How to Meet Gay Men?

One of the blessings of contemporary society is the greater sexual freedom that is allowed to adult men and women. Armed with wider communication options and more all-round acceptance, it has never been easier to look for same-sex love. So whether you have just come out of the closet or have a couple of relationships behind you, here are some ways you can meet gay men to date.

Gay bars

Gone are the days when those seeking gay partners would have to frequent seedy bars and underground hangouts located in furtive corners. Today there is wide range of bars catering specifically to same-sex lovers and those interested in meeting partners from the gay community. Usually every big city has a gay village where you can meet other singles in the bars and cafes.  You can drop in after working hours or on weekends when the crowds are likely to be thicker. While bar-hopping does not guarantee a partner for steady dating and even less so for meaningful relationships, its biggest advantage lies in allowing gay singles to meet each other in a stress-free and relaxed atmosphere. In fact if you are looking for partners from a specific professional or age group, it is better you frequent bars and clubs which cater to such a clientele; for instance gay bars in your city which are located in upscale addresses or at least have a substantial entry charge are more likely to attract the well-heeled patrons or the white collar singles. Likewise if you are interested in meeting men who like to party hard, gay dance clubs and lounge bars could be your choice of scene.

TIP: Browse profiles of single gay men in your city looking for activity partners and dates.

Gay singles clubs

Yet another popular haunt for those interested in same-sex love is singles clubs for gays. As compared to gay bars, these places are likely to have rather steep membership fees or at least restricted entry rules. However consider these costs as investment since you are more likely to run into successful gay partners here than while waiting with a drink at a bar or a café. The primary purpose of singles clubs to provide social networking opportunities to gays so that they can choose suitable partners in ease and privacy. More such clubs are quite likely to host regular open nights or happy hours when the entry rules and costs are relaxed a bit. So keep your eyes and ears tuned for these special nights when you can mix and mingle with the other gays in town.

Personal grooming centers

The stereotype about gay men indulging in waxing and manicure might have been done to death but you can still find gays frequenting spas and salons more often than ‘straight men’. There could be several reasons for this – perhaps gay men don’t see the point of hiding their love of physical pampering since they are already out of the closet or perhaps they are more in touch with their feminine side. Whatever be the reason, once you start hanging out at salons and spas you are sure to find out about potential partners and if lucky might even find someone willing to give you a sensual massage. And indeed the more expensive these venues, the more likely they are to attract rich clients which is great if you are looking for successful gay partners.

Gay dating sites

The internet has turned out to be a boon for gays and bisexual men who would otherwise be too nervous about finding partners in real life. Join one of the dating sites specifically catered towards the needs of gay singles and if lucky your profile and photo can catch the eye of someone suitable. Apart from the huge advantage of looking for partners in a private and discrete way, gay dating sites also allow you to choose the kind of partner you would like to date – whether in terms of physical appearance, professional class or cultural background. At these sites, you can engage in one-to-one communication with someone likable or play the field at chat rooms. But be sure to clearly state what type of man you are looking for and under what circumstances you are willing to meet.

Gay travel destinations

These days gay travel is fast becoming a popular option for those looking to meet same-sex partners in exotic surroundings or seeking to get away from it all with their gay partners. In the United States San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Diego and Chicago are among the most gay-friendly vacation spots. Find out the bars, nightclubs and other hangouts in these cities and then frequent them as much as your resources would allow. Some cities even have a separate gay neighborhood with varied cultural and social attractions or places redolent with significant events from the history of gay movement. Thus while you are paying homage at the historic Stonewall Inn, in Manhattan’s West Village, it is entirely possible that you meet another single who has to come to visit the gay landmark of New York City.

Gay festivals and parades

In fact you need not even venture far from your city to meet other gay singles. Every major city nowadays has its own pride event when members of the LGBT community get together to celebrate who they are amidst a shower of music, partying, festivities and the final spectacular parade. Such events are a good time to meet suitable partners, especially if you are keen to meet someone who shares your interests like music, graffiti art or ethnic cuisine. In the US, most of the gay festivals take place in summer and thus are ideal for merry-making as well as socializing.

Simplify

Very often the simplest approach is also the most effective. So look into your circle of friends, co-workers and acquaintances and ask if they know of suitable gay men. This could take the form of actual informal introduction arranged by a mutual friend or even being game for blind dates. Even if you don’t relish the prospect of your colleagues and neighbors finding out that you are gay, keep an open mind as you go about your daily routine. Who knows, you can end up meeting the man of your dreams at the grocery store or the record store or the coffee shop or the car wash or the park. After all, Gay men do the same activities and need to run the same errands as everyone else; this raises the odds of running into a potential partner far higher than sitting at home alone.