polysome

Updated info on the ground: Had the chance to visit Firuzagha and Cihangir. Cihangir - sauna only (no steam room), I availed of the services (scrub/foam massage + oil massage), got upsold extra services by both attendants. The scrub/foam guy was your typical "boom-boom-done", zero sensuality. He passed me on to the oil massage guy who did much much better. The massage was good and sensual as he tried to upsell me extras. I said no but he seemed horny (and wanted the business) so he just kept turning up the heat massage wise which made it quite good. There was kissing (unexpected). All ended with me blowing him. Over-all, hot session. Interaction with other clientele - there's many private rooms and I hear sounds which meant some people were getting pounded. I'd say it may take a while to get this going but I didn't stay long enough to figure out. (All considered, I may come back to try yet another attendant who has the look of your typical Turkish muscle stud) Firuzagha - Friday afternoon, high traffic. Clientele was also mixed but with a clear sub demographic of younger locals + tourists. There's a large classic hammam area and two dark room saunas. I'm led to believe that the action (if any happens) in the dark rooms as anywhere else seems too out in the open and there are no private rooms like in Cihangir. There's a lot of looks and wandering but not much action which is disappointing as the place and demographic seemed to have high potential. I availed of the scrub/ foam massage too - great service from an older attendant (really two thumbs up on the foam massage) but this clearly not an extra service type of place. I didn't feel like getting an oil massage but if I did, I feel like it would be quite good (for the price). (I think it works well as a cheaper local sauna but I'm not coming back for the action).

Just checked and sad to see that Balat Cavus just closed but good to know about the others. Will be visiting Istanbul soon (staying at Beyoglu), happy to report back! How different is the experience during week days and week ends?

Any action in the hot spring baths or hammams? Also, which areas are best to stay?

When's the best time to go? Approx. how many providers are in the venue?

Any new reports on Lisbon? Trombeta seems to have good reviews on Google Maps.

Nevermind, just saw the post above 😅

Could you comment on the providers - demographics, top/bottom, services on offer? Also, best time/day to come?

Are they more top or more bottom?

How does one find these "willing students"? Asking for a friend 😅

Any recommendations of places to check out? Cruising bars, clubs?

He's still there and he was great. Also could recommend David (the Barcelona guy with ink).

Bump

I went to this one but there maybe many others: https://gay-massage.gr/maser/ My recommendation - ask for Angelos 🙂 (would also like to try Giannis, but he was on leave when I was there last sumemr). DM for me details/further questions.

Any updates or recent info? Has anyone been to Babylon or Phoenix Sauna?

Hunqz/ Grindr/ online + sauna (Alexander) + a few gay massage places I have not done the street thing: that area in question is quite dodgy and seems really unsafe, in my opinion. I personally just stick around the Gazi neighborhood which has great (non-touristy) restaurants and the nightlife scene.

I did get to go and found the environment "spa like", reception area (though your masseur is your receptionist), what looked like several massage rooms I went with Todd (he was very cute and twunky), quite happy with the service and would be happy to have him again; but next time, I'd love to try Tony or Zack.

Any thoughts on Airbnb vs hotels? For bringing in "friends".

Any thoughts or reviews on masseurs?

Especially curious about saunas and massage places!

How's the activity in Thermas during weekdays? Like Mon or Tues afternoon, evening.

I can pitch in with my own experience: Sauna: 69 >>> Magnum, smaller but also cleaner, nicer and the clientele fit what I was looking for. Saw action almost everyday I visited including a Tues and a Mon. The wet steam room is a great place to be. But the dark areas can also be fun. Some people can be nicely upfront - I had multiple guys try to assemble threesomes during the weekend near the dark area. And on a Monday, hooked up with a hot German guy visiting. Grindr: Too much work Hunqz: I met up with 2 providers, both were very mid. One wore too much perfume and was basically in a rush so he can meet his friends. __________

Budapest is meh compared to Prague. Athens is great and highly underrated.

Manu Rios and the Brazilian

Any thoughts on S2?

When I went to a hammam a 10 years ago, I was with a friend and we were both made to wear what can only be described as a "paper thong". Our hammam attendant was an elderly grandma though so the experience felt more like you were being scrubbed like a kid.