Venice or Rome recommendations

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

I'll be going on a cruise out of Italy next year for my 40th birthday.  It will be my first time in Europe.

Any must see gay bars/strip clubs/brothels in Venice or Rome?

[+ Axiom2001]

On 7/26/2021 at 3:34 PM, Vegas_nw1982 said:

I'll be going on a cruise out of Italy next year for my 40th birthday.  It will be my first time in Europe.

Any must see gay bars/strip clubs/brothels in Venice or Rome?

Check out https://gaycities.com, but assume everything has changed since the pandemic.  It has adversely affected almost everyone and everything worldwide.  It is hoped by the time of your travel, a few things have changed for the better.

I was in both cities about four years ago and found the offerings that were gay related in both cities to be rather slim; thus I chose NOT to indulge.

I rented a wonderful loft apartment that was within walking distance from the Collesium and a block away or so from a street that had a few gay venues.  Because I was unimpressed with the area itself,  I chose not to go inside of any of these places.

Edited September 2, 2021 by Axiom2001

[+ nycman]

Rome can be a stunningly provincial town. There are very few gay bars
and in my experience they aren’t particularly welcoming to non-Italian
speaking outsiders. Not to mention it’s a very closeted society in 
general. 

Of course, it only takes one fun gay Roman man to change the math
completely so I encourage you to explore. Most of the places I found
(pre-pandemic) were more like small coffee shops bars. Nice enough 
but nothing to write home about.

Enjoy the city, it’s amazing. It’s just not very "gay".

Venice is a swamp. 

[Fcfs]

Italy is rather quiet. Don't expect brothels or escort bars. You may want to check Hunqz for escorts but not expect much. Just walk around and maybe you ll meet some nice Italian. 

And if you have time try the Amalfi coast during summer, or Florence. Florence is one of the most beautiful places I've been and there is so much to see. Also Milan during the men fashion weeks if you like models. 😀

 

[HungreeMunkee69]

I’m traveling to Rome this weekend and would love to hear any recommendations anyone might have on bath houses, massage parlors or bars for cruising.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

@nycman, hai ragione!

Venice is not a late night city outside of Carnevale.  The city is littered with a lot of small, intimate bars, great for drinking the night away, but do not expect some exciting gay disco.  My advice is to explore the side streets.  Get lost.  If in doubt, stop into a hotel for a glass of wine, use their wifi and then get back on the horse.

Rome, as nycman said, can be downright inclusive.  Much like Japan, there are a lot of spots that are not entirely welcoming to Americans.  The saunas and brothels are closed and have been since the beginning of pandemic.  The best version of a gay bar you're going to find are gay-owned and gay-friendly restaurants.  

Coming Out and Men2Men are two weekly gay events that may or may not be still going strong.

@Vegas_nw1982: Whatever you do, don't go all the way to Europe just to look for sex and gay bars.  There's a ton of culture and history that can easily fill a week's worth of your time.  Where else is your ship docking?

[TelaramundItaly]

In Rome all the saunas are open

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Just now, TelaramundItaly said:

In Rome all the saunas are open

Even Europa?

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

18 hours ago, Benjamin_Nicholas said:

 

@Vegas_nw1982: Whatever you do, don't go all the way to Europe just to look for sex and gay bars.  There's a ton of culture and history that can easily fill a week's worth of your time.  Where else is your ship docking?

I've decided to postpone Europe until summer 2023, because of the ongoing closures.  I've booked a 7 night Rhine River Cruise that has been chartered by Adventure Bears, so all gay men.  It's no longer going to Italy, but I appreciate the responses on this thread this far.

I plan on flying to Munich.  4 nights in Munich, train to Zurich.  2 nights in Zurich and 2 nights in Lucerne with the tour group.  Cruise starts in Basel with stops in Strasbourg, Speyer, Mannheim, Rudesheim, Koblenz, Cochiem, Cologne, Amsterdam.  3 nights in Amsterdam, train to London, 5 nights in London, then fly back to the US.

I have some friends in London that will show me around for a day, and I'll reach out to @Jamie21 for his company in London.

 

[+ Lucky]

Rome is the most sexless city I have ever been to. There was a sauna, but so what. It didn't have a single hot guy, and the locals were not interested in tourists. The best you can do is sit on The Spanish Steps and watch the hot Italian guys. The all live with their mother.

[Jamie21]

4 hours ago, Vegas_nw1982 said:

I've decided to postpone Europe until summer 2023, because of the ongoing closures.  I've booked a 7 night Rhine River Cruise that has been chartered by Adventure Bears, so all gay men.  It's no longer going to Italy, but I appreciate the responses on this thread this far.

I plan on flying to Munich.  4 nights in Munich, train to Zurich.  2 nights in Zurich and 2 nights in Lucerne with the tour group.  Cruise starts in Basel with stops in Strasbourg, Speyer, Mannheim, Rudesheim, Koblenz, Cochiem, Cologne, Amsterdam.  3 nights in Amsterdam, train to London, 5 nights in London, then fly back to the US.

I have some friends in London that will show me around for a day, and I'll reach out to @Jamie21 for his company in London.

 

That sounds like a great trip…love to hear all about it when you visit @Vegas_nw1982. See you in 2023! 

[Jamie21]

4 hours ago, Lucky said:

Rome is the most sexless city I have ever been to. There was a sauna, but so what. It didn't have a single hot guy, and the locals were not interested in tourists. The best you can do is sit on The Spanish Steps and watch the hot Italian guys. The all live with their mother.

You get some hot guys at the Vatican….just saying 😉

[+ Lucky]

15 hours ago, Jamie21 said:

You get some hot guys at the Vatican….just saying 😉

But they are all wearing dresses!

[TelaramundItaly]

23 hours ago, Benjamin_Nicholas said:

Even Europa?

No, unfortunately Europa is definitely closed