Adams Apple in Chiang mai seems to be making a comeback

[lonelywombat]

A friend that is now living in Nth Thailand sent me the clips for recent activity at Adams Apple

They have their own site Adams Apple club gay bar Chiang Mai , Thailand
Twitter @adamsappleclub
www.adamsappleclub.com

Clips that I have loaded are in the last week ,and I hope gays that are able to travel, give it support

[Manforallseasons]

Many years ago under the original ownership this was a wonderful Gogo and it was convenient to stay across the street at the Lotus Hotel. The gay scene in Chiangmai like every where else in Thailand has changed so much and not for the better.

[Marc K]

A friend that is now living in Nth Thailand sent me the clips for recent activity at Adams Apple

They have their own site Adams Apple club gay bar Chiang Mai , Thailand
Twitter @adamsappleclub
www.adamsappleclub.com

Clips that I have loaded are in the last week ,and I hope gays that are able to travel, give it support

It was always a friendly place, along with the Lotus Hotel across the street. Are these enterprises still run by Mohammed, the pleasant Lebanese proprietor? Or am I dating myself and it too has succumbed to Chinese ownership? Vive le Liban!

[Manforallseasons]

It was always a friendly place, along with the Lotus Hotel across the street. Are these enterprises still run by Mohammed, the pleasant Lebanese proprietor? Or am I dating myself and it too has succumbed to Chinese ownership? Vive le Liban!

Agree Mohammed was a good host as for the GoGo last time I was there which was long ago it’s owner was a guy from California.

[Oliver2]

Alas! separation means that I only have memories....and my memories of Chiang Mai and Adam's Apple are very positive. The bar would be full, every night, and many of the audience/punters were students from the nearby university. Come to think of it, they were often as cute as those on stage. Forty or so guys performed, mainly twinks.

I'd stay across the soi at Lotus- which had an outside bar that opened before AA and was a great place for a beer- and so the journey back to the hotel was easy. For both of us. For those at other hotels, transport was problematic.

Chiang Mai remains a favourite destination- P and I go there annually- but the gay scene, or at least those aspects which appealed to me, died long ago. There are still massage joints, however, and House of Male, a sauna, has its good days.

And yes, I remember Mohammed well... he knew the gay scene inside-out. One of the things that I liked about his hotel was that it was in a Thai residential area....I really felt that it was more "authentic" than other hotels I knew in Thailand.

[a447]

I also did the AA/Lotus Hotel combination a number of times.

I absolutely loved AA, and the last time I stayed at the Lotus there was a very cute guy working in reception.

The guys at AA were very friendly, but you had to get to know them first. After a few visits on consecutive nights they started coming up to me at the bar to say hello.

I usually don't smoke but I take it up when I'm in Thailand as it's a good way to get close to the guys. I spent a lot of time in the smoking room in AA, chatting and getting to know them. Such lovely guys!

Some of the biggest cocks I've ever seen were attached to those hunky handsome Thai Yai guys.

Unfortunately, transport into the city and back was always a problem, especially late at night. But during the day it was fairly easy to find a tuk-tuk to go to the House of Male. I've had some great times there, too.

I'd love to go back!

Fuck Covid!!!

[Manforallseasons]

I also did the AA/Lotus Hotel combination a number of times.

I absolutely loved AA, and the last time I stayed at the Lotus there was a very cute guy working in reception.

The guys at AA were very friendly, but you had to get to know them first. After a few visits on consecutive nights they started coming up to me at the bar to say hello.

I usually don't smoke but I take it up when I'm in Thailand as it's a good way to get close to the guys. I spent a lot of time in the smoking room in AA, Such lovely guys!

Some of the biggest cocks I've ever seen were attached to those hunky handsome Thai Yai guys.

I'd love to go back!

What exactly were you SMOKING?

[Manforallseasons]

And yes, I remember Mohammed well... he knew the gay scene inside-out. One of the things that I liked about his hotel was that it was in a Thai residential area....I really felt that it was more "authentic" than other hotels I knew in Thailand.

Unfortunately the Lotus has closed.

[a447]

Unfortunately the Lotus has closed.

Hardly a surprise.

I was usually the only customer.

[Marc K]

I'd stay across the soi at Lotus- which had an outside bar that opened before AA and was a great place for a beer- and ...

My favorite memory is that, in the outside bar area was a barely enclosed massage room where you could go with one of Mohammed's boys in tow for a little relaxation. I cannot remember ever experiencing a nicer vibe than that.

Ah the good old days. So sorry to hear that the Lotus Hotel is no more. Has an appropriate alternative arisen to replace it? Alas, I presume not.

[Armando]

It was always a friendly place, along with the Lotus Hotel across the street. Are these enterprises still run by Mohammed, the pleasant Lebanese proprietor? Or am I dating myself and it too has succumbed to Chinese ownership? Vive le Liban!

Did Mohammed own it before or after it was sold to new owners a dozen or so years ago? I have a feeling the new owner was American, but not sure. Thereafter it changed upstairs and a cocktail lounge was added downstairs with, I seem to recall, white leather/faux leather seating. In various visits I never saw anyone sitting downstairs! After the ownership change it was never quite the same fun bar upstairs and the shows not nearly as inventive. The boys also seemed more distant and less keen to interact.

[Manforallseasons]

I believed Mohammed was the original owner, he was there my first visit to Chiang Mai when CM didn’t have taxis and the hotel sent someone to pick you up at the airport and took you back to the airport.

[Oliver2]

I often stayed there between 1998 and 2001 and the same driver with (I suspect) the same minibus did the ferrying to and from the airport. I assumed he was an employee.
I once cut my foot badly on a drain near the outside bar and he also drove me to the Ram hospital.

[sglad]

I'd love to go back!


But in your 2018 Chiang Mai trip report linked below you said that you will not go back:


There is no guarantee that any of those the guys will be working...And I hate relying on luck. So I'll probably not be back.


https://sawatdeenetwork.com/v4/showthread.php?20322-Chiang-Mai-report-2018/page4&highlight=Adam%27s+Apple

So have you had a change of heart or are you telling pork pies again when not deleting posts?

[a447]

But in your 2018 Chiang Mai trip report linked below you said that you will not go back:

No I didn't. Read it carefully again.

[Adams Apple Club]

Thank you for your kind words and your support.
Yes, we are still open and try to get through this difficult time together.

In addition to the website you mentioned www.adamsappleclub.com and the Twitter account @adamsappleclub or @gaybarchiangmai you can also find our current dates and events
https://adamsappleclub.wordpress.com

We look forward to your next visit, please take care and stay optimistic.


https://youtu.be/8J7RavZ7i6w

[Adams Apple Club]

After Mohamad, Todd took over the Adams Apple Club (http://www.adamsappleclub.com) and completely renovated it and ran it until spring 2013. I have been running Adam’s Apple Club since then, to this day.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, which also hit Thailand hard, the club was closed for 3 months during the lock down, like everything else.

After the lock down we are open every day. It is not easy for us as, no tourists were allowed to enter the country. There were days when we weren't allowed to greet guests, but giving up wasn't an option for us until today.

We hope we have the energy and strength to survive this difficult time. We thank everyone who has supported us to this day.
Thank you very much! ขอบคุณมาก

10812

[Manforallseasons]

I made plans to go last month even bought a plane ticket then news of another outbreak in CM, will definitely plan to go again. There are 2 other Gogo bars within walking distance from Adam’s, New My Way and Circle Pub.

[a447]

I have visited Adams Apple many times (and written about it) over the years and have very fond memories of the club and the hot, friendly guys who work there.

I wish you all the best.

[Armando]

After Mohamad, Todd took over the Adams Apple Club (http://www.adamsappleclub.com) and completely renovated it and ran it until spring 2013. I have been running Adam’s Apple Club since then, to this day.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, which also hit Thailand hard, the club was closed for 3 months during the lock down, like everything else.

After the lock down we are open every day. It is not easy for us as, no tourists were allowed to enter the country. There were days when we weren't allowed to greet guests, but giving up wasn't an option for us until today.

We hope we have the energy and strength to survive this difficult time. We thank everyone who has supported us to this day.
Thank you very much! ขอบคุณมาก

10812
Thank you for a very informative post. I also have fond memories of Adam's Apple from many visits to Chiang Mai but these were mostly before the American took over and, in my view, spoiled it. I'll return soon.

[goji]

Having visited Adams Apple just over a year ago, firstly it deserves praise for being the only proper Gogo bar operating in Chiang Mai.
New My Way seems to have stopped the Gogo and offers just cabaret to mainly Asian punters.
The other Gogo bar seemed to be closed whenever I showed up, so I can't comment.

Adams Apple seems to specialise in the larger and more muscular guys, so those of us who like twinks need to use the phone apps.

[Oliver2]

That is correct. Adam's Apple was twink paradise back in the 90s.....and, even better, its clientele from CM University was often equally cute. Other local gay bars also had their fair share. By about 2003, my last visit to the scene though certainly not my last to CM, they'd all gone. More or less. Why was that?

[christianpfc]

There are 2 other Gogo bars within walking distance from Adam’s, New My Way and Circle Pub.
The last time (around 2017-2018) I went to these two, they were at best host bars, more showbars (ladyboy) or karaoke.

[JayToff]

For those pining for the "good old days" in Chiang Mai, I post the following Chiangmaicitylife article from back in 2013. What applies to Chiang Mai applies also to every major city in Siam; and while the article is from 2013, it is perhaps even more valid today. Link to the full article here (http://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/clg/our-city/lgbt/where-did-all-the-nice-boys-go/), but I shall paste the key parts of it below.



By Bon Tong | Tue 17 Dec 2013

CityNews – Years ago, one of the big attractions of Chiang Mai was the relaxed gay lifestyle, and gay scene. In 2013 that scene is almost unrecognisable from what it once was.

Something has changed in Gay Chiang Mai; it’s not the same as it used to be. Saying this sure makes me feel old, but, whatever happened to the good old days? In recent months this has become a frequent topic of conversation with friends. Many in Chiang Mai’s gay sex-pat community won’t like what I have to say, though really deep down, most know it’s the truth; they just don’t want to hear it or accept it. The question is: where did all the nice boys go?

Perhaps ten plus years ago, one of the big attractions of Chiang Mai was the relaxed gay lifestyle. It was easy to meet other gay people, both Thai’s and Farangs and there were many nice boys around. Near the Night Bazaar was an area called The Peak with a group of small outdoor gay bars clustered around a climbing wall. A strange mix with macho climbers, camp gay queens and a few girlie bars too, but it worked. Sanook! The gay bars were a mixture too, ex-pats, tourists, money boys but above all, there were genuine Thai gay guys who wanted nothing more than to have fun. I also have the perception there were more younger gay farangs around then too. Of course, we were all younger back then; still more than a decade away from even qualifying for a retirement visa.

Fast forward to 2013. What foreigners would call the “gay scene” is almost unrecognisable now. Aside from the obvious houses of prostitution, i.e. the go-go bars and massage shops which have changed little, the remaining so called “Gay Bars” have become almost 100% farang focused. They are totally devoid of, “nice boys” the regular Thai gays who a decade ago made Chiang Mai such a fun place to be.

When you look at the reasons behind these changes there are two different perspectives; Farang and Thai. For Thais you have to look at the large social and economic changes the last decade has brought. Cool chic is in, prostitution is definitely out.

My observations in Chiang Mai suggest that whilst Thai gays are quite visible, the majority seem perhaps more conservative and discreet in their behaviour than ten years ago. Rightly or wrongly, the Farang gay bar scene is often perceived by gay Thais as orientated towards prostitution and an interpretation of “gay” with which the vast majority don’t want to be associated. After all, they can happily go out in mixed company for a night out in any of Chiang Mai’s hundreds of bars. Why go to a Farang bar where the average customer is over sixty, you can too easily be seen by others and you risk being labelled a prostitute?

So where did all the nice boys go? The answer is there are plenty still here, in fact with the city’s growing student and youth population, many more than ten years ago. You’ll find gay Thais all over Chiang Mai, in Thai bars, restaurants, clothes shops, coffee shops, hairdressers, malls, clubs, saunas, gyms and above all, on the internet. Everywhere that is, except for the gay bars where the old dinosaur farangs hang out whinging about the fact there are no “nice boys” anymore!

[cdnmatt]

I think it's been about 12 years since I was last there, so holy shit am I getting old, but I do remember I loved that area. I stayed at the Bingbua Mansion for a couple months, and it was a great location.

That's whyn I was a baby faced 20 something, and a 40 something pdugy Thai guy sat beside me and proceeded to proclaim himself a "boy" hinting that I should take him back to my room. Good times...

[Oliver2]

Yes....the scene around Adam's Apple was quite something and the bar itself was often standing-room early. Heaven know what the casualty rate would have been in the event of a fire. Who remembers the spiral staircase?

I still visit annually with P (virus-permitting) and still love it, as does he. But I wouldn't dream of making the journey in the hope experiencing a gay scene. The Good Old Times have gone.

[Manforallseasons]

I wouldn't dream of making the journey in the hope experiencing a gay scene. The Good Old Times have gone.

I don’t think you can limit this statement only to Chiang Mai, one only needs to look at what is now left standing even before Covid!

[goji]

To choose a holiday destination, compare all the alternatives, then pick the best option.

Whilst I wouldn't go to Chiang Mai just for the gay scene, Bangkok and Pattaya are still good choices.

Anyone who disagrees might like to start by making the case for alternative destinations.

[cdnmatt]

While on this topic, has there been anymore discussion about moving Thailand's capital to Chiang Mai? I remember the government was floating that idea a while back due to climate change and the fact Bangkok is sinking.

[Manforallseasons]

No Matt...Lol
On the subject of vacations I’ve been on vacation here for 18 years and before that in Bali and wow how things have changed. My getaways before Covid included Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos, Jakarta and Malaysia all of which have different attributes.

[a447]

Whilst I wouldn't go to Chiang Mai just for the gay scene,....

In my case, the only reason I went back to Chiang Mai was to have fun at Adams every night. At the end of the day, so to speak, it was the only option anyway.

Adams provided me with everything I wanted. It was a bit "classy" (everything's relative) and although I normally sat at the bar, the sofas were really comfortable. And the Shan guys were 100% my type.

The problem was the fact that it was stuck out in the middle of nowhere with nothing of interest nearby. The other gay venues- Circle Pub and My Way - were basically host bars, which I don't really like, and Thai for Thai, which meant the guys didn't speak enough English to be able to communicate.

Being so far out of town also meant it was always difficult finding a tuk-tuk. I needed to get into town to enjoy my daytime activity - a massage. I used to go to Two Brothers near the Mercure Hotel, and when that closed down, to House of Male.

So it was massage every afternoon and Adams every night. Perfect! I always stayed at the Lotus Hotel right across the street. From bar to bed in under a minute!

I'm quite happy to travel to a place in order to visit somewhere specific, even though it's quite far away. A few years ago I travelled to Budapest just to go to the Action Bar. I also made the trip to Prague just to go to the Escape Bar. I read about both places here on the forum.

BTW, are those photos on the website recent? I don't recognise any of the guys. Mind you, I haven't been for a while so that's probably not unusual. But it probably doesn't matter because Adams is the only bar I've ever been to where I would be happy to off just about every single guy!

They sure know how to pick 'em!

[Armando]

That is correct. Adam's Apple was twink paradise back in the 90s.....and, even better, its clientele from CM University was often equally cute. Other local gay bars also had their fair share. By about 2003, my last visit to the scene though certainly not my last to CM, they'd all gone. More or less. Why was that?
I'm guessing that Thaksin's Social Order Campaigns in 2001 had something to do with it. After all, Chiang Mai was his power base.

I first visited Chiang Mai in 1987 and thought I was in heaven. Just a gentle walk around the Night Bazaar was enough to meet up with a cute Thai guy looking for some time or a night with a farang and no money sought or offered apart from a drink or two and breakfast. I loved Adam's Apple and the House of Male sauna ( (but can't recall when I first visited either). H of M always had lots of students from the University not far up the road. I believe it still has a two-for-one offer for students on a couple of nights each week. Last time I was there about there years ago it was packed. Coffee Boy on the other side of the river was also fun with lots of cute hosts but it died decades ago. I hear a new Coffee Boy karaoke has now opened. As soon as I hear the word karaoke, I run a mile! Overamplified sound, screeching voices and cigarette smoke!

By the early-mid 2000s, for about ten years I started to have some great experiences in the gay massage spas. I found that by then it was mostly with boys who were not from Chiang Mai. My favourite was Two Brothers near the then new Meridien Hotel where my regular masseur gave great service. He came from Udon Thani. He ended up as a host in Yokka Dok but then that too died. For about 3 years His Club was also well worth a visit although it is quite a way out of the centre of town. On my last trip in November 2019 so many gay places had closed. It seemed that Thais only wanted to have fun in their own places rather than mix with farang.

I found the few remaining gay bars in their new location close to the Night Bazaar pitiful. A few expats and a few boys either playing pool in one or hooked on their phones. They seemed to show absolutely no interest in any new customers. Nowhere like the old Secrets Bar which was a fun bar with a good mix of Thais, farang expats and tourists.

[a447]

Two Brothers near the then new Meridien Hotel

You're right. I wrote it was the Mercure. My mistake.

Sorry.

[francois]

I visited Adams Apple about 20 years ago. I recall it being a death trap, if a fire, as it was on the second floor and no fire exits. Is it still the same?

[a447]

Unless they have remodelled it, which I doubt, then yes, it is definitely a fire trap as there is only one set of rather narrow stairs to the outside. But I guess I was always having so much fun there that it didn't occur to me.

Normally it is something I am aware of. For example, whenever I stay in a hotel I always check out where the fire escape is in relation to my room. And I ask for a room on a lower floor.

I was often uneasy sitting in Boyzboyzboyz in Soi Twilight. That bar was always full and in any emergency you'd be lucky to escape.

But the only place I actually felt scared in was the Otot-otot sauna in KL when they turned the lights off. It is like a maze inside and there is no way you could get out, even with the lights on.

To prepare for my up-coming trips to KL, I always practised escape techniques by visiting my local Ikea store!

[Nirish guy]

Nearly as Bad as being in DJ Station at the top of the stairs on the first floor, when it's RAMMED with people and you're standing beside the fire exit "just in case" only to find it chained and padlocked from the inside ! I actually brought this to the attention of the bar manager who I was friendly with in case it was an over sight and was told that "no it's ok, it's for safety to STOP people opening it and spilling out from the club, but dont worry if there's a fire our security man knows to go up and open the lock!" I should add that their security man at that point was a 70 year guy who stood at the bottom of the stairs and who would I think struggle to make it to the top of them even on a good day and in an empty club ! This actually went on for quite a long time and wasn't a one off event but "someone" in authority must have had word as I see the chain did get removed in the end thankfully. Even so based on the electrical fire they "almost" had in that whole Soi a year or three ago it's one place I wonder like to be trying to get out of in a hurry if needed !

[Adams Apple Club]

Thank you very much my friend, we all hope that we will survive this difficult time. We would be happy to see you again one day at Chiang Mai. See you hopefully soon, please stay healthy and optimistic.


https://youtu.be/iSJrn956svI

[Adams Apple Club]

The other two Gogo Bars New My Way and Circle are temporally not open in the moment.

[Adams Apple Club]

Take care:heart:

[Adams Apple Club]

Much has changed since then. There was a total renovation in 2010. Now there is a fire exit, is now a regulation and has been approved by the responsible authorities.
We would be delighted to see you again one day at Adam's Apple Club (http://www.adamsappleclub.com) Chiang Mai. See you hopefully soon, please stay healthy and optimistic.