Gay Phuket: our guide to the best gay bars, clubs, hotels, beaches & more

Grab a water gun, head here in mid-April and you have a legit free pass to spray water at any cutie you see walking down the street!

Songkran is the Buddhist New Year festival, which takes place every year in mid-April. Around this time, Phuket and Bangkok host some of the biggest gay parties across all of Asia. But the thing to do in Songkran is chuck water at everyone.

Seriously – in Buddhism, this symbolizes the washing away of bad luck from the previous year. It cleanses you! And oh boy do we gays love a bit of cleansing? Trust us to take this to a whole different level, using it as an excuse to sashay the streets topless (it is, after all, super hot here in April!), chuck water at each other, and make it into a massive party!

Phuket continues the festivities right after Songkran when Phuket Pride kicks off. Though to be frank, we found Phuket to be one big gay partyville throughout the entire year. There's an entire area of gayness here in Patong affectionately nicknamed “Paradise Complex”, where all the gay bars and clubs on the island are.

Head a few blocks from here and you reach Patong gay beach, full of hot speedo-clad guys posing, tanning, cruising, Instagramming, and TikToking…suffice to say, if you're looking for a gay beach holiday in Asia, Phuket's got you covered!

This is our detailed gay guide to Phuket based on our trip here including the best gay hangouts, where to stay covering all budgets, gay spas, things to do, and more. Note for LGBTQ travelers heading beyond Phuket, be sure to also check out our bumper gay guide to Thailand.

Gay tour of Thailand

Discover how Thailand earned its moniker ‘The Land of Smiles' on this awesome gay tour with Out Adventures. The boys over at OA run four annual departures through the country with stops in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Krabi, and Phuket. It's a fantastic way for first-timers to Thailand to get a thorough flavor of this incredible country with a fabulous bunch of squirrel friends to hand.

Find out more

Phuket gay area

We loved gay Phuket. It was almost as fun as the gay bars and clubs of Bangkok, but right next to the beach!

The gay area of Phuket is the Paradise Complex in Patong. It is concentrated within a few pedestrianized streets. More specifically, it is opposite the Royal Paradise Hotel, just off Thanon Ratuthit Songroipi Road. The Paradise Complex is packed with bars, cafés, clubs, restaurants, hair salons, and travel agents – all catering to the LGBTQ crowd. We found that most of the guys here were looking for one thing…things can get pretty frivolous in the Phuket gay scene!

Most gay boys will spend the day by Patong Beach and then slowly head over to one of the bars before finishing up at ZAG club until the early hours.

Other practical facts about the Phuket gay area – Patong itself is a beach resort town on the southeastern side of the island. Phuket International Airport is located on the northern tip of the island, around 1-hour drive from Patong. Patong has two nightlife hotspots – Paradise Complex mentioned above (for us gays) and along Bangla Road, which is more straight-orientated.

Gay beaches in Phuket and Patong

Phuket has no fewer than 35 beaches looking out to the Andaman Sea. Note that there are no official gay beaches in Phuket, however, Patong Beach is the main one where most of the gay guys come to hang out during the day as it's the closest one to Paradise Complex. If you want to go somewhere more chilled and less crowded, check out Karon and Bangtao.

Patong Beach

Patong is the most famous and developed beach in Phuket, around 3.5km (2.17 miles) long. It's the unofficial gay beach of Phuket, particularly in front of ‘La Flora Resort Patong'. It's also the closest beach to the gay scene of Paradise Complex (literally a few blocks from it) hence its popularity with the gays! Patong Beach is also the focal point of Phuket Pride in April.

Karon Beach

Karon is another popular beach for gay travelers in Phuket. It's located around 3km (1.8 miles) south of Patong beach. It has a 5km (3 miles) long stretch of white powder sandy beach, which is what makes it so popular. As it's quite far out, it's not as crowded as Patong. We came here one day to get away from the large Patong crowds, though Karon is still busy enough as it gets its share of crowds from the nearby guesthouses and resorts.

Bangtao (aka Laguna) Beach

Bangtao is where we recommend you go if you want a more remote beach. It's located around a 20-minute drive north of Patong in the direction of the airport. There were noticeably fewer crowds here due to the distance. And unlike Karon Beach, there aren't as many resorts around here. The Dream Beach Club is located nearby, which is a popular spot for gay travelers to hang out.

Gay nude beaches in Phuket

As a general rule, nudism is not as prevalent in Phuket as it is in other gay destinations. Public nudity is illegal in Thailand and therefore not socially accepted. As such there are no official gay nude beaches in Phuket. There are a few remote beaches in Phuket where nudism is tolerated, simply because they are so remote that there's no one around to complain. The two main ones are Nui Beach in the south and Mai Khao located just north of the airport. Note: these are more places where women come to sunbathe topless rather than a places where gays congregate to cruise.

Gay men-only resorts in Phuket

This is where you decide if you want THAT sort of holiday! What's great about Phuket is that it covers all the options – do you want to stay in a gay hotel (see below) or do you want something with a more intimate setting… If you do, we recommend checking out these all-male clothing-optional resorts in Phuket:

01

Phuket Gay Homestay

Kathu area

Why we love it

---

• Intimate male-only gay homestay
• Fabulous and super-cute hosts
• Weekly BBQ and lots of pool parties
• Excellent gay budget option

This is one of the most popular gay hotels in Phuket. It's strictly men-only, and with just 5 guest rooms available, it's super intimate, especially in the sauna/steam room!!

Jokes aside, we love the Phuket Gay Homestay because it feels like you're staying with your own gay family who will quickly become your lifelong friends.

The owners are Ulf and Boy (don't the Thai have the best names ever?!) who go out of their way to make everyone feel at home. They are what MAKES this place special in our opinion!

The Phuket Gay Homestay is located on Neramit Hill, further inland, around a 20-minute tuk-tuk ride from the Paradise Complex and Patong Beach. This is the only negative if we're being honest. The upside is that the rooms are a lot cheaper here than the other gay hotels, which makes it the perfect choice for solo gay travelers or LGBTQ travelers on a budget. It's also very peaceful here, away from all the noise of Patong. One thing we loved about the location, it's close to one of our favorite Phuket restaurants: Thong Dee (read more about it below).

The hosts are truly amazing! They go all out to make guests feel welcomed, with lots of socials, like a weekly gay BBQ, and lots of pool parties, open to non-guests. Some of these parties are quite popular, especially on weekends – it's like the Patong gays come here rather than the other way around! The other perk about staying here is their popular steam room/sauna…we'll leave the rest to your imagination!

Check availability

02

Aquarius Gay Guesthouse and Sauna

Patong

Why we love it

---

• Men-only gay guesthouse in gay Paradise Complex
• Around the corner from all the gay bars and clubs!
• Comfortable and affordable rooms or suites
• On-site sauna, spa, and gym

If you want to be right in the heart of the action, right there in the middle of the Patong Paradise Complex where all the gay boys hang out day and night, then we recommend staying at the Aquarius Gay Guesthouse!

Here you are literally the gay scene!

Aquarius has also become famous in the Phuket gay scene due to its sauna. The Phuket gays come from all over to socialize here and as a guest of the hotel, you're allowed to use it for free.

Aquarius caters to different budgets, from the cheaper “room-only” rates to the more fancy spacious suites and even a fancy Jacuzzi Studio – a worthwhile splurge we recommend! As well as the infamous sauna, the Aquarius Gays (that's what they called us when we were guests here!) also have access to the rooftop sunbathing area. Just remember to put sun lotion everywhere – Aquarius Gays are NOT shy and can easily be spotted donning bright red burnt buttocks!

Overall, we loved the vibe here. It's a lot bigger than the Phuket Gay Homestay but less personable because of that. We made more friends here but found it to be a bit pricey for what you get – the reason, of course, is that you're paying for the location. Remember, this is right slap bang in the heart of the Phuket gay scene!

Check availability

Gay friendly hotels in Phuket

Phuket has many different gay hotels to suit all LBGTQ travelers including luxurious boutiques to budget-friendly guesthouses. The first thing we advise is ascertaining what your priorities are. If you want to be close to the gay beach and the Paradise Complex gay scene, then we suggest booking a hotel in or around this area. If the gay scene is not your priority and you prefer something more akin to a romantic getaway, then we recommend lush hotels like the STAY Wellbeing in Rawai or Impiana Private Villas in Kata Noi. Here's a summary of some of the best gay hotel options in Phuket that we recommend:

01

STAY Wellbeing & Lifestyle Resort

Rawai

Why we love it

---

• Incredible luxury wellness resort
• Massive gym: the best hotel gym ever!
• FRESCA restaurant: the perfect place for dinner
• Bloody beautiful swimming pool!

The STAY Wellbeing & Lifestyle Resort is an incredible place that combines luxury and wellness – for very affordable prices too.

It's a very unique resort that provides multiple ways to take care of your health while you're staying there. GAYS TAKE NOTE: the Stay Fit gym takes up three floors and is widely considered to be one of the best gyms in Asia! Quite honestly, it's the best hotel gym that we've ever come across!

They take fitness seriously here with 8 complimentary group classes for guests each day. You can take part in strength training, yoga, and high-intensity interval training classes. It's also possible to book private sessions with one of their (very sexy!) personal trainers. The in-house spa (called Le Spa) has a sauna, steam room, cold plunge pool≤ mineral pool, and plenty of massage treatments to choose from.

In terms of dining options, check out FRESCA. It's one of the most highly-rated restaurants in Phuket with four different kitchens serving charcoal-grilled dishes, Italian classics, Asian fusion, and local fresh seafood. During the day you can order delicious Thai dishes from the Stay Green Cafe. The Cafe also doubles up as a bar later in the day, serving cocktails to enjoy beside the pool. And yes, the pool (or pools!) – it's bloody beautiful, surrounded by lush green gardens. A tropical paradise you'll never want to leave!

Check availability

02

CC's Hideaway

Kata Beach

Why we love it

---

• Beautiful boutique hotel
• Amazing wellness and yoga retreats are available
• In-house restaurant and bar
• Free shuttle to nearby attractions

If you love yoga and relaxation as much as I do then I recommend checking out CC's Hideaway. Whilst Seby prefers his scene queen card, I always try and get us to spend a few nights of our holiday in a health and wellness retreat.

CC's Hideaway includes all sorts of activities from yoga (obviously!) to flotation therapy, acupuncture, and even surfing (though I'll be honest, we did this more to ogle at the hot surfer dudes!).

CC's Hideaway is located on the hills of Kata overlooking the Andaman Sea. It feels like a little jungle hideaway cut away from all the touristic noise over at Patong! However, they also provide free hourly shuttle buses into town which put my Seby at ease! Gay boy party bunnies be warned: this is not a pumping party spot like Aquarius. Far from it! But if you're looking for a relaxing, chilled retreat as a base for your holiday, my pleasure!

All the rooms at CC's are spacious and even feature a private balcony. In terms of in-house bars and dining options, The Sanctuary Bar and Sky Terrace is the perfect spot for a sunset cocktail and the Refuge Restaurant serves delicious Thai cuisine along with a themed weekly buffet. Bonus: Thai cooking classes are offered, which I strongly recommend trying out!

Check availability

03

Impiana Private Villas Kata Noi

Kata Beach

Why we love it

---

• Luxury resort with private pool suites and villas
• Villas with private infinity pools overlooking the sea
• A private butler service if you book a villa or suite
• Gym, library, and cigar lounge!

One of our favorite luxury gay friendly hotels in Phuket is the Impiana Private Villas boutique resort in Kata Noi. It's stunning!

Although it's located a taxi ride away from the Paradise Complex, it's worth it. Here you have your own luxurious secluded private villa perched above the bay of Kata Noi, overlooking the stunning Andaman Sea. Add to that the panoramic sunset views and you've got your ideal wedding location! Impiana is famous for hosting and organizing gay weddings.

All the villas at Impiana come with private infinity pools overlooking the sea. This was Seby's favorite thing about it – as well as the bathtubs which are right next to the windows so you can enjoy those sea views. I guarantee you'll go Insta crazy here posing for your next thirst trap! Everything here is designed to pamper you and make you feel like a celebrity. For example, if you book a villa or a suite, you get your private butler!

While Impiana may be far from the Patong gay beach, you have the more tranquil Kata Noi Beach on your doorstep instead. Another perk of Impiana we love is that you can request in-room spa treatments and massages so you never have to leave your little love nest. And if you want to feel like a boss, head over to their cigar lounge after dinner!

Check availability

Gay bars in Phuket

The Paradise Complex in Patong is where you'll find all the main gay bars in Phuket. Note that most bars don't get going until after 10 pm, with some putting on shows both inside and outside on the street to attract customers.

In this section, we've summarised some of our favorites. These are the best gay bars in the Paradise Complex to check out. Note that the iconic Boat Bar of Phuket has shut down and is no longer in operation as is the gay Connection Bar & Restaurant, and as of December 2023, G-Club Phuket.

(i) Bar

(i) Bar is a fun new gay bar located in the main Paradise Complex amongst the other gay bars. It's a lovely spot to sit with a drink and people-watch before the area gets pumping, or just to observe the shows that tend to spill out onto the street! The staff are really friendly plus they have karaoke if you feel like belting out some gay classics before heading to the clubs.

---

Aquarius Guesthouse bar

During the day, the bar/restaurant of Aquarius is a popular gay hangout. As most of the main gay bars in Paradise Complex don't get busy until around 10 pm, most head here beforehand, usually to get a bite to eat and to use their infamous sauna! The best time to come here to eat and play is in the afternoon, around 5-8 pm – i.e. when the Patong beach boys start to head back to shower/get ready for a gay night out!

---

Monmartre (Time) Bar

Monmartre is another comfortable spot to have a drink earlier in the evening, with outdoor chairs and tables to watch the fun out on the street. There are also some comfy sofas and chairs inside if you'd prefer something a little more intimate. We liked to start our evening here since we can talk inside as it's not too rowdy. Note that Monmartre used to be Time Bar but was rebranded in December 2023.

---

Gay clubs in Phuket

As we said for the gay bars, the Paradise Complex is a fraction of what it was back in its heyday before the gay apps became so popular. You'd be hard-pressed to find many gay clubs beyond ZAG and Tangmo here, but don't worry, because these two more than makeup for there not being any others!

ZAG Club

As the main gay club in Phuket, the ZAG crowd almost feels like one big gay family! It's the same guys who you saw earlier on the beach and now head here to dance the night away. That's what it felt like for us when we were here. ZAG is a male-only club, complete with a shower on stage so you can help lather up the GoGo dancers, and a darkroom upstairs. ZAG has some of the funniest themed nights we've ever come across, like “Topless Tuesday” where you get 50% off your drinks if you stay topless all night long, and “Farang Fridays” where foreigners get 50% off. As well as the GoGo dancers, ZAG also has cabaret performances and drag shows happening through the night.

---

Tangmo Club

Tangmo is the other main dance/show/bar nightclub in the Paradise Complex and it sure does pack in a huge amount of entertainment! Here is where you come to see the best performers Go-Go dancing, lip-syncing, and vogue-ing the house down each night, with regular comedians, dancers, and singers performing each night to a packed crowd. The energy is always super high, the choreography is on point and the queens always know how to read the audience to absolute filth! A truly epic experience. Note this used to be the MO2 Dinner Show Bar until Tangmo took over in 2018.

---

Gay massages and spas in Phuket

The number of gay massages and spas in Phuket has decreased a great deal over the past few years, mainly due to Covid and the rise in the popularity of gay dating apps. The main (and only!) gay sauna in Phuket is the one at Aquarius:

Aquarius Guesthouse & Sauna

Aquarius prides itself on being the only male sauna in Phuket. It's attached to the guesthouse, located right in the heart of the Paradise Complex. It includes a steam room, Jacuzzi, fitness center, rooftop terrace, saunas, and a team of handsome highly qualified (licensed!) masseurs. The best time to come here to play is around 5-8 pm when the Patong beach boys head here before they head over to the Paradise Complex for the evening.

Where to get an STI and HIV test & treatment in Phuket?

We recommend Pulse Clinic close to Patong Beach. We love them. Not only is it a fantastic clinic owned and run by the LGBTQ community but they also offer a thorough ‘PCR28′ where they test for 28 STIs…yes 28!

Prices for the thorough PCR28 at PULSE is 6,700 Bahts ($190). We highly recommend it because back home your local clinic probably only covers the main ones but with their PCR28 you'll certainly learn a thing or two as a few more may be picked up!

PULSE also offers advice about DoxyPEP, PrEP, and PEP. Did you know about DoxyPEP? A single 200mg dose of doxycycline taken within 72 hours after barebacking reduces the chance of getting chlamydia and syphilis infections, and to a lesser extent, gonorrhea!

Gay Pride in Phuket

Phuket comes alive during the big holidays, particularly Xmas/NYE when the Bangkok party boys head here for beach fun, and again during the Buddhist Songkran New Year festivities in mid-April. However, the mama of all gay parties in Phuket is just after Songkran in late April – Phuket Pride!

Phuket Pride has a range of events from art shows, charity auctions, concerts, a large parade, and of course, lots of parties. It started in 1999 and has been taking place each year (except 2018 and 2020). It attracts tens of thousands of gay boys from all around the world, making it one of the most popular gay pride events in Asia.

Gay restaurants in Phuket

If you're looking for gay gay gay, pick any restaurant in the Paradise Complex!

Otherwise, Phuket has several really good restaurants to check out. Sadly, being so touristic, there is also a lot of tourist traps with low-quality food. We've set out some of our favorites right here which we guarantee will leave you satisfied:

Honeymoon Thai Restaurant by Kenya

Honeymoon Thai Restaurant by Kenya is located inside the Paradise Complex, so by default, it always attracts a very gay crowd. It's a fabulous place to come when you want a Pad Thai fix! They also serve some mouthwatering seafood here, including their signature dish the (massive!) grilled seafood basket. We love all the pretty plants and flowers everywhere in the restaurant, as well as how friendly all the staff is, particularly the owner, Kenya. As well as all the delicious food (trust us, you'll be back!) they also serve excellent cocktails.

---

Roma Ristorante & Pizzeria Da Mauro

Roma Ristorante & Pizzeria Da Mauro (yeah it's a bit of a mouthful!) is our favorite restaurant in Patong for pizza and other Italian yumminess. It's located close to Patong Beach which makes it a good place to come for lunch or an early dinner after sunbathing all day. As well as their fantastic pizzas (we recommend the seafood one!) you can have scrumptious pasta, steak, and other tasty Italian treats like prosciutto with melon slices. Chef Mauro has been serving pizza in Phuket for over 20 years. It's always packed here which just goes to show how good the food is!

---

Takieng

As part of the fancy Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa, Takieng is an incredible spot for a romantic meal of traditional Thai cuisine. Both the food and the service are impeccable, so you will be amply taken care of – along with options that are vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free. You dine while overlooking the beach, so if you can get a balcony table then it’s particularly magical. Then you can feast the night away on mouth-watering dishes like Tom kha kai soup, Massaman curry, poke bowls (from a special poke station), seafood, cocktails, and sweet sticky rice with mango for dessert. 

---

Top things to do in Phuket

Beaches, diving, remote islands, and even a giant Buddha… Whilst most LGBTQ travelers will head to Phuket as a gay beach party destination, we've set out a few other activities we enjoyed here that we think you should make time for during your trip:

See the Big Buddha

Phuket's Big Buddha statue, also known as The Great Buddha of Phuket, is the third-tallest statue in Thailand at 45 meters (148ft) high. On a clear day, you can see it all the way from Patong beach! Coming here to marvel at the statue also means you can see spectacular 360-degree views of the island. It's also very peaceful. The statue of Buddha sits on top of the Nakkerd Hills between Chalong and Kata. You can visit the Big Buddha as part of a Phuket highlights tour, which also includes stops at other famous sights on the island, like the Chalong Temple and Phuket Old Town.

---

Visit James Bond Island

Travelers to Phuket almost invariably find themselves joining an excursion to visit James Bond Island, which was made famous in the film The Man With the Golden Gun. Christopher Lee played the villain Scaramanga, who had a hideout on the Thai island of Khao Phing Kan and the tiny island beside it called Khao Ta Pu. Together, these two islands are known as “James Bond Island” but it's not one of those places where the hype exceeds the reality. Kayaking through the limestone formations surrounding this area is an amazing experience and one we definitely recommend for film fans or just lovers of nature.

---

Do some island hopping

James Bond Island isn't the only famous and stunning island you can visit from Phuket! It's just a short boat trip away to the glorious Phi Phi islands, as well as lots of other beautiful sights in the Andaman Sea. We recommend joining an island-hopping boat tour for a day so that you can see some of the unspoiled magic of Thailand's most beautiful islands. Stops include Maya Bay, made famous by the 2000 Leo DiCaprio movie The Beach, as well as corals reefs where you can go snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters. You can sunbathe on white-sand beaches or go trekking in the jungle and look for monkeys!

---

Learn how to scuba dive

We love scuba diving and have been diving in some of the most beautiful parts of Asia during our travels. Phuket is an excellent destination for those who like to dive as you can easily get to stunning spots all around the Andaman Sea. There are also lots of dive schools if you've never scuba-dived before and want to learn! The waters around Phuket are ideal for first-timers because the waves are usually flat, it's not too deep, and full of healthy coral reefs. You might be lucky enough to spot turtles, manta rays, grey reef sharks, leopard sharks, and even massive whale sharks! And that's not even mentioning all the colorful fish…

---

Go kayaking

If you prefer to be above the waves rather than under them, then you can also kayak among the beautiful islands surrounding Phuket. Using a kayak means you can often get into hidden secret spots like internal lagoons and sea caves which you wouldn't be able to access on a larger boat. Not to mention, kayaking is a great upper-body workout! This full-day kayaking tour takes you to the Ao Phang Nga National Park, where you will have ample time to kayak among the towering rocks of Khao Phing Kan, explore beaches, swim, or snorkel, and enjoy a fresh Thai buffet lunch.

---

Plan your trip to Phuket

Gay map of Phuket

Here's a map of Phuket which includes all the gay bars, clubs, hotels, and sightseeing highlights we've mentioned in this post:

Read more travel adventures like this in our book!

We've published our very own gay travel book called, ‘Out in the World'. It has all our practical safety tips, first-hand advice, and travel stories from some of our favorite destinations.

We hope it inspires you to have a fun and safe trip!

Click on the book to order:

For more inspiration:

• Read more about the best things to do in Phuket
• As well as the top 15 places to visit in Thailand
• For more beach fun, check out our gay guide to the island of Koh Lipe
• We can help you choose between Koh Adang and Koh Tarutao
• Find out our favorite scuba diving locations in Asia
• Or check out these best gay cruises heading to Asia
• Foodies will love our article about the best gay restaurants in Bangkok
• As well as a complete gay city guide to Tokyo
• If you've never been before, check out our gay Japan itinerary for first-time visitors
• Did you know Japan is also home to the beautiful Yaeyama Islands?
• We also love visiting the gay friendly island of Bali

Like this post? Pin it