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| Travel & Resources: KOTA KINABALU
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Super cheap Asia Air flights get you here in only 2.5 hours from Kuala Lumpur so it's a great escape from the urban tangle of the capital. There are also three non-stop flights a week from Bangkok.
Muslims are in the minority in Sabah, so KK feels less uptight than West Malaysia. Respectful and properly dressed visitors may even be permitted to enter and photograph the interiors of some of the city's large mosques, a rewarding cultural experience if you have the opportunity.
KK's population is around 350,000 (that's about 15,000 Utopians). There are more than three dozen indigenous ethnic groups in Sabah, so the people here are a rainbow in themselves.
KOTA KINABALU (Sabah State) -- (60-88)
This happy-go-lucky resort town on the South China Sea is almost entirely new, having been destroyed and rebuilt following Japanese occupation in WWII. The waterfront is currently seeing another surge of development, but, luckily, buildings are height-restricted due to the close proximity of the airport. Seafood feasts, island hopping, and unspoiled nature are the main attractions in the vicinity. There is also more than a little gay life bubbling under the surface. KK is a great place for a romantic get-away with your partner or special someone, but it's also easy to make new friends with a smile.
Men in Kota Kinabalu message forum
Kota Kinabalu is easy to navigate using our Utopia map:
Click here for Kota Kinabalu hotels and accommodations.
A fun pub with a pool table and karaoke. Popular with gays.
Q Bar50 Gaya St, 230-722. Top marks for the world-class design of this straight-friendly gay bar (Wallpaper, are you listening?). Cozy round bar (in the shape of a "Q", of course) for optimal eye contact. Pool table. A plush Thai-style corner den for bears and pandas (greatly sought after here in Sabah), plus a 2nd comfy corner area designed for groups of friends. They take special pride in their beautiful and sparklingly clean bathrooms. Opens daily at 8pm. Easy lounge music until 10pm when it starts to get busier. DJ plays dance beats after 11pm with house music. Twenty varieties of wine on hand in the cooler. Drag show every Fri night: entertainment by The QGirls. Theme parties monthly. Management and staff couldn't be friendlier. Crowd is young professional with a happy mix of ethnicities.
B/F Hyatt Hotel. Mixed pub popular with gays, particularly Chinese.
G/F fitness has local gay members and a cruisy steam bath.
Comments from Utopians:
"Sutera Harbour gym club: just have fun, with gay presense!" -- joog, Jul 12, 2011
013-875-6900, email. Strong, gay-friendly masseur. A lot of strong strokes mixed with soft touches to relax both your body and mind. Minimum 2-hour sessions to ensure you get greatest treatment benefit. Please make your reservation early.
Utopia Member DiscountS-909 Motor City, 1 Borneo, Jln Sulaman, 010-522-1304, email. Gay-friendly spa for men. They offer: facials; body therapy including traditional Malaysian, Thai, Balinese and Guasa; healing herbs; aromatherapy; body scrubs. Outcall also available.
Utopia Member Discount
Waterfront opposite the Promenade Hotel. A great place to eat and catch the eye of friendly locals at the same time. Evenings.
The pedestrian pathway connecting Jln Datuk Salleh Sulong to Wisma Merdeka is very cruisy. Sit in Mosaic café at one end or hang out near the shopping mall entrance at the other end.
18/F at Menara Tun Mustapha, Likas Bay. KK's most modern restaurant, located in the tallest building, serves fare that can rival any 5-star restaurant worldwide. The bar has happy hours daily from 9pm onwards and serves very cheap cocktails.
Mosaic (Italian food, coffee, ice cream and cakes)Jln Datuk Salleh Sulong (just at the foot of the Hyatt Hotel driveway). This sleek and modern air-conditioned restaurant and café is the perfect place to cruise the foot traffic heading in and out of Wisma Merdeka while sipping a cappuccino or demolishing one of Mosaic's delicious sweet treats. Where are we again? Melbourne? South Beach? Oh, yeah, Kota Kinabalu. A stack of Gourmet magazines is on hand if you get bored, but we think you'll want to view all the Asian poetry amidst the passing parade, so grab the corner table in front of the picture windows and practice your deadliest Memoirs of a Geisha glance. Very cute and friendly staff.
G/F 50 Jln Gaya, 218-092. This local place serves up tasty authentic peninsular cuisine. Dine by 9pm as they close early. After dinner, hop over to Q Bar next door for a cocktail.
Comments from Utopians:
"A gay-owned restaurant named The CHUBs Grill is located in Karamunsing Capital. They serve American BBQ. More information is available on their Facebook, thechubsgrill." -- Larry C, Nov 17, 2011
Hyatt Regency Hotel. Some of the customers are local gay guys. Dry sauna, steam room, large and private showers rooms. Be discreet.
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