Gay/Lesbian entertainment in Asia
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A
New Wally Matt Lounge
The name comes from the old Waltzing Matilda pub, which was one of the daggiest gay watering holes in creation. But New Wally Matt is an upbeat and busy place and actually more a pub than a lounge.
reviewed
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B
Rice Bar
Rice is a popular gay bar in Sheung Wan with a lounge area that sees a bit of dancing as it gets later. It can get very crowded at the weekend.
reviewed
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C
Th Sarasin Gay Clubs
This quiet little street across from Lumphini Park has a tight cluster of intimate bars, ranging from non-orientational to gay-festive. There's disco fever at 70s Bar and karaoke at I-Chub, a bar dedicated to bear and their admirers. Bangkok has just started to develop a lesbian-only nightclub scene with two newcomers: Shela (Soi Lang Suan, Th Ploenchit) and Zeta. You'll find the clubs located between Th Ratchadamri & Soi Lang Suan.
reviewed
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D
G-Star
G-Star appears fairly similar to Ratchada Soi 8, but the fact that it doesn’t have a sign and sits behind an empty lot suggests it has something to hide. Inside, you’ll find not one but three rather large men’s rooms. All the urinals are in cubicles with locking doors and one of the men’s rooms has particularly bad lighting. We’ll let you figure out what goes on in there.
reviewed
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E
DYMK
An excellent, upmarket gay-friendly newcomer, DYMK (or ‘does your mother know?’) caters to a discerning crowd of professionals who lounge in the dimly but stylishly lit booths. There’s an extensive wine list and cocktails including the Thai Me Up and the Pinch My Peach. Reach it through the basement staircase in Eden, the organic bistro next door.
reviewed
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F
La Queen
This unashamedly hedonistic gay venue at the Nouvo club is rapidly growing in popularity. It's big on theme parties with lots of events supporting local gay organisations.
There are several other bars and clubs where the scene is strong. Visit www.princeworldkl.com and www.utopia-asia.com/klbars.htm for more listings of gay nights and special events in KL.
reviewed
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G
Propaganda
Despite more gay-friendly venues out there today, Propaganda remains Hong Kong’s default gay dance club and meat market. It’s free from Tuesday to Thursday, but cover charges ($120 to $160) apply on Friday and Saturday (which also get you into Works on Friday). Enter from Ezra’s Lane, which runs between Pottinger and Cochrane Sts.
reviewed
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H
LPQ
Numerous name changes in recent years hasn’t changed the sexual orientation of this chichi bar, which remains gay-friendly. A hint of the South Pacific permeates the interior and the atmosphere is subdued until the after-dinner crowd creates a relaxed and happy buzz. Women and couples are welcome.
reviewed
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I
Bagan Lounge
A restaurant, as well as a bar, this cosy, secluded place is popular with hip under-thirties and expats. There's a sultry jazz diva who enhances the décor of cooshy couches, giant mirrors, fairy lights and ceiling fans. This is also a great place for a romantic dinner. Gay and lesbian friendly.
reviewed
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J
Pink Home
Walk down the psychedelic, neon-lit corridor to enter the most popular and upfront gay club in Shanghai. With a decent sound system and reasonably priced drinks, it pumps out hi-energy house for a friendly crowd intent on having fun. Nextdoor is Hotel 101, China's first and only gay hotel.
reviewed
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K
Advocates Café
This corner bar is so small that as the crowd magically expands during the course of an evening, it becomes more like a block party and takes to the streets. Advocates welcomes people of all genders, identities and nationalities. It’s a great place to start off the night.
reviewed
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L
Actors
Gay-friendly Actors is more like an effeminate version of Cheers than an out-and-out gay bar; bartenders mete out vodka shooters and sympathy to queers and straights as required. Expect a relaxed vibe, a 25-to-35 crowd, impromptu musical jams and the odd game of pool.
reviewed
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M
Bliss
What was a popular post-work suit hang-out called Liquid then a sophisticated lounge/dance bar called NU has metamorphosed into Hong Kong's newest low-key gay club, with two bars and ultra-sophisticated lounge. You can't miss the joint; it's next to eye-popping Rock Candy.
reviewed
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N
Tony’s Bar
This low-key, anonymous and – it has to be said – very down-at-heel gay-friendly bar just behind Mirador Mansion is a relaxed place to come for a drink, with none of that ‘last chance for romance’ tension found in some other gay venues.
reviewed
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O
Kinswomyn
This established girls-only spot is welcoming and comfortable, and is run by a lesbian activist. English is spoken here, making it a perfect stop for visitors, but it’s more a spot for drinking and chatting than for dancing. Drinks start at ¥700.
reviewed
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P
Bed
The infamous Bed is known for its wild gay and straight crowds who dance with abandon till dawn. Given the dominant colour it could be called ‘Red’. And yes, go exploring and you’ll find the eponymous furnishing – maybe occupied, maybe not.
reviewed
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Q
Works
Sister club to Propaganda, Works is where most gay boyz out on the town start the evening, and sees some heavy FFFR (file-for-future-reference) cruising till it’s time to move on to the P. There’s a cover charge ($60 to $100) on the weekend.
reviewed
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R
Heart of Darkness
The Heart of Business these days, this is more a nightclub than a bar but remains a place to see and be seen. Be very wary of large gangs of rich young Khmers here…some are children of the elite and rely on their bodyguards to do their dirty work.
reviewed
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S
Ratchada Soi 8
The place is packed. The upper age limit here seems to be 25, and everyone knows the moves to the K-Pop (Korean pop) soundtrack – and sometimes the words. There’s the usual show with ‘coyote boys’ (skinny young guys in Speedos and boots). Enjoy.
reviewed
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T
Rúyì Jiǔbā
While the gay scene in China remains underground, businessmen and labourers alike come here to down pints together and catch lively drag acts. Head down the dark stairs directly across from the lobby of the Hilton on Zhongshan Lu.
reviewed
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U
Castro at Firma
Downstairs it's a beguiling shop of Filipino arts and crafts , upstairs the lights go low and it's a gay-friendly bar with low-slung sofas and a long list of smooth drinks. It's a popular haunt with the post-club crowd.
reviewed
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Arty Farty
This bar for boys and gals has been the gateway to Tokyo’s gay neighbourhood, Ni-chōme, for many a moon. A cavernous place with a dance floor and intimate booths, Arty Farty is open to all in the community.
reviewed
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W
Mox Bar & Café
More gay-friendly than overtly gay, Mox is a cool place to squeeze in a few heart-starters before wiggling downstairs to Happy. The rooftop views are almost as interesting as the furniture donated by people's grandmas.
reviewed
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X
Samsara
Samsara, above the Brodard Café (now Gloria Jean’s) is mainly a gay affair, with waiters in shirtless vests, good DJs and an action-packed dance floor. Friday and Saturday nights are the times to go.
reviewed
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Tombo
Being Korea's third-largest city, Daegu has a gay district with many bars near the express bus terminal. Foreign visitors might start at tiny shot bar Tombo for a mix of 20- to 40-somethings, local and foreign.
reviewed
