As in many big Asian capitals, there is a vibrant gay scene. Although the local Balinese gays will be in the closet in their village, in thriving and cosmopolitan Kuta, in particular Seminyak, they are all very open, easy going and cruisy. Young gays from all over Indonesia come and settle down in Kuta to live a normal gay life, with some guys operating as "money boys". It is not institutionalized commercial sex, but rather freelancers, students and unemployed young gays, who may expect anything between having a good time, a dinner, a present and why not, some cash. Gay life is tolerated all over Bali and it becomes very visible and obvious in Kuta/Seminyak.

The place to hang out during the day is the "gay beach" or Petitenget beach, on the northern end of Kuta beach. Once a discreet nude gay beach, nudity is no longer authorized, but it has remained gay as ever and the bushed area behind the beach can be cruisy. There is a large open-air bar and restaurant, there are long chairs for rent and there is even a massage par lour on the premises. Cruisy in the late afternoons, although on weekends many local families come down to that beach.

All the streets and shops of Kuta can be cruisy, in particular the Matahari Department Store in Central Kuta. The "beach boys" on main Kuta beach are gorgeous guys, but not gay and looking for single lady tourists and their money.

In the late afternoons, it is very common for men, young and old, to take a bath in the many rivers. Not gay (although some of course are), but pleasant and friendly guys, who may invite you to join them for a fresh water bath in the buff, chatting, playing and swimming. A unique experience. But don't join them unless invited and refrain from taking pictures.

The early evenings are quiet and besides shopping and having dinner, there isn't much to do, unless you go for a well deserved and relaxing massage in one of the many spas, some Gay Spa (Gallery spa) and Gay-Friendly Spa (Antique Spa and Amoaras Spa). Another experience at this time of the day is the "Oriental Cabaret Show", a colorful and spectacular show, mainly by transvestite performers. A must for every gay, although the public is very mixed.

The first 'real gay' event of the night is at Hulu's cafe in Legian, a sleazy and very funny transvestite show, which starts around 11 pm and lasts for about one hour. The first place for pick-up!

From there, people move after midnight to either the nearby and more quiet "Sugar", a high-class gay bar, situated on Jalan Legian, with a weekly program of shows and activities, although most people move to Jalan Dhyana Pura, a street of bars and restaurants with a very mixed gay and straight crowd. Two bars caters almost exclusively to gays, Q-bar (100% gay) and the opposite Kudo's, which started as a gay bar which turned a bit mixed (with a large majority of gays). Both are very crowded and overcrowded on the weekends, when the customers spill over on the road. Daily drag shows and open until early in the morning. A large funky interior, with its long bar, dance floor, 6 hi-definition video screens and state-of-the-art disco in Kudos and a bit more quiet, but cruisy Q-bar.

And if this wasn't enough for you, move on to Double Six after 2 AM, located on the beach and within walking distance. A very big and popular mega-disco, with a very distinct gay area, about a quarter of the dance floor is unofficially "reserved" for gays. Your night can then end with a sunrise cruisy walk on the beach just in front, while the rest of Kuta wakes up.

Most if not all hotels in this area are very gay-friendly, but some discretion is advised, especially in front of other guests and their kids. However, there are also a few "gay-friendly" villas, some being clothing-optional, "Abian Biu Residences and Umah Watu Villas", are being the most famous and popular one. These places offer a very relaxed and openly gay atmosphere, all day long, but are very discreet seen from the outside. The Abian Biu Residence & Umah Watu Villas are will be happy to take you to any of the popular gay spots.