Adams Apple in Chiang mai seems to be making a comeback

[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, 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.