Rio Saunas From An Ex-Pat Perspective

[ihpguy]

Lurker asked me to post about varied nights at the saunas.

Here's the message he sent me:

Hi there. I posted a question to you on my thread about my upcoming trip to Rio. I asked which sauna is best on each night of the week. I would appreciate it if you post a response so myself and others can have the input of a "local" who knows the daily schedules.. Thanks

So here's what I can tell you. And keep in mind that I go to a sauna at the most, twice-weekly and sometimes not for a while. However, I have an older American staying with me in my home and he goes at least five nights/week and reports back faithfully. After all, two old queers do need something to chat about over wonderful strong coffees, poached eggs and imported european jams.

Mondays Definitely Meio Muindo

Tuesdays Definitely Clube 117

Fridays Both are good

Saturdays 117, except if Meio Mundo is having a good show. I haven't been to Pointe 202 since sometime towards the end of 2007. It is not easy for me to get to in comparison to the other two as I live on Paqueta and take in a ferry boat that has the city boat station on the Praca XV. From there, Meio Mundo is no more than a six minute walk. 117 is maybe eight-ten minutes by bus at night going back to the Praca XV.

Other nights I generally do not go. End of the month, when money gets tight as Cariocas wait for the next month's paycheck, I tend to stay away except for Mondays at MM. The suanas are not as well attended by clients who have less funds to spend. And the boys know this and don't want to have to pay the entry and transportation from usually quite a distance with less of a chance to earn funds with a programa. Also, the whole steroidal muscle guys thing are not interesting to me, and 117 has many more than MM. I have only heard of the kinds of guys at Pointe 202 from others. And I prefer not to pass on information that I cannot verify.

I tend to like guys a bit older and not so "professional" so on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, I MIGHT head out to non-rent saunas. Thursdays are Sauna Carioca and are an intergenerational/bear night on the Barao de Guaratibe in Catete, directly across the street from the Delegacia = Police Station. It is a very ornate structure and kind of a landmark. and a very nice sauna in a quite-elegant colonial home. Keep in mind that the term bear here is not that same as in the US. Much more older/younger. Add in pot bellies and non-manscaped bodies. Another corner houses a large school of the prefeitura.

In Ipa on Saturdays, two that are very nice in the later afternoon and evening are Sauna Leblon on the Barao da Torre near the corner with Rua Garcia d'Avila(where H Stern's headquarters are located) as well as the G Spa, in the first block in from the beach)on Teixeira de Melo. Both have a mix of younger and older, although G's skews way younger but an older guy will get paid attention there as well.

Sundays is another older/younger bear night at a new sauna on Paulo Barreto, AX11.9. They are marketing to this crowd and last Sunday was just packed with lots and lots of 26-35 guys. Some older. Certain days/evenings they are marketing to younger guys with discounts. Others to couples. Interesting concept. Very nice, very new, intimate/small. Nice touch that there are about four big ice buckets filled with condoms spread throughout the place. Something I've never seen at any other sauna.

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at non-rent Sauna Catete are quite festive. Can get very busy. It all depends how early. Sometimes 3PM, sometimes later. And then later on Fridays/ Saturdays are very busy. From 30-35 and up age range.

Other rent saunas/com boys, I have not been. Whether the newer one in Bangu. Or the awful one, Ponto de Encontro, in Sao Goncalo. Also even one non-rent in Volta Redonda which is in another hemisphere being in the Baixada/Lower Serra.

As I am permanent here and my Portuguese is fairly good, I do date a lot with regular Brasilians. Over the past four years, I've been in a few relationshiops that lasted between five months and two years. So, not quite as many sauna visits per month as some who post on this forum. Right now, there is an off-on guy from Caxias and someone here on the island who is very cute, desired by a number of guys here who ask me about him and what he does for the 30 Reais and two beers that I give him when I can't wait to see the sometime boyfriend from Caxias. The answer is he sucks and licks for an hour like a trooper and rides my dick like one of the horses that we use here to pull the 35 carriages that are used for transport. So I know that other residents visit the saunas much more than myself. Sorry I have no more infor at this time.

For example, I did have a suco date at Blue Agave last Saturday in Ipa. Gorgeous professional trainer. Lots of muscles, but no much in common and to chat about except for samba schools. He claims to be one of the few professionals who get paid for their appearances. Or so he said. In any event, after we split up, I headed over to Cafeina for a very nice lunch and then had a wild time at Nova Leblon. Made for a nice day. Dating, lunching and whoring - nice way to spend a Saturday.

What else - my famous last words - MENINOS MENTEM = BOYS LIE. Pronounced men-CHEM. Keep on repeating it. Make it your mantra. Because it is so true. Never believe a word they say.

[Guest lurkerspeaks]

Thank you for the informative report. I especially like the parts about the "non-rentboy" saunas.. something that is rarely discussed here..

[TotallyOz]

This is a great summary and great information. I am excited to get back to Rio sometime and partake in some new experiences.

Thank you so much!

[pauleiro]

Thank for the information, ihpguy ! Will certainly be going to a non rent sauna during my next stay in June

[ihpguy]

Last night was Saturday. I wanted to get out of the house and Meio Mundo is the closest for me. Off I went. Not a good choice. Very slow both in the number of clients and garotos de programa. Maybe 40% cleints. For sure, the most interesting guy there was the new bartender. About 5'8", lighter-skinned and with a bit of a beard and an ass I could get lost in until the return of the Messiah. Other than that...not much that interested me. Junior with his carefully arranged spit curl hanging over one side of his forehead. I swear that every time he passes a mirror he checks it and rearranges it just so. He is a very hot Mineiro, beautiful, very, very quiet, totally versatile, I have just find our times together way too automatic. He's like a chess master who has memorized the sequence of plays to every move you make. Eduardo, with the wife and two kids at home, who is such a pro. It is incredible to watch him in action as a dispassionate observer. But he is very hot and very successful and there every night, so who am I to judge. However, very interesting to watch. There is a newer Mineiro there now. Wesley. Not very skilled, Will do anything. He needs the money. He offered himself up to me last night for anything. And I mean anything. I wasn't interested but he refused to leave me alone. So I had a WTF moment and asked him how much to drink my urine. He said an additional 50Reais on top of the 50Reais he wanted for bottoming during a programa. I said thanks, but no. I got dressed, went back to the boat, called little Alvinho to meet me when the ferry arrived and had a great90minutes for 30Reais and three beers. He is getting demanding. He asked to try both a Heineken and a Stella Artois instead of just Brahma/Skol last night.

[axiom2001]

...loved your report, your avatar, and am -:)ing when I read "...Stella Artois...!" - Obrigado!

[ihpguy]

Things are definitely changing here in Rio. People are much less afraid to show money and not so concerned about counting their centavos/pennies. In the neighborhoods I visit from Centro near the Bolsa south through Largo do Machado to Ipa, Humaita and Lagoa, most of the sidewalk sandwich boards now advertise their featured brews as Heineken, Stella Artois and Devassa. Brahma follows and bringin up the rear, as it were are now Skol, Antarctica and Itaipava. I personally like the places that feature Brahma as they carry eight different varieties in bottles and it is kind of fun to have a group and sample them all. But definitely the Euro-recipee domestically-produced have a stronger flavor.

[pauleiro]

Other than that...not much that interested me. Junior with his carefully arranged spit curl hanging over one side of his forehead. I swear that every time he passes a mirror he checks it and rearranges it just so. He is a very hot Mineiro, beautiful, very, very quiet, totally versatile, I have just find our times together way too automatic. He's like a chess master who has memorized the sequence of plays to every move you make.

Is it the Junior with the hairy chest and very macho face ? I like him a lot.

[ihpguy]

Yes. Junior with the hairy chest.

[Strafe13]

Eduardo from Meio Mundo is amazing. I've spent a lot of time with him over my trip last August. Very handsome, masculine, affectionate, and sweet guy. Your report makes me long for Rio again. I can't wait until my trip in July! Thanks for the report.