Gay (friendly) pubs in region Akdeniz (Antalya)

[joerg]

Do you know gay (friendly) pubs in the region of Akdeniz (Antalya)?

[bistallion]

Hi Joerg,

I am German but answer in English because of the other readers. The bad message is: There are only very few (gay) pubs in the way you are used from Germany. The good message: You do not need them to make contacts!
If you are interested I can tell you much more details! I was often there. Just mail me and I tell you everything you need.

Stefan

[Murat]

There are several gay areas and one gay bar in Antalya itself. let me know if you want more details

[bistallion]

Dear Murat, I was often in Antalya and think will also be in the future. So pls tell me details. What I know is, that there was a gay bar near a gay small hotel/pansyon in the old town (kaleici) that was closed in 2006. And that there must also be a gay bar nearby Cumhurriyet Caddesi. But I never found it. And there is a hamman not far from the old town - not especially gay but visited from men whole like to "relax." I saw it from outside, but have to look what the name of the street was exactly. I think it is not far from Ali Cetinkaya caddesi. And gays meet also in the park near Konyaalti Bulvari and in Karaalioglu-Park.
Perhaps Joerg can tell us more - I think he must be back from Antalya.

[Murat]

Dear Bistallion. Have you looked at the Turkish gay website section on Antalya. I know where the gay bar is, it is not easy to find.There are a couple of not very pleasant looking straight bars on the floor above. It does not get busy 'til about midnight. I am not sure whether I would feel safe leaving ithe bar alone. If you want more info let me know and I will send you a private message. One tip, do NOT go alone to the cruise area by the sea day or night, the one you get to via the park. I think you know where I mean. My partner and I last September were watching the comings and goings (its very subtle, you would not notice unless you were looking) a young man walked quickly back into the park, three other men appeared to be looking for him, they lost him. I am 90 per cent certain the three men were police officers in plain clothes "cleaning up the area"

[bistallion]

Thank you Murat for your information.
People who are interested find detailed information at www.antalya.de and www.turkeygay.net
I wonder if the Antalya people accept - more or less - an open gay bar in the city centrum. Turkish people are normally such wonderful people, I really love them, but with regard to gay life they are so damned conservative - even if many turkish men practice bisex.
What a pity!!!!!!!

[Murat]

There are real conflicts developing in Turkey between the secularists and conservative Islamists. It is, even in Istanbul, being openly gay is risky, recently a leading openly gay actvist was shot dead in the street. It is safer to be bisexual and to be the domninant partner. Turks have an odd attitude to gay men and Antalya sums it up. The cruise areas, except one, are in the busiest parts of Town, the bar is on the road with the tram heading towards the archeological museum. It is tolerated providing it is discreet because Antalya is a westernised city. In the past I have had relationships with gay Turks in England. The ones I have met in Turkey, in Antalya, Kusudasi, Istanbul etc have invariably asked for money, something they don't do when they meet fellow turks for sex. They see us as sex tourists and I suppose they have a point. I think you are far more likely to find a Turk in Germany who is willing to enter into a relationship than to find one in Turkey. It saddens me, last time my partner and I were in Antalys we were cruised by a very good looking Turk. We met up wth him as few times. He wanted us to go for sex, in an area I regarded as a bit unsafe so we declined. We met for coffee and his conversation would always end up to be about the money I earned, how he was broke, and needed money for his children etc. We liked him and when got back to England we sent him some money to help in out. The trouble is that from further conversations we had over the phone it was clear that what he wanted from us was money. We stopped communicating with him. A pity because he was a lovely guy. The reality was that he was out of work and he was using us, just milking a couple of middle aged gay guys for what he could get. To be honest I don't blame him. If I was in his situation I wuold do the same. My (straight) brother met him and he worked it out straight away. I wish it could have been different. My partner and I would really like to have some Turkish friends

[giosy]

Dear can you send me news to my mail? tranapoli[AT]yahoo.it thmk giosy

[bistallion]

Dear Murat, thank you for your interesting posting.
Some minutes ago I did write down my experiences in turkey with different types of turkish guys regarding the money question. Unfortunately there occured a system error and my whole "report" disappeared! Now I am a bit tired to do the whole thing again. So I put it briefly now:
I had many s-experiences in turkey and most of them were wonderful. Most contacts were with boys/men who
a) did not ask for money and just enjoyed sex.
b) did ask for money after having sex but in a shy way, so not aggressively!

Most cases were a) and the cases of b) are not to compare with the agressive behaviour I experienced in North Africa.

I had also some few worse experiences but never of that kind that you really feel unsafe!
Perhaps my view is too "naive" and things became worse in the last years?
I know that the turkish society is very conservative but I myself must say that I never felt discriminated there. Perhaps I had just luck or I am privileged because I am a tourist. I must say I always felt well and safe.
So I would like to hear more reports from turkish men about Turkey and also from tourists!

Greetings to all!

Stefan

[Murat]

Dear Bistallion. I think things are changing. There are gay clubs in Istanbul where Bisexual Turks, often poor, who target tourists with the intention of demanding money/stealing from them. The Turkish gay guides warn you about them. I think that in Turkey the more discreet you are the better the time you will have and the fewer the risks. I remember a few years ago having a terrible time with a man I picked up in Kusudasi's cruise area. It was my fault I ignrored the advice in the gay guide. I got away from him by jumping into the first taxi I saw. By contrast, the very next night at the hotel the young waiter came to deliver a drink to my room. he smiled and the next hour was truly wonderful. He asked for money, like you said, not in an aggressive way and I did not hesitate to give it to him. What a pity I was returning home the next day. He came to my room to pick up my bag, Before he picked up the bag he glanced quickly down the corridor, saw it was empty, and kissed me quickly and told me to have a safe trip home. One of those moment in life, unexpected, and you treasure! So my "tally" for Kusudasi, one terrible and one brillliant! I have never been back, Kusudasi is not a very pleasant place for a holiday. If you do go to Antalya let me know what you think of the gay bar. I think the person who runs it is German. I will be in Ankara in October. It wil be interesting to see how things are there. Have a great holoiday where ever you go.

[bistallion]

It would be very interesting to read about real experiences here, little storys about good and bad encounters with men in different countries. I could tell many storys about turkey, but I am not sure how explicit I could be. Any rules in this forum?

[webmaster]

You can be as explicit as you want to.

[jhmmd1]

i never kwen it was so difficult in turkey

[bistallion]

What was difficult in turkey? I thought I just was telling that it was EASY in turkey.

[tiffany_tv]

i will be on holiday in Antalya for 1 week in June 2010
i have found several gay bars on various internet sites but many conflicting reports that they are now closed. i am at a loss to know which is open and which is closed. Reading between the lines on the internet i really think i will be lucky to find just one that is actually open.

i will try the Hammams insted and see waht happens if i get cruised in the streets.
i am also wondering if i can take a local back to my hotel ! No idea yet !
If anyone reads this and can get any info to me before i leave (June 10th) or during my 1 week stay , please do . Any information is appreciated.

Otherwise , i will write a full report at the end of June about my actual experience in Antalya , Turkey.

Kisses, Tiffany from London