Gay Sauna Write Off List - July 2018

1.  Here is FuelMix's updated list of the gay saunas as at July 2018 that he's written off as a waste of time and money.  It is purely subjective, based on his published reviews and input from GAM-Throats-On-The Street. Readers can draw their own conclusions and submit a review.

2.  In fact, readers can submit a  review of a gay sauna in any  Asian city.  With few exceptions, most readers are too passive to say anything.  Instead, they'll swallow the "sauna reviews" shit found on the more mainstream gay sites.

3.  Whatever.

• Alexander (closed 30 November 2016);
• Arena (opened 10 September 2016);
• Big Top;
• Birds (opened 27 February 2016);
• Galaxy;
• Central Escalator;
• Chaps;  We were told this place had closed down.  When we called the number to check this, nobody picked up the phone.  We are seeing recent reviews of this place on TravelGayAsia (not very positive) and still nobody is picking up the phone.  If any reader has the definitive answer to whether Chaps is still in business, let us know;
• Colony;
• QQ Fitness; Although the clientele are mainly fugly GAMs plus GAM Twinks, we hear GWMs in their 30s, in decent shape to gym fit, do show up here because of its extremely discreet location and, according to our GAM-Throats-On-The Street, because it's located just around the corner from the very well known upstairs toilets in Cross Street, just outside Wanchai Park.

  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.  Considering there are so many hotels in that area with horny tourists. that's not a good sign.

6.  There is always Kowloon Park, conveniently located on the corner of Haiphong Road and Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui.  From what we've seen and heard, this just gets busier and busier in the evenings from about 6:30pm till midnight and beyond.  And yes, fags, tourists from all over know about this place.  Word is spreading.

7. We have a lot of information about actual and potential cruising areas around town, (from direct observation and what we've been told by our friendly GAM-Throats-On-The Street) We're not sure whether to upload it and create the definitive guide, together with readers' contributions, (just like the gay sauna guides) or whether to forget it.

• 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;

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Ignorant (Gay..??!!) Indians

COMPLETED 26 APRIL 2018

a.k.a. "I am married, so I am Top.." (heavy Indian accent)...
a.k.a. "Helooo [sic] baby..!" (heavy Indian accent)...
a.k.a. "Why not you don't play with me huh.?" (heavy Indian accent)... 

1.  See what we wrote in the 5 part series:

Four Kinds Of Curry 1
Four Kinds Of Curry 2

versus

Four Kinds Of Curry 3 - The Indians we are talking about
Four Kinds Of Curry 4 - The Indians we are talking about
Four Kinds Of Curry 5 - The Indians we are talking about

2.  Oh dear, oh dear....Indians in Categories 3, 4 and 5 above, are flooding into Very Rich Megacity in astonishing numbers.  In the process, they are royally pissing off and embarrassing those Indians mentioned in Categories 1 and 2 above.

3.  The crux of such resentment between 1 and 2 vs 3,4 and 5 is an intra-cultural discrepancy.  Assessing our observations, talking to GAMs, GWMs and those Indians in Categories 1 and 2, (and purely as an unscientific thesis), we can extrapolate the following:

• Indians in all 5 categories are certainly academically educated (in many cases, overly-educated) or are businessmen;
• Those Indians in Categories 3,4, and 5 showing up here in Very Rich Megacity, are the middle class seeking employment or business opportunities or nouveau riche.
• Categories 3,4, and 5 may include professionals or businessmen. Some may be quite wealthy but they are not regarded as equal by those Indians in Categories 1 and 2;
• Categories 1 and 2:

1. act differently;
2. dress differently;
3. have more finesse in social interaction;
4. are comfortable with westerners and may have more western friends;
5. speak with no accent, or with a western accent;

• Categories 3, 4 and 5 are well.....more Indian-ethnic.  Nothing wrong with that when it comes to cultural, religious and celebratory events where everyone is in traditional dress. But at the same time, such ethno-centricity raises suspicions of a ghetto mentality.  They tend to mix with their own kind - all newly arrived middle class or noveau riche types.  You will not find them socializing in the hip parts of town where Categories 1 and 2 will be;
•  Categories 3,4 and 5 carry a peculiar sense of social entitlement and a complete lack of social finesse, despite the employment, education and/or the cash.  One GAM showed us pictures on his mobile phone where a group of 8 (recently arrived) Indians in their 20s and 30s living in his block of flats, appeared at the residential clubhouse gym one evening - in their pyjamas, flip-flops and toothpicks hanging out of their mouths.  The gym machines became couches from which Hindi banter was hollered across the premises.  Customers complained to the management.  When the Indians were told there was a dress code in the gym, they argued that they shouldn't have to comply since they were already paying rent and management fees.....

4.  In India, gay sex is illegal.  Then add:

• bigotry;
• ignorance; 
• sexual ignorance;
• religious intolerance;
• peer pressure to conform;
• very conservative home life;
• an insistence on academic excellence;
• family pressure to marry;
• no defined gay neighbourhoods;
• no openly gay bars, clubs, cafes and restaurants;
• no openly gay saunas;
• no urban gay retail;
• no large scale gay events;
• no gay marriage;
• no gay rights enshrined in law;
• limited gay advocacy;
• police arrests and intimidation of gay men, often requiring bribes;
• gay-bashing; 
• a long history of homosexual transvestite prostitution, frequently with violence;
• rampant gay-for-pay;
• a population of 1.5 Billion....

5.  ..... and what one ends up with, are millions of tech-savvy, miserable, ignorant, chauvinistic, artificially macho, socially inept, probably married or soon to be married (highly closeted) gay men who are still blinking in the light of the comparative gay freedoms found in Hong Kong. (And remember, Hong Kong still has some ways to go in terms of gay equality).

6.  To them, a Hong Kong gay sauna is a HHHUUGGGGEEE  deal.

7.  But they arrive at the local saunas totally unprepared.....online gay porn will only get you so far when it comes to gay sauna etiquette and for all their academic prowess, we hear anecdotally and have witnessed, Categories 3,4 and 5 being rather slow learners.

8.  Human nature shows a tendency to make assumptions about foreigners and dump them in one (usually perjorative) category.  Our series, Four Kinds Of Curry, and this post, attempts to draw some historical, social and behavioural distinctions found in the huge Indian diaspora.

9.  From what we hear from GWMs and GAMs, those Indians in Categories 1 and 2 can be hot, fun to play with and well mannered.  The other categories not so much.

10.  The projected reality is that Indians across all 5 categories listed above will become much more visible in Hong Kong gay saunas:

• It has already happened in Central Escalator (remember CE bills itself as the most international);
• It has already happened in Galaxy (which for some time has attracted the older, fatter and darker types);
• It is happening in Big Top, MyWay and Soda (GAMs have told us that Indians showing up in those saunas are either local or, were brought up in the UK and US, with some Indian tourists from India and the United Arab Emirates - specifically Abu Dhabi and Dubai  The latter makes sense.....we'd noticed for a while that our web stats were showing hits from the Emirates).

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The Watersports Ambassador 2

Best Gay Saunas In Hong Kong For Watersports Fun

The 32 year old, western-educated, professional, local Chinese (who describes himself as, "The Watersports Ambassador"), continues his conversation with FuelMix in the sauna:

Unlike Europe and the US, there's no purpose-built gay space in Hong Kong for watersports parties. I've been doing the rounds of the saunas in town to see which are the best venues for watersports action. Due to the way that saunas are laid out in Hong Kong, I just looked at the suitability of the Shower Areas.  Do you want me to tell you....?  You can tell your buddies and who knows...? Maybe things will happen...

[Set out by FuelMix in alphabetical order with "The Watersports Ambassador's" comments, as best as he can recall]:

Arena - The shower area is huge and just perfect, especially the 2 more private showers behind the partition wall;

Big Top - Nah, it's very small and very public and there's usually a queue of people waiting for the shower;

Birds - Forget it.  Too dark.

Central Escalator - Nah, too small;

Colony - That shower area is decent sized and has potential.  If you get turned on being watched by the guys in hot tub, that could be fun;

Galaxy - quite possible, 'coz most of the showers are private - except the ones near the Steam Room;

Gateway - possible if they're not too many peeps around.  Nice shower area;

Gong Guan - oh wow..!! Just perfect.  Very nicely done shower area with just the right amount of privacy and publicity.  Can you imagine how hot it would be if you're showering near the glass window as people are walking by and there's a guy kneeling down in front of you and you're pissing on him as you're showering...??!!  And there's also the slightly hidden showers.

Hutong - just too attitudinal wherever you go in the premises.  Those guys are probably drinking their own piss anyway when no one's looking.....HAHAHAHAHAHA..!!! 

Jungle - the showers have potential 'coz they're behind a partition.  Bit of attitude though.

KK Fitness - haven't been there yet.  But I'm told it's a much older crowd with some younger guys.

My Way - Nice shower area, big and bright.  Very public so it requires some confident guys to play.  But the showers have some great potential;

QQ Fitness - Shower area has surprisingly good potential, especially the 2 large private showers;

Rainbow - Haven't been;

Soda - Small shower area done in black tiles. Certainly has potential;

You know the Gay Hanky Code..?  Yeah..?  If I'm downtown and wearing jeans, I stick a yellow hanky in the back right hand pocket.  You know what that means...?  Man...it would be awesome if a hot guy stopped me in the street and said, "I saw the hanky, let's do it....there's a sauna nearby".

If  I'm cruising around, feeling slutty, I've run into white gay guys on the street who've spotted my hanky.  Their eyes widen and they're thinking like, "OMG...!! Is this chink really into piss...??!! Fuck yeah...!!"  I smile and lick my lips as I walk past.

Lately, if I walk past hot local Chinese with my yellow hanky sticking outta my right butt, all I get is, "nice hanky..!!"  AAAAAaaaaaargh....!!!

 
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The Watersports Ambassador 1

"When you honestly share who you are, the men who are a match for it, will show up - and the better you will feel about yourself"
------The Watersports Ambassador 

A 32 year old, professional, western-educated, local Chinese talks about why he's a self-proclaimed "Ambassador For Watersports And Raunchier Sex".  The conversation took place at the sauna where "The Watersports Ambassador" cruised FuelMix:

I'm always looking for hot guys with muscular bodies and Cut cocks.  Unlike other gay guys, age and race are not an issue for me.  Body type, personality and open-mindedness are.  I'm not into stocky guys, fat guys, out-of-shape Daddy guys or really skinny twinks.  I'm not into smokers and drug-takers. I don't smoke, I'm drug and disease-free and I get tested.  Occasionally, if it's offered, I might do Poppers.

I don't bother with shit like Craigslist or Grindr or whatever.  None of that works for me.  I think it's a scam and it's depressing.  I didn't like the attitude, the time-wasting and frequently, the abuse I got when I honestly told them what I'm into.....talk about judgmental fags......

I'm into Piss and Raunch.  I got into it a few years ago after I attended the gay piss parties in San Diego and Los Angeles.  That's when I realized I'm a Bottom when it comes to that type of play.  I get turned on when I'm kneeling down in front of a hot guy and he's pissing on me - all over me, on my face, my lips, my body.  If I feel like drinking some,  I'll open my mouth and let his piss hit my tongue and I'll gulp it down too.  Often I'll deep throat his cock and let him control the piss flow down my throat while he spits on my face and continues to fuck my mouth while pissing down my throat.

I love using piss and spit as a means of sexual fun.  It broadens my repertoire and it broadens my appreciation of the man too.......a hot open-minded guy is a huge turn on..!!

When I realized I was attracted to piss and raunch play and that I really loved being a Bottom in that kind of play, it was really liberating.  I didn't have to explain myself to anybody, I had found my sexual niche and I was very happy.  The gay watersports venues are easy to find in the US and Europe. You don't have to waste your time looking for the right guys online and dealing with no shows.  At those watersports parties, at least 100 guys would show up, a lot of them with good bodies.

What I discovered when I was living in the US and attending the piss parties, was that I never got the stupid attitude that white guys would give an Asian guy in the saunas.....you know that whole "preference" shit..... I never felt or experienced that unspoken racism that normally exists in the saunas.......and you know what the irony was...?? Some of those watersports parties were actually held in the gay saunas where normally, the white customers were giving Asians attitude...!!  It was just a whole different crowd.

At those parties, I had no trouble finding guys of all ethnicities to play with, either individually or in groups.  First I thought, maybe because I was a piss bottom, being Asian was just fine with them........it was just a way they could act out their "superior" racism on me........but then, I started getting invitations to attend private gay piss parties from both Asians and whites who were a combination of Tops and Bottoms.  It was amazing......I could be a piss bottom AND I could be versatile when it came to fucking.....the guys were friendly, they were in great shape, there was no attitude - and we'd meet up afterwards for a burger and salad...!! HAHAHAHAHAHA...!!

That's when I realized something about gay guys into raunch.....there was waaaaay less attitude and racism and a lot more honesty.  I had guys who said that they were HIV+ and who said they would only piss on my body.  That was fine by me.  No harm done.

And here's the thing about piss play.  A lot of guys - especially here in Hong Kong - are totally ignorant about how safe it is compared to other gay sexual activities like barebacking or cum swallowing or sex under the influence of drugs.  

For example, there is no risk to you if someone pisses on your body.  Just shower it off.  Also, HIV cannot be transmitted by drinking piss.  But HIV can be transmitted in cum and saliva.  However, just like in sucking and fucking unprotected, if you swallow piss from another guy, you could ingest the micro-organisms of gonorrhea and chlamydia that live in his urethra - the piss shaft.  But, piss by itself, is sterile.  There is no risk to you if you drink your own piss.

If the guy is a heavy drug-user, then you could be ingesting the fluid remains of the drugs in his system. Not a good idea.

The point I'm making is that there are Gay Health resources online in which people can find out the pros and cons of watersports.  It just cracks me up when I see these stupid local Chinese guys chain-smoking in the sauna, taking Viagra, doing poppers, admitting to taking drugs - and then claiming they're healthy and only into safe sex.  Yeah right..... they're in denial, they're so fuckin' ignorant, they're not as healthy as they claim - and they're missing out on new and in some ways, a safer sexual experience.

Can I offer you some links about watersports.....?   You can pass them around to your friends and tell them it's from "The Watersports Ambassador..!!" **

FuelMix says:

**To get the links:

• write to fuelinjectedmale@live.hk 
• Subject Line: Piss On Me..!!
• make a request for the links
• state you are of legal age
• say why you like this blog

 Incomplete emails will be ignored
(VIP Readers can simply request the links) 

COMING UP IN PART 2:
Best Gay Saunas In Hong Kong For Watersports Fun
 
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Happier, Healthier Bottoming

Everything you need to know:

https://www.out.com/news-opinion/2017/12/18/17-tips-happier-healthier-bottoming#slide-1

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The Cost Of A Boner

1.  Theoretically Bulletproof
2.  Why Go To A Gay Sauna..?
3.  The Costs Of Being A Regular

1.  Theoretically Bulletproof

Fashionable though it is to moan about the economy, recession, deflation and inflation, one Fagland institution theoretically thrives whatever the economic cycle......the gay sauna


2.  Why Go To A Gay Sauna..?

FuelMix can think of 16 reasons why a dude would front up at a gay sauna:

• He’s horny;
• It’s a home away from home, regardless of whether he’s a local or a visitor
• It’s a place to run and hide from the office, the wife and kids or str8 people in general;
• He’s horny and stoned, or looking to get stone,d somewhere semi-private;
• Force of habit. That’s more powerful than most fags feel comfortable admitting;
• He’s stressed and needs to blow a load;
• The sauna has Blackout Nites, Dip n’ Dash, Lunchtime Specials, Theme Nights;
• Recurring curiosity – coupled with In / Out privileges;

• Group sex with no questions or explanations;
• Conversation and gossip;
• A great place to surf the net for gay porn without fear of recrimination or snooping;
• Doesn’t matter if you’re a fag or not, men give each other the best blow jobs;
• If he identifies himself as str8, he won’t be judged so long as he’s a good suck or fuck;
• Faster than a gay bar when it comes to getting action;
• Could be faster than an app when it comes to getting action; 
• Great place to practice your attitude and / or be perceived as an asshole;

Any time a fag crosses the threshold of a sauna, it’s usually a combination of the above reasons. And that’s only right. Men are complex dudes too, even if some cling to the dubious notion that they’re “mainly” str8 (to within an acceptable margin of error).


3.  The Costs Of Being A Regular

Whilst the initial costs of entry into a gay sauna seem attractive, the financial costs of being a regular customer add up.

The other day, here in Very Rich Megacity, FuelMix overheard a fag telling another fag that he went to different saunas 4 to 5 times a week after work, although he didn’t get action every time.

Fair enough. Let’s do the math.  As at November 2017, sauna prices in VRM vary from about $70 (Birds) to $230.00 (Hutong) per entry. We'll use official entry fees because we are aware of Fugly Fags who simply don't get discounted entry:

Scenario 1 (Official Entry Fee) Going 5 x a week, same sauna
Cheapest (same sauna 5 times a week): 70 x 5 = $350.00;
Assume 4 weeks in a month: $1,400.00 per month
Most Expensive (same sauna 5 times a week): 230 x 5 = $1,150.00
Assume 4 weeks in a month: $4,600.00 per month

Scenario 2 (Official Entry Fee) Going 5 x a week, 3 different saunas
Birds $70.00; Soda $130.00; Gong Guan $168.00
Birds 1 x a week = $70;
Soda 2 x a week = $260.00;
Gong Guan 2 x a week = $336.00
Sub-total: $666.00 a week
Assume 4 weeks in a month: $2,664.00 per month

Then add:

• Transportation costs (MTR, Bus, Mini-Bus, Taxi);
• Cigarettes;
• Poppers;
• Viagra;
• Drugs;
• Eating out before or after sauna;
• After-sex Starbucks with hot trick;

We have NOT included the cost of drinking at a gay bar or the costs of hiring an escort during the week (which we're aware that some fags have done in addition to showing up at the sauna that week).

Regardless of the state of the economy, the gay sauna wins. (We are ignoring for the moment, lousy sauna management or a lack of clientele that forces a shutdown).

When a fag loses his job, or had a lousy day at the office, he’s stressed, pissed off, angry, vindictive and suffering from low self-esteem. He’s looking for release and validation via Revenge Sex or being treated as a totally worthless faggot whore used as sauna scum by the others.

Conversely when a fag is on a roll (i.e. a Legend in His Own Lunchtime) he’s gonna cum looking for sexual validation of his superiority as a raging Top or a pig Bottom.

And let’s face it. If a dude has the face and bod, a gay sauna is the easiest place to get a party going. Forget the fact that the weather outside is frightful or that the snow on the coffee table is so delightful.

Nobody knows your name (at least accurately) but they’re always glad you came – over and over again.

In either case, the state of the fag’s cash flow, whether in deficit or surplus, is irrelevant.  The thing is, it adds up over time.  Pleasure has a price to pay.

Originally published 18 January 2009
Amended and Republished 9 November 2017

In Praise Of Older Men

FuelMix in conversation with a 20-something better-than-average-gym-bod local GAM who gave his views on his "preference":

It's obvious that I have a gym bod and I'm not afraid to flaunt it.  If I go to saunas like Hutong, it takes forever to get action.  These other muscle boys stare at everyone but stand around leaking attitude with a grim expression on their faces.  OK, the action can be wild, but, fuuucck.....it takes so long 'coz they're all pretending they're not interested and they're just too hot for you.

With Big Top, My Way, Jungle, it's pretty much the same thing.....attitude, attitude, attitude.  After a while, you question what you're paying for and why you have to wait so long to get it.

What I discovered about older guys - whether GAM or GWM - is that they don't waste time when they're cruising you.  They make it very obvious they want you.  Is it desperate...? Who knows...?  I'm a Top and a lot of older guys are Bottoms.  They're not in the best physical shape, they're nothing to look at and they know it.  I get annoyed when these flabby GWMs just assume I'm a Bottom and then mutter under their breath when I tell them I'm a Top. That's one of the reasons I stopped going to Central Escalator.  Fuckin' hairy, fat, white guys giving me attitude.  Forget it.

So most of the time, I play with older GAMs.  They can be very humble and very grateful at the same time.  It's quite touching actually, how they compliment my bod, stroke me, kiss me.  They love to service and I love getting serviced.  And when I fuck them, they moan and scream like little Japanese teenagers.  Makes me giggle.

I don't mind if they want me to cum in their mouth or on their face.  I've had some explosive orgasms with these older guys - which is not what I was expecting.  Sometimes we swap numbers and occasionally I've hooked up with the same guy more than once in the sauna.

The more I think about it, the more I enjoy these older GAMs aged 50 and up.  The oldest GAM I played with in the sauna was 71 and wow.....!! He was an amazing cocksucker...!!  I was really banging his face. I found that the more I played with older GAMs, the less I cared about what they looked like.  I was just pleasantly surprised how quickly I would get action from them.  I could get my rocks off with 3 or 4 older guys in the sauna and leave, pretty satisfied with the servicing.  Meanwhile those other "really hot muscleboy" GAMs were still standing around looking grim and giving attitude.

But there's something else I noticed.  The older GAMs don't do drugs the way the younger GAMs do.  Some do Poppers, but in my observation, it's not to the same extent as these 20 and 30-something GAMs that combine Poppers, cigarettes and Viagra all night long in the sauna.

The older GAMs seem to be more aware of their health.  Or maybe, they're more aware of their mortality.  Some are obviously married with kids my age, or even grand kids.  They may have some other health problems due to their age.  I know that some take Viagra, 'coz they told me, but other than that, I don't see or suspect the drug use that I definitely know goes on with the younger GAMs.  I doubt whether the older GAMs in this town are on cocaine, ecstasy, crystal meth like the younger ones are.

In a funny way, I feel reassured when I fuck older GAMs.  I don't feel like I'm fucking a drug cocktail or a health hazard and I know I won't get attitude.  I wanna make it clear I'm talking about Hong Kong older GAMs.  I don't touch older Mainland Chinese GAMs.

The only drawback is that I have to show up in places like Galaxy in Tsim Sha Tsui, or KK Fitness in Jordan or QQ Fitness in Wanchai.  They're not the best looking saunas, but that's where the older guys are.  Some also show up in Birds in Tsim Sha Tsui or Gateway in Wanchai which is OK.  If I get cruised on the street by an older GAM, I'll usually suggest Gateway, Birds or Galaxy. I hope older GAMs will also show up in Soda.

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Blue Balls, Blue Moods

On an overcast evening downtown, FuelMix bumped into an attractive face and body which he instantly recognized and from whom he was happy to receive a hug.

"FuelMix, I am soooo depressed...!!"  sighed the muscular GAM Personal Trainer, with whom FuelMix had fond memories of playing in the sauna, in stairwells and in abandoned urban buildings awaiting renovation, "I'm not happy going to the saunas these days...there's no good energy..!!"

FM:  Yeah, I know...I feel the same way.  I have written off so many saunas

GAMPT:  Even coming to Tsim Sha Tsui is disappointing. This is the centre of town but Galaxy is hideous with fat, ugly people or old guys from Mainland China, Birds is dark with skinny, ugly people and Arena.....is a disaster.

FM: [giggling]:  So true.  Yesterday evening, some guy cruised me on the street in TST and suggested Galaxy. I said I would only show up if he gave me the cash now to pay the fee on the way out 'coz I had written the place off.  He gave me the cash, we went in, I got serviced, used his cash to pay on the way out.

GAMPT [in mock righteous tone]:  You little hustler...!!

FM [laughing]:  Hey...!!  I didn't make any money outta the guy.  Just used his cash to pay what I would have had to pay to the Front Desk.

GAMPT:  Do you know I've stopped to going to Hutong..?

FM:  Why..? With a body like yours..?

GAMPT:   The official entry fee is about HK$230.00.  I never used to pay that in the past, since I always got a discount.  I didn't show up for a couple of months because I was working and then last week when I went, the guy asked me to pay HK$230.00.  I told him I was never asked to pay this amount before and he just shrugged and said I had to pay HK$230.00.  I got angry and left.  I'm not going back.

FM:  Ouch...

GAMPT:  I went to Big Top in the past but didn't like it.  Alexander has now closed.  So for me, there is nothing in Mong Kok or Tsim Sha Tsui.

FM:  What about My Way in Causeway Bay..? I've been there a few times, not that frequently.  The manager asked why I don't show up more often.  The guys there are good looking, but sometimes it can take a while to get action

GAMPT:  Yes....that is now the only sauna I show up at on weekends.  It has good looking local guys, not so many Mainland Chinese.  It does take a while to get action.  

FM:  I've been to My Way on weekdays between 5pm and 8pm and there were interesting people there.  They have nice bodies but there can be a lot of attitude. 

GAMPT: I'm getting so fed up of attitude in the saunas.....To be honest, I'm getting fed up of being gay.  You can't meet the right guys online, you can't meet the right guys on the street,  you can't meet the right guys in the sauna.....and if you don't do drugs or clubbing, you have even less chance.  It's so frustrating.....I'm watching all this media shit about Hong Kong hosting the Gay Games in 2022 and I'm thinking, "Whatever...... why don't they have "Good Manners For Gay Men" as one of the sports...?? or "The One Hour Drug-Free Challenge..??"  Who gives a fuck about these guys swimming, running and dragon-boating..??

FM:  Yeah....I get angry and fed up too.  Sometimes I get asked why I don't have a BF and I just point and say, "Have you seen the shit that's out there..??!!"  I'm not paying attention to the Gay Games either.  I suspect Hong Kong will get it, but it still looks like a Pride Parade With A Locker Room 

GAMPT [laughs]:  I'm surprised those fags will even come out of the Locker Room..!!  Think of all the underwear and jock-strap sniffing, the group jack-offs, fucking in the toilets, cocksucking in the showers....

FM:  Those are the REAL Gay Games..!! 

GAMPT [laughing]:  Gimme a hug studboy...!! I gotta get to the gym and train some fat white guy.  I charged him more because he bores me.....[hugs FuelMix and gives him a quick kiss on the cheek.  Old Chinese lady walking past, smiles].


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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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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

Hutong Sauna 18

2/F Kar Wong Building
639 - 645 Shanghai Street
Mong Kok
Kowloon
Hong Kong
MTR: Mong Kok Station, Exit A2

(Cross Shanghai Street from Mong Kok Station Exit A2.  Building entrance is actually on the pedestrian-only part of Fife Street)

Tel: 2396 9595
Web: Hutong Sauna
Open 24 hours 

 

WORD ON THE STREET UPDATE 26 APRIL 2017
HUTONG A LAUGHING STOCK

Hotness Factor Still Crashing
Customers Fed Up of High Prices 

Toxic Attitude Of The Guys Who Show Up 

On the humid and slimy streets of Very Rich Megacity, we ran into 2 of our friendly GAM-Throats-On-The-Street looking pissed off as they twittered between themselves.

"Hey fags!!" said FuelMix brightly, "gimme some news..!!  Why you looking more ugly than usual..??!!"

"Aaaiiiyaaaahh...." crowed the young skinny one, "Hutong sooo greedy..!!  I go yesterday after a few weeks and now the "official" entry cost is HK$230.00".

"Really..?" said FuelMix, "I haven't been there and I wouldn't pay that anyway. So you paid HK$230.00..?"

"No" said skinny GAM, "I have so-called "discount" member entry of HK$150.00..."

"That doesn't sound like a discount to me..." muttered FuelMix, "that is the listed entry price for Jungle and MyWay which are also open 24 hours".

" I know", said skinny GAM, "It is getting too expensive..."

"So....did you have fun in Hutong..?" enquired FuelMix

"No...not really" said skinny GAM, "the guys coming to Hutong are not so hot...lots of Mainland Chinese tourists from all over China showing up there...OK....some are good looking, but many are fat and there are also fat guys who used to go to Alexander..."

"What about the Hong Kong muscleboys who go to Hutong...?" asked FuelMix

"Stand around, stand around...pretend they are too good for you...just makes them more ugly..." sighed the skinny GAM, "it all feels like a waste of time and money....they think they are so 'special'..."

"Where are you getting action then, these days?" asked FuelMix 

"Easier to cruise on the streets..!!"  giggled skinny GAM, "or go to Physical gym - ANY Physical gym..!!" 

His gym fit friend grinned and nodded. 

"Interesting", thought FuelMix, that was consistent with the  complaints and annoyance he had heard in MyWay a few weeks ago. 

And No, faggot, we're not taking sides by trying to promote one sauna against another. Nobody pays us for our reviews. We're just faithfully reporting what we hear from those who give us information.  You draw your own conclusions.

• 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

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.

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