Fortaleza - Gay Listings

[TotallyOz]

I am headed to Fortaleza and Salvador later in the week and I have been researching the cities. I have made a pretty comprehensive list of businesses and establishments in several cities in Brazil. Please let me know if any are incorrect, your favorites, places you have been and love or hated. As I'll be there next week, if there is something in the area that I should not miss, please let me know.

Hotels

1 Golden Tulip Iate Plaza | Av. Beira Mar, 4753 | 85 3533-6900 | http://www.goldentulipiateplaza.com/default.aspx

The Golden Tulip's spacious rooms have a tub and shower big enough for two, and their balconied rooms overlook the beachside pool area as well as the shore beyond. There's a modern outdoor lounge area too. Note that the Golden Tulip's hotels are part of a frequent flyer loyalty program that includes American Airlines and KLM/Air France, so if you've got miles, spend them here!

2 Tulip Inn Saint Martin | Av. da Abolição, 3340 | 85 3533-6100 | http://www.tulipinnsaintmartin.com/default.aspx

Another hotel under the Golden Tulip umbrella, The Tulip Inn Saint Martin isn't as glamorous as the Golden Tulip, but it's still a block from the beach, and has adjoining rooms in case you want to get a room for your new friend on the down low. Note that the Golden Tulip's hotels are part of a frequent flyer loyalty program that includes American Airlines and KLM/Air France, so if you've got miles, spend them here!

3 Hotel Casa de Praia | R. Joaquim Alves, 169 | 85 3219-1022 | http://www.hotelcasadepraia.com.br

This hotel is not on the beach, but Iracema Beach is only a couple of blocks away. And it's gay-friendly, pet-friendly, and has free wifi. The main clubbing street, R. Dragão do Mar, is less than 10 blocks away. The rooftop swimming pool has great views, and the rooms are simple and clean, if a little outdated.

4 Hotel Encontro do Sol | R. Monsenhor Bruno, 122 | 85 3031-6222 ext. 85 | 85 3466-4400 | http://www.hotelencontrodosol.com

The swimming pool is outside, there's full air conditioning inside, and it's pretty much right across the street from the beach. This three-star hotel is not the most elegant place you've ever stayed in, and the '70s era murals are hysterical – but with the Baccaras by day and the clubs by night, with saunas in between, who wants to stay in the room all day?

5 Villa Galé Fortaleza | Av. Dioguinho, 4189 | 85 3486-4400 | http://www.vilagale.co.uk/pages/hoteis/?hotel=15

Villa Galé is a five-star resort hotel right on the beachfront, and features a spa with Turkish bath and hot tub as well as (actual) massages by appointment. The balconied rooms overlook the pool area, where there's always something to see, if you catch our drift. If you'll be in Fortaleza for a while, splurge on one of the suites with a kitchenette.

6 Mareiro Hotel | Av. Beira Mar, 2380 | 85 3266-7200 | http://www.mareiro.com.br

Make sure to book a sea view room at this beachfront hotel, which overlooks the pool as well. And what a pool it is – complete with resort-style footbridge, swim-up bar, and plenty of lounge chairs. There are also two decent restaurants on the property, and free wifi. The rooms are simple but modern, and fully air conditioned.

7 Maredomus Hotel | Avenida Almirante Barroso, 1030 | 85 4005-4500 | http://www.maredomus.com.br

There are no balcony rooms at this beachfront hotel, but its rooftop pool area – one of the highest on this stretch of beach – has spectacular views night and day, and will easily become your home away from home. There's also a sauna and gym, and their morning buffet is not to be missed.

8 Marina Park Hotel | Av. Presidente Castelo Branco, 400 | 85 4006-9595 | http://www.marinapark.com.br/sis.index.asp?pasta=1&pagina=23

Marina Park has five-star amenities while still retaining a breezy Brazilian style. The pool bar can be quite the scene, and its location right on the marina makes the whole place seem like a cruise ship at sea. There are also tennis courts if you're feeling sporty.

9 Oásis Atlântico Imperial | Av. Beira Mar 2500 | 85 4009-2800 | http://www.oasisatlantico.com/en/imperial

Another five-star makes our list, and its position perpendicular to the beach means that every room has a view – even if there are no balconies. The pool is sleek and sexy with a swim-up bar, and there's 24-hour room service if you just can't be bothered leaving bed.

Bars

1 Barraca Cabumba | Av. Zezé Diego 3911 | 85 3262-4187 | no website

If you want to go swimming in the sea, then you wan to head to Praia do Futuro, where the water is clean. And while you're there, set up your beach headquarters at Barraca Cabumba, where all – and we mean all – of your needs will be met. It's a hopping gay and gay-friendly place where you can eat, drink, and spend the day looking at gorgeous beach bodies frolicking.

2 Bar Pirata | Rua da Tabajaras 325 | 85 4100-6161 | http://www.pirata.com.br

The New York Times may have given rave reviews to its Monday night party, and it's a barn-burner, with a tremendous live show of traditional music and dancing. It's not a gay bar or even a gay theme night, but it's something you should definitely do while you're in Fortaleza. And it's so crowded, no one is going to care if you bring your boy toy with you for a night out on the town.

3 Órbita Bar | R. Dragão do Mar, 207 | 85 3453-1421 | https://www.facebook.com/pages/%C3%93rbita-Bar/179879638771030 (their website address defaults to their FB page)

This is yet another place on Rua Dragão do Mar, but this bar features live blues music and a much less frenetic vibe. Expect a mixed but friendly crowd, many different theme nights (usually around holidays), and a staff who's nice to the gringos.

4 Boteco do Fasano | Rua Dragão do Mar, 218 | 85 8883-0020 | no website

This friendly bar on the main bar and club strip is fun, friendly and has karoke and live music. It's attached to the club but is its own place; however, if you go there for a pre-club drink you get a discount off the club entrance fee. There's also a pool, showers, and a shop that sells beachy things.

5 Barraca América do Sol | Av. Zezé Diogo, 4265 | 85 3091-1387 | http://www.barracaamericadosol.com.br

This barraca welcomes a mixed crowd, but is gay-friendly enough that they definitely warrant a place on our list. Spend the day under an umbrella at a table on the sand, or stick around at night for live music and a relaxed vibe.

6 Opera Club & Café | Rua Dos Tabajaras, 374 | 85 8869 5269 | no website

This bar is a popular pre-clubbing spot for a gay and straight crowd, with snacky treats, good drinks, and a flirty vibe that gets you ready for whatever the night may bring.

7 Barraca do Joca | Av. Beira Mar, 3101 | 85 3242-1739

During the day this is your run of the mill beach club, with maybe a bit more gays than other places but not ultra-fabulous. But at night, although it's not necessarily advertised, there is a prime-grade cruising going on here, so grab a seat and check out the merchandise.

8 Arre Egua | R. Delmiro Gouveia, 420 | 85 3267-2325 | http://www.arreegua.com.br

This is technically a restaurant as well as a bar, but anyplace that lights the bar on fire on a nightly basis is definitely more of a party than a dining establishment. They also have live shows, comedy nights, and a friendly atmosphere, where people bounce from tables to the bar.

9 Cafofo do Barão | Rua Barão do Rio Branco, 2910 | 85 3283-2567 | no website

If you want to get your drink on and your flirt on without heading to the beach yet again, Cafofo do Barão is your place. Tons of boys meet up here before moving the action over to the clubs, so you can always find some gorgeous thing to bat your eyes at while having a caipirinha that's surprisingly well made.

Clubs/Discos

1 Divine Danceteria | Rua General Sampaio, 1374 | 85 3221-6435 | http://boatedivine.blogspot.com (hasn't been updated since 2008)

This gay club is teeming with escort boys and features a dark room, drag shows and other live performances. Also, note that it's open until 5am only on Fridays and Saturdays; the rest of the week it winds down around 12 or 1, and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

2 Boate Donna Santa | Rua Dragão do Mar, 308 | 85 3219-1164 | http://boatedonnasanta.com.br/intro.php

Shake your booty all Saturday night long – and into the wee hours of Sunday – when this gay club is absolutely rocking. House DJs as well as guest DJs from The Week get the place warmed up, so if you want some fresh air, head out to the outdoor lounge with a drink from one of the three bars inside. Go-go boys make the perfect eye candy, if you can wrench yourself away from the dance floor.

3 Music Box | R. José Avelino, 387 | 85 3219-3699 | https://www.facebook.com/people/MusicBox-Fortaleza/100000952289060 (no other website)

Yet another DJ-dominated club that packs them in and gets them dancing, especially on Thursday nights, when the gay boys are out in style. If you're tired of heading to Rua Dragão do Mar all the time for the action, this is a great alternate choice.

4 Crystal Club | Av. Domingos Olímpio, 1400 | 85 8865-6481 | no website

5 Unique Club | Rua Dragão do Mar, 441 | 85 3224-6419 | https://www.facebook.com/DRACULAHALLOWEEN2012

For people to say that Unique has the best DJs in this DJ-heavy town, you know they have to be good. They're also freaking adorable, but you'll be easily distracted by the hard bodies on the dance floor, the laser light show, and other various antics happening throughout the joint. Note, though, that it's only open on Saturdays.

6 Boate Level | Rua Dragão do Mar, 218 | 85 3219-0744 | https://www.facebook.com/boate.level.218

With theme nights like Androgyny and Aquarium, you can always be sure there's something going on at this massive vaulted space. Shirtless DJs abound, drag shows pop up here and there, and it's not unusual to have a full-on birthday celebration for a gay icon (Britney, Beyonce, etc.) even if there's no chance in hell they're showing up.

7 Boate Clube Liberal 441 | Rua Dragão do Mar, 441 | 85 3032-0441 | http://www.clubeliberal441.com.br

Take the word “liberal” literally – this isn't so much a gay bar, or even a gay-friendly bar, as it is a fee-for-all for every possible sexual flavor – from gay to straight to bi to swingers to voyeurs. There are dark rooms, booths and glory holes, so everyone can join in the fun.

Sauna/Massage

1 Dragon Health Club | Rua Almirante Jacequai, 239 | 85 3219-1052 |http://www.dragonclubfortaleza.com.br

The spacious, sleek, sexy Dragon Health Club is arguably the hottest sauna scene in Fortaleza, especially on Saturday afternoons. In addition to the comfy private rooms, erotic films, dark room and pool action, they also have high-end, legit spa services that will have you looking cute and perky for whatever festivities you have scheduled. Themes include “Club Ursos” bear nights, happy hour drink specials, and a 50 percent discount on your birthday.

2 California Thermas Club | Rua Barbara de Alencar, 424 | 85 3226-6556 | http://www.californiathermas.com.br

California Thermas has straight nights, so check and make sure before going; Thursdays seem to be the best, with go-go boy shows and naked masseurs. Bears especially love the nightly drinks specials, video karaoke, dark rooms, porn films, and plenty of working boys who are ripe for the picking.

3 Termas 2000 | Rua Rocha Lima, 1186 | 85 3261-5077 | http://www.termas2000.com.br (doesn't work)

This sauna is a good cruising spot, especially since it's right next to a gym. They have happy hour until 6pm, and drink specials through the night – as well as stripper shows and other titillating fare. Also – free Internet!

4 Sauna Tres Chic | Av. Heráclito Graça, 625 | 85 3032-9001 | no website

What this sauna lacks in size, it makes up for in action, especially once the sun goes down. There aren't a ton of rent boys here but there are pretty young things to play with, and plenty of older gents so you won't feel like the senior citizen in the room.

5 Thermas Kaliente | Rua 25 de Março, 1074 | 85 3221-4083 | http://www.temtudo.com.br/thermaskaliente (doesn't work)

Although this is technically a sauna, with full facilites including a pool that's quite nice, this isn't where you want to spend some time lounging around; it's more if you're in the mood for a locals-only scene and you want to pick up a hottie to go.

6 Via Centro Thermas | Av. Tristão Gonçalves, 744 | 85 3454-1499 | http://viacentro.blogspot.it/?zx=d1eef3754d61edfc (note that http://www.viacentrothermas.com.br/ which is their usual listing does not work)

Yes, this is a sauna – but you're definitely going to want to stick around for the entertainment. Whether it's go-go boys, stripper shows, laser light extravaganzas or drag queens in rare form, there's always something going on at night here. And whatever it is brings in boys by the truck load. Sundays are definitely the biggest party nights.

7 Termas Iracema | Rua Vicente Leite, 2020 | 85 244-1999 (yes, only 7 digits) | no website

Some say it's the best in town, while others don't think it's up to snuff – but whatever your opinion, there's no doubt that Termas Iracema attracts every possible type of gay man, and the gay men who love them.

Restaurants

1 Coco Bambu | Rua Canuto de Aguiar, 1317 | 085 3242-7557 |

Not sure what you feel like eating? Then head to Coco Bambu, where their enormous menu covers pretty much every type of food from all over the world, from sushi to pizza. It's usually packed and the decibel levels can get high, but it's a lot of fun and there is some great people watching.

2 Santa Clara Café Orgânico | Rua Dragão do Mar 81 | 085 3219-6900 |

Yes, this restaurant is on the main club street in the city, and yes, everything is organic. Its location as well as the organic factor means that there are many, many pretty young things draped about for you to peruse while you're sipping on your organic coffee and having a delicious organic wrap.

3 Cabana del Primo | Rua Dona Maria Tomasia, 503 | 85 3244-3691 | http://www.cabanadelprimo.com.br

After sampling the man meat of Fortaleza, sink your teeth into the delicious steaks at Cabana del Primo, an Argentine steak house that gets rave reviews from locals and gringos alike. It's pretty high end, so save it for a splurge; order the "man size" meat, and save room for the delicious desserts.

4 Moana Gastronomia & Arte | Av. Beira Mar, 4260 | 85 3263-4887 | http://www.moanarestaurante.com.br

There is so much to love about Moana, the high-end restaurant that is THE place to go for an exquisite meal – the view, the wine list, the carpaccio, the insanely good risotto. They also have an extensive bar with excellent offerings you can't find in down-home places, like great whiskies. The understated ambience is a nice break from the crazy nightlife and sultry settings you've been in recently.

5 Lo Restaurante | Avenida Pessoa Anta, 217 | 85 3265 2288 | http://www.lorestaurante.com.br

If you don't get the lamb here, you're missing out. And if it's not too crazy hot out, it's one of the few upscale places where you can dine outdoors in something other than plastic chairs on the sand – their patio is legendary for its fabulous factor.

6 Santa Grelha | Rua Tiburcio Cavalcante, 790 | 85 3224-0249 | http://www.socialclube.com.br

This is a good place to go before heading out for the night – you'll be a bit dressed up so you'll blend in with the crowd, and there's dental floss and mouthwash in the restroom so you don't have to worry about bad breath while you're chatting up tonight's boy. Excellent steaks abound, so come hungry.

7 Oui Bistro | Avenida Santos Dumont, 2391 | 85 3268-4141 | http://www.ouibistro.com.br

Contemporary décor, large portions, and a wine selection that will keep you pickled for a month. Try not to walk away with one of those fantastic striped upholstered chairs that face across the table from the banquette seating. The menu is heavy on seafood and meat, but there are some divine veggie options as well.

Cinemas

1 Cine Betão | R. Pedro I, 357
This place has a pretty hip scene, with weekend dance parties – but there's nothing in the way of cabins, booths or other places to get your rocks off.

2 Cine Sexy | Rua Major Facundo, 279
There are theaters upstairs and downstairs, but the real action is in the stairwells and hallways. There are dark rooms and private rooms for taking care of business.

3 Cine Majestic | Rua Major Facundo, 866
Fans of transvestites will love the scene at this cinema. Rent boys are also littered about the place, so take your pic. Note there are private cabins here as well.

4 Cine Jangada | Rua General Sampaio, 703
This is another theater with rent boys a-plenty, and there are also multiple screens, private viewing booths, and live shows.

5 Cine Tentação | Rua Floriano Peixoto / Rua Meton de Alencar
If straight guys are your thing, then this place – which translates to 'Temptation Cinema" – is where you want to go. Lots of heteros, lots of married guys, and lots of dicks in need of sweet, sweet release.

6 Cine Encontro | Rua Barão do Rio Branco, 1697
There's a theater here, but see that huge room upstairs? Stick around until nightfall, when it turns into a giant dark room. Wowza!

7 Cine Sedução | Rua Floriano Peixoto 1307
One of the nicer porn theaters in this neighborhood, you can feel secure in grabbing food and drinks here, and maybe even hang out for a bit!

8 Cine Star | Rua Floriano Peixoto, 1035
Unlike many of the theaters here, Cine Star shows gay and straight porn, because who knows what'll turn you on? Or maybe it's for the married men who seem to frequent this place. Don't worry, though, there's also plenty of gays – especially bears. Woof!

9 Cine Privê | Rua Major Facundo, 1197
Glory holes, dark rooms and private rooms, oh my! Head to the back room for the hottest action.

10 Love House Night | Rua Assunção / Av. Duque de Caxias
OK. This place is not the best, cleanest, or even most fun – but they have lots of different areas for showing films, and it's a young crowd that, if that's your thing, is defintely worth checking out.