Already Czeched out Prague? No longer Hungary for Budapest? OutUK's Adrian Gillan
gets wicked in Warsaw where the boys are fresh and the winters are raw.
Why on earth would anyone, not least a chic gay chick, want to visit Catholic,
post-Pact Warsaw particularly if it's the depths of winter?
Well firstly, you'd be doing something totally different; and secondly, the
very fact that not everyone here has been seduced and homogenised by the latest
fashions. That alone is really is what makes the Warsaw gay scene so interesting
and genuine, even though it's certainly not the most extravagant or
outrageous city in Europe.
|
Gay guest house Friends is near the Palace Of Culture & Science above. Photo: Peter Visontay.
|
The age of consent may be 15 for all persuasions now, yet it's hardly surprising
that - in the homeland of the Pope, flattened in World War Two and reshaped by
the rise and fall of Communism - there is still an underground feel to the city's
gay scene. There are almost no out gay public figures, celebrities or politicians
in Poland, and media still rarely like to fluster the Church-going masses.
BARS & CLUBS
There are however a range of gay bars and clubs to cater for all tastes. codeRED is one of the most
notable. It's a cruise club only for men featuring a dark room, video room, glory holes, bar
and good sized lounge area where you can sit quietly, enjoy a beer or a drink with friends and relax.
|
Old Market Square. Photo: Peter Visontay.
|
Tuesday's at codeRED it's the Naked Party, Friday is Underwear/Naked night and some other nights cater
for particular fetishes. You will also find a small sex shop with everything you need like gels, condoms,
cockrings and dildos. They have have some hot films displayed on monitors and even a cinema room. You can find
this popular club not too far from the Old Market Square.
|
Bunkier Club is a new club in Warsaw's Praga Polnoc district, few minutes by bus from Warsaw East
Station. They have something for everyone whether in a group or a pair, sports, leather and army, bears and
athletes, as well as bodybuilding, skins and punks who are all welcome too. They run a number of special nights
including underwear, T-shirt naked nights, as well as fetish events too.
Lodi Dodi is a trendy little gay bar in a quieter part of Warsaw often regarded as the best
gay bar in Warsaw. Its classic gay atmosphere attracts a range of ages - mostly bear, bearded types but
seems friendly for anyone. Nothing special behind the bar but everything you need is available. Lots of
music inside and videos on the tv. Super cute upstairs seating area as well.
Club Galeria is a well-established gay bar with two dance floors and karaoke facilities. They
host popular drag shows, small concerts and regular dance parties. There's a VIP room and also a
chill-out lounge. This is a hetero & gay friendly club most famous for its regular karaoke nights
which are currently the longest running karaoke shows in Warsaw.
|
For shopping, reFForm Fetish Store is an adult entertainment shop, with everything
you could want including gels, condoms, DVDs, cockrings and dildos. Products are well displayed and you don't
need to search around. Or alternatively, Sex Shop Warszawa Passion Erotic which although it's predominately
straight does offer a friendly and discreet service, and has a wide variety of
toys and stuff that will be of use for all us boyz.
|
Artistic construction of rainbow on Savior Square in Warsaw made of artificial flowers which has been vandalized
several times due to identification with the LGBT movement. Photo: jacek_kadaj.
|
SAUNA NIGHTS
The newest and largest gay sauna in Warsaw is Sauna The Fire. Here you will find a
large wet sauna with a rain shower, as well as a labyrinth with nice and clean darkrooms,
smoking room, massage salon, a huge bar, and an amazing fireplace with the hottest bartenders. There
are also regular weekly events which reflect their unrestrained desire to have fun in the warmth
and fire they surround their guests with.
Its rival, the well established Galla Sauna, lies just to the north on ulica Ptasia and is
also simmering with Polish males, young and old. There are both Finnish sauna and steam sauna
rooms, a bar, two TV rooms with a wide selection of movies, relaxation area and a smoking lounge.
OUTDOOR LIFE
Because of the underground nature of the scene, it's hardly surprising a lot goes on in
dark rooms, saunas and bushes. Park life is vibrant, especially during the day, but
beware: nights can be dangerous, so watch out. You can readily find boys in the
bushes in the magnificent Skaryszewski Park on the other side of the Vistula, not
least by the lake. But the busiest outdoor action at any hour of day or night is
in the parkland straddling ulica Ksiazeca east of Plac Trzech Krzyzy, a short walk
from the bars.
BED & BOARD
You can also get special deals at some good and some gay-friendly hotels and book online with
Booking.com
THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK
Bunkier Club (Bia.ostocka 5; T: +48 534 219 594; Website)
Club Galeria (plac Mirowski 1; T: +48 22 850 41 55; Website)
codeRED (Twarda 7; T: +48 22 299 19 25; Website)
Galla Sauna (ulica Ptasia 2, T: +48 22 652 19 88; Website)
Lodi Dodi (Wilcza 23; T: +48 797 457 421)
reFForm Fetish Store (Prosta 2/14; T: +48 22 101 77 47; Website)
Sauna The Fire (Twarda 44; T: +48 22 127 36 11; Website)
Sex Shop Warszawa Passion Erotic (Marszalkowska 81/9; T: +48 22 468 13 56)
Revised May 2019.
|
|