The gay scene in Penang from a personal perspective

So for the past 7 weeks, I was in Penang the whole time, apart from work, I also go to the gym.. 

I hate to say this, even though Penang has plenty of nice food, I lost 5kg despite I ate a lot, double servings usually or up to 3 servings for dinner.. 

I attribute my drastic weight loss to the workload in Penang office, I have said it many times, I felt very fed-up and frustrated there.. I could understand why people leave cos I feel it myself too.. hence I guessed it was really stressful and I also did not sleep well every night..  

All in all, as a tourist, Penang is pretty alright, but to work and stay there, I felt Penang is relatively quiet and boring.. everyday I was counting down to the day when I eventually come back to KL.. 

As entertainment, I decided to check out the gay scene, I will break my thoughts down in bits and pieces, and do note they are my thoughts and I stand corrected if any.. 

I came back briefly for a day for the election and flew off in the evening after casting my vote.. In fact I burnt my return flight ticket scheduled for midnight and flew back to Penang on an earlier evening flight.. 

And finally drove back on Friday after Pakatan Harapan won the elections and a 2 days public holiday was declared.. I stayed back on Thursday just in case there's things to follow up, but since there's nothing to do, I checked out earlier and left on Friday straight back to KL..

I do miss home.. 

1. Seventy7 Nagore Square, Jalan Nagor

This is a gay bar.. I did not go because I do not have friends who drink and I rather not go socialise alone.. In fact, my 7 weeks in Penang was so boring I only go out with friends on weekends and spending time with my parents at home.. Weekdays I just work and go gym and then back to the hotel.. 

So I have no comments to make about this place.. It's just that it was so near to my hotel, just a few minutes walking distance, I feel I need to mention it.. 

Coming from Burma Road, as you approach Jalan Nagor, turn right just before Penang Plaza.. Seventy7 is just on your left.. 

2. Permata Sports Complex

Situated in Paya Terubong at the edge of Air Itam, this swimming pool features open showers and is always cruisy, especially in the evenings.. In the weekend mornings, it's quiet, but nothing short of cruising activities both in the pool and showers.. Every time I was there, there was always some light action in the showers..

Entrance is RM5 and the swimming pool is a 50m Olympic-sized pool with a one lane of 25m and in another corner, the deep end for diving.. Such a weird combination for a pool.. 

You may read more about it in posts below..

3. Romeo Sauna, Butterworth

I admit I did come here a few times on the weekends.. Entrance is RM20 (or was it RM25, can't remember cos I always have big notes and didn't check the change).. It's a small community sauna which I kinda prefer rather than big commercialised one.. I kinda like the settings despite some dirty old men (then again, where were they not be at?)

Action happen mostly in the steam room and dark room.. I don't understand why there is a platform in the dark room, a mis-step for a newbie and you can kick it and hurt your shin badly! 

It has a small open shower area with just 2 shower heads, but closed off from the outside with a curtain and frosted glass.. I also noticed some drinks and snacks near the entrance but I never bothered with it.. 

From Penang Bridge

Zoom-in

Layout of Romeo Sauna
*not to scale

I admit the place wasn't easy to find at all! But once you know where is it, you can't help but notice how easily and convenient it is to get there.. I am pretty sure there's a reason why they chose to be low-profile and kept their location a hush-hush thing, so if you want to know where is it exactly, just let me know.. 

One hint, it's just 1 minute from Juru Autocity and 5 minutes away from the Penang Bridge.. 

4. 1st Avenue toilet

Now this is one toilet that is wayyyyyyyy too busy to cruise.. It's the one that's outside Oppo, same level as the bridge to Komtar and Prangin..  I don't know why it makes the list..I went in to check to see how cruisy it is, but no.. too crowded all the time.. 

I go to 1st Avenue because of Texas Chicken on the LG floor!! 

5. Ground Floor toilet North Zone beside Padini, Queensbay Mall

Again, this toilet is way too busy with plenty of people in and out.. I mean, I do notice some eyes and people who stay longer than necessary in the toilet at the sinks but I just dismissed it off.. just way too busy.. 

6. Peepholes, cinema toilet Queensbay Mall

Now this is what I call a proper cruise toilet.. peepholes in each cubicle on both sides of the wall! People know, cos it's obvious but I guess nobody cares.. 

There are others like Padang Brown, Udini Square, Redwall, Moongate etc but as I did not specifically check them out, I cannot say for sure.. 

Get your updated cruising places at Blowing Wind/Utopia etc