Bali scene?

[Guest aleksander]

Hey guys,

Any tips on where to find all the sexy escorts in Bali? 

Any advice would be appreciated.

I'm heading there soon!

[camsi1975]

There are a lot of guys on the apps advertising massages etc who are escorts.

If you go to Mixwell or Bali joes in seminyak you will probably find company for free or a few drinks if you like. These bars have dancers and often the dancers will go home with you / escorts (you can subtly ask the bar staff for an introduction).

There are also quite a few all male massage places and most will provide a happy ending or more (I was unexpectedly fucked on the massage table Paul’s place). m2 spa and antique are my favorite places for male massage (great quality massage). The place where massage is secondary and more sex oriented is banana spa. The typcically have a bunch of guys and then stand in front on you and you choose.

On the non sex front I would recommended Sunday’s beach club for a day trip and dinner st el Kabron.

have a great time. ! 

Oh in terms of costs a massage will costs you ewuavialet to us$15 - us$30 at the place I mentioned (more st banana) and if you get a happy ending a tip around $20 would be expected 

[joshhartz123]

When I was there I went to some gay friendly dance clubs and had a look for hot guys. The hottest guy I saw turned out to be a money boy. The meetings were kinda casual as i spent the night with him and he said i could pay him whay i thlught he was worth. He was so good, so he was worth every penny. 

When I was speaking to him he said that he needs guys at the gay bars and clubs and through conversation and one thing leading to another he will arrange to spend a night or a few hours with someone. I think these sorts of encounters with "escorts" are probably most common in Bali..

[dscrtsldnbi]

I think it might be a good time to revive this topic and see if there are any up-to-date reports on what's happening in Bali now (Seminyak and Kuta in particular). I was visiting Seminyak for many years and my last time there was in November 2019 and I can only confirm the excellent succinct summary of @camsi1975. I've never been a fan of bars but Mixwell, BaliJoe and the bars nearby were still going strong then. (If you don't know, gay bars are tightly packed next to each other at Jl. Camplung Tankuk within 2-3 min walk from Marriott Courtyard. If you are into this kind of entertainment, it is both convenient - you don't have to cross the island to get from one bar to another - and inconvenient as it might be quite some distance from where you are staying.)

The easiest and safest way to find company over there is to use M2M massage parlours, of which there are many. M-Spa at Paul's Place (Jl. Kayu Aya, just opposite the flea market and 2 min walk from either the Seminyal Square or the Oberoy Hotel, Ku De Ta club or Seminyak Hotel) has always been my favourite for the simple reason that it was - literally - 2 min walk from my favourite hotel. Admittedly, it was the main attraction of Paul's Place: the place was a bit seedy but the quality of the massage was generally quite high. It was a proper massage parlour rather than a poorly disguised knocking house though a happy ending at the very least was always implied in their service. Sadly, Paul's Place (i.e. both M-Spa upstairs and a lovely antiques' shop downstairs run by the same gang) was closed in early 2019 - to my utter devastation. I'd be very much interested to know if the place has been re-opened: Google says it is only 'Temporarily Closed' now while several months ago it was marked as 'Permanently Closed'. When I was there in November 2019, some preparations for a full refurbishment of the building were taking place (that was long overdue in any case) but, presumably, because of COVID, nothing was happening (as far as I know) for more than two years. It will be a huge shame if Paul's Place is gone for ever as it was a legendary institution of Bali serving the clients for several decades, as I was told at the time. When I was there last time, the price of a 90 min massage was circa IDR 300-400k (proper high-pressure full body massage, done very professionally) with IDR 200-400k expected for the 'extras'. Overall, you should expect to pay IDR 600-700k for the whole experience, which, as I was told, might go up to IDR 1000k or even more if you have some very particular requests. I've never paid more than IDR 700-750k though. To get the most of your experience, it would be most advisable to explain to the manager downstairs (very briefly) what your expectations are, as far as the physical/anatomical characteristics of your masseur are concerned, so that he could point the right guy to you. As soon as you are in the room, it is most advisable to be very direct and, firstly, order the 'extras' in advance of the massage and agree on their details. The boys there never looked too close at the clock and in most cases, delivered what was requested quite well. The selection was also reasonably wide-ranging: up to 4 guys working the shift, mostly in their early 20s but professionally trained as masseurs; once or twice a week, a daddy was there too (mid-40s, good shape, surprisingly well-endowed, good masseur but rather cocky and arrogant). I've never had any problems with them asking for additional tips/more money (sadly, this is rather common in other establishments) as, as a regular client, I was even given a 15% discount from my 2nd or 3rd visit of the season (the discount covers the official price of the massage only, not 'the extras'). You pay for 'the extras' to the boy on copletion and, having had your shower and dressed, you pay for the massage bit at the till on your exit - you can even be given a till receipt, if you need it. Normally, it wasn't necessary to book your time in advance - you just turn up at your pleasure and see if the goods on the display during this particular shift take your fancy. Four-hands massage was also available there (approx. 1.5-2 times the price of a regular massage). Their opening hours were from about mid-day till about 8-9pm the latest, and the last couple of hours were not the best time to turn up as there were only 1 or 2 boys available. Their working hours surprised me first but then it was explained to me that they simply don't want the drunken clientele who could turn up on their way from the restaurant or a bar back to their hotel for a messy quicky as they are difficult to manage.

Pretty much any massage parlour I've visited in Kuta and Seminyak operates the same way. They differ only in terms of their interior (some are more upmarket and new, others are less glamourous) and some have more emphasis on massage while others have massage only as an afterthought. I'd strongly recommend go for the former rather than the latter: guys are much more professional there, and you get two services for the price of one (an excellent massage and some good sex to follow). I've never been a huge fan of the Elegantz Spa (I think they simply overcharge for the same service) but if you fancy a more upmarket experience and want to visit a sauna (why would you when you are in the tropics?), then it is the place to go. M2 Spa at Jl. Raya Patitenget would be my preferred choice, under these circumstances, though: in my opinion, they beat Elegantz. Banana Spa and Adam's Apple are on the other side of the spectrum: they are more about sex than about massage and consequently, they don't do either well enough - that's my personal opinion based on my personal experience, of course. Banana Spa position themselves as a club but their concept of a club is an outdoor pool where you are free to splash after your session (why would you?). Adam's Apple is so unremarkable that, while I've been there before, I can hardly remember the experience (it is not necessarily a bad thing, of course).

All of these places offer outcalls to your hotels but, in my opinion, it is not worth it: it will be easier and cheaper for you to get a cab to go there by yourself and return back to your hotel. And of course, there is plenty of offer on online apps - disguised as 'massage', mostly. In some cases, they will be professional masseurs but 80-90% of them are not, and what they offer is not worth the money they are asking for it (I am not talking about massage now). Taking them into your room is possible but a bit of a hassle (you'll have to go downstairs to fetch them from the security post at the hotel's entrance). Generally, it is not worth it: just go to one of the (many) massage parlours and have fun safely and cheaply there.

I'd be interested to know if anyone has been to XXL Men Spa? What are your impressions? And most importantly, how has the scene changed since 2019? Are M2, Elegantz, Banala Spa, Adam's Apple, etc still open? Are they what they used to be? Or are there any changes? I hope to visit Bali again next year and some up-to-date information will be most helpful. Thank you in advance!

[macaroni21]

Thank you @dscrtsldnbi. I was just wondering whether I should plan for Bali in the first quarter of next year. It's good the hear that the massage places are alive and well and you've certainly made it sound a more desirable choice than a few other destinations I was mulling over. I have only been there twice, with the last visit more about 6 to 8 years ago (I'm not even sure how many years anymore). I too remember happy endings at massage places. That said, I don't recall full-on body contact a la Thailand, but merely handjobs with the guy standing beside the massage table -- too mechanical for me. Which was why I had no urge to go back. 

Perhaps you could share your experience or thoughts whether the masseur would himself be naked while performing the massage and whether he would climb onto the table for the afters?

I also remember bad traffic and having to spend much time and energy getting to wherever I wanted. In this regard, are there any recommendations where one should stay to reduce travelling time to the massage places and the bars? I am usually a 3-star hotel type of guy. 

 If I do get there in 2023, naturally, I shall be writing a trip report.

[dscrtsldnbi]

Thank you @macaroni21. First of all, I do distinctly remember many full-on-body contact during massage while in Bali. The way it happens differs from what normally happens in Thailand (I do have some Thai experience but it is more limited than my Balinese one). During the 'regular' massage session (i.e. the first 45-60 min of your 'massage' experience), nothing happens. The masseur remains dressed and he will - very gently but firmly - place your hands and arms on the massage table in a way that guarantees no 'accidental' touches. Then, when you are on your back (and most likely, fully erect by that time) and he is finishing your regular massage, he will ask you 'Do you still want extras?' Remember, you have to pre-agree the extras - be very specific what you want - before the regular massage session starts. When you say yes, he will lock the door to the room/cubicle and remove all his clothes very quickly. Now, if you want a full naked body-to-body massage, you should tell that to your masseur before the regular session starts. If he refuses (that happens very rarely), you simply go back to the front desk and request another performer. As the full body-to-body massage has already been pre-agreed, this is what he will start with now - and 15-20 min later, he will move to other parts of the 'extras' that you've pre-ordered. He will definitely climb onto the table for the extras. I've had this service many dozens of times over many years, and I have been very rarely disappointed.

As to the traffic and where to stay... The trafic was still bad in 2019 though they did try to introduce one-way streets with dubious results (it will take you much less to get to your destination but then it will take you twice as long as before to get back to your hotel — so overall, you still spend the same time in traffic jams). My advice is to walk. If you place yourself strategically (see below), it won't be more than a 40 min - 1h maximum leisurely stroll from your hotel to the massage parlour. It not only saves the money but is very pleasant, actually. I always stay at beach front hotels, which means I'll have to walk 5 min to Seminyak Square and about 40 min to Jl. Sunset Road. Massage parlours are rather scattered all over Kuta/Seminyak but the bars - if that's what you are after - are very compactly packed by Marriott Courtyard, which is about 10-15 min walk from the beach. As I recall, Primera Hotel Seminyak (it is a 3-* place, I think) and Marriott Courtyard (slightly more upmarket but still very affordable) are - literally - nextdoor to the bars, they are within 1-3 min walk from them and are on the same street.

Elegantz and Adam's Apple are on the same street (effectively) but within 30 min walking of each other. It is slightly to the north of Seminyak proper and about 1h walk from the bars. They are on a street that goes away from the beach into the island (Jl. Batu Belig that later on becomes Jl. Tangkuban Perahu). If you stay somewhere near W Hotel and take the short route, it will be a 10-15 min walk from the hotel to Adam's Apple (Adam's Apple is closer to the beach while Elegantz is much further down).

Generally speaking, walking makes much more sense than taking a cab: you'll spend the same time getting to your destination but walking is free.

If you choose to stay near the bars, it will be about an 1h walk to get to Elegantz and Adam's Apple. This is when you should consider if taking a cab will be more sensible. You can take a cab to get there and walk back, for example (popping into a restaurant or a bar on your way back to your hotel).

Overall, there isn't a magical place where you can stay and be within 5-10 min walking distance from everything: while (almost) all the gay bars are compactly located at the same place, massage parlours are scattered all over, and depending on which one you'll end up fancying more, you'll still need to travel there. Having said that, the scary reports of hours spent in Balinese traffic jams are often exaggerated: it might be true if we are talking long-distance travel but if we are talking covering a distance of 3-5 miles maximum, it is most certainly a huge exaggeration. Yes, you might spend 25 min in a cab doing a journey that normally takes only 7-10 min, but it is not that bad.

I hope the above helps!

I'd still be very much interested to know how Seminyak looks now, in late 2022: remember, all my information is based on my personal experience of November 2019. I do wonder how the pandemic affected them all. I did a quick Google search and it looks like all the places mentionned above (apart from M-Spa at Paul's Place) are still operational and, surprisingly, their price level is still (approx) the same as I remember from 3 years back. But what about the level of service?

Any recent trip reports, anyone? Thank you all in advance!

[tm_nyc]

Thank you, dscrtsldnbi, for the excellent posts!  Are you familiar with the gay scene in Ubud, especially the massage scene?  On my one short visit to Bali, years ago, I thought that Seminyak was OK,  but I really preferred the atmosphere in Ubud.

[dscrtsldnbi]

You are most welcome, @tm_nyc, and thank you.

As for Ubud, I won't be of much help: I've visited pretty much every corner of Bali over the years, but all these were day trips. I've been to Ubud several times but I've never stayed there / had the chance to sample the local goods: I strongly prefer the beach, so I always stay in Seminyak. I doubt the scene there is any different from that of Kuta/Seminyak but unfortunately, I can't give you any practical pointers.

Apps could be of help, I think. Obviously, they work only via VPN but they do work. Some prior online research should also help, of course.

I should probably mention that, in my experience, finding some good options at the hotel you are staying is also always on the books. It doesn't work all the time but I've had pleasant surprises there - and I am talking about the staff, not the guests. Regular staff may not be alowed into the guests' rooms (but even that could be resolved if there is enough incentive and will from both sides) but the management is free to roam everywhere and, as I have said, I've had most pleasant surprises. It works especially well if you are a return guest and well-known at the hotel.

[macaroni21]

 

1 hour ago, tm_nyc said:

Are you familiar with the gay scene in Ubud, especially the massage scene? 

I hesitate to reply to this because my visit was 10 years ago (sorry, I thought it was 6 - 8 years ago in my earlier message, but on checking my notes, it's evidently even earlier). My recollection from a one-week stay in Ubud was that there weren't many massage places obviously visible along the streets (almost surely many more tucked within resorts), and what there were had female staff - with one exception.

The one exception was a place called Nur Salon, a property that comprised about 3 or 4 houses in a (cramped) garden setting. It catered to both genders and there were male and female staff. Naturally, I  asked for a male masseur. A 90-minute body scrub and massage cost about 250,000 rupiah.  What was memorable about it was the setting and the tub.  The massage room was open to the sky, with privacy provided by 2-metre high walls. So, I was in a little private garden. One one side was the massage table, on the other side was a tiled pool, just big enough for one. It was just a little bigger than a bathtub. After the body scrub, the masseur led me to the tub/pool in which rose petals had been added to the water. I don't remember whether it had water jets, but I think it did (gentle ones). After a soak of about 15 minutes, the masseur came back to the room/private courtyard, helped me out of the tub/pool and led me to the massage table.

But there was absolutely no extra service. 

A quick google search shows they're still in business. Although there's no website and their Facebook page has not been updated since 2012, Tripadvisor has reviews dating from as recently as August 2022. 

[dscrtsldnbi]

In olden times, some (but not all) of Kuta/Seminyak massage parlours were also offering outcalls to Ubud, as far as I know. Obviously, they were expensive and had to be pre-booked in advance as it could easily take 3-4h to get from Seminyak to Ubud (and that was reflected in the price for the delivery service). I know of this service but have never used it (as I have never stayed in Ubud). Maybe, the same arrangement still works now. It is worth checking on particular massage salons' websites.

[dscrtsldnbi]

P.S. I found this: https://cocograndespa.com/price-list/

I've never used Coco Grande, so can't comment on their quality. The overal review rating is rather low though (just 3.1). They do explicitly offer delivery to Ubud but note the charge (IDR 500k).  The reviews are here: https://www.travelgay.com/venue/coco-grande-spa-seminyak/#reviewtop Note 'they are constantly asking for extra tips' and 'prices are higher than in other places' bits though. I'd be cautious.

[floridarob]

I'm in BKK with a flight to DPS in a week .....I'm not good at trip reports, but will post anything that stands out.....

[fedssocr]

It's 8 or 9 years since I was in Bali as well. I liked Ubud quite a lot but don't recall any hanky panky. In Seminyak I did meet a guy on one of the apps who didn't indicate he was a mb until it was time to say goodbye. It was quite awkward. I recall visiting a little massage place called Banana something or other. But either I didn't know where to go or there just weren't as many massage places there at the time.

It's a beautiful island though. I also went to Yogya on that trip. Lots of amazing sights there. I wonder if the apps are useful there with all of those horny university students around...

[dscrtsldnbi]

11 hours ago, floridarob said:

I'm in BKK with a flight to DPS in a week .....I'm not good at trip reports, but will post anything that stands out.....

That will be very much and very genuinely appreciated, @floridarob. Thank you so much!

[dscrtsldnbi]

7 hours ago, fedssocr said:

It's 8 or 9 years since I was in Bali as well. I liked Ubud quite a lot but don't recall any hanky panky. In Seminyak I did meet a guy on one of the apps who didn't indicate he was a mb until it was time to say goodbye. It was quite awkward. I recall visiting a little massage place called Banana something or other. But either I didn't know where to go or there just weren't as many massage places there at the time.

It's a beautiful island though. I also went to Yogya on that trip. Lots of amazing sights there. I wonder if the apps are useful there with all of those horny university students around...

There were plenty of massage places then, @fedssocr. You went to Banana Spa, by the look of things, and I am not surprised the visit wasn't that memorable. Apps do work there very well - provided you use VPN (most of them won't work without VPN) and could be very useful. Actually, if one stays in Ubud, resorting to apps might be a better option than relying on delivery services from Kuta.

As for MBs...  My assumption has always been that pretty much anyone and everyone who is online there and isn't a Westerner, is a MB and I've never been proven wrong.

[tm_nyc]

12 hours ago, fedssocr said:

I also went to Yogya on that trip.

Yes!  I visited Yogya right after Bali & I liked it a lot.  Not a gay destination (as far I could tell) but really an interesting place with nice people & lots to see.  The highlight was visiting Borobudur.  To get there, I rode on the back of a motorcycle, driven by a sweet but (alas) straight tour guide.

[fedssocr]

I did the sunrise Borobudur visit. It was pretty awesome. Prambanan was also quite impressive as is the adjacent Buddhist complex that I had all to myself.

I had a very sweet tour guide as well! Was yours named Rocky? He was just finishing university and apparently his family were friends with the travel agent who arranged my trip and she recruited him to be my driver. I guess now that I think about it he wasn't a guide, just a driver. I had other people who were guides, but enjoyed the time I spent with him one on one. I really loved the area around Yogya. 

[Wynter11]

On 10/18/2022 at 6:39 PM, dscrtsldnbi said:

Apps do work there very well - provided you use VPN (most of them won't work without VPN) and could be very useful.

Could you elaborate on the app situation? I just tried to look at Kuta using the explore option on Grindr and it shows no profiles at all. Are people in Bali visible when you’re there if you use a vpn?

[dscrtsldnbi]

17 hours ago, Wynter11 said:

Could you elaborate on the app situation? I just tried to look at Kuta using the explore option on Grindr and it shows no profiles at all. Are people in Bali visible when you’re there if you use a vpn?

Those apps that are blocked in Indonesia (i.e. most gay dating apps) won't display any Indonesian profiles when you use their explore option from outside Indonesia. This is done for local people's safety: the fact that apps are banned/heavily restricted there is a sign of persecution, and showing local profiles even in explorer mode exposes the locals to extra risk. When you are over there physically, the local profiles will be displayed but most likely, you won't be able to take any screenshots and distance won't be showing either (other than that, the apps will work normally). Again, it is done to ensure safety of the locals who are online. For the apps to work normally, all you need to do is to install a VPN app on your phone. Locals @ Bali prefer Betternet (or, at least, they used to 3-4 years ago) but there are many other apps of a similar nature. You don't need to have a paid version of a VPN app either - just a bog-standard free version will suffice. You need to install a VPN app, activate it and only after that open Grindr or any dating app - and it will work normally (regardless of whether you are using WiFi or mobile signal) apart from, most probably, not displaying the distance to the profile.

Hope it helps!

[Wynter11]

On 11/14/2022 at 3:15 AM, dscrtsldnbi said:

Those apps that are blocked in Indonesia (i.e. most gay dating apps) won't display any Indonesian profiles when you use their explore option from outside Indonesia. This is done for local people's safety: the fact that apps are banned/heavily restricted there is a sign of persecution, and showing local profiles even in explorer mode exposes the locals to extra risk. When you are over there physically, the local profiles will be displayed but most likely, you won't be able to take any screenshots and distance won't be showing either (other than that, the apps will work normally). Again, it is done to ensure safety of the locals who are online. For the apps to work normally, all you need to do is to install a VPN app on your phone. Locals @ Bali prefer Betternet (or, at least, they used to 3-4 years ago) but there are many other apps of a similar nature. You don't need to have a paid version of a VPN app either - just a bog-standard free version will suffice. You need to install a VPN app, activate it and only after that open Grindr or any dating app - and it will work normally (regardless of whether you are using WiFi or mobile signal) apart from, most probably, not displaying the distance to the profile.

Hope it helps!

Perfect summary, thanks. I had no idea things were like that in Bali. Sounds easy enough to get around, just means I can’t snoop at a distance to check out the talent 

[pong2]

Terima kasi banyak!

Now that it seems that also for Indo entry rules/covid have fallen-but there is still the 5k entry-visa to pay for. Again for me last visit also quite some yrs ago-thought of it by then as farewell tour, as I like Indo very much-have been on some 6 islands, incl. Bali and speak the lingo-though probably this has to get some retraining. Now considering a new visit when the rainy season there has finished=summer in EUR. And if airfares are not so extreme high anymore.

As for Bali-my impression was still that really aimed at the gay market places were really only in that area of Seminyak/Kuta. Do not expect to find guys from Bali itself there )they tend to have a different fysique, quite attractive to me), but for Indo´s it is also a kind of heaven/discreet place to go to out of sight of the always pressing pha-mi-ly and let the beast hang out. That man yrs ago-and of course myself also being that many yrs younger then as now- was before the smartfone hit and most was done hby old style crusing-without much effort from you-they would find you instead of the other way. Malang- Yogya - Solo etc. Or after dusk beachside of Kuta too- I guess that has all gone with the fones and apps.

Indo has rampant inflation and this is also reflected in ever falling exchange rates-translated into a stable currency like US$ or AU$ prices are fairly stable though.

[MikeSyd]

14 hours ago, Wynter11 said:

Perfect summary, thanks. I had no idea things were like that in Bali. Sounds easy enough to get around, just means I can’t snoop at a distance to check out the talent 

Hi, you could also try an app like Scruff - I've got a 2 week trip to Bali booked for June and have already been browsing on Scruff to see who is around locally - and Scruff's location search of Bali seems to work fine for me in Sydnet without a vpn.

[dscrtsldnbi]

On 11/16/2022 at 9:50 PM, MikeSyd said:

Hi, you could also try an app like Scruff - I've got a 2 week trip to Bali booked for June and have already been browsing on Scruff to see who is around locally - and Scruff's location search of Bali seems to work fine for me in Sydnet without a vpn.

Indeed, as I recall, Scruff, Romeo and Growlr were NOT blocking distance search from outside Indonesia while Grindr and Hornet were. (Cannot say anything about Jackd as I don't use it much and can't remember if they were blocking their distance search.) Their policies might have changed over the last 3 years though. Grindr is still definitely blocking distance search in Indonesia and many other countries.

And of course, while in Indonesia, without a VPN, pretty much all dating apps won't be available - or at best, they will be coming and going all the time (and mostly, going).

[dscrtsldnbi]

UPDATE

Out of interest, I tried distance search in Indonesia (Bali) on all dating apps that I have. The search was done from London (UK). It appears that neither Hornet nor Jack'd are blocking distance search in Indonesia. Romeo, Growlr and Scruff have never blocked their distance search and it is still working fine. So, it is, basically, only Grindr who block their distance search in Indonesia now.

[floridarob]

I was just in Bali, used Grindr, Hornet and Romeo.....none required a VPN. I used my phones internet in the street and my hotel while in my room, all worked fine. Grindr blocked distance.