens, even hundreds, of lesbigay/feminist gender study books offered at BorderтАЩs Books on Orchard Road, almost visited one of five saunas for men, watched the cruising scene near Orchard Tower along upscale Orchard Road, lunched with a transsexual hooker (whom I met along with her tranny friends in an Internet shop), bicycled past the тАШgayтАЩ dunes near Fort Road on the east coast sea front, and entered the high dungeon cabaret called IgorтАЩs for an evening of drag, song and dance.

Of course the government is very aware of the presence of this lively gay community and their quiet insistence for breathing space. Yet the authorities, steeped in ancient Chinese Confucian (i.e. conformist) traditions, are not culturally prepared to openly endorse rights and privileges for an "alternative" lifestyle. Although Singapore prides itself on progressive democratic ideas and high standards of fairness and cleanlinessтАФin politics and law as well as business--the government denied the 2005 Nation party permission to hold Asia's biggest gay party. Instead, it was moved to Phuket in Thailand where it was a big success. In October 2006 Nation will again be held in Phuket...

Read more: http://www.globalgayz.com/country/Singa ... pore-02-06 (http://www.globalgayz.com/country/Singapore/view/SGP/the-new-gay-singapore-02-06)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[thonglor55]

Is it true theres a train station called Dopey Cunt in Singapore my friend tells me there are lots of gay guys in a park near there.It's called "Dhoby Ghaut"... you bogan.Oh dear, more cyber-bullying (http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/posting-guidelines-and-discussion-f11/cyber-bullying-t21089.html). At least he didn't call you a troll (http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/posting-guidelines-and-discussion-f11/trolling-and-trawling-t21092.html), Brisbane Guy.

[danny99]

In my quest for an alternative to LOS I'm now looking at Singapore.
Is it a good gay destination? Thanks.

Singapore is the most active gay scene in Asia and always has been, what the law said never mattered. That is if you are attracted to picking up 'straight' boys, those who are just interested in the 'physical', which is why the 'facilities' [that word invented by the original English publisher of the early Spartacus guides] have always operated in Singapore, almost every public one you can find will have action at times. Same for parks, day or night, you just must know how to read the signals, same for swimming pools, all is available for the discreet adventurer, white, yellow, black or a blend of all.

Some will come back to your hotel room, others want it there and then. Furthermore you are never questioned when taking a friend back to your hotel. Reminds me of Sydney before the horrible Gay Liberation [now boys are supposed to choose which side of the fence they are on, or risk ridicule, before all did it but no one talked about it, so there were no problems] although that openess has also slowed down Singapore from the wild 70's as well.

One thing you do not do in Singapore is touch on crowded trains, unlike on Bangkok's MRT/BTS where it is almost expected, but on the contrary glancing across urinals in Singapore is almost normal! Whilst sex with locals is 90% money oriented in Thailand that is probably less than 10% the case in Singapore.

Of course if you are happy ticking off a list of required services in return for payment, a bit like buying cattle, then stick to Thailand.

[Beachlover]

Singapore is the most active gay scene in Asia...
You're the first person I've heard say that!

I don't know about it being the most active scene in Asia but it's certainly very active.

I have an unproven/unsupported hypothesis that with LGBT people in Singapore coming out more and having more visibility, more gay guys will start to look for something more meaningful (i.e. a relationship), rather than just quickie casual sex to satisfy their lust. This may lead to a slight decline in the latter and more of the former.

I noticed on my earlier trips to Singapore, most encounters - except for one or two - were purely casual one-nighters. But on the last couple of trips, the guys I've met (mainly clubbing, sometimes at a sauna) have been kind of wanting something more. I don't know if this is just a derivative of my getting older and hitting my mid-twenties or if it has to do with the gay scene evolving there... Maybe both.

[danny99]

Singapore is the most active gay scene in Asia...
You're the first person I've heard say that!
I have an unproven/unsupported hypothesis that with LGBT people in Singapore coming out more and having more visibility, more gay guys will start to look for something more meaningful (i.e. a relationship), rather than just quickie casual sex to satisfy their lust. .

Actually what I was referring to was more the incidence of the straight boys looking for instant reflief, something only that group of gays who pickup and develop relationships with straight teens would understand. As in the Sydney of today as the gay scene becomes more visible and outrageous so the scene that I am talking about with straight boys having no fears sadly slowly dimishes for fear of labels...just means that you must make friends first, a slower process, just as easy at home but more difficult for the traveller.

The great thing about the gay man/straight teen scene is that the boys will never FANCY you [even though you have sex together] as they only fancy girls, so that means it does not matter how old, pretty or ugly you are, they are actually judging you as you, and wanting to be your friend [never involving money] a rare thing, and totally missing in the gay world!

[Beachlover]

Ah, fair enough. That's not really a scene that interests me. I was more referring to the mainstream gay scene in Singapore. I don't really like being with a guy unless he's attracted to me too.

Tantric bar would I imagine be a must for anyone visiting Singapore, spent several nice nights there and never went home alone and no money changed hands on any occasion as as one poster has already stated the guys seemed to just be happy going out for the night with you and having fun both in bed and out, saying that I found the scene quite small and only centring about maybe 5 or 6 bars and if you got the nights wrong you could end up chasing round trying to get back on track as to where everything was happening.

[Beachlover]

I found the scene quite small and only centring about maybe 5 or 6 bars and if you got the nights wrong you could end up chasing round trying to get back on track as to where everything was happening.
Yeah, I agree. I've found it only worth it to go out on Friday/Saturday nights in Singapore when Taboo and Play are packed and busy. Not sure about other nights. Anyone has any ideas for other nights?

[chillnorth]

I know this thread has a few cobwebs on it, but while in this vicinity I'm compelled to report that my only day of play (so far) in Singapore resulted in one of the better shocks of the past few years. Via one site or another I became acquainted with a polite young local who agreed to act as a gay tour guide (for taxi fare) and who showed me various recommended saunas and clubs (indeed near Chinatown). He would have been willing to show things on a more intimate level but there really wasn't a lot of magic and the sauna he recommended-- I believe it was Hercules but am not sure and know it was not Adonis-- was having a "skin night" and he was quite clear in saying he was not Chinese and would not feel welcomed in the establishment. We parted amicably and as a fifty-something non-gym Caucasian I expected to spend time admiring the locals from an admittedly limited distance before striking out and heading back to Changi and my waiting plane.

As it turned out, the opposite occurred. I was not two minutes inside before an alarmingly cute student type, easily the best looking fellow in the place at the time, took me by the hand to one of the cubicles and offered the flower of his youth, modest but silken, with great enthusiasm. He disappeared immediately thereafter and I passed a couple of hours enjoying the eye candy but not pushing for nor expecting more, though I accepted a partial gumjob from an ancient gentleman in the spirit of karma and hopes that when I reach that point in life someone will show me equal degree of compassion.

The gods were not finished. Just about the time I was ready to wrap up, in walked a fit twenty-something who could by my reckoning have had his pick of the crowd, but who smiled brightly, guided me off, and upended me for a vigorous half hour with substantial equipment that left me wondering if I was going to be able to make the long journey back sitting down.

I might well have been wearing a beacon by that point, because on the street outside MacDonald's I was picked out of a crowd by a munchable bit of street trade who approached me with a language I did not comprehend (I know a few), kept repeating the word "amour", and produced a calculator I understood very well displaying a ridiculous price. There were ample cautions against taking it anywhere, but with parts of me still singing I gently thanked him and got the hell out and back on my way.

The moral is, for me, that although Singapore, which I enjoy, is still not likely to make the top 5 in places where I'd like to plan to play, if someone of my ilk can make it there, there's a lot more going on than meets the eye and certainly challenged this Westerner's preconceptions.

[Beachlover]

the sauna he recommended-- I believe it was Hercules but am not sure and know it was not Adonis-- was having a "skin night" and he was quite clear in saying he was not Chinese and would not feel welcomed in the establishment.
Never heard of Adonis but there's a sauna called Absolute, which is great.

What ethnicity was he if not Chinese?


I accepted a partial gumjob from an ancient gentleman in the spirit of karma and hopes that when I reach that point in life someone will show me equal degree of compassion.
Eeeeeewwww. :crybaby: :rolling:

[chillnorth]

Thanks for the correction, Beachy- it was Absolute, not Adonis. As to my guide's ethnicity, I didn't pursue the question. He didn't actually strike me as Malay, possibly Indonesian, but from the photo he generously supplied in our correspondence I can conclude he was a Muslim of some sort.

Perhaps the g-word was a bit over the top. The elder gentleman was actually quite clean and presentable-- with teeth-- and very polite. None of which prevented the wilts from setting in rather quickly and hence the word "partial" was a reference to duration and not dental work. And who's to say the Good Fairy that looks after us all didn't produce the well-appointed top who rounded out the evening by way of reward?

[Beachlover]

Sounds like at Absolute you got several... rewards. :rolling:

I don't know why, but there's been a few times at Absolute's naked night when I've seen I've seen an older Westerner just walk along that corridor upstairs and grab everyone's cock quite rudely without asking. Like, just trying to cop a free grope of all the Asian boys. Not nice.


Thanks for the correction, Beachy- it was Absolute, not Adonis. As to my guide's ethnicity, I didn't pursue the question. He didn't actually strike me as Malay, possibly Indonesian, but from the photo he generously supplied in our correspondence I can conclude he was a Muslim of some sort.
Ah, fair enough. I was just curious if he was darker skinned Asian (i.e. Malay/Indo/Filo) or Indian.