Santiago

[Guest HonkingGoose]

Hi will be visiting Santiago in mid May. I would appreciate getting any information or advice on gay life in the city--baths, video stores, escorts, etc.

[trilingual]

I moved this topic from the FAQ because, in spite of its name, we use that section for posting specific information about specific places. You'll get a better response to your question in the main forum. However, it looks like you haven't read the "Newcomers" posting which explains how this forum works. Please read it to learn how you can find information on Santiago and Chile that may already be available on the forum. There haven't been a lot of postings on Santiago, but there have been some in the past couple of years. Also look in the FAQ under the Chile heading to see what's been posted there. Good luck, and please report back on your trip!

[buckguy]

I was there briefly a couple years ago (my main objectives on that trip were Patagonia and the Lakes region). There were a number of suanas (of the "go there to hookup" variety, as opposed to the Rio version), a few bars and a couple bookstores. The bars and bookstores tended to be in a marginal area on the ege of Downtown and I didn't sample them. A rather small, but pleasant sauna is near the Pablo Neruda house (internationally recognized Chilean poet of mid-20th century) which is a longish walk from downtown in a fairly pleasant area. From the research I did for that trip, my impression was that Chile was becoming an easier place for gay people and that the number of venues had recently increased (the sauna near the Neruda house was new at that time).

[mjd]

I was in Santiago this year the week leading up to Easter. Stayed at El Castillo, which is an old building, perfectly situated in the Barrio Bellavista neighborhood, near all the restaurants and most bars. The Hotel is actually a love hotel (for short term visits) but the upper floors are rented to gay tourists. Decent place but not much hot water, $40 night for double room, no extra charge for guests, and if you request, the ladies at the front desk will keep your "visitors" ID cards for your safety. They speak sufficient English.

 

Immediately under the hotel is the Disco Bunker, an amazing twink palace. Starts to get busy around 1 or 130am nightly and when the patrons leave around 430am it's like a twink parade. Tons of 18-22 aged but all welcome. I hated the way too loud music, way too much smoke, and way too many people to move, but what beauties! Hundreds of 'em. One night I hoped downstairs from the hotel and picked up my choice in line as they were leaving. He approved me.

 

My favorite disco there was Fausto. An earlier poster here saidthe staff there are available at closing time. I tried but no luck and my Spanish is pretty good. But it didn't matter because there were virtually no gringos so an American sticks out and they like us!

 

Downtown Santiago is spotless, beautiful city, but little gay life. Pleasant to stroll about with mainly pedestrian only streets. The Barrio Bellavista is certainly bohemian. It's the old part of the city and reminded me a bit of the New Orleans French Quarter. The streets look deserted until very late at night but they are safe and behind the seemingly barren buildings lurk fashionable clubs and chic dining places. My favorite restaurant was the tres gay El Capricho Espanol. Small bar, large dining room, always packed with friendly gays, cute waiters. Great place to meet people who can tell you where to go and when.

 

In the same block is the Prince Disco, which has cut buff, probably straight, dancers. Law requires g-strings or thongs but those guys showed up with erections that never went down and certainly couldn't fit in their drawers so you saw it all! It's glitzy, mirrors and chrome, and the patrons are mostly young. They have a second floor with two small movie viewing rooms but if you check, directly across from the top of the stairwell is an unmarked doors which leads to two dark rooms. I can honestly saw there wasn't a single guy in the place that I wouldn't have been willing to pay for sex -- they were all such cute twinks, very collegiate (this neighborhood has several colleges in close proximity) and most stepped behind those doors for some relief. I did my duty several times. LOL

 

There is one sauna of international standards, again in this neighborhood, the 282. Mixed ages but certainly lots of young cuties. I didn't meet any rent boys but I hooked up with college student who looked like a Bel Ami model. Very clean, pool, jacuzzi, porn rooms, the usual wet and dry sauna, relax rooms. I believe the private rooms are available on a "first come" basis, pardon the pun.

 

If you enjoy zoos, its right next to the El Castillo. You take a funicular to the top of the mountain and then you stroll down the steep mountain side. Enjoyable, great views, cheap, interesting, fun to see the local families and get your picture with a llama.

 

WHile in the clubs I got flyers for glory hole clubs, labyrinth sex clubs, and all sorts of stuff but I didn't have time to check all of them out. I'd recommend a visit of at least three nights. While there seem to be very few escorts advertising on line and no rent boys in sauna or hustler clubs, there is action. They'll find you! Of course, you'll miss much of it or it will be more difficult if you don't speak any Spanish. Asking rate for the cream of the crop is ca $40 USD but going rate is ca $20. There are about 575 Chilean pesos to the US dollar. ATM's plentiful.

 

The Chilean guys were cute. While some with gym-boy bodies, most were more boy next door. They are very fashionable and wear the trendiest clothes and very cute hairstyles and eye shadow. But they aren't fems, they just are hot young guys who like to look beautiful. I guess there is little African heritage; most appear a mix of Mediterranen and native Indian.

 

Hope you have a great time!

[buckguy]

Chile has little, if any, African heritage. The Native Americans are toward the North. In the South, you find Irish and especially Italian and Slavic (e.g., Slovenian & Croation) heritage. The national hero is Bernando O'Higgins, which should tell you something about the history of the country. There are some gay spots in Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas, but it it doesn't amount to much.

[daniel]

Hi,

 

You can also find some escorts in http://placereschile.cl (most of them M4M) and also in http://www.chatgay.cl (look for the $ sign in their nick names).

[Guest HonkingGoose]

Thanks for the replies. Most helpful!

[trilingual]

>Hi,

>

>You can also find some escorts in http://placereschile.cl

>(most of them M4M) and also in http://www.chatgay.cl (look for the $

>sign in their nick names).

>

>

 

Also, there are a lot of Chilean guys on Gaydar. Some of them may be escorts (look for $ signs in their listings, or the words "masaje" or "relax"). I haven't looked at the Chile listings very much, but there are a fair number of such guys in the Argentina listings every night. . .