Istanbul - any recent experiences and recommendations?

[david1710]

I was thinking about Berk, maybe someone tried him.

[Quartz]

On 10/25/2023 at 2:45 AM, david1710 said:

I was thinking about Berk, maybe someone tried him.

Have you ended up visiting Istanbul or trying yourself? I’m planning a visit sometime next year.

[MikePDNA51]

Istanbul does have a scene.  I would use standard website: RentMasseur, HUNQZ, and Jock2Go.  There are gay bath houses but I have not been in a few years.  

[pubic_assistance]

35 minutes ago, MikePDNA51 said:

Istanbul does have a scene.  I would use standard website: RentMasseur, HUNQZ, and Jock2Go.  There are gay bath houses but I have not been in a few years.  

Last time I was in Istanbul the government had blocked gay websites. Like Grindr/Adam4adam and Rent.men

[david1710]

Been there a month ago 

Hmu

[Jim_n_NYC]

Going to Istanbul late March.  Any advice would be appreciated (in relation to gay scene or anything else that might be useful).

Edited January 19, 2024 by Jim_n_NYC

[pubic_assistance]

Be sure to stay near the Beyoğlu

Lots of young handsome guys to ogle, and nearby to the gay saunas.

 

[Jim_n_NYC]

So.  Istanbul ended up being a really cool place (tourist wise).  I went to three hammams and was underwhelmed, but will say they all seemed to be totally gay (one guy even told me everyone in the one I was at WAS gay).  Went to Cihangir (it was one block from our hotel), Firuzagha (felt exactly like a western bathhouse), and Yesildirek (big place but only 3 clients there, including myself).  I liked Cihangir the best, I think, just cuz of the cruisy atmosphere and it had a reliable mix of ages (both younger and older).

Other than that, we really enjoyed our trip there and didn't have the old "drop the shoe brush" scam tried on us until the last day (9th day) in Turkey.  The guy didn't seem too pleased we didn't stop for it, though we did laugh once we realized what had happened, lol.

[Maifon]

Any new experiences please? 

I noticed rates vary a lot: from 50 to 300 per hour. What about quality? 

[websurfer423]

Gonna go in July. Anyone has any story to share?

[Marc in Calif]

On 4/8/2024 at 9:32 AM, Jim_n_NYC said:

Other than that, we really enjoyed our trip there and didn't have the old "drop the shoe brush" scam tried on us until the last day (9th day) in Turkey.  The guy didn't seem too pleased we didn't stop for it, though we did laugh once we realized what had happened, lol.

I haven't heard of that scam. What happens exactly? 🙂

[Jim_n_NYC]

7 hours ago, Marc in Calif said:

I haven't heard of that scam. What happens exactly? 🙂

Really? I saw it mentioned in several tourist videos I watched prior to going.

But the gist of it is that a guy will walk past you and right before he passes you he'll drop a shoe shine brush so it's in your path (in our case it was about 6 feet from us when it hit the ground).  If you pick it up and give it back to him, he'll want to 'reward' you for the favor and want to shine your shoes.  If you let him, he'll then expect you to pay him for the shine.

We ignored the brush, though after a delayed reaction we looked at each other and chuckled since we realized what had just happened.  Thought we heard the guy cussing behind us, too, since we didn't pick it up.  LOL.

[jakolpre]

On 4/8/2024 at 7:32 PM, Jim_n_NYC said:

So.  Istanbul ended up being a really cool place (tourist wise).  I went to three hammams and was underwhelmed, but will say they all seemed to be totally gay (one guy even told me everyone in the one I was at WAS gay).  Went to Cihangir (it was one block from our hotel), Firuzagha (felt exactly like a western bathhouse), and Yesildirek (big place but only 3 clients there, including myself).  I liked Cihangir the best, I think, just cuz of the cruisy atmosphere and it had a reliable mix of ages (both younger and older).

Other than that, we really enjoyed our trip there and didn't have the old "drop the shoe brush" scam tried on us until the last day (9th day) in Turkey.  The guy didn't seem too pleased we didn't stop for it, though we did laugh once we realized what had happened, lol.

I’mguessing everyone in Cihangir sauna is gay? 

[pubic_assistance]

6 hours ago, jakolpre said:

I’mguessing everyone in Cihangir sauna is gay? 

Turks are funny this way.

Lots of guys who will have sex with guys but don't identify as "gay".

It's got a lot to do with thr expectation to marry a "virgin" but women are now attending college before marrying. So you have a whole generation of horny guys who's girlfriends won't put out until they're 21 or 22...so lots of the guys go with other guys temporarily until they marry. (And sometimes a little more after) 😉

[jakolpre]

On 8/29/2024 at 1:07 AM, pubic_assistance said:

Turks are funny this way.

Lots of guys who will have sex with guys but don't identify as "gay".

It's got a lot to do with thr expectation to marry a "virgin" but women are now attending college before marrying. So you have a whole generation of horny guys who's girlfriends won't put out until they're 21 or 22...so lots of the guys go with other guys temporarily until they marry. (And sometimes a little more after) 😉

Funnily enough i met a “bisexual” guy. Wanted to get sucked and top only. No kiss no Nipple play etc. also i love the hamams. Guys ready to fuck all the time. Crazy

[Wolfer]

On 9/10/2024 at 8:38 AM, jakolpre said:

Wanted to get sucked and top only. No kiss no Nipple play etc.

This is a very widespread phenomenon, because in their mind, as long as they don't do anything (what they think of as) submissive or "feminine" like bottoming, sucking dick or kissing they aren't gay, they're still straight.

So the guys in the hammam ready to fuck, I assume they're only topping, right? 

[BonVivant]

On 6/3/2024 at 1:33 AM, Jim_n_NYC said:

Really? I saw it mentioned in several tourist videos I watched prior to going.

But the gist of it is that a guy will walk past you and right before he passes you he'll drop a shoe shine brush so it's in your path (in our case it was about 6 feet from us when it hit the ground).  If you pick it up and give it back to him, he'll want to 'reward' you for the favor and want to shine your shoes.  If you let him, he'll then expect you to pay him for the shine.

We ignored the brush, though after a delayed reaction we looked at each other and chuckled since we realized what had just happened.  Thought we heard the guy cussing behind us, too, since we didn't pick it up.  LOL.

Best to have a NYC attitude!

[Strosj7]

Do you know which Instanbul is being referred to here in this Zachary Zane article 

Steam encounter in Turkish bath

[Jim_n_NYC]

7 hours ago, Strosj7 said:

Do you know which Instanbul is being referred to here in this Zachary Zane article 

Steam encounter in Turkish bath

Not sure, but it could be Cihangir, which was the one closest to our hotel.  It did have a steam room and a sauna, one big room, and a couple of smaller rooms and two or three massage rooms with doors.

[Strosj7]

On 11/14/2024 at 4:03 PM, Jim_n_NYC said:

Not sure, but it could be Cihangir, which was the one closest to our hotel.  It did have a steam room and a sauna, one big room, and a couple of smaller rooms and two or three massage rooms with doors.

Did cihangir feel more like a typical gay bathhouse, or a turkish hammam? Is it a real hammam or the former?

[Jim_n_NYC]

41 minutes ago, Strosj7 said:

Did cihangir feel more like a typical gay bathhouse, or a turkish hammam? Is it a real hammam or the former?

Hammam.  At least that's how it's set up.

[jakolpre]

On 11/16/2024 at 6:53 AM, Strosj7 said:

Did cihangir feel more like a typical gay bathhouse, or a turkish hammam? Is it a real hammam or the former?

Not a typical bathhouse. Not a typical hammam. Masseurs want you to purchase their extra sex services otherwise they become unfriendly right away. 

[Strosj7]

Thanks all

 

Anyone have recs on traditional hammams that look nice (eg white stone) where their is opportunity for cruising and / or massage extras. Not looking for a place that looks like a regular bathhouse

[+ jessmapex]

I am in Istanbul this week. But hiring providers (many are available on RM or Hunqz) is proving difficult. Hotels do not allow visitors to the room ..even if you have booked a room for 2. The second person must be registered with ID at the time of check in. The hotel workers watch you like a hawk in the lobby or elevator entrance. So disappointing.  Some guys host incalls, but as someone new to the country / city, I was hoping to host in my hotel room. 

I dont like bathhouses or steamy hamams, but looks like those are my only options.

Edited December 12, 2024 by jessmapex

[polysome]

Any new updates? Has anyone been to Aquarius sauna recently?