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| Travel & Resources: KUALA LUMPUR & Vicinity (Klang Valley)
Please help us keep these listings up-to-date. Special thanks to jon_guy1, sexinkl, williamr, fazznyc, c-va, yinghuantang, ben4fun4u, Spicy69, feng8667, hugoboss, Peter83, cjaye, Wappy, eddie28, myparti, gay4nown4eva, badinc, peter25nz, Richard, cjaye, Nic_, riverrobles, Dylan, spp_88, Daniel T., Jay, Ramesh, Santo, Cheon, Chan, Alex and Rahim! |
KUALA LUMPUR -- area code (60-3)

KL is a modest little city on steroids, with muscular architectural monuments and traffic jams that feel out of proportion to its winding, tree lined streets and village-like neighborhoods. Colorful and chaotic, it retains a vitality that neighboring Singapore nearly polished away in its own efforts to become Asia's Tomorrowland. But it's KL that feels like a themepark in progress. Here, you may ramble through a traditional Malay kampong in the shadow of the show-stopping twin towers; or ride the cute monorail that offers first-time visitors vistas of both construction sites and destruction sites. Half of Chinatown has been turned into a uglified pedestrian mall that feels like anywhere but Chinatown, while old and crumbling heritage shophouses nearby that were (thankfully) overlooked by civic planners still house traditional businesses that ooze with charm of days gone by. Modern, yet hand-me-down; confident, yet uptight; Asian tiger, yet conservatively colonial; butch, yet nelly: KL is the fascinating love child of visionary nation-maker Dr. Mahathir and his Mr. Hyde ego.
Gay life in the capitol is widespread and surprisingly sophisticated, but still largely underground due to lingering antique British colonial law and Islamic disapproval. Many gay businesses have morphed into creative hybrids to remain "within the pale": yogatoriums, aerobisaunas, massageaurants or spaversities with darkgyms and karaocuzzis. Mainstream businesses now openly cultivate gay and lesbian customers who loyally dispense pink ringgit at the growing number of mixed venues that welcome them. Gay or lesbian nights at straight clubs are common. And, of course, the Internet is the medium of choice for the discreet and closeted.
The population of Kuala Lumpur is about 1.5 million people (that's 60,000 Utopians just in the city proper). The Klang Valley, incorporating KL, Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Putrajaya and Cyberjaya has a combined population of over 4 million (for a grand total of more than 160,000. Utopians).
- Questions about AIDS/HIV care? Current medical treatment offers a normal lifespan for those living with HIV. A Harvard-trained Physician and Infectious Disease expert in Kuala Lumpur offers compassion and strictly confidential advice about health matters and state-of-the-art HIV treatment. Email the Doctor with your questions.
Kuala Lumpur Gay Scene Updates message forum
Lesbian listings
Men in Kuala Lumpur message forum
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The updated and expanded 2nd Edition of the Utopia Guide to Malaysia surveys the gay and lesbian scene in 17 cities. Listings include gay scene maps, organizations, bars, discos, spas, accommodations, restaurants, and more. A special section highlights venues that are especially welcoming for women. Click here to order
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Comments from Utopians:
"In the last couple of years, the KL gay scene has witnessed quite a prolific and intense swell of activity led by a fast-learning commercial sector quick at the heels of the pink dollar. Newly tolerant and entrepreneurial Singapore has been a welcome contributor into the education of the Malaysian general public that gays help fuel economics and keep the retail/fashion/hospitality industries buzzing. Eager Malaysians, albeit discreet, are not to be outdone - resulting in a pronounced catering to the gay community and all the ringgit that accompanies it. Today in KL, one is rarely hard-pressed to detail lists of restaurants, bars and retail outlets that outwardly pander to the tastes and pleasures of Malaysia's thriving rainbow community. Whilst admittedly we cannot be as brazen and bold as our western counterparts when promoting gay entertainment and activities, we're certainly more liberal than some Asian countries in supporting gay life. As a result, over the last two years we've had the pleasure of experiencing the flowering of outlets and places which travelers might also find of interest." -- WildWaters, Oct 28, 2008

- Flexqstudio
89-3 Jln 1/91, Taman Shamelin Perkasa, Cheras, 017-618-6510, 012-683-7531, email. Photography for fashion, personal and couples makeover, advertising and commercials, model portfolios, magazine and CD covers, artistic shots. Open daily. Utopia Member Discount
- Lightworks Books, Cafe & Yoga
19 Jln Mesui (see map, off Jln Nagasari), 2143-2966, FAX 2143-2977, email. Lightworks is a gay and lesbian-friendly holistic center offering yoga classes, holistic therapies (Angel and Tarot card reading, crystal healing, spiritual response therapy, etc), plus Reiki and energy healing. Their shop also features a comprehensive selection of spiritual, gay and lesbian support books, meditation/instrumental CDs, essences and crystals. The cafe offers wholesome fare for health conscious eaters. It's a great chillout location just a few streets away from bustling Bukit Bintang where you can relax and freely be who you are. Lightworks is strictly non-denominational. Utopia Member Discount

BUKIT BINTANG / CITY CENTER
Bukit Bintang is jammed with bustling shopping centers, restaurants and many of KL's popular hotels which are right in the center of the action. The neighborhood is easy to navigate using our Utopia map:

Click here for Kuala Lumpur hotels and accommodations.

- Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
Jln Lembah Perdana, 2274-2020. This private museum is probably the most beautiful museum in the capital. With superb collections of architecture, calligraphy, jewelry, textiles, ceramics, metalwork and more, all housed in state-of-the-art displays with excellent English language translations. Particularly appealing are scale models of famous mosques and actual lifesize rooms displaying the height of Islamic artistry from around the world. Excellent lunch served with top quality traditional ethnic foods prepared by the Museum's Egyptian chef. The museum shop is tremendous as well. All of this is housed in a beautiful building filled with natural light and a thoroughly modern interpretation of classical Islamic architectural motifs.


- Kinokuniya
KLCC. Some LGBT literature on their shelves udner Gender Studies.


- California Fitness
3/F Lot T-011, Midvalley Megamall, Mid Valley City, 2284-3833. Cruisy gym for serious work-outs. Be discreet.
Comments from Utopians:
"Was in the gym in IOI and after that went to their sauna/steam room. It's nice anytime of the day! Work out and be worked out...that should be the tag line!" -- papabear69, Nov 27, 2008
"Energy Fitness Studio, 7880-3805, is about a year old. The gym is located in the convenient Dataran Glomac area, which is directly behind Giant Mall in Kelana Jaya. Parking is plentiful and free. Though quite small, the gym spans two floors - 1/F for classes and 2/F for equipment and cardio machines. Tasteful decor with plasma TVs. The place is clean and has a comfortable, tidy feel. The reception area is manned by two muscular chaps who will greet you cheerfully. The shower rooms are very nicely done. They intend to expand to a 3rd floor in the future." -- badinc, Aug 1, 2008





BUKIT BINTANG / KL CITY CENTER
- Bintang Walk
See map. The whole of Jln Bukit Bintang, starting off at the Pavilion luxury shopping mall right up to Lot 10 and Jln Alor's hawker food street, is KL's major cruising area. Outdoor cafés have sprouted all along this route. Appropriately nicknamed "The Catwalk", it sees a steady stream of gays throughout the day and especially in the evenings. Hook-ups even happen on the traffic islands!
- Shopping malls
- KL Plaza
Bukit Bintang (see map). From The Coffee Bean to the facilities.
- Low Yat Plaza
Bukit Bintang (see map). This IT mall is buzzing with young computer nerds. Yum!
- Pavilion
Bukit Bintang (see map). Brand kings and label queens have migrated to KL's most luxurious high-end mall.
- Starhill Gallery
This high-end branded goods mall has gays around, natch, especially the higher floors.
- Sungei Wang Plaza
Bukit Bintang (see map). Top floor, near the Reliance. Beware of pickpockets.
CENTRAL MARKET / CHINATOWN / PUDURAYA
Comments from Utopians:
"Central Market facilities are being monitored by the Malay security men all the time. Three guys got busted today at the Annexe Gallery G/F facilities. I was told that they only held them for questioning and after a stern warning, let them go. Their faces were photographed and IDs photocopied. You never know who's who because the security wear plain clothes. So guys, if you want to play, find a private and safe place." -- Fip, Mar 3, 2009
CHERAS
- Cheras shopping mall facilities
PETALING JAYA
- AmCorp Mall -- G/F and 1/F facilities
Comments from Utopians:
"Still can see a small number of gays here." -- spp_88, Feb 1, 2009
- R&R facilities, next to LDP (before the Sunway toll to Puchong, next to McD) is a cruisy place especially 5-9pm.
OTHER AREAS
- Basketball court park
Jln BP 1/5, Bandar Bukit Puchong, Puchong District. A cruising place for many young and old gays at night. Normally more vehicles come in after 10pm and men will have a walk in the park where they search for others. Crowd is mostly Malay/Chinese, and sometimes Caucasians. The local residents know about it but they are quite OK as long as you keep your voice down while cruising and move the fun to another location once you've connected.
- Between the old Subang International airport and Petaling Jaya. About 8km from KL City Center. Behind the Kelana Jaya Stadium, by the lake, very cruisy with more upscale locals. Malays, Chinese and few Indians. After dark till very late.
- Railway Station Park, after dark.
Transgenders come here to meet their friends or to make new friends. Nice mixed crowd.
- Shopping malls
- Aquaria KL
Leading to the underground passage to KLCC, the facility there is a meeting place, especially after work.
Comments from Utopians:
"Surprised to find peep holes in Bangsar SC facilities, especially G/F, with busy activities in the early evening." -- ditto, Jun 16, 2008
- Swimming Pools
- MPPJ pool, Kelana Jaya
Great for cruising, especially the bathing area. A mixed crowd of young hunks to older chubs.
Comments from Utopians:
"You can see loads of (mostly Chinese) guys lounging by/swimming in the pool in nothing but their thongs/g-strings. Yum! Yum!" -- , Nov 23, 2008
- Qing Woo Stadium pool, about 15 minutes walk from Chinatown. More gays after 5pm.
Comments from Utopians:
"The RnR at the LDP Toll from Damansara to Puchong (the one with the dine-in/drive-thru MacD) is no longer safe. Once a great cruise spot, it now has undercover cops wandering around dark areas luring victims by rubbing themselves and when an innocent guy shows interest and approaches, the police get him." -- c-va, Jan 31, 2009
"The facilities in Wisma Rampai in Sri Rampai are quite cruisy. These are facilities are within the office building, quite safe and not many people." -- foxmulder, Jan 22, 2009
"Recently gays in Klang have become more pro-active. The hottest gay location is now the Pandamaran swimming pool complex. It's a new hub after Kelana Jaya Swimming pool. Mon-Fri after 7:30pm in the shower room, Sat and Sun after 7pm. Don't feel shy to get naked. Have fun." -- jerry_lust4u, Aug 20, 2008



BUKIT BINTANG / KL CITY CENTER
- Ranz Hair and MakeUp Studio and Academy
201A Jln Imbi (see map), 016-674-2360, email. Located opposite the Ritz Carlton Hotel. A gay-owned academy offering professional courses for hairdressing and make-up. Four-month professional hairdressing or make-up courses with certificate given after completion. Friendly environment. Utopia Member Discount
CHERAS
- Matahari
11-1 Menara Belfield, 77 Jln Talala (near Kakiku), Utopia Map, 012-231-3152, email. Indoor tanning and nail salon with lots of gay clientele.
OTHER AREAS
- Boydgirl
22 Jln Kuchai Maju 6, Kuchai Entreprenuer Park, 017-223-1298, email. Hair cut, treament, color, aromatherapy, facial, ear cleaning and more. Gay-owned. Utopia Member Discount
- The Healing Touch
Block B6-09-01, Pandan Mewah Heights
(next to Pandan Indah), Jln Pandan Mewah, Pandan Mewah, Selangor, appointments: 012-399-4288, email. Gay-friendly reiki energy healing for relaxation and health. Reiki is a Japanese form of qi or chi energy healing. It is a touch-therapy which entails the (non-sexual) laying of hands on the front and back of the body, through which energy is transferred. The Reiki therapy is very relaxing, energizing and refreshing. It is also very good for improving one's vitality. In or outcall. Strictly professional service. Utopia Member Discount
Comments from Utopians:
"Small DVD shop next to Blue Boy has high quality DVDs that you can choose by looking thru a mobile phone screen. Also, Plaza Damas upstairs opposite Starbucks (but you need to know people to get in). Private Structure at Bangsar Village 2 is a Malaysian-owned undergear shop with great designs. Philosophy is gay owned, with interesting clothes and a good selection of swimwear. Club Monaco at at The Gardens, Mid Valley offers high fashion and trendy clothes." -- WildWaters, Oct 28, 2008
Malaysia Gay and Lesbian Resource Listings by City:Johor Bahru | Kota Kinabalu | Kuching | Langkawi Island | Penang | other cities and provinces
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