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. 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. 053 404175, 0 85 8645407
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
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.
The Long Yang Club: LYC Chiang mai is a Social Club promoting friendship between Asian and Western Gay men and Lesbians. The LYC holds regular social events, including dining out, sports, charitable activities and entertainment, details of which are on their webpage. lyc.cnx.googlepages.com

There has, for some time, been a cluster of ‘rent boy’ type gay bars behind the Night Market (near D2 Hotel rear) and further down beyond the renovated Plaza Mall, but the atmosphere is drying up as big developers push this scruffy corner out.

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"
Circle Club: 161/7-8 soi Erawan, Chotana rd. Tel: (053) 214-996.
My Way: 3/5-6 Hatsadee Sewee rd. Tel 053-404-361.

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.
All Seasons Spa: Nice luxurious place with great views, located in the Nimminhemin area popular with locals. Free transportation and private rooms. 7th floor, Doi View Mansion, 9 Soi 9 Nimmanhaemin Rd, tel: 053 895 571.
B-Beez: Quiet place in a nice converted shophouse in the Nimminhemin area, offers Thai or oil, cream and aromatherapy massage with a good selection of masseurs. 1/8 Soi Lanna Villa, superhighway, open until midnight, Tel: 053 406 270.
Classic House Massage: Centrally located off Thapae gate for the visitor to Chiang Mai, decorated in nice Lanna traditional style, service includes body scrub treatment, aromatherapy, facial and 4 hands massage, 27/2 Thapae Road, Soi4, tel: 053 904 582.
His Club: Advertises itself with ‘More than 20 male therapists to choose from’ offering various treatments, and includes a spa and sauna, open until 1am. Chiang Mai land area, among the Karaoke bars. 21/43 Soi Moo Baan Unn Reun, Changkhlan Road, tel: 053 204 148.
One-2-Come: A social place that includes a beer garden and host of extra facilities, all in a nice large converted house, with private rooms, large beds, a jacuzzi. 360/1 Changklan Road, tel: 053 204 385.

Gay accommodation and guesthouses in Chiang Mai

The following are specifically gay friendly.

Santitham Guesthouse: A nicely appointed, upmarket guesthouse and restaurant, Northwest of the moat in a nice quiet suburb, but within walking distance of Kad Suan Kaew mall. 61 Santitham Road, Chang Phuak, (053) 406 449, email: info@santitham.com.
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.

Updated and correct: November 2008