Powerboys has a brand new show with quite a few ladyboy numbers and some mixed ladyboy/ man cabaret dance routines.  The cabaret is intermixed with Go-Go style dancing with six or eight boys wearing speeos on stage, and three or for more on podiums around the venue.  They also have a couple of sexy routines where a couple of the boys get nude, however there is no full frontal stuff or dick shown at any time.

Drinks start at 200 Baht  and apparently it’s open later than the other Go-Gos in town though we haven’t verified that.   Appears to have about fifteen available boys and we’ve heard the new format is attracting quite a few customers so you won’t be lonely.

Chiang Mai Gay Friends is a Social Group for Thai and Western gay people and holds regular social events in Chiang Mai. You can join via their website and subscribe to their email announcements of all the latest events.

Also, following the demise of Cream bar at the Night Bazaar, it seems Cruise is not doing so well either. Allegedly it’s still open but whenever we’ve been to check it out recently it’s been closed. Indeed the whole of Sleaze Alley seems to be badly hit with only three bars open now (C U, DTS and Secrets). We assume the local gossip is not helping as, allegedly and according to rumour, at least two customers have found themselves in uncomfortable (and expensive) problems in the last week due to the age of their companions. Say no more, except there is one type of tourist customer we think Chiang Mai would be better off without.

Roger and David at the bar

Quite a crowd (including a rare appearance for an old friend of Radchada.

How is it Scott from Soho bar get’s his photo in everyone’s party album?

Great party with an excellent crowd – thanks Roger!

The bar page has been brought up to date with several minor changes.  The biggest news is that Cream Bar, one of the longest running of the night bazzar Sleaze Alley bars, has closed down.  It’s rumoured to have been sold and will be renovated prior to a high season re-opening.

We believed the owner sold the bar for financial reasons, but it has also been rumoured the powers that be want to move all these bars from the night bazaar down to Chiang Mai Land and are asserting pressure accordingly.  Of course, that story has been circulating for years in Chiang Mai (primarily related to the lady bars on Loy Kroh Road).  Who knows if it’s got any substance this time.  And talking of Chiang Mai Land, the old His Club karaoke has recently re-opened as the “Sofa Club”.

* Revamped the home page with quick links to all the important bits
* Updates on the Sauna page since there are now four in Chaing Mai (More on this later)
* Updates to the Gay Map with some new and changed venues
* Added Darling Wine Bar to the main bar listings

More coming soon as time permits

Pong, the delightful owner, has developed an easy to read picture menu with a variety of dishes from the grill including Chicken, Pork and excellent Beef steak as well as Soups, Pastas, Salads, appetisers and some great desserts. Practical and tasty everyday food at an everyday price, which means you can visit again and again. They also do an excellent burger.

Not specifically gay, but it is fast becoming a favourite with the local gay ex-pat community. As well as food they have a range of alcoholic drinks and a comfortable sofa area if you just fancy popping in for a quick beer. Open 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Tastefully decorated in a modern minimalistic style this new addition makes a great contribution to the block which already has other well known restaurants such as the very gay friendly Lemon Tree (Thai food), Taiwan Restaurant (Yes you got it – Taiwan food  ), The Salsa Kitchen (for mega sized plates of Mexican food and margaritas), and a Shushi bar as well.

SoupaSteak is a 2 minute walk from Soho Bar www.sohochiangmai.com, an ideal stopping point for an apparetif or an after dinner drink.

So once again we are left to wonder how many of Chiang Mai’s gay venues will survive the coming low season and still be around in 6 months time. Who will get washed away with the rains this year? Last year saw the loss of several Old Chiang Mai favourites: Coffee Boy, Doi Boy, Friendship Bar, Paradise, as well as new entrants like Yum-Boi-Boi who couldn’t make it.

Since the tragic death of it’s owner, Jay Gregson (AKA Pete) back in January, much local gossip has centred on the future of the Lanna Lavender Hotel and it’s associated businesses. Now it would appear this has seen it’s first casualty with last night (20 March) allegedly being the last night for the Power Boys GoGo at this location. We weren’t able to make the last night party so can’t confirm this first hand but believe the place is now closed, at least as a go-go. We’re not sure about what the future holds for the Cabaret show, but on a recent visit the Mamsan informed us the venue will re-open as a Pub Disco type venue for Songkran, aimed at a straighter crowd.

Meanwhile, more rumours say that Power-Boys will re-open again very soon at a venue near to Free Guy, we’ll update this when we know that is confirmed. Chang Puek has always been the preferred location for adult entertainment venue’s in Chaing Mai. Particularly Santitham with its many short time hotels, where many small, discreet drinking, gambling and whoring hideaways operate with impunity. Power Boys was always going to have a hard time with the authorities in such a high profile location in a District known always for its respectability and hi-so residential areas and clientele.

We’ve also heard a few rumours regarding Doi Boy and a few other new “phoenix venues” expected to re-incarnate in another form. More next time…………

Bon Tong.

The Darling Wine bar is located on the northern side of Huay Kaew Rd just west of the Rinkham intersection with the superhighway and Nimanheminda road. It’s right next to the Rinkham market, which is a popular destination for local Thais, with it’s wide selection of reasonably priced clothes. There is plenty of parking available in the lot behind the bar and a rear entrance for easy access. See our gay map of Chiang Mai for the exact loacation www.radchada.com/ChiangMaiGayMap.html

Opening hours are from 5 p.m. Closed on Monday. If you like wine this sophisticated place has probably the best selection in Chiang Mai. The previous owners still have their wine import and distribution business in Chiang Mai which will continue to assist the Darling Wine Bar by sourcing those more unusual and interesting wines from around the globe.

Developing this news section has been a background project and been moving slowlt ofr a few months. It’s not completely finished yet, but we thought it was good enough to go live. There are still a few issues with the skin we’ve used, and some of the buttons and icons don’t quite match with the rest of the site. We’re still tinkering with that so expect it to gradually improve over the coming weeks as the team get around to it.

The website also includes our well known gay guide to Chiang Mai www.radchada.com/GayChiangmai.html and acclaimed Gay map www.radchada.com/ChiangMaiGayMap.html You can always access these from the link buttons provided in the side panel.

It is our intention to bring you regular updates of what’s new and happening in Gay Chiang Mai, news of new venues, special events and general gossip. Chiang Mai has many retied gay expats living here and a favourite pass time is gossip so we’re never short of things to talk about.

If you are the owner of a Gay Business or organising a gay event, or have some other topical news, or suggestions, please drop us a line. www.radchada.com/Contact.html

We hope you enjoy our site.