Bars or Apps

[Wheelz]

There's a sense of decline in Soi Twilight, with fewer boys and ever-greater prices.  I used to like the host bars there - you know what you're getting - and one boy, Toy, who works for Maxi's, is a great kisser and very enthusiastic in bed.  A lovely guy - he even came with me to make sure I got a good taxi when we'd finished. But the prices continue to put me off.  

 

So I've been using the apps more and more.  And in particular, and I know ChristianPFC doesn't like it, I've found Hornet to be a gold mine. I live in the outer ring of Bangkok, and the boys here aren't used to the high prices found in Silom. Many of them live with family, or rent tiny rooms with no aircon, just a mat on the floor, and thin walls so they have to make no noise during sex. So they're only too keen to get away and enjoy a nice room for a bit.  Where they can let themselves go. And the sex has been fantastic.  One boy uses nofap.com and was aching for release - an absolute gem. And it's real, not the faked enthusiasm you so often get from Twlight.

 

One beautiful twink boy told me he was a money boy.  I asked him how much he wanted.  500Bt ok?  Did it all, with enthusiasm, and obviously enjoyed every moment. As did I.  And he wanted to come back for more.

 

So you can keep the gogo bars (though I do enjoy a horny massage with the right boy). I'm moving to Hornet from now on.

[Gaybutton]

So you can keep the gogo bars (though I do enjoy a horny massage with the right boy). I'm moving to Hornet from now on.

 

I feel the same way.  I very rarely go to the go-go bars anymore and almost as rarely the beer bars.  First, I'm not much of a drinker in the first place and speaking only for myself, I have no reason to be paying for drinks I don't even want, paying for "drink for boy," and paying off fees.

 

I find all the "my type" boys I want on the gay hook-up apps and I have never been disappointed.  Sometimes I'm lucky enough to  meet boys who are not even money boys and refuse to accept any money. 

 

My only disagreement with you is limiting to Hornet.  I like Hornet too, but I like the other hook-up apps as well. I check out all of them.

[Wheelz]

Interesting.  PlanetRomeo I find has less of 'my type' (twink, younger thai guys). Grindr ditto.  And I can't seem to work Blued.  Are there others?

 

The only downside is that, very often, there's a sob story attached....   Some are genuine, others I suspect may not be.  I don't mind giving small amounts of money - probably maximum 1000, but more often up to 500.  But I don't pay for Buffalo, Credit Card debts, or anything of that order....

[DivineMadman]

 

So you can keep the gogo bars . . . .

 

Thanks!   

[Londoner]

The bars open at 2100 or so.....way past my optimal-performance time. with hornet and Romeo, I can find a partner in the afternoon when Pattaya and Bangkok are too hot (and,usually uninteresting) for me.

[hanan]

If I had to live in Bangkok I would do exactly the same as you Wheelz. Lucky enough I stay in Pattaya where I can enjoy the bars which I prefer to still reasonable prices. With the exception of BBB which I don't visit anymore.

On the few occasions I use apps I've found that Hornet is the best to my taste in Pattaya.

[bucknaway]

I like both. I like the bars, the apps, the beach and meeting guys out in public. It's a smorgasbord.

[Nikom]

For those of you living in Thailand I see your point.  BUT there are plenty of us who are stressed out from our job, etc. and come to BKK/Pattaya to crash - to de-stress!  To live!

 

I love hitting BKK and going to a club full of nude or almost nude guys running around, where you can invite some of the boys to drink with you, where you can feel someone's a.. openly.  And a show?  Yes!  AND can take a guy if you want or not. 

 

I want to see the guys, see how they interact with the other guys, see if they laugh!  See their bodies move!  Can't do that on an App.

 

The Apps don't have a mamasan who knows you and know just what type of guy you like and calls three or four to stand in front of your table so you can say - this one, but keep this one for later!

 

Sure it costs, fun costs, but life is short but I don't plan to be pissed when I die and someone else gets to enjoy my money!

[Guest]

In Bangkok, 2 drinks & and off fee come to almost 1400 baht.   He's going to want 1500 short time, so we're almost up to 3000 baht and short time is going to be exactly that, short.  

So on day 1, I will visit the bars, but by the second day in Bangkok, I'm already looking at the phone apps, where the services can cost 1~1300.

 

In Pattaya, I have more of an open mind.   In 2016, I paid an off fee to a bar for every single date.   In 2017, there were more boys from the apps than from bars. That's probably due to a decline in the choice of boys available in the bars. 

For example Cupidol went from a twink paradise in 2016 to not even having one boy I would even consider in 2017.

 

For those of you living in Thailand I see your point. BUT there are plenty of us who are stressed out from our job, etc. and come to BKK/Pattaya to crash - to de-stress! To live!

 

I love hitting BKK and going to a club full of nude or almost nude guys running around, where you can invite some of the boys to drink with you, where you can feel someone's a.. openly. And a show? Yes! AND can take a guy if you want or not.

Yes, I agree with the de-stress point. However, where in BKK are the clubs full of nude boys running around ?

[DivineMadman]

A nice thing about Bangkok (and Pattaya also) is that it provides lots of different choices.  

 

The gogo bars put on shows and provide a parade of guys to select from.  That costs money and that's why they're more expensive.  For those who don't value those extras, it's of course silly to pay.  But for those who like the shows, the scene and the live selection, they can and should of course go and have a great time with their hard-earned money.

 

A drink and dinner with friends, old or new, at Maxi's, Dick's or the Soi 4 spots may be a bit more expensive than some other neighborhood restaurants, but provide a fun, gay-friendly, gay-crazy, convivial atmosphere that's hard to find anyplace else in the world.

 

A drink at, let's call them the "host bars" on Soi Twilight -- Hot Male(s), Banana Bar, Scorpion and the other little spots that dot the alley, or Banana on 4 -- may be a bit loud and a bit more expensive than 7-Eleven takeout, but a chance to meet new friends, chat with old friends, a bit of a cuddle, all for the cost of a drink and, if the mood strikes, an off-fee for more.  

 

The massage shops provide their services at levels and price points across the spectrum (and open up early for those interested in "afternoon-delight").  

 

There are saunas for those so inclined, at a comparatively modest cost.  

 

And the apps are there for those who like that particular back and forth and enjoy the convenience of room service.  The apps have their advantages and their disadvantages.

 

Cost-per-encounter or cost-per-orgasm is only one piece of each individual's decisions.  And that's fine.

 

Golden ages of the past didn't have the apps.  Maybe, just maybe, right now is the golden age, because right now we have all of these choices.   Regardless, I'm in favor of all.

[vinapu]

I'm firmly in the bar camp, I like live people , not their screen shoots.

 

I find whole issue similar to mall vs Amazon  / and other internet shops  / debate. Malls and bars provide human interaction and  instant gratification and I'm willing to pay for speed. Streets without shops and sois without bars would be very boring indeed.

 

Like DivineMadman I think it's good we have a choice

[ChristianPFC]

So I've been using the apps more and more.  And in particular, and I know ChristianPFC doesn't like it, I've found Hornet to be a gold mine.

How did you get that idea? I like both hornet and your report.

 

In Bangkok, I don't go to bars any more (prices and attitudes put me off) and use online exclusively, whereas when I go to Pattaya, it's mainly for the gogo bars and when someone nice comes along online, I will consider him as well.

 

 

One boy uses nofap.com and was aching for release - an absolute gem.

???

 

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[Gaybutton]

PlanetRomeo I find has less of 'my type' (twink, younger thai guys). Grindr ditto.  And I can't seem to work Blued.  Are there others?

 

There is also Jack'd

 

I rarely use it, but there is also Camfrog ( https://www.camfrog.com/en/ ), where you can find live chat rooms.  I don't have any particular reason why I don't use it, but it's a good place to "shop around" too.

[Travellerdave]

During my recent three week trip to Pattaya I had boys sourced from one Gogo (Winner), host bars in the Complex and Gayromeo. I like 18-24 twinks, but find that there is an increasing shortage of this category and more demand from gay tourists like me. 18 years ago when I first visited Pattaya, most of my bed companions were from gogos in Sunee and BT, but as another contributor said, that was the golden age. The decline of Cupidol in BT over the last couple of years from busy twink heaven to nothing is striking.

As has been said many times the big advantage of the Apps is that they allow boys to be sourced 24/7, although I find the process from browsing to boy in room to often be tricky (sending a message, waiting for a reply, telephone calls with non English speakers, etc etc). Entries are often short of a description of the boy and have poor photos, so very often you are not clear about the boy.

My best source was the Complex bars, where I found several boys to my liking. Sitting with them, sharing a kiss and cuddle in the gay atmosphere I found very stimulating, before paying the off. I only had one failure there with a recently arrived Laos twink who was too nervous and rather ignorant of gay sex practices.

[Gaybutton]

As has been said many times the big advantage of the Apps is that they allow boys to be sourced 24/7,

 

That is a very good point that I didn't think to mention.  With the apps you can find willing young gents whenever you feel like it, day or night.

 

For me, another reason I dislike taking boys off from a bar is because most of the time, if I return to the bar, now the boy I took off assumes I'm there for him again.  Maybe I am and maybe I'm not, but it can be quite awkward when I am not.

 

Also, if you have particular likes, dislikes, fetishes, or whatever, I think it's much easier to find boys compatible with your desires with the apps than it is by going to the bars.

 

Again, I'm speaking only for myself.  I'm not trying to recommend the apps over the bars and I fully understand why many prefer the bars to the apps.  But whether there are as many boys working in the bars as there used to be or not, isn't it nice to have alternatives so that you don't have to depend on the bars?

[Guest abang1961]

Well Apps is the only way for me to find my potential beau.... and those who go to the bars, don't even give me a second look!

I'm way too BIG and OLD compared to the young lads at the bars.

 

On Grindr, Planet Romeo..

I find it interesting that most non-Asians are willing to tap and give me messages on these apps.

As a matter of fact, I'd met several interesting non-Asians via the apps during the visits in Oct 2017 and Jan 2018.

[Boy69]

Nowadays I find the bars convinient for entertainment: enjoy the shows,take a few drinks and chat with the boys but for sex the apps is the best option for me because boys are available 24/7 and I don't have to pay for boy's drinks and off fees,In principal I didn't mind to pay this if I found the boy I like but unfortunately at recent years the prices at the bars become outrageous .

[bucknaway]

I like the bars for the show bit you won't find me at dreamboys. I know the show by heart because it seem to never change. The drag queen fashion show with drag penis nudity. Yuk.

 

Drag routine with guy with decent body pretending he didn't know the drag queen was a drag queen. Yuk.

 

500 baht beer with a host asking you if you want another before you drink half of your 500 baht beer. Yuk.

[gerefan]

One problem for people like me who prefer bars over apps, is that there are less and less bars and gogo bars in Pattaya′. Hence less boys available in the remaining bars....Take Sunnee as an example.

Boyztown has its problems with construction and consequently less customers and so less and less boys...Cupidol is an example.

Jomtien has expanded, yes, but all the bars are same same..no variety...

[numazu]

I think the Bar vs. App thing is like Going to a Restaurant vs. Staying home to cook.  

 

If you go to a restaurant, you get to enjoy the ambience of the surroundings, mingle with a few people at the bar while you wait, enjoy the offerings that only a professional chef can get you.  Yes, the $5 glass of coca cola your ordered is only 50 cents at the grocery store, but you pay for the service and the surroundings and its always a nice way to spend a couple of hours.

 

If you stay home to cook, you can do it anytime you want. You can get all the ingredients for cheaper and it will all depend on your skill of cooking.  Sometimes you get a crap meal because you cooked the veggies too long or you weren't clear on the directions of the meal. But if you do it right, you can get a fairly satisfying meal for way less than you would pay at a restaurant, and you are not under the whim of the restaurant's open times.

 

I went to DreamBoy last night and my final bill was 1600 baht. This was for my drink, the boy's drink, and the off fee. This does not include the actual tip for the boy who arguably is the main attraction of the whole evening. To a lot, that  money amount sounds outrageous. But to me, it is a small price for the following reasons:

 

1. They seated me up in front because one of the mamasans know me and he knew I liked to see those 50+ boys gyrate in front of me. I could see every birthmark, penis size through those skimpy briefs, abs up close etc. Those boys saw me right away and would smile to try to entice. I like that kind of interaction. Some would extend a hand to shake mine to initiate contact. I love the super skimpy briefs they wear in Dream Boy. A lot were new boys I have not seen before. Very good looking lot.

2. I got to talk to said mamasan who knows exactly what kind of boys I liked. We got caught up with life while waiting on the show, and he gave me updates on some boys I've offed in the past who are not working there anymore. He helped choose my boy.

3. When I chose my boy, he sat with me, and he immediately got flirty trying to make the sale. I could get a feel for his abs, his bulge. I could smell his scent. And he would hold my hand while watching the show. Easily the highlight of the evening.

4. And of course there is the actual show.

 

Is it worth 1600 baht for all this? To some probably not. To me, it's fine. But I am a mere tourist, and don't get to do this often enough, so paying is not an issue at all.

 

Now for the apps. I've never used the apps for money boys, BUT, I use it plenty to access the fairly sizable gay tourist base of Bangkok (less so Pattaya, more MB, less tourists). This trip, I've met two Chinese tourists in town for Chinese New Year. They were both my type, and I was able to hook up with them on off hours, usually after lunch or when my long time boy has left in the morning. It is wonderful to have this option when the bars are closed.

 

Moral of the story: both are great. If I used apps all the time, I would save so much money. But I've also had my share of duds with using the apps. My Bangkok evenings seem stale if I did not have a boy bar to go to. But I can see the dollars come out of my ass when I do go to the boy bars. Your mileage may vary.

[Boy69]

You pay 1600 Baht for the bar and with the boy time around 2000 total of 3600 Baht only for ST at this cost I can take gorgeous boys at my country, this is why I find Thailand less attractive as Gay destination. In the past there were plenty of attractive boys,the prices were cheap and there were lots of bars and gay avenues to choose from this golden era was gone years ago and what is left are happy memories from Thailand.

[spoon]

Glad to hear dreamboy is still packing with good looking boys and doing well. It is a treat to see those boys on stage, and yes itll cost me, but if i get know one boy that is worth an off or more, itll be worth my time and money. Especially when i consider myself to be very picky, few times before in different bars when choices is much less, id be going back and forth without making decision and end up not offing anyone at all. Ive all the apps installed, but never really use them as i find it a nuisance to start a conversation with strangers and find out if they like me or not. For MBs, at least ive yet use the apps as well, as i often get my contacts either from a forum or websites like craiglists etc. i know its not a norm here, but several websites i used, review of MBs are more frequent than say a trip report, where details of the mbs and their attitude, pics vs reality, massage skills, sex, dick size, and what theyll do or not is listed as part of the reviews, making it easier for us to pick and choose.

 

This forum used to to exactly that for apps, but seems like that has stopped too. I like both kind of reports though, those with details and those with anonymity. Both are experienced shared and will be useful for so many.

[bucknaway]

Great post numazu, now get out of this thread and finish up your trip report to Brazil!

[t0oL1]

I like the new airplane button on Grindr. Just type in Pattaya Thailand and check out who is online there.

For a premium membership you could chat with people from different locations but I already know they can

barely chat back in english. Does Hornet or any other phone apps have this feature? Just nice to see what is available

and to see the pictures. Lots like GayRomeo.

[gerefan]

Yes Hornet have had it for years ....