Gay Sauna Write Off List 4 - June 2017

1.  As at June 2017, here is the list of gay saunas in Hong Kong that FuelMix in a subjective overall assessment pursuant to his published reviews (and input from GAM-Throats-On-The-Street) has written off as a waste of time and money:

• Alexander (closed 30 November 2016);
• Arena (opened 10 September 2016);
• Big Top;
• Birds (opened 27 February 2016);
• Central Escalator;
• Chaps;
• Colony;
• Galaxy;
• Gateway;
• QQ Fitness;

2.  Readers can show up at those venues, draw their own conclusions and submit a review.

3.  Readers are referred to the following for additional observations:
 Why Did We Write Off Some Saunas..?  
Gay Sauna Write Off List - January 2017
Gay Sauna Write Off List 2 - January 2017 
Gay Sauna Write Off List 3 - January 2017

4.  Readers are also referred to Talking To Adam 14 for an overall view of the saunas in Hong Kong. 

5.  "But..FuelMix..!!" the readers whine, "one by one you're writing off the saunas in Hong Kong..!!  WTF..??!!"  

6.  OK, we'll tell you:

• We've made it clear that our reviews are subjective;
• We think they are comprehensive and accurate.  Some readers agree with us;
• We suspect there has been false self-promotion of Hong Kong saunas online.  In our reviews, we call it like we see it;
• We think there is an unhealthy complacency in gay men when it comes to looking at gay businesses and asking, "Am I getting my money's worth..?" 
• If you're happy to get your information from Gayasia, Utopia and TravelGayAsia, stick with it.  That's your choice;
• Gay magazines in this town are dependent on gay advertising.  By definition, that breeds commercial censorship.  This blog is independent;
• Our reviews are dynamic.  They are updated by FuelMix and the readers.  But there comes a point where FuelMix has to look at a sauna and say, "Enough is enough.  This place is a waste of my time and money. I will write this place off".
• Gay customers are entitled to know what they might expect before they put their money down;
• We've made it clear that customers can visit the saunas we have personally written off (or any other sauna in this town) decide for themselves and submit a review;

• Readers may submit reviews of gay saunas in any Asian city;
• We reserve the right NOT to publish reviews we deem suspicious, inaccurate or self-serving;
• FuelMix no longer gives personalized sauna advice; 

Copyright © 2006 – 2017 FuelMix All Rights Reserved
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Soda Sauna (formerly Action) 1

1/F Overseas Building,
417 - 421 Hennessy Road
Causeway Bay
Hong Kong (same location as Action)
MTR:  Causeway Bay, Exit B

Telephone: 2893 7027 (same number as Action)
Web: https://sodasaunahk.wordpress.com 
NOT open 24 hours.  Check the website. 



1.  This was brought to our attention today by a reader. 

2.  So, off we went to the website for a peek.  This is what we found (underlining and bold print by FuelMix):

*Biggest dark room in Hong Kong island* [ really..?? check out MyWay's]
SODA is a men's club in Hong Kong, where great hospitality, friendly and comfortable atmosphere makes us the hub for all men to rest, relax, destress and finally enjoy the total wellness of gathering together for social networking.

3.  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.....!!!!  You seriously expect us to believe this shit..?  Unless there has been a MAJOR renovation, this place is just Action Sauna (or more popularly, No-Action) with a new name - and now officially divorced from the ABC-Gateway Group. See our post Action, Arena, Gateway where we examined their website.

4.  Here are their advertised rates (with apparently, the oldest teenagers in town...)

• Standard admission fee: HK$130.00
• Teenagers HK$50.00 (under 27 years old)

 5.  Go check it out, send us a review.  We're not gonna bother.

• Readers may submit reviews of gay saunas in any Asian city;
• We reserve the right NOT to publish reviews we deem suspicious, inaccurate or self-serving;
• FuelMix no longer gives personalized sauna advice; 

Copyright © 2006 – 2017 FuelMix All Rights Reserved
ON A MOBILE DEVICE, VIEW THE WEB VERSION OF THE BLOG

Age Of Consent : Gay Sex HKG

From time to time, we get asked, "what is the age of consent for gay sex in Hong Kong?  Is it 21, 18 or 16..?  It's confusing"

Yeah we agree.

To get the answer, one has to look at the history.  Here are some relevant quotes.  Numbering, underlining and bold print by FuelMix:

(1)  It wasn't until 1991 that Hong Kong's Legislative Council (Legco), then under British rule, acted to decriminalize consensual sex between men, although the legislation set the age of consent at 21 (while it remained 16 for heterosexuals) and ignored lesbianism altogether.

(2) In 2005, Hong Kong's High Court ruled the higher age of consent for gay men unconstitutional, and a government appeal of that ruling - spearheaded by Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, a devout Catholic - failed in 2006. So the age for consensual sex for both heterosexuals and gay men in Hong Kong is now 16, but the legal invisibility of lesbianism continues

-----"In Hong Kong a quiet advance for gay rights", Kent Ewing, Asia Times Online, 15 July 2011

1.  Got it...?  It is 16 for homos and heteros by judicial ruling.  If we're wrong, please correct us immediately.

2.  However, there's a quirk.....while the Courts made it very clear they would not tolerate discrimination between homos and heteros and declared 16 to be the age of consent, the Government has not yet acted to change the law by legislation - so far as we are aware.  Again, if we're wrong and the law has now been changed, correct us immediately.

3.  So the position is:

• the Courts have said 16 for homos and heteros.  
• the current legislation still draws the distinction between homos (consent age 21) and heteros (consent age 16).

4.  And just who is stopping the amendment to the legislation to bring it into line with the Courts ruling.....?  Those nice people who crow about religion and "Family Values".

5.  We would love to bring some of those "Family Values" people to a gay sauna....we're sure they would recognize some of their (happily...?) married friends with children and have a lively discussion in the video porn lounge.

6.  And talking of gay saunas, whilst the age of consent is effectively 16, some saunas around town MAY (we're not entirely sure because we've heard conflicting stories) impose a minimum entry age of 18.  Call them up beforehand.  If anyone has information on this, let us know.

Originally published 12 November 2015
Republished 8 May 2017

Copyright © 2006 - 2017 FuelMix All Rights Reserved 
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TravelGayAsia Hong Kong Sauna Reviews

We saw some outright lies appearing on TravelGayAsia's Hong Kong sauna reviews:

• One very large sauna in town described as "too small" and "compact"
• One reviewer claiming there were 23 people in a sauna that is well known to be "dead" and that there were professional masseurs on duty;
• The suspicious promoting in glowing terms of a recently opened 24 hour sauna that is more well known for its claustrophobic decor, lack of private rooms - and a lack of people.
• An allegation of anti-white racism of a sauna that has NEVER had a door policy;

• Readers may submit reviews of gay saunas in any Asian city;
• We reserve the right NOT to publish reviews we deem suspicious, inaccurate or self-serving;
• FuelMix no longer gives personalized sauna advice;

Copyright © 2006 - 2017 FuelMix All Rights Reserved 
ON A MOBILE DEVICE, VIEW THE WEB VERSION OF THE BLOG

Action, Arena, Gateway

After a long time, FuelMix clicked on gayhk.com to check out the state of the saunas.  This is what he found when he clicked hksauna.com which is the home page of what is still described as the ABC(now finished) - Gateway:

1.  The describe themselves as: 

"the largest operator of men's sauna in Hong Kong, China.  The company currently has Arena and Gateway to serve you."

FuelMix says:  Yeah... in other words, HALF of what they had before - serving us badly.  Both Arena and Gateway are not getting good reviews and are smaller in size than other saunas. And apparently, no mention is made on the web site  of Action in Causeway Bay.  Is that now under different ownership..?

2.  Click on the Locations links and discover that:

"Our flagship sauna, Arena is a 24 hour non-stop hot spot too"

FuelMix says:  Um...OK..if you say so (although your Reception staff have clearly stated to the contrary)

3.  On the main page of hksauna.com they are using promotional pictures from Alexander Sauna which closed several months ago.

4.  Click on the link for Arena and the pictures cleverly disguise the reality of just how small the space is.

5.  Click on the link for Gateway and the first thing one sees is this gem:

"First gay sauna in Hong Kong!"

FuelMix says:  Really..??  Tell that to the folks at Central Escalator that's been going since 1991.

6.  Click on the link for Facilities and there are pictures of Gateway and Arena - without description or distinguishing between them.

7.  We got an uncomfortable and sinking feeling when we saw all this.

Copyright © 2006 – 2017 FuelMix All Rights Reserved
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Abercrombie And Fitch Dude 3

What the cute Asian guy who used to work there told FuelMix:

The massive Abercrombie and Fitch store in Central closed down earlier than anticipated.  Earlier newspaper reports said this would happen by the middle of 2017.

The staff bought a ton of clothes using their staff discounts.  But since most of them were college kids, they weren't being paid that much to begin with and most of their daily earnings went on buying lunch in Central.

According to the earlier newspaper reports, A&F would no longer keep a store in Hong Kong.  However, the cute Asian guy who used to work there, told FuelMix there is a rumour that A&F will open a new store in Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui.  They are thinking of competing with The Gap and Uniqlo which have a huge presence there.

Cute Asian guy also said that, like FuelMix, he prefers to buy his jeans from Hollister rather than A&F.  They're better quality.

Oh yeah said the cute Asian guy.....that Canal Road toilet, the one under the flyover, just recently renovated and located spitting distance from Action Sauna, is soooooo notorious, that even "str8" guys, some quite attractive and gym fit are showing up and questioning their sexuality.

For the record, FuelMix does not encourage any form of public indecency or illegal behaviour.  We are simply reporting what we have been told is now common knowledge amongst college guys and their grapevine.

Apparently, said the cute Asian guy, Action Sauna is the place were "str8 but very curious" guys, horned up by what they saw in Canal Road, show up to "mix and mingle".

We're not sure about that one, since it's been a while since FuelMix showed up at Action.  What the college guy said might be a recent phenomenon.  

© Copyright 2006-2017 FuelMix All Rights Reserved

Sauna Talk 3

Received from a reader:

Hi FIM

I suspect that Hutong is trying to take a chance to rip customers off based on the closure of Alexander, and the bad reviews from Arena. Not only the official admission is increased from $179 to $199, but also the promotion prices of Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are all raised from $129 to $179, a staggering 40%. In fact, the sauna market in HK is not healthy at the moment. I realize how I miss the time when Alexander was on its hay days. At least they didn't do door policy or that many different tiers of prices.  

Arena is really a big shame and probably the last chance that the ABC-Gateway group could've had to re-gain its momentum. However, Arena is a mistake and I can just see the collapse of the once legendary ABC-Gateway group. 

There's a rumour that Action is going to close up too. Can you verify that? 

I also find that in order for a gay sauna to be successful, the location has to be in Mongkok. Since the opening of the Kwun Tong line extension and South HK Island Line, it's much easier and quicker for residents travelling from East Kowloon and South HK Island travelling to the Kowloon Peninsula. Mongkok has been the most convenient place to other areas of HK compared to TST and the HK Island, it has now cemented its position as the "Gay Sauna Capital" of HK and this advantage will further be strengthened when the other lines are opened to service ( East West line ,East Rail Line HK Island extension, West Kowloon High Speed Railway, etc). 

What's your opinions?
Yours 
A loyal reader


FuelMix says:

1.   We smirked on learning about Hutong's 40% jack of its "promotional" prices on Mondays - Wednesdays from HK$129.00 to HK$179.00.  Presumably, no explanation was given.  It's a well known law in Business that those who price gouge, run a higher risk of going out of business.

2.  By contrast, a small but very well known barber shop in Central was faced with a stiff rent increase.  It's haircut prices went up by HK40.00.  They published a letter and placed it on the Reception Desk, fully explaining what had happened, that the landlord refused to negotiate, that they had looked for alternative premises and that they were forced into raising their prices.  The result was that all their clients stayed - and they got additional business.  Simply by being straightforward and honest.

3.  Being straightforward and honest in pricing is NOT something that describes many Hong Kong gay saunas. Publishing their online prices in Chinese only, then replying to customers' email by saying, "show up first and then we'll tell you the price promotion in English," is guaranteed to piss people off.  The only saunas that are straightforward and honest in their pricing are Galaxy and KK Fitness.  Both cater to older customers.

4.  We do not miss Alexander.  We miss Towel Club in Causeway Bay for the size of its premises and the hot guys.  It collapsed in Hong Kong and in Singapore (and like California Fitness, scammed a few guys out of prepaid cash).

5.  We have not heard anything about Action closing.   

6.  We agree that the sauna market in Hong Kong is not healthy.  It is very, very suspicious.

7.  Mong Kok might have been the "Gay Sauna Capital of Hong Kong" when it had 4 saunas in a cluster : Alexander, Big Top, Club Houzz and Double.  Not now.  It has 2: Hutong (formerly Double) and Big Top.

(b)  To put it more accurately, we would say Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok are the gay sauna zones in Kowloon. Yau Ma Tei has the popular Jungle and Rainbow, both open 24 hours (although we are not hearing good things about Rainbow, especially staff attitude and the small size of the premises).

(c)  On Hong Kong Island, Causeway Bay is the zone with Action (not open 24 hours) and My Way (open 24 hours).

(d)  Tsim Sha Tsui with 3 saunas namely Arena (24 hours), Birds (not open 24 hours) and Galaxy (not open 24 hours) is a major disappointment and at the moment, has completely lost out on a potentially lucrative tourist market, given that so many hotels are within walking distance.

(e)  Our view is that in the absence of a really fantastic sauna opening up, Big Top, Hutong and My Way will be the places to go.  (The majority of whites will as usual, huddle in Central Escalator).

8.  Hong Kong has totally fucked itself in the Asian gay sauna scene. The official moniker of "Asia's World City" means nothing in this context.  Talking around, here are some Asian cities ranked by gay sauna quality and the hot guys who show up:

1. Bangkok;
2. Singapore,
3. Taipei;
4. Kuala Lumpur;
5. Seoul;
6. Hong Kong;

9.  We invited readers to submit sauna reviews from any Asian city so that everybody could benefit from their observations.  We have NOT received any Asian city sauna reviews for years.  What does THAT tell you about commitment to share information.....??

"Ohh.." squeals the fag, "we can find out on Utopia and Gaysia...!!"

"Gee...that's funny" says FuelMix, "readers told us our Hong Kong sauna reviews are far better and more accurate than anything written on Utopia and Gaysia..."

• Readers may submit reviews of gay saunas in any Asian city;
• We reserve the right NOT to publish reviews we deem suspicious, inaccurate or self-serving;
• FuelMix no longer gives personalized sauna advice;

Copyright © 2006 - 2017 FuelMix All Rights Reserved 
 

Sauna Talk 2

Received from a reader:

Hi FuelMix 

I'd like to talk about something I found quite interesting but true of the Sauna phenomenon. We can almost use the visitorship of gay saunas as an economy index of a given region. It works the same way too to indicate the financial status of a given person in a given period. For example, generally speaking, from my experience, when the economy is booming, gay saunas tend to be busier at all times; At pay-days, you might also find it more bustling in the saunas than the end of a pay-circle; after any major celebrations or golden holidays i.e. Christmas, CNY [Chinese New Year], etc saunas seem to be more quiet.

Based on the above theories, we can be quite sure to say that Hong Kong's (or the whole of Asia's) economy is at least doing better than a lot of places in the West. We can also work out roughly which dates are the best to visit a sauna and which days to avoid. 

BEST: the last weekend of a month; Mid-week days (normally Wednesdays) after-work hours to saunas near office areas(When office crowds find it most stressful from work) ; 

TO AVOID: The weekend just before the pay-day; The eve and during long holidays and celebrations (Christmas, Easter, CNY etc); Mondays, Tuesdays; 

Saunas at tourist areas or for special targets are exempt from these rules. 

I'd like to see your opinions.

Yours 
A loyal reader


FuelMix says:

1.  Clever observations.  We would refine your comments as follows:

2.  Here in Very Rich Megacity, on the eve of a Chinese public holiday or important event in Chinese Culture, particularly where there is the obligatory Chinese family dinner at home, saunas will be dead. So beware:

• Eve of Chinese New Year - even though MTR running all night;
• Eve of Dragon Boat Festival (varies end of May - early June);
• Eve of Mid-Autumn Festival (varies end of September - early October);
• Winter Solstice (not a public holiday) usually around 22 December;

3.  On the eve of a Western public holiday here in Very Rich Megacity, such as:

• Christmas Eve; 
• New Year's Eve (MTR running all night);
• the Thursday before Easter Friday;

the saunas can have enough people there, as there is no obligation to have the traditional Chinese family dinner at home. 

3.  In the afternoons and evenings of the actual public holidays, saunas can be packed.

4.  Note also what we call the "horny Gay Holidays" of:

• Valentine's Day - 14 February;
• Halloween - 31 October;

the saunas will have people there. If those "Gay Holidays" fall on a Friday or Saturday then in the evenings, the saunas should be packed;

Copyright © 2006 – 2017 FuelMix All Rights Reserved 

Sauna Talk 1

Submitted by a reader:

Hi FuelMix FIM

How are you? 

I'd like to talk about my thoughts on why the Arena Sauna would be a failure in Hong Kong. I still think the decor is the fatal factor. BDSM theme doesn't appeal the majority of the Oriental races and I guess the ABC-Gateway group was trying to avoid fierce competition with all the other mainstream saunas especially Hutong. I would even foresee the closure of this unfortunate sauna in not very distant future. 

The whole of ABC-Gateway group will have to quit the Kowloon market and only leaving Action as its flagship sauna (Gateway sauna is too nearby and marginal as well). Ideally, I would suggest the ABC-Gateway group close up the Gateway branch and keep Alexander, at least apparently the latter was far more successful and was once considered the flagship sauna in town, now replaced by Hutong. Seeing lack of competition, Hutong raised(according to your blog) its admission again to a rocket-high $199, which is more expensive than many saunas in the west now. I would like to hear your opinions. 

Take care 
A loyal reader 

FuelMix says:   

1.  You may be right in your speculations.  With ABC gone, Alexander gone, Arena questionable even with a 24 hour opening and Gateway not that hot, it only leaves Action -  which is not open 24 hours (except on weekends and public holidays). It is a very strange outcome for a group that could have dominated the local market with better planning.  We think customers should write to the management of ABC-Gateway and request that Action should also be opened 24 hours.

2.  One theory we have about Arena is that the management deliberately took the risk to open a 24 hour S&M Fetish Sauna - knowing that it would take some time before it caught on.  Perhaps they have financial backers who are prepared to absorb the initial loss in revenue.  

3.  That being said, we cannot explain the absurd decision to have such a small play space, only 4 private rooms - but an enormous shower, steam and jacuzzi area.  From what we are hearing, even the customers that went to ABC - which Arena was intended to replace - are disgusted with Arena and don't return after their first visit.  So, if Arena's management is waiting for S&M to catch on, they are caught in a trap which is.....Arena continues to lose reputation and customers while management hopes S&M will catch on.  Like you, we have our doubts about Arena's viability.

4.  Apparently there are no plans to re-open Alexander in a new location. We reiterate our view that Arena in Tsim Sha Tsui and Action in Causeway Bay should be open 24 hours. 

5.  The HK$199.00 entry fee for Hutong is the "official" price. We suspect that those on the SMS contact list or regular customers are paying  about 50% less and up. A few days ago we were told again that Hutong is allowing anyone to enter, including fat white guys who were regulars at Central Escalator and fat Mainland Chinese who were regulars at Alexander. 

6.  Hong Kong sauna prices will probably be more than the West, simply because the rents here are outrageous.  

Copyright © 2006 – 2017 FuelMix All Rights Reserved 

Hong Kong Sauna Price Increase

From January 2017:

1.   Hutong - from HK$179.00 to HK$199.00 *
* This is the official quoted price.  Customers on the SMS phone list will pay less (anything between HK$80.00 to HK$149.00)

From February 2017:

1.  Galaxy - from HK$78.00 to HK$85.00*  HK$80.00**
There are no "special" prices

Readers are invited to submit up-to-date official prices of the saunas they visit and to state how much they actually paid.

**Corrected 4 February 2017.

Action Sauna 21

1/F Overseas Building,
417 - 421 Hennessy Road
Causeway Bay
Hong Kong
MTR:  Causeway Bay, Exit B

Telephone: 2893 7027

Note:   

• NOT open 24 hours, except on Saturdays
• Call to confirm opening times. Usually 2pm - 11pm
• Public Holidays may be open overnight.  Call to confirm times
• Staff speak English.
• Entry price officially HK$130.00.  Stamp card holders pay HK$100.00 

 A friendly GAM-Throat-On-The-Street mentioned that Action has made some cosmetic changes.

1.   Curtains in the video area adjacent to the Dark Room.

2.  Hooks on the wall just outside the Dark Room.  This allows customers to hang their towels themselves before going naked into the Dark Room.  Previously, there was some queeny fag who would take the towel and hand out a number tag - over and over again. Kinda funny it took them so long to realize what a waste of manpower that was.

3.  They have changed the look of the 6-stamp card.

4.  Showing up mid-week around 6pm, the GAM-Throat-On-The-Street was surprised how quickly GAM customers were coming through the door.  Not the best looking ones, very average bodies, with occasional gym fit ones.  He warned that fat guys are showing up regularly and said if this continues, he'll go elsewhere. 

• Readers may submit reviews of gay saunas in any Asian city;
• We reserve the right NOT to publish reviews we deem suspicious, inaccurate or self-serving;
• FuelMix no longer gives personalized sauna advice; 

 © Copyright 2006-2017 FuelMix All Rights Reserved

Gay Sauna Write Off List 3

Received from a reader 2 days ago who also contributed to Part 2 of this series ( Minor editing, formatting and incidental comments in square brackets and blue italics by FuelMix): 

Hi FuelMix 

I'd like to create a list of gay saunas in HK that are successful and unsuccessful. This topic might interest you.

My personal opinion:   

1.  Hutong - although it's notorious for its alleged door policy, I have to say, unfortunately it's probably the most successful sauna at the moment in HK. That is  to say that the door policy and discrimination work on the people of HK. 

[reports circulating for some time from those who've been there over the past few months that door policy scrapped and hotness factor crashing. Fat Fugly Mainland Chinese invading from Alexander.  Customer Stand-And-Model attitude continues to be rancid. - FuelMix] 

2.  My Way - seems the HK Island counterpart of Hutong without door policy. [Just to be clear:  My Way in Wanchai and Jungle in Yau Ma Tei are under the same ownership and are both open 24 hours - FuelMix] It seems it's gaining increasing popularity on the locals especially those live in HK Island [and college boys from all over town - FuelMix] The reason might be they consider it a more 'pure' local sauna. There might be more office crowd as well [yeah and good looking ones - FuelMix]

[Good looking gym guys showing up from twink, college student to mature.  No problem getting customers in the door.  Lots of customer attitude, can take a while to get action, lots of space to play, near total absence of whites who prefer to stick to Central Escalator.  Local foreigners and Asian tourists regularly show up.  We are told that  word about My Way getting around Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines.  Can get very crowded on Fridays and Saturdays -FuelMix].

3.  Galaxy - according to your reviews, it seems quite successful albeit your writing-off this sauna. I suppose, the lowest admission and non-discriminatory environment are their biggest winning points.

[+ the crappy state of their premises.  Latest feedback is that Galaxy staff openly admit that customer numbers have fallen.  Also people are leaving earlier on weekdays, sometimes by 7:30pm - FuelMix]

4. Central Escalator - one of the most miserable phenomenon. Although it's small, basic and expensive, it's one of the oldest still operating saunas in town [since 1991 - FuelMix] The secret might be its niche market targeting [or that which it attracts by default namely, fat whites, tattoo covered whites, some really queeny whites, professional whites fleeing the office for a couple of hours, dazed and disappointed white tourists, Bananas from the West Coast regretting they weren't born white, skinny attitudinal GAMs looking for "White Daddy" or  "White Boyfriend Daddy", British-born Indians pretending to be str8 most of the week, ugly Indonesians in groups, grinning Filipinos looking to suck cock and...Mainland Chinese.  We will agree that it attracts an international crowd, which is actually CE's marketing point - FuelMix]    right location and, maybe mostly importantly that the property is owned..? [No idea about that last point - FuelMix] 


The most unsuccessful ones: 

1.  Arena -   totally wrong deco and over-priced admission. It's a big disappointment from the legendary ABC-Gateway group.

[Not sure why ABC-Gateway group should be described as "legendary".  Agree that Arena is jaw-droppingly disappointing and over-priced, even though it is open 24 hours and located in Tsim Sha Tsui.  Really not sure what the future holds for this one.  We think that the closure of ABC, also in Tsim Sha Tsui, was a strategic mistake.  If they needed to move, they should have replicated it in new premises in Tsim Sha Tsui and kept that open 24 hours -  rather than creating the highly claustrophobic Arena - FuelMix] 

2.  Alexander - I am sure many must be surprised when this flagship of ABC-Gateway group announced its closure. And yet it's not so surprising given the sauna performance of its last year. It used to be one of the best saunas in town and could've well secured this honour for a longer time. It might be bad management that led to its eventual failure.

[The decline and crash of Alexander was annoying to watch.  Something had gone very wrong for a sauna that opened with so much potential - FuelMix] 

Thanks for writing in. 

• Readers may submit reviews of gay saunas in any Asian city;
• We reserve the right NOT to publish reviews we deem suspicious, inaccurate or self-serving;
• FuelMix no longer gives personalized sauna advice;

Copyright © 2006 – 2017 FuelMix All Rights Reserved      

Gay Sauna Write Off List 2

Sent in by a reader yesterday.  Minor editing by FuelMix:

Hi FuelMix

How are you ? I have been following your blog for a long time now and some of your recent articles raised my interest, for examples: Why Did We Write Off Some Saunas ? & Talking To Adam 14 .

I would like to share some of my opinions with you.

First Why Did We Write Off Some Saunas ?

It was directed from your other comments of Gay Sauna Write Off List. I have to agree with you.  HK gay saunas used to be better value for money and more fun than they are now. The quality of the clientele also seemed to be better.  There are a few reasons from my point of view that caused the deterioration of the saunas:

1. Mostly importantly, the invention of the gay dating and mating apps. In the past, gay sauna was the most straightforward way of meeting other gay guys and it had significant advantages : it's safer than to meet someone at home or a hostel; it's much more time saving than internet dating sites; it gave the opportunity to meet more than one guy at a time; it provides health and relaxation benefits; price was more affordable....  Now the gay app is the most direct and economical way to know other gay guys, especially for the hot stand-and- models, there's no need for them to be "taken advantage' and 'wasted money' in the gay saunas. Their attitude probably suits the gay apps better anyway.   

2. The cost of running a sauna increased dramatically, therefore they can't but charge a higher admission in order to balance the profit. As you know, HK is one of the most expensive cities in the world and this is particular true for the rental. The competition among saunas is fierce as there were once 18 gay saunas in Hong Kong. In order to attract more desirable or regular customers, most saunas have to 'subsidize' these customers and charge higher fees for the less preferable ones or visitors. 

3. Tastes. Hong Kong has a very short span when it comes to taste. That's why gay saunas seem not to invest too much in maintaining the facilities. When their rent lease expires they would rather just find another location and start again with another name.  Examples such as: Double to Hutong and the more recent ABC to Arena.  However, the number of gay saunas is still balanced at around 15. 

4.  In terms of the points which Adam14 makes about the saunas, I don't think some of his suggestions would work. Most  saunas in Hong Kong are there the locals and  their interests. Unfortunately, those kinky European style facilities wont work in HK.  Apparently Arena seems an example of such failure.

5.  At the end, my verdict is that gay saunas in HK in the future will be further polarized. There will be more smaller ones and those with the wrong marketing strategies will shut down and the flow of customers will conjunct into the surviving saunas. Such as what is probably happening now Alexander to Hutong, ABC to Galaxy. 

I hope you like my comments.
Regards
Your Loyal Reader 

FuelMix says:

1.   Your comments are generally correct. We like them.  We would not be surprised if more shut down.

2.   We have been hearing that since the closure of Alexander at the end of November 2016, its clientele of fat, Fugly Mainland Chinese have been showing up at Hutong.

3.  Disagree that customers of ABC are going to Galaxy.  We initially saw them in Arena, very pissed off with the place.  Not sure where they've gone now but not getting reports they are in Galaxy.

4.  Gay apps also have a high failure rate for hookups.  The "Silent Treatment" and ignoring people who make contact is very widespread.  From what we hear, the frustration rate is as high as online ads and higher than cruising around in the sauna.

5.  While the gay apps may be free, we don't use them for security reasons. A customer has much more personal control when they are in a safe space like a sauna.  Our friendly GAM-Throats-On-The-Street let us watch them while they scroll through Grindr, Jack'd, Scruff etc looking for hookups.

6.  We have seen no evidence that the local guys in the gay apps are hotter than the guys in the saunas.  If anything, we've repeatedly spotted the same people on the apps and in the saunas.

Thanks for writing in.

• Readers may submit reviews of gay saunas in any Asian city;
• We reserve the right NOT to publish reviews we deem suspicious, inaccurate or self-serving;
• FuelMix no longer gives personalized sauna advice;

Copyright © 2006 – 2017 FuelMix All Rights Reserved  

Gay Sauna Write Off List

1.   As at January 2017, here is the list of gay saunas in Hong Kong that FuelMix, in a subjective overall assessment pursuant to his published reviews (and input from GAM-Throats-On-The-Street), has written off as a waste of time and money.

• Alexander (closed 30 November 2016);
• Arena (opened 10 September 2016);
• Birds (opened 27 February 2016);
• Galaxy;
• Central Escalator;
• Chaps;
• Colony;
• QQ Fitness; 

2.   Readers can show up at those venues, draw their own conclusions and submit a review.

3.  Readers should see Why Did We Write Off Some Saunas?  for additional observations.

4.  Readers are also referred to  Talking To Adam 14 for an overall view of the saunas in Hong Kong.

5.  The surprising conclusion from our assessments is that all 3 saunas located in the prime downtown tourist and shopping area of Tsim Sha Tsui - Arena, Birds and Galaxy - are write offs.  

• Readers may submit reviews of gay saunas in any Asian city;
• We reserve the right NOT to publish reviews we deem suspicious, inaccurate or self-serving;
• FuelMix no longer gives personalized sauna advice; 

 © Copyright 2006-2017 FuelMix All Rights Reserved

Talking To Adam 14

COMPLETED 26 DECEMBER 2016 

A 30-something GWM, with whom FuelMix is very, very, very, very, very, very casually acquainted, gives his opinions on the gay scene in Hong Kong:

"Sheesh...it's all so depressing, the fuckin' gay scene in this city... 

1.   Saunas

1.   I've hit every sauna in town more times than I care to remember and every one of them just gets more and more depressing.  The so-called "hot" ones are overrated and overpriced......and the rest...well you just kinda roll your eyes and hope that somebody attractive and relatively attitude-free shows up.

2.   And when they do show up, they're strutting around like they're too good for you or flicking through Facebook on their mobile phone.  What's the point of coming to a sauna only to play with your phone..??

3.  There's no attempt by any of the saunas in this city to distinguish themselves or to raise their game.  Oh sure, there's that one that had a door policy based on looks, race, age and body type and the gay guys squealed in delight or protest as the case may be.  But how far did that get them..?  Everybody is saying they pretty much dumped that policy 'coz they needed the money.

4.   That wasn't an attempt to distinguish themselves or to raise their game.  It was a cynical attempt at snobbery that appears to have backfired.

5.   You kinda wish that the Hong Kong saunas would show some imagination like in Europe.....stuff like gloryhole booths, urinals for watersports action, toilet cubicles with benches for 2 people, discounted entry if you bring your own toys, swimming trunks, underwear or jockstrap nights, bring in porn stars and bodybuilders for meet, greet and grope, do some early afternoon specials.....even a little buffet or live music or bring in a DJ in the Dark Area....

6.   You know what would be really wild...? Let gay Transsexuals come to the gay saunas..!!  But you limit it to those guys who were born biologically male and still have their penis and scrotum...but they have taken hormone therapy that has given them breasts.  And absolutely NO escorts.  How amazing would THAT be..??!!

7.   Think about it....gym fit guys or muscleboys cruising alongside chicks with dicks...!!  Wow..!!  I mean transgender procedures are legal in Hong Kong...so why not give these girlyboys the opportunities to show up at the gay saunas..?

8.   What's totally killing the excitement of these saunas is the rent.  So they're stuck in old buildings, stuck in the same old ways, unable to do anything new.....and the customers look so fuckin' jaded - and the management doesn't give a shit.  They just take your money and quote different prices to different people.  That's the gay Market Economy for you.


2.   The Bars

1.   Nah..forget it.  It just too late nite...1 a.m. onwards - and those Champagne Brunch bills at 9 a.m. in Central and SoHo really add up.  Like the saunas it's the same crowd, except that they come in groups.  It's hard to hit on the local guys 'coz they're either in a group, or they're with some older guys or they're standing on the street smoking.  It's easier to chat up the tourists who are there alone.


3.   The Gay Sports And Social Clubs

1.   Yeah, it's nice that they're getting off the ground - but that's when you really see how two-faced these gay assholes are.  They'll give you shit and attitude in the bars, ignore you in the saunas, but will wag their tails at you when you're on the same sports team as them and try to be your jock-bro.  Gimme a break you dumb faggot....you really think I'm that stupid..??!!  HAHAHAHAHAHAHA..!!


4.   The Cruisy Gay Toilets Around Town

1.   Ya know what..? These local Chinese, especially the younger ones, are getting more and more brazen in their cruising.  Sometimes it's really surprising.  The other day I walked into one toilet, was pissing at the urinal and there were about 10 local GAMs and 3 white guys cruising around.  Then without warning, 3 of them huddled into one cubicle - and 2 of them were trying to look under the door and another one was trying to look over the cubicle partition HAHAHAHAHAHA...!!.....and I'm thinking, "sshhhittt.....I don't wanna be around when a totally str8 guys comes in...things might get awkward.  I just zipped up and left".

Copyright © 2006 – 2016 FuelMix All Rights Reserved 

Action Sauna 20

1/F Overseas Building,
417 - 421 Hennessy Road
Causeway Bay
Hong Kong
MTR:  Causeway Bay, Exit B

Telephone: 2893 7027

Note:   

• NOT open 24 hours, except on Saturdays
• Call to confirm opening times. 
• Staff speak English.
• Entry price officially HK$130.00.  Stamp card holders pay HK$100.00

"Hey FuelMix..!!"  chirped the friendly GAM-Throat-On-The-Street, "long time no see..!!  You haven't been to sauna for a while..?"

"Been busy and tired" sighed FuelMix, "I recently went to My Way and Big Top after more than 15 weeks..."

GAMTOTS:  Wah..!!  15 weeks no sauna..!!  That's over 3 and a half months..!!

FM:  Yeah, I know

GAMTOTS:  Ah.... come on la..!!  The boys miss yoooouu...!!

FM:  PPPppfff....

GAMTOTS:  So you haven't been to Action in Causeway Bay for a long time then...?

FM:  Right

GAMTOTS:  Aaaiiiyaaaa...save your money..!!  As usual, No-Action Sauna..!!  I went on Friday evening about 6:30pm to 9:30pm...Too many ugly guys, just sitting around or standing around smoking near the door..!!

FM:  Ugly Mainland Chinese..?

GAMTOTS:  Noooo!!  Ugly Hong Kong Chinese..!!

FM:  Yeah, they're really easy to find

GAMTOTS:  Just stand around, stand around, fat, ugly...some walk around, some watch TV, really No-Action Sauna..!!

FM:  Wow....sounds like a real waste of time and money

GAMTOTS:  Yyyesss..  That's why I left and went to the toilet..!!

FM:  Huh..?

GAMTOTS:  Yyyyess...the toilet under Canal Road Flyover, just next to Action.  Very Crrooozy ah

FM:  Yeah old and really filthy....eeeewww!!

GAMTOTS:  Nooooo..!!  Brand new la..!!  They change everything..!! All new design, very clean now... still verrrry crroozy.... all ages, all body types, college boys, gym boys, old guys, white guys...meet your buddy there and then go to Action or My Way....otherwise if you go to Action, you waste your money 'coz No-Action Sauna..!!

FM:  Oh..I see, I see...

GAMTOTS:  Go have a look cute boy..!!  For you no problem..!!

• Readers may submit reviews of gay saunas in any Asian city;
• We reserve the right NOT to publish reviews we deem suspicious, inaccurate or self-serving;
• FuelMix no longer gives personalized sauna advice; 

 © Copyright 2006-2016 FuelMix All Rights Reserved

Warning 2 (What The Sauna Manager Said)

PART 1

"You live in Hong Kong?" grinned the mature Chinese Manager who spoke very good English.  FuelMix was chilling near the lockers in the virtually deserted sauna, after dinner downtown.  The Manager's colleague was on a cigarette break in the toilet - where he was actually in the stall fucking the only other customer in the premises.

"Yeah" said FuelMix.

Manager:  [handing FM yet another discount card to add to his varied collection]  So...what do you think about Hong Kong boys?

FM:  Stupid, strange - and generally ugly compared to other Asians

Manager:  [laughing]  Why do you say that..?

FM:   Too much attitude, very racist, heavy smokers and drug use - even the gym guys.   They can be a complete waste of time.

Manager:  Yeah, I watch them too.  Hong Kong boys are not friendly at all. And not that healthy.  It takes them ages to get any action and they are such peeping toms and voyeurs.  They'll keep ignoring you and turning their heads, but if you're having action with someone, they just won't give up peeping and staring.  It makes me laugh.  As the Manager, I see everything.  Compared to boys in other countries, Hong Kong boys are far behind in their looks, their manners - and sexually, they really don't have a clue.  They are so shy and useless.  I agree, they can be very racist.

FM:   Yeah...

Manager:   What do you think about other Asian guys?

FM:   I think Singaporean and Taiwanese guys are better looking than Hong Kong guys.  They also have better manners and are much more friendly.  Sexually, they are are lot more fun.

Manager:   Yes..!!  You are right.  Singapore guys also speak much better English.  Hong Kong boys' English is just terrible...

PART 2

Manager:   Have you been to the saunas in Shenzhen..?

FM:  No, never and I don't wish to.  I can't trust Mainland Chinese

Manager:   Good decision.  I live in Hong Kong and Shenzhen.  I went a few times to the gay saunas in Shenzhen.  Then I stopped.  I was too scared. 

FM:   Why..?

Manager:   Some of the saunas are open overnight.  But the customers there are basically criminals...Moneyboys working in a gang with their pimp to force money out of you, sometimes violently...thieves, drug dealers, undercover Police extorting money and sometimes beating up customers.  It is completely different to the saunas in Hong Kong.  At least over here, you're safe in the saunas.  But in Shenzhen the gay saunas can be very frightening.

FM:  Wow..!

Manager:   I will now tell you honestly why you should not play with Mainland Chinese guys - particularly the ones from Shenzhen.....many of them are HIV Positive from bareback sex and drug use.

FM:   Really..?

Manager:  Yes.  It is a dirty yet well known secret in Shenzhen.  As I told you before, I also live there.  But no one will talk about it there officially.  And they will certainly not talk about it in Hong Kong because in Chinese custom, you have to give "face". And they are Chinese too.  It is very serious.

FM:   But they can come freely into Hong Kong

Manager:   Yes...and that hurts me...As a sauna Manager, I cannot refuse entry.  More and more of these Shenzhen guys are showing up at the saunas in Hong Kong.  I have no way of knowing if they're HIV Positive - or if they will try their criminal behaviour here.  I get very nervous when they show up in groups of 3 or 4.  I don't know whether they will try and sell drugs or what.  I just hope that the Hong Kong boys - you know the "Sticky Rice" types who only play with Chinese - are not doing bareback.

FM:   I can understand your position.

Manager:   I am not happy about this at all.  I've run a clean business with a good reputation for several years.  But these Mainland Chinese guys from Shenzhen are dangerous in so many ways. I cannot openly say it because I am Chinese.  I can only say it to Hong Kong Chinese guys indirectly - many of these Shenzhen guys speak Cantonese, so I have to be careful.....I don't want to be threatened.....but you.....you are a foreigner.....I can tell you directly.....you have a very good gym body,  you look after yourself.....you live here.....maybe you can help me and tell the Hong Kong boys to be very careful  of these Shenzhen guys.  So many of them are HIV and they are deliberately hiding it....they have no ethics, no morals.....and yet they say they are Chinese.....it makes me very angry. We Hong Kong people are not like them.  We are different.........maybe you can understand my message...?

FM:   Loud and clear

Manager:   [grinning]  Thank you.  I am sorry you did not get any action this evening [hands FM yet another discount card]

Why Did We Write Off Some Saunas ?

Received from a reader today.  We've reproduced our response to him since it appears to be relevant to other readers:


Dear FM

Thanks so much for your enlightened, enlightening and entertaining blog. 

You write a lot these days about saunas you consider "off-limits." Are there any left to recommend? I used to go to Towel Club while in HK and then afterwards to Action but finally settled on Galaxy -- and that for three reasons. (1) As a GWM I always felt welcome there. (2) There were always some really hot guys to be found among the plain and geriatric crowd. And (3) Those guys were always ready to go; they were not there to posture for hours.  So, what do you say?

Best
H


FuelMix's Response (underlining and bold print in the blog only):

Hello

I stopped giving personal sauna recommendations several years ago (as I pointed out in red at the bottom of each sauna review).  I was getting emails from readers saying they were too busy to read the reviews and wanted to save time by asking me directly.  Some sent their stats and naked pics and specifically requested a sauna to fit their body type and the guys they were looking for. 

To be frank, it pissed me off.  I wrote back and told them to read the reviews.   It wasn't my job to arrange a hookup.

The reason I wrote off certain saunas was because I call it like I see it.  I don't claim to have the definitive answer to anything and made it clear that writing off a sauna was entirely subjective. Having given a number of reviews, I felt it was necessary to draw the line and say which ones had become a waste of time and money.  I fully expect people will disagree with me and that's fine.

I agree that Towel Club was the best and have said as much in the blog.

I wrote off several saunas because the HK sauna scene is in a state of flux.  There are 3 reasons for this: 

1. The sad reality is that the city is being infested with Mainland Chinese and the Ugliness Meter reading is off the charts;
2. A lot of local and white guys in town are using mobile apps like Grindr, Scruff and Jackd to find guys.  They are also using Grindr in the bars as virtual cruising. They may be hooking up in their apartments or heading to an hourly hotel.
3. I hear that gay guys in town are forming social and sports groups on Meetup.com.  That's another way of hooking up with guys.
   

I am surprised how bad the local sauna scene has become over the last year.  It has gone downhill very quickly.  In order to balance out my reviews, you will note that I upload conversations about saunas from people I run into on the street.  As it turns out, their observations are similar to mine.

Regards
FM

Action Sauna 19

1/F Overseas Building,
417 - 421 Hennessy Road
Causeway Bay
Hong Kong
MTR:  Causeway Bay, Exit B

Telephone: 2893 7027

Note:   

• NOT open 24 hours, except on Saturdays
• Call to confirm opening times. 
• Staff speak English.
• Entry price apparently cheaper than Alexander and Gateway. But check. 

After a gap of 21 weeks, FuelMix showed up at Action on Friday 2 September 2016, 8:30ish:

"The thing is...", said the mature GAM in very good English, "Action used to get some pretty hot guys a few years ago.  But that's changed.  What's coming in now is average-looking 30s, 40s, 50s, sometimes older.  Oh sure, there are still some gym fit 20-somethings, but not as much as there used to be.

"The best days to come are Saturday afternoons and evenings, because they're open overnight on Saturdays.  You'll see a lot of people, some will be gym fit, some tourists, some white guys who might be muscular or fat, but generally, the crowd has changed.

"Guys like you may find it difficult to get action in Action heheheheh...."

"I went to MyWay which is nearby.  But nobody looked at me.  The attitude there is quite weird.  Everybody thinks they're better looking than everybody else.  And if you don't have the looks or the body, forget it.  I think you should go to MyWay - you will attract attention.

"You know, there are a lot of saunas in town, but none of them are satisfying.  Part of the problem is the way the younger guys treat the older guys. I am Chinese but I don't like their manners.  They have no clue how to behave towards older men. And their personal habits are disgusting.  See that Chinese guy over there..? He must be late 20s or early 30s.  He's got a gym fit body, nice face, speaks good English.  But he has a terrible attitude.  And his health..?  Who knows.  You came in about 30 minutes ago.  I've been here over 2 hours and this guy came in over an hour ago.  I tried to cruise him but he just totally ignored me. But within an hour he's smoked about 10 cigarettes.  You can hear him coughing and spitting in the showers.

"The other reason the saunas here are not satisfying is the rent.  I know for a fact that many saunas here are barely surviving.  All they want is some kind of quick money and maybe break even. Their pricing policies are also to blame.  They are letting in the younger guys for much less or sometimes even free, but charging the older guys 3 or 4 times that amount.  So guys like me are subsidizing these young guys with really bad attitude.

"I can tell you are not having a good time here.  Why don't you go to MyWay and see what happens..?"

FuelMix left Action at 10:30pm and went home.

• Readers may submit reviews of gay saunas in any Asian city;
• We reserve the right NOT to publish reviews we deem suspicious, inaccurate or self-serving;
• FuelMix no longer gives personalized sauna advice; 

 © Copyright 2006-2016 FuelMix All Rights Reserved

Action Sauna 18

1/F Overseas Building,
417 - 421 Hennessy Road
Causeway Bay
Hong Kong
MTR:  Causeway Bay, Exit B

Telephone: 2893 7027

Note:   

• NOT open 24 hours, except on Saturdays
• Call to confirm opening times. 
• Staff speak English.
• Entry price apparently cheaper than Alexander and Gateway. But check. 

Saturday evening and FuelMix finished his shopping in Causeway Bay. He had an early dinner of Japanese beef curry with rice and hot udon noodles with vegetables.  Or perhaps it was a snack. He might eat again, who knew.  Flipping through his Diary, FuelMix realized it had been 25 weeks - nearly 6 months - since he'd last dropped into Action.

So.....in he went at 6:30pm.

"Waaahhh...!!!" squealed the tired-looking Chinese attendant behind the counter, with 2 very effeminate scowling Oriental staff on either side of him, "Long time no see ahh....handsome boy..!! Why you not come for such long time..?" 

"Nǐ hǎo.....Wǒ máng gōngzuò", replied FuelMix politely in Mandarin.

"Many people here for yooo tooooday...have fun ah..!!"

FuelMix pushed open the door and was taken aback....the place was certainly full of people.  It was also full of something else...

CALORIES......

Yes fags, the premises were (over)loaded with Fat And Fugly GAMs. Everywhere one looked there was another yellow blimp lumbering along.  

FuelMix sighed in disappointment.....6 months absence and he had showed up in great anticipation early on a Saturday evening. Maybe too early, maybe too much anticipation.

"You know...", said a really skinny GAM who sidled up to FuelMix,  "you and I are the only ones here who aren't fat...I think early Saturday evenings to I dunno, maybe 11pm, is happy hour for fat guys...what do you think..?"

We both sighed.

FuelMix left at 9pm.


1.  Readers may submit reviews of gay saunas in any Asian city;
2.  FuelMix no longer gives personalized sauna advice; 

© Copyright 2006-2015 FuelMix All Rights Reserved