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).

• Kuala Lumpur Gay Scene Updates message forum
• Lesbian listings
• Men in Kuala Lumpur message forum

  Navigating the local gay scene is easy with our interactive Utopia Map of Gay & Lesbian Kuala Lumpur:

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

• Flexqstudio
  89-3 Jln 1/91, Taman Shamelin Perkasa, Cheras, Utopia Map, 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 (off Jln Nagasari), Utopia Map, 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

Click here for Kuala Lumpur hotels and accommodations.

• Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
  Jln Lembah Perdana, Utopia Map, 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.

Click here for Kuala Lumpur bars and clubs.

• Kinokuniya
  KLCC. Some LGBT literature on their shelves under Gender Studies.

Click here for Kuala Lumpur cabaret.

Click here for Kuala Lumpur discos.

• Energy Fitness Studio
  Directly behind Giant Mall, Dataran Glomac area, Kelana Jaya, 880-3805. 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.

Click here for Kuala Lumpur karaoke.

Click here for Kuala Lumpur massage for men.

BRICKFIELDS / KL SENTRAL

Comments from Utopians:

"The sauna/steam room at the Hilton KL Clark Hatch Fitness Centre, Sentral can be very cruisy, especially in the late evenings on weekdays and in the afternoon on the weekends. Some PLU members of the gym are very obliging and giving - to my surprise." -- Monroe, Feb 15, 2010




BUKIT BINTANG / KL 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 maps:

• Bintang Walk
  Utopia 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
  • Low Yat Plaza
    Bukit Bintang, Utopia Map. This IT mall is buzzing with young computer nerds. Yum!
  • Pavilion
    Bukit Bintang, Utopia Map. Brand kings and label queens have migrated to KL's most luxurious high-end mall.
  • Sungei Wang Plaza
    Bukit Bintang, Utopia Map. Top floor, near the Reliance. Beware of pickpockets.

  
  CENTRAL MARKET / CHINATOWN / PUDURAYA

• Qin Woo Stadium poo
  Near Chinatown. More gays after 5pm. Inexpensive entry fee.

  
  CHERAS

• Cheras shopping mall facilities

  
  PETALING JAYA

• AmCorp Mall -- Utopia Map, G/F and 1/F facilities.

  
  OTHER AREAS

• Basketball court park
  Jln BP 1/5, Bandar Bukit Puchong, Puchong Dist, Utopia Map. 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:

    "I met a good looking Kelantanese guy near the public facility opposite Pertama Complex after 11pm. There were some other good looking PLU there. They just show finger signals to inform you. Some are waiting in front of Quality Hotel KL and some at the bus stop in front of Dewan Bandaraya." -- ndree, Dec 8, 2009

    "Endah Parade, Utopia Map. Cruisy facilities in the upper floors. Week days and after office hours." -- alexbam, Oct 20, 2009

• Swimming Pools
  • MPPJ pool, Kelana Jaya
    Great for cruising, especially the bathing area. A mixed crowd of young hunks to older chubs (mostly Chinese) lounging/swimming.
  • Pandamaran swimming pool complex
    Mon-Fri after 7:30pm in the shower room, Sat and Sun after 7pm. No one is shy to get naked.

    Comments from Utopians:

    "Bukit Gambang Resort Centre (BGRC) water theme park is a good spot for you and your partners to cool off in East Coast Kauntan area. The place is crowded on weekends with lots of eye candy. The shower facilities are splendid with full doors so one can be descreet with partners inside. Pleasent on weekdays, with less visitors. The lazy river ride is splendid but be warned there are CCTV mounted inside the cave. Food is available on prepaid top up value bracelet (no need to use cash inside the park)." -- y2000ad, Jul 24, 2010

    "Chin Woo Pool is nice for its location with views overlooking the cityscape, and the water is quite clean. The bathing area and change rooms have no doors, and I had fun with a local...so exciting." -- PeteLek1, Oct 5, 2009

BUKIT BINTANG / KL CITY CENTER
• 69 Bistro
  14 Jln Kampung Dollah (beside Berjaya Times Square), Utopia Map, 2144-3369, email. This gay-owned restaurant is a living tribute to the pop 60s with its mod prints, retro-flavored furniture, vintage fabrics and several antique pieces. Horoscope and tarot card readings available daily. Utopia Member Discount

  Albion (contemporary British cuisine) 31 Jln Berangan, Utopia Map, 2141-9282, email. Gay-owned restaurant serving modern British cuisine reflecting the exciting changes happening now in British food. Gorgeous, contemporary decor. Two bars, lounge, terrace, balcony and dining areas on two floors. Full a la carte menu, comprehensive wine list, and exciting cocktails. Chef Colin's fare includes updates on British staples like steak and Guinness pudding; slow-roasted pork belly with thin sliced potatoes and caramelized apples; or a perfectly poached egg dusted with black truffle and reclining on baby asparagus in a delicate blue cheese sauce. Partner, James, keeps the front of house cordial and casual. Their staff are well-tuned and gorgeous to boot. Available for private hire and functions. Open Tue-Sun, noon-midnight. Utopia Member Discount

• Café Café (European fine dining)
  175 Jln Maharajalela, Utopia Map, 2141-8141. Gay-managed and staffed, with European styling and lots of gay and lesbian guests. Decor is high-drama with operatic curtains and a ceiling dripping with glittering crystals, yet the environment feels homey at the same time, like a well-worn Parisian artists' café. They serve both set meals and a la carte dishes. Standards are high. The charming male staff are handsomely appointed and attentive, but not over-the-top. Prices are very reasonable by international standards. Well-stocked wine list. They also serve tea in the afternoons. The perfect place for a romantic date.
• Coffee Klub
  Plaza Berjaya, Jln Imbi, Utopia Map. Coffee specialties, and snacks like satés and noodles. Owner welcomes all PLUs, especially chubs and their admirers.
• Palate Palette Restaurant & Bar (international)
  21 Jln Mesui (off Jln Nagasari), Utopia Map, 2142-2148, 012-226-1237, FAX 2143-2148, email. This funky and colorful two-storey restaurant and bar is secretly tucked away between Changkat Bukit Bintang and Jln Raja Chulan. The inventive menu is packed with playful delights like "chicken lollipops" and "deconstructed carrot cake." Dine, drink or snooze (their garden patio was voted one of KL's best places to take a nap!) surrounded by quirky furniture and artful murals. Gay and lesbian-friendly. Closed Mon. Utopia Member Discount
• Starbucks
  Pavilion food alley, Utopia Map. Cruisius maximus!

  
  CENTRAL MARKET / CHINATOWN / PUDURAYA

• Be My Friend Café next to the cinema in the Central Market.

  
  CHERAS

• BJBS Café
  G/F 115 Jl 3/93, Taman Miharja Cheras, Utopia Map. This cafe is a meeting and cruising point for local PLUs. Nice, friendly environment.

  
  PETALING JAYA

• Restaurant Syed
  Kelana Jaya. Located along the same row as Giant Supermarket. Open 24 hours and cruising is best from 10pm till late morning. Gay-friendly, safe and the place to be out and seen. The crowd ranges from 18-40.

  
  OTHER AREAS

• 69 Bistro
  G/F E-111 Metropolitan Square, Bandar Damansara, Perdana, Selangor, Petaling Jaya (same building as Citibank), Utopia Map, 7722-4428, email. Second branch of this gay-owned restaurant. Pop 60s decor, retro-flavored furniture, vintage fabrics and several antique pieces. Utopia Member Discount
• A.J (Malay traditional cuisine)
  A-0-4 Megan Ave 1, 189 Jln Tun Razak, Di Kompleks Phileo Sebelah 7-E, Belakang Bank of China, Jln Ampang, Sebelum Ampang Park, , Utopia Map, 2161-2855, email. New location and not far from the city center. Dynamic duo, AJ and Ryu, are the super-Daddy couple who run this colorful and tasty restaurant. The decor is bright, colorful and bubbly, showcasing their collection of bears, Swatch watches, and Japanese maneki neko (beckoning cats). Retro Malay pop music accents the huge buffet spread of outstanding home-made traditional Malay curries, veggies, and specialties which you heap onto a plate of rice. No more durian and barley porridge, but try the other dessert options including bananas in coconut cream.
• Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (Muslim cuisine)
  Jln Lembah Perdana, Utopia Map, 2274-2020. See listing under Attractions. Excellent lunch served with top quality traditional ethnic foods prepared by the Museum's Egyptian chef.
• Old Kawan Kopitiam
  12G 10/116B Kuchai Entrepreneur Park, Kuchai Lama, Utopia Map, 03-7981-8961, email. Gay-owned Old Kawan Kopitiam is a cozy place for PLUs and their friends. They serve vegetarian foods, pork-free Asian fare. Free Wi-Fi. In-house games. Special areas for pets and smokers. Economic prices. They also cater for theme parties or functions. Utopia Member Discount
• Rahsia Bistro & Wine Bar (Penang-Nyonya and international)
  13 Jln Damai, (off Jln Aman/Tun Razak, near Crown Princess Hotel/Empire Tower), Utopia Map, 2142-5555, 2142-0059, email. Rahsia feels like a well-kept secret (the name means "secret" in Malay). This gorgeous hideaway is housed in a converted garden bungalow surrounded by nature, yet with a twinkling backdrop of city lights rising into the sky beyond. The ambience is invigoratingly peaceful, yet stylish: ethnic charm meets cosmopolitan chic. The menu offers an eclectic mix of contemporary Asian and nouveau international cuisine, plus fine wines to enjoy in their private, but friendly, atmosphere. Music is an eclectic blend of jazz, gamelan and a bit of Bowie thrown in for good measure. Closed Sun. Utopia Member Discount
• Rebung
  4-2 Lorong Maarof, Bangsar Park, Utopia Map, 2283-2119. This friendly, rainbow-hued restaurant is a great place to sample traditional Malay food. Celebrity Chef Ismail and staff prepare a huge buffet of local dishes and sweet treats. Spice-lovers will be happy to know that these are authentic dishes that don't shy away from the satisfying, sweat-inducing heat of chilies (there are mild dishes as well if you are a pepper-phobe). Lots of celebs and trendy locals as well as down-home folks who just love the local flavors. Live Malay music outside.

Click here for Kuala Lumpur saunas for men.

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

• The Healing Touch
  Block B6-09-01, Pandan Mewah Heights (next to Pandan Indah), Jln Pandan Mewah, Pandan Mewah, Selangor, Utopia Map, 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