GOGAYGUIDE.COM SITGES 2013/14
Now open at Carrer Major 17 Serves thirst quenching drinks and delicious tapas with a British twist
Queenz has grown this year, expanding the Queenz experience across two venues: a music bar and a cabaret bar-restaurant. Queenz cabaret bar
Queenz Music bar
The newly opened Queenz Cabaret Bar is a fantastic venue to relax in, dine out and be entertained.
Queenz Music Bar is a trendy and popular disco bar that hit the Sitges gay scene with a bang in the summer of 2009 – and it has been packing them in ever since!
Twice a week there is a cabaret dinner with a full international menu of high quality food and service. On the other nights, the kitchen offers a wide range of what the Spanish call ‘pica pica’, known by the Brits as ‘finger food’ with whatever drink takes your fancy. The Queenz Cabaret Dinners start around 21:00 and come midnight, the venue turns into a relaxing area to complement the Queenz Music Bar. Don't miss the Sunday night killer Cabaret and drinks from 20:00.
The décor and lighting are fantastic, the live DJ plays cool tunes and there's a great dance floor that gets very busy with dancing queenz. Check out the gorgeous bar boys, check out the infamous drag shows and finally, check out the urinals, they are just plain weird. Lots of themed nights. It's always a surprise and a joy to walk into this lively venue. Very popular with visitors and it attracts a busy local Spanish crowd every night.
Open all week cabaret bar 20:30 Music bar 23:00
address C/ Bonaire 17, Sitges Web barqueenz.com
INTRODUCTION
Meet the team GOGAYGUIDE.COM A very warm welcome to the 6th edition of the Go Gay Guide. Our new website offers the latest ‘what's on’ information, as well as reviews from other holidaymakers. Post on GOGAYGUIDE.COM and have your say. We welcome feed back of any kind so please drop us a line to info@gogayguide.com
Glenn moved to Sitges in 2003. He realised that Sitges needed a gay guide, so launched the gogayguide three years later. loves: Sitges's village gossip.
Paola has lived in Sitges since 2001 and works really hard to find the best places in Sitges and Barcelona to list in the Guide. loves: Sitges's liberal atmosphere.
Paola advertising Director
For advertising sales contact:
(0034) 666 325 974
Emanuel is from California and has lived in Sitges since 2009. He ensures that the Guide reaches you with the best look possible. loves: Sitges's bohemian culture.
INDEX Introduction
4
Winter Break
16
Events
6
Pull-out Map
18
New Bars
8
Lifestyle
21
Tapas Tour
10
Food
24
Beaches
12
Day Trip
28
Relocate
14
Bars
29
Leigh has been in Sitges since 2007 and has the eagle “proofing” eye for spotting typos and last minute mistakes. loves: Sitges dog walking.
Leigh Proof Reading
Born in Sitges, local lad Jon is the Guide's web master and he has created its online venue review service for you to post. loves: Sitges in the summer.
John-Paul has lived in Sitges since 2009. He makes sure that the Guide is distributed in Sitges, Barcelona and London. loves: Sitges's quality of life. Hair & Make-up: Lounge Women's Clothes: Classe & Chic Men's Clothes: Nit and models' own
Emanuel art Director & graphic Designer
David is no stranger to Sitges, visiting for years before moving here in 2010. He ensures the Guide is up to date. loves: Sitges's sunrises & sunsets.
David Production & copy
Jon Web Master
CREDITS: Location: Bonita Bonita, Carrer Major 17, Sitges
Glenn Publisher & editor
John-Paul Distributor
Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the Go Gay Guide cannot accept responsibility for any errors in articles or advertising, or guarantees and promises therein, or changes to events after going to print. Reproduction, in whole or in part, is prohibited without prior permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.
GOGAYGUIDE.COM Sitges is the jewel in the crown of catalonia and the playground for barcelona (just 40 minutes away by train). If you are gay and coming to Spain, Sitges should be highlighted on your itinerary, as it doesn't get any ‘gayer’ than this.
After holidaying in Sitges, many people want to return for a wide range of reasons; to take a Spanish language course; to enjoy a sabbatical from work; to make the big jump and relocate here; or just to have another fantastic holiday. So, come and enjoy a sizzling summer or avoid a cold, wet winter.
The beauty of Sitges is its charm. Unlike many expanding holiday resorts, it has retained its elegance and beauty. With a liberal atmosphere, Sitges is one of the finest gay resorts in the world. The sense of liberty that comes from walking hand in hand through the delightful cobblestone streets can be a joy for many gay travellers. It is estimated that 1 in 3 people are gay here and it has a gay-friendly Mayor at the town hall. There are dozens of gay and gay-friendly venues that sit comfortably alongside the many galleries and museums. Sitges has 300 smashing days of sunshine a year, so it's no wonder people flock here in their droves.
Sitges has 17 lovely beaches, including 3 gay ones, all of which are well maintained. The resort offers something for everyone and with the perfect mix of sun, sand and fiestas it is an unforgettable holiday experience.
One of the hottest bars: locos
One of the many good things about Sitges is that it is fundamentally still Spanish, or Catalan to be more PC. It hasn't lost its identity despite the cosmopolitan mix from the constant influx of ex-pats and tourists looking for sun and that Mediterranean lifestyle. Our guide not only offers information to help you make the most of your holiday, but also has advice and useful help for your return visit.
Romantic Sitges after sunset
5
EVENTS Sitges has a year round programme of events, too many to mention in this guide, so we have chosen the ones that might tickle your fancy. The first major event of the year is Carnival, a 100-year old festival that takes place every year, 40 days before Easter. There are colourful parades which take 2 hours to pass through the town. With drag on every corner, if you want camp, dazzle and shine, this nonstop party is for you. Fiesta Mayor festival
Under starter's orders is the Vintage Barcelona to Sitges Car Rally in March.
International car show
What makes this such a charming event is the huge effort the car owners go to in attempting to re-create the fineries of dress to match the era.
Watch out around the first May Bank Holiday, because ‘…if you go down to the town today your in for a big surprise…’, as Sitges hosts the Spring International Bears Week. Big
hairy bears descend on Sitges to pack out El Horno bar and the XXL dance bar. May also sees the Corpus Christi Flower Festival. Locals stay up all night to magically transform the streets into beautiful carpets of flowers, each with a unique design. As the weather starts hotting up in June, so does the party atmosphere with the annual Gay Pride Festival. There is a stunning Carnival Parade in the Saturday afternoon sun, followed by a great beach party with shows and DJs. It's definitely a party weekend not to be missed. At the end of August it's party time again with a festival in honour of Sant Bartomeu, one of the town's patron saints. It's an explosion all of the events listed are very popular and it is advisable to book your accommodation early. For some accommodation options:
GOGAYGUIDE.COM of colour and music with street acrobats creating 6-people high human towers called Castellers. People gather around to form human safety nets in case someone falls! Sitges gay Pride event
6
The highlight is undoubtedly the incredible firework display which is always on the 23rd
GOGAYGUIDE.COM
Regulars and staff at el horno bar
of August. Locals and visitors head to the beach with blankets, food and refreshments to ensure a good spot for this spectacular event. It is a unique experience, watching the sky fill with light, as the Mediterranean laps gently below.
For information on all festivals, exhibitions and events visit
GOGAYGUIDE.COM Sitges half Marathon Sitges art exhibition
For more information about these events:
GOGAYGUIDE.COM
Wine Tasting experience grape harvest Festival
In early September there's another bears party, the International Bears Sitges Week. This event is now so popular that a seafront bears' village has been created to complement the bustling bars of El Horno, Man Bar and XXL.
gourmet Food Tasting Festival
Later on in September is the fiesta of Santa Tecla, the other patron saint of Sitges. This 2-day festival sees the Castellers creating human towers again and there is a firework display on the Saturday.
International Music Festival
The following month Sitges is proud to host the International Film Festival of Catalonia, now in its 44th year. The festival is known for showcasing sci-fi and horror movies from up and coming young producers and directors. It is an essential rendezvous for celebrities and their film buffs and always attracts a galaxy of stars.
Sitges bears Week Sitges gay Pride
Sitges Jazz Festival classical Music Festival Poetry Festival of Sitges Design Festival International Patchwork Festival
7
BARS
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
Trinity
1
C/ Sant Gaudenci 7, Sitges
Sitges gets eight new gay bars
Well known about town, Chris Burton is offering a contemporary party lounge atmosphere.
Here we profile the driving forces behind each new venue and wish all of them much success this year. Well done!
Opening this year, the bar is a welcome addition to the Sitges gay scene.
Bonita Bonita
C/ Major 17, Sitges
8
Plaรงa ESPANYA
5
3
2
Nik has brought something new and refreshing to the Sitges gay scene. A chill out lounge that is open all day, where you can enjoy a cool cocktail, a beer or if you are peckish, a delicious tapa.
gay beach
La Picara
7
C/ Sant Pere 3, Sitges
Gay girl about town, Paola, arrived from Chile (via Paris) in 2000. Her experience of working in Rioja, plus her passion for wine, inspired her to open this fine wine and tapas bar.
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GOGAYGUIDE.COM
Queenz Cabaret
Union
2
C/ Bonaire 17, Sitges
3
C/ Bonaire 13, Sitges
Roman, who's a gay dad, arrived from Venezuela with his son 4 years ago.
Queenz Cabaret Bar and Restaurant is an extension of one of the most popular dance bars in Sitges: Queenz.
Roman takes care of the bar while Riky, his son, plays the latest hits. Highly recommended.
Dick and Arjan are bound to continue their success with their fabulous new cabaret bar.
Locos
6
C/ Bonaventura 13, Sitges
4
4 1
3 2
7
CENTRAL PHARMACY
8
JesĂşs launched Locos in spring 2013 and he's been packing them in ever since. His enthusiasm to give his customers a great party keeps them coming back again and again.
cHURCH
Backstage
6
C/ Espalter 7, Sitges
Incognito
5
C/ Europa 16, Sitges
Miss Leona moved from France to open Backstage in Autumn 2012.
French Eric offers a warm welcome in a relaxing terrace bar where you can chill out.
Pop along to hear Miss Leona sing live from her repertoire of fabulous musical show tunes and camp classics.
By day Eric, who speaks very good English, offers great value and tasty food.
9
FOOD
Tapas Tour
al-Vert
1
c/ bonaire 4, Sitges
New lunch café in the heart of the gay district - now serving tapas.
If you are looking for a relaxing, laid-back dining experience and want to snack whilst enjoying a glass of beer or wine, why not give tapas a try.
customer Favourites • Pack de la playa (packed lunched for the beach) • Freshly baked wholemeal butter croissants
Tapas from €1.00. Dishes from €3.00 Half a beer ONLY €1.30 Tapas are an inexpensive and fun way for you to sample a wide variety of tasty tapas in lots of different bars throughout Sitges.
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1
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ceNTR PhaRM
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el cable
Tapas bars can vary slightly in how they serve their food. In some bars you take a plate and help yourself to the food displayed on the counter. In other bars it is table service. Everything about tapas is informal.
guria
c/ Sant Pere 30, Sitges
Brand new tapas bar in a great location near to the beach. Serves gourmet pinchos (small bites) presented in an artistic manner. customer Favourites • Cojonudo (egg and spicy meat) • Brocheta de gambas (prawn skewer)
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5
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bonita bonita c/ Major 17, Sitges
2
Serves thirst quenching cocktails and delicious tapas with a British twist. customer Favourites • Chorizo and fennel sausage roll • Black pudding Scotch egg • Mini fish and chips • Apple, pomegranate and avocado salad
la Dehesa St. Maria c/ Primer de Maig 3, Sitges
3
Ral Macy
4 2 Tapas bar on the seafront near the gay beach, Platja de la Bassa Rodona. Experts in salted, cured and smoked meats. Great for a snack, after a hard day lying on the beach. International Bears Week supporter.
chURch
customer Favourites • Pint of beer with plate of Iberic ham • Parrillida (assorted meat grill)
el cable c/ barcelona 1, Sitges
4
One of the oldest tapas bars in Sitges, run by the same family for 60 years. A great atmosphere, typical Catalan décor and popular with the locals. customer Favourites • Goat's cheese with caramelised onion • Potato wedges with spicy sauce
11
BEACHES SITgeS bOaT TRIPS Here is a great opportunity to spend some of your holiday, living it up in style without burning your credit card. Sitges Boat offers you the chance to take a speed boat trip along the Sitges coastline. The boat has a canopy for shade. There are morning, afternoon and evening trips, as well as flexible packages. Up to 6 people. English speaking.
gay beach Platja de la bassa Ronda
MIXeD NUDIST beach Platja balmins
www.sitgesboat.com 677 188 215
10-minute walk
gay beach church
The beach house
12
lux
The beach house (Carrer Sant Pau 34). The perfect place for inexpensive cocktails and a great meal.
lux (Passeig de la Ribera 15) Located on the Sitges boulevard with stunning views, it is an ideal place to relax.
The funky food and wine menu changes regularly, so there is always a new selection of divine dishes to tempt you back again.
It is a place to watch the world go by, eat delicious tapas, enjoy the sunset with a refreshing cocktail or meet friends for a good time during the evening.
Influences from Thailand to the beaches of Bali can be seen on the menu. All starters are €4.90 and mains €9.90, so good value.
Lux has lounge music and leather couches, making it a great chill out terrace.
Open 16:00 to late
Open 12:00 - 01:00
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THE NEW SWIMWEAR CULTURE ES4U SITGES C/ Sant Pere 5 - SITGES LAGUNA BEACH C/ Sant Josep 25 - SITGES BOYZONE FASHION C/ Bonaventura 18 - SITGES ZONA C/ Parellades 84 - SITGES NIT C/ Consell de Cent 233 - BARCELONA Catรกlogo y venta online: www.nitswim.com Tel: 658 59 42 24 / 93 383 87 11 E-mail: turbo@turbo.es
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RELOCATE Want to buy a property in Sitges - so where do you start? Do what you would do back home: don't rush into anything and do your research. Finding the right property A good time to start is in autumn once the summer frenzy has calmed. Be prepared to make a few trips to Sitges to ensure you find the right property. View as many properties as possible that fit your criteria. This will give you a sense of prices. You'll soon understand what is overpriced and what isn't. “ buying a property in Sitges is a better investment now, as property prices have eased back to a realistic value since the credit crunch,” says lawyer lluís gómez.
Making an offer is expected here and invariably the vendor will want the last word. Remember, what is a quiet, quaint street in January can be a noisy party street in August. The agent's fee The agent's fee is payable by the vendor but you have the right to know what it is.
The deposit Mostly it is paid directly to the vendor. You can ask your lawyer to hold the money, but this might not be understood by local vendors, as it is not the norm. The deposit is normally 10% of the agreed purchase price. Once handed over, if you pull out, you lose it. If the vendor pulls out, you get it back plus the same amount again.
how’s this for going to the office?
Mortgage
Getting a mortgage isn't easy in this credit crunch era. You will have to prove that you are financially very solvent. When choosing a bank, check out their transfer charges for bringing money into Spain and commissions for services, as they vary a lot and may be negotiable. Most banks speak English. The paperwork For mortgages the bank will organise a valuation but not a survey. A planning search will be done by your lawyer and they will check for debts attached to the property (eg. taxes, utilities and maintenance). Once done, you'll sign the papers at the notary, a public official who seals the sale. getting the keys Once you have the keys switch over the utilities into your name and set up a payment order for the town's council tax.
Sitges old town
Make it pay Many owners rent out their holiday homes for weekly tourist lets, giving income when they're not using it. Be aware that there are tax and licensing issues.
This article has been reproduced with kind permission of engel & Völkers.
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eNgel&VÖlKeRS
ESTATE AGENT
We are experts in the Sitges property market and we can take all the worry out of buying a property! Sitges is one of the best places to live and there has never been a better time to buy.
We can help you with your move to Sitges, Barcelona and the surrounding areas. • • • • • • •
Real Estate Law Divorce Contracts Accountancy Inheritance Law Family Law Security
• • • • • •
Same Sex Marriage Prenuptial Agreements Conveyancing of Property Licensing for Business Litigation & Negotiation Company Set Ups, Tax, Labour Payroll & Social
— Engel & Völkers
contact: Lluís or Mikael Telephone: (34) 93 894 0980 Mobile: (34) 670 725 357 Fax: (34) 93 894 9331 email: info@sitges-lawyer.com
93 811 4444
C/ Parellades 39 1-1, Sitges www.sitges-lawyer.com
C/ Passeig de Vilanova 30, Sitges www.engelvoelkers.com/es/sitges
lawyer: Carlos Roura Telephone: 93 811 0881
e&V
C/ Angel Vidal 5, Sitges carlosroura@roura-asesoria.com
For peace of mind use our specialists A group of lawyers and economists working for you since 1983 in the following areas of business: • • • • • • •
Tax advice Employment advice Accounting services Commercial advice Legal advice for business Franchise expansion Purchase and sale of businesses
15
GOGAYGUIDE.COM WINTER BREAK EDITOR'S TRAVELS
One of the many questions I get asked over the summer by visitors is what do I do in the winter, well, apart from putting the guide together I normally take a leisurely 1 or 2-month holiday. You can get a bit ‘gayed out’ living in Sitges, so instead of a typical gay destination I prefer to do something a little bit different. This winter I went cruising on the waterways of Lancashire and Yorkshire with Rio, my trusty hound. Family and friends thought I was crazy when I mentioned that Rio and I would be giving up our usual warm and sunny Catalan winter for a 7-week holiday in the Pennines of Lancashire - so when I told them we would be staying on a boat, they thought I really had lost the plot!
hire this 9-berth boat for one week in winter for 899 gbP
What I hadn't told them was that we were going to be staying aboard the biggest and best boat I could find. It was a 9-berth wide beam barge with an en-suite double bedroom (for me and Rio), guest bedroom (for family and friends), second bathroom, fully fitted kitchen, lounge/dining/ second guest bedroom, plus central heating, traditional wood burner fire and all the usual creature comforts found at home. As soon as I had booked it, I sent all my sceptical family and friends a link to show them where Rio and I would be spending winter - within a few hours messages started coming back saying how fabulous it looked and how they would love to come and stay for at least a few days or even a week … I knew then that Rio and I were set for a perfect winter holiday in the Pennines.
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When I arrived at the marina I was given a simple 3-hour introduction to the boat, steering and lock tuition by the company's instructor.
It was remarkably easy, as I can't even drive a car but found the whole boat thing a piece of cake.
christmas dinner on board the boat
The beautiful marina is surrounded by breathtaking scenery and has a mixture of holiday and residential boats. I got to know quite a few of the residents who were a lovely, friendly and warm crowd. Opting to live on a boat rather than ‘terra firma’ is an obvious deviation from the norm and any kind of deviation from convention is always a plus in my book! When I was there I logged onto Gaydar and couldn't believe it when I found a guy who lived in the same marina! We met up a couple of times and he told me about the time when he came out at a marina Halloween party; the locals thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. He danced the night away with the women, as the men stood by the bar drinking ale … Nobody cared, it is a real live and let live community.
a beautiful winter's day
This is a snapshot of my winter adventure away and there is more to come in the new Go Gay Guide Summer Specials.
For more information and to register your interest in a boating holiday, please go to
www.canal-cruises.co.uk
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BAR 7 C/ Nou 7 BAR AZUL C/ Bonaventura 10 BEARS BAR C/ Bonaire 17 BONITA BONITA C/ Mayor 17 NEW! CASABLANCA C/ Pau Barrabeitg 5 COMODíN C/ Tacó 4 DARK BAR C/ Bonaire 14 EL CANDIL C/ Carreta 9 EL HORNO C/ Joan Tarrida 6
11 EL PIANO C/ Bonaventura 37 12 INCOGNITO C/ Europa 16 NEW!
With its friendly staff and typical pub-like atmosphere, El Horno is one of the few gay bars that is open from 17:00.
02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10
18 19 20 21
ORGANIC C/ Bonaire 15 PARROTS Plaça Indústria 2 PRINZ C/ Nou 4 PRIVILEGE C/ Bonaire 24
A men only sex bar with underwear parties every night. It's all well organised with a changing area and secure cloakroom.
17 MAN BAR C/ Bonaventura 19
It's going to be a hot summer at Locos ‘the crazy ones’ in Bourbons, as its resident Hostess Hell Fire continues to pack them in.
A very popular dance bar with some of the best music in town, with a big cruising area and dark room.
RUBY'S C/ Joan Tarrida 14 TRINITY C/ Sant Gaudenci 7 NEW! SHE C/ Sant Pere 28 NEW! UNION C/ Bonaire 13 NEW! VILLA BAR C/ Joan Tarrida 8 XXL C/ Joan Tarrida 7
24 25 26 27 28 29
15 LA PICARA C/ Sant Pere 3 NEW! 16 LOCOS C/ Bonaventura 13 NEW!
Oasis shopping centre
22 QUEENZ C/ Bonaire 17 23 QUEENZ CABARET NEW!
13 LA LOCACOLA C/ Bonaire 35 14 LE MALE BAR
C/ Bonaire 17
¡ANUNCIATE! 617 235 261
GET LISTED! 666 325 974
Legal Adviser - C/ Angel Vidal 5
04 ROURA CONSULTORIA
Lawyer - C/ Parellades 39 1-1
03 LLUIS GOMEZ (LAWYER)
Real Estate - Passeig de la Ribera 27
02 KEY STAR
Real Estate - Passeig de Vilanova 30
01 ENGEL & VÖLKERS
Dog Groomers - C/ Bonaventura 16
01 JULIAN OLIVA
PeTS
RelOcaTe
C/ Sant Pau 41
02 TATTOO ART SITGES
Jesús is one of the best barbers in town. Lounge provides good value haircuts, facials, massages and beauty treatments.
C/ Bonaventura 18
01 LOUNGE BARBERS
lIFeSTyle
C/ Sant Josep 25
04 PAPI C/ Joan Tarrida 3 05 ZAK C/ Sant Francesc 1 06 ZONA C/ Parellades 84
01 BACKSTAGE C/ Espalter 7 NEW!
L'ESCALA C/ Pau Barrabeitg 1 LA MENTA C/ Jesús 55-57 LUX Passeig de la Ribera 15 MAGOA Port d ‘Aiguadolç ONAJI C/ Marqués del Monroig 8
!
S TAPA
Platja de La Ribera
02 LA RIBERA BEACH BAR
01 BOYZONE C/ Bonaventura 18 02 ES4U C/ Sant Pere 5 03 LAGUNA BEACH SHOP
ShOPS
baRS
09 GURIA 10 KFE RESTAURANT C/ St Josep 9
C/ Sant Pere 30 TAPAS!
15 16 17 18 19
C/ Primer de Maig 3
14 LA DEHESA ST. MARIA
02 AL VERT C/ Bonaire 4 03 BEACH HOUSE C/ Sant Pau 34
BONITA BONITA C/ Mayor 17 TAPAS! CAFÉ SITGES C/ Sant Pau 32 CASA HIDALGO C/ Sant Pau 12 CASA SEVILLA C/ Espalter 13 EL CABLE C/ Barcelona 1 TAPAS!
12 KASSOLETA C/ Jesús 55-57 13 L' AMBASSADE Passeig de la Ribera 6
The Alfresco courtyard restaurant is an experience well known in Sitges. Its elegant and casual service makes it a must for every visitor.
04 05 06 07 08
01 BALMINS BEACH BAR
This is a very friendly café-bar with a terrace that has become a big hit with locals and tourist alike offering excellent food at reasonable prices.
01 ALFRESCO C/ Pau Barrabeitg 4 Platja Balmins
beach baRS
11 INCOGNITO C/ Europa 16
FOOD
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FREE PULL-OUT MAP GOGAYGUIDE.COM GUIDE.COM
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LIFESTYLE
GOGAYGUIDE.COM
after a hard day on the beach, it's time for some serious pampering, followed by a good dose of retail therapy. Sitges has a great gay grooming centre to relax in called Lounge on C/ Bonaventura. It offers most types of buffing for gaykind.
Sitges has about 450 shops. C/ Major is one of the main streets for designer clothes and homeware. C/ Sant Francesc stands out with its independent boutiques nicely nestled between lots of delicious bakeries and nice cafés.
Shops worth a visit include Papi on C/Joan Torrida, next to XXL, and Zak on C/ Sant Fransesc, just off the main square of Cap de la Vila.
lounge hair salon
Look out for a new pair of NIT swimming trunks too. Try a permanent memento of Sitges with an artistic tattoo from Tattoo Art Sitges. Then finish with a drink or two at Bonita Bonita on C/ Major.
Top tattooist in the centre of Sitges. Vicente was one of the first tattoo artists in Barcelona and has 25 years of experience. Friendly and gentle, especially for first timers. Open by appointment on 670 231 673
address C/ Sant Pau 41, Sitges
Web sitgesvida.com/tattooart
In the heart of the gay village with a range of shirts, shorts, beachwear and fashion for the summer. Special offers, with t-shirts from as little as €10, making it a good place to shop and to pick up some great bargains. Located next door to XXL. Open 11:00 - 14:00 & 17:00 - 21:00 address C/ Joan Tarrida 3, Sitges Tel 93 894 7206
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LIFESTYLE
Zak Men is the brother to Loft Women and now boasts 3 fabulous independent boutique clothes shops located on Carrer Sant Francesc, just off the main square. The new Zak Beachwear shop is across the street from the classic Zak Menswear. All the latest beachwear fashions to make your day at the beach a complete success. Because Zak and Loft are not part of a chain, you will find some really unusual items that are not going to be available in the shops on your high street back home.
chURch
address Zak Menswear C/ Sant Francesc 1, Sitges &Â Zak Beachwear C/ Sant Francesc 4, Sitges Open 10:30 - 14:00 & 17:00 - 22:00 Tel 93 810 2627 & 93 811 4625
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GOGAYGUIDE.COM
Jesús (with mirror) opened Lounge two years ago and is now one of the best barbers in town. Lounge offers an all-round grooming service. It provides good value haircuts, facials, massages and beauty treatments. Why not treat yourself to a cut price package? ESP, CAT, ENG, FRA, ITA
Massages
Facials
Save €30 on these treatment packages when you present a copy of this magazine. Package 1: Haircut (clippers), shave, mini facial and tidy-up unwanted hair (ears, nose and eyebrows). Only €34 (normally €64)
Plaça eSPaNya
ceNTRal PhaRMacy
gay beach chURch
address C/ Bonaventura 18, Sitges Open Monday - Saturday 11:00 - 20:00 Tel 93 742 9321
Package 2: Haircut (scissors), shave, mini facial and tidy-up unwanted hair (ears, nose and eyebrows). Only €39 (normally €69)
Haircut (clippers).....................................14.00 Haircut (scissors)....................................19.00 Shave......................................................16.00 Mini Facial...............................................21.00 Manicure (hydration)...............................15.00 Pedicure (hydration)...............................19.00 Waxing...........................................from 12.00 Massage........................................from 45.00 Grooming (tidy-up unwanted hair)..........13.00
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FOOD The local cuisine is traditional catalan, produced from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The cuisine relies heavily on vegetables, especially tomatoes, garlic, aubergines, beans, chickpeas and mushrooms. Pork, chicken, lamb and many types of fish, like sardine, anchovy, tuna, cod and hake make up most dishes. Don't worry, that doesn't mean you won't find a good steak in Sitges! here are some top catalan favourites: • Pa amb tomàquet: bread smeared with a sauce of olive oil, garlic and tomato (an alternative to butter in sandwiches).
• Xató: a sauce made with nuts, breadcrumbs and garlic dressing, often served with a salted cod endive salad (über-healthy). • botifarra: a delicious spicy pork sausage (oo-er missus!). • allioli: a thick mayonnaise made of garlic and olive oil, used with grilled meats or vegetables. In Catalan ‘all-i-oli’ is ‘garlicand-oil’. (don't be greedy, as it can repeat a lot). • crema catalana: the famous egg yolk, milk and sugar custard dessert with caramalised sugar on top (orgasmic).
• calçot: specially cultivated grilled onion (sounds strong but isn't). • escudella: pasta and meat stew served as a soup (very filling). • escalivada: assorted grilled vegetables (very tasty).
Casa Sevilla Offering a traditional and very popular dining experience, our advice is to go early or book in advance. The kitchen only cooks with fresh produce and offers excellent and inexpensive lunch and dinner menus. The house prides itself on seafood and fish but the menus offer meats too. Hugely gay friendly and a big supporter every year of the bi-annual Bears Week celebrations in Sitges. Open 13:00 - 16:00 & 20:00 - 23:00 address C/ Espalter 13, Sitges Tel 93 894 4590 Web casasevilla.net
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customer Favourites • Steamed mussels • Cod with allioli sauce • Steak tartare
GOGAYGUIDE.COM Sitges has about 160 restaurants catering for almost every taste. Most holidaymakers have their main meal in the evening after a day on the beach. However, in Spain lunch is generally the main meal of the day with tapas (snacks) taken early evening.
lunch in Spain: 14:00-16:00 Dinner in Spain: 20:00-23:00 All restaurants offer a ‘menú del dia’, a low cost 3-course set lunch, normally around €10 to €15. All restaurants have to offer this by law. It is a hangover from the Franco era He decreed all workers must be able to get their main meal of the day at a reasonable price. So, even in the most expensive restaurant, always ask for the ‘menú del dia’ at lunchtime, as it will be
invariably much better value than the ‘á la carte’, though probably more towards the €20 to €25 price range. Being a tourist town many restaurants in Sitges also offer a ‘menú de noche’ (set dinner menu) to entice customers and it is usually slightly more expensive than the lunch one. In this guide we've profiled some of the restaurants that we think you will enjoy. So, as the locals say: “bon profit!” All prices listed by our sponsors include tax unless otherwise stated.
The Alfresco courtyard restaurant is an experience well known in Sitges. Its elegant and casual service makes it a must for every holidaymaker. Located in the heart of Sitges, the restaurant is open for dinner offering honest food with the best ingredients. From a romantic candlelit dinner to a big celebration with family and friends, it's a great setting where the Alfresco team want to make your visit an unforgettable one.
Open 20:30 - 24:00 address C/ Pau Barrabeitg 4, Sitges Tel 93 894 0600 Web alfrescorestaurante.es
customer Favourites • Baked beetroot with tomino cheese • Nebraska Angus steak • Galician grilled octopus
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FOOD Enjoy sushi and Korean cuisine slap bang in the centre of Sitges. Enjoy classical Oriental dishes in this new cool venue opposite Montroig café. Open 12:00 - 24:00 address C/ Marquès de Montroig 8, Sitges Tel 93 894 9342
El Valero is a lovely seafront restaurant. The menu changes at the start of every season but it always remains focused on fish and seafood fresh from the market. Open 13:00 - 16:00 & 20:30 - 23:30 address Passeig de la Ribera 38, Sitges Tel 93 894 2051
Taiwanese and Asian food is served at this popular Oriental restaurant. Located on the corner of a small ‘passeig’ (lane) in the old town with terrace tables. Open 12:30 - 16:00 & 19:00 - 00:00 address C/ Pau Barrabeitg 1, Sitges Tel 93 894 3048
A great restaurant offering an excellent range of Mediterranean food. Fresh produce is sourced daily from local markets and there is always fresh fish on the menu from the local fishermen. Serving food since 1987, this eatery has a menú del dia at €15 and a menú de noche at €20. Not to be missed.
Open 13:00 - 16:00 & 20:00 - 23:30 address C/ Sant Pau 12, Sitges Tel 93 894 3895 Web casahidalgo.es
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customer Favourites • Lobster cakes • Nebraska paella • Seafood platter
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This is a very friendly cafĂŠ bar with a terrace that has become a big hit with locals and tourists alike. Run by a team with a number of nationalities and languages, the restaurant offers excellent food and great tapas at very reasonable prices. Mediterranean food with a variety of starters and desserts make up an exciting menu. At night it's a welcoming and popular bar.
Full English or Continental breakfast
a
europ
Lunch on Incognito's shaded terrace
Plaça eSPaNya
ceNTRal PhaRMacy
Incognito becomes a bar by night
breakfast served 10:00 - 13:00 lunch served 13:00 - 16:00
gay beach chURch
Open 10:00 - 23:00 address C/ Europa 16, Sitges Web incognitositges.es
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DAY TRIP BARCELONA barcelona is a must during any holiday to Sitges. yes, it's hard to drag yourself off that beach lounger but if you manage it you won't be disappointed. There's plenty to see in Barcelona and it's only about 40 minutes by train. Absolute musts include a stroll down the tree-lined ‘La Rambla’, the Picasso Museum, showing the artist's early works, and the Modernist buildings on Passeig de Gracia including Casa Milà also nicknamed La Pedrera. Don't forget the famous unfinished church, La Sagrada Familia, designed by the master himself, Antoní Gaudí. The best way to see the city is to jump on and off the tourist bus from the railway station Sants. If you fancy a stroll then stay on the train, past Sants, and
barri gòtic
get off at the next stop, Passeig de Gracia, which drops you in the heart of it all. After all that sightseeing, you'll need to cool off at the city's great beaches.
Sagrada Familia
If you want a night out we recommend you start at Moeem in the heart of the gay district (5 minutes from Universitat Metro), here you can collect a gay map for Barcelona and have a drink while planning your night out. Air-conditioned trains from Sitges to central Barcelona run all day, every day, with the last one returning at 23:59 (from Passeig de Gracia). If you want to stay on, there's a night bus from Plaça Catalunya up until 03:00. The first morning train is at 05:38 (from Passeig de Gracia).
This a friendly, down to earth, no nonsense type of bar for a mixed crowd to meet and have fun. Open every day, Moeem starts getting busy from the start. It attracts a youngish crowd in their 20s to late 40s. Every Thursday there is a themed party night with DJs playing the best tracks on the weekends. The venue has a terrace too.
Open 18:00 - 02:30 (03:00 weekends)
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address C/ Muntaner 11, BCN
BARS
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Sitges is a unique gay village, with more than 20 gay bars all within a short 10-minute walk of each other. The town's gay scene started in the old part of Sitges, near the church. Now there are 2 more gay areas; the first is around the vicinity of the streets of Bonaire and Joan Tarrida. The second is within the triangular shaped area bounded by the streets of Espalter, Sant Francesc and Parellades. Sitges has something for everyone; from twinks to bears and from muscle men to the cocktail crowd.
hostess hell Fire burns the tracks at locos
Later, many of the bars, like Locos, XXL and Queenz Music Bar, have resident DJs and dance floors that offer a clubby atmosphere.
Bonita Bonita is open all day from 11:00. For a cool air-conditioned beer after the beach, El Horno opens at 17:00.
For a friendly chat with a great crowd make sure you go to to Bar 7.
The new Queenz cabaret bar opens at 20:30 offering cabaret dinners and shows.
For the nightly underwear parties it's Man Bar where it's ‘rude but gude’!
A Sitges institution est. 1992. Popular with tourists and locals alike. A good starting point. Pub atmosphere and friendly staff.
Open 22:00 - 03:00 address C/ Nou 7, Sitges
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BONITA BONITA is a new tapas and lounge bar in the heart of Sitges, just a stone's throw away from the beach.
something a little bit different. The bar is open daily and is attracting a cool and vibrant mixed crowd.
Fashionable and stylish! BONITA BONITA has brought a taste of London to the streets of Sitges, serving English tapas with a Spanish twist. Lashings of vintage dĂŠcor line the walls and upbeat funky house and chill out music play in the background. This new lounge exudes luxury, comfort and unparalleled service that is affordable and great value for money.
You can choose from a wide range of drinks: From a selection of international and domestic lagers to an extensive cocktail menu.
BONITA BONITA is the perfect place to go if you want to experience
If you work hard, play harder!
Whether you drop in during an afternoon's shopping, on the way back from the beach, or want somewhere special to go in the evening with friends, then BONITA BONITA comes highly recommended.
Plaça eSPaNya
ceNTRal PhaRMacy
gay beach chURch
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Spanish tapas with a British twist
An amazing selection of refreshing cocktails
Great Prices Cocktails from Spirit & Mixer Beer
€6.00 €6.50 €2.00
Address C/ Major 17 Telephone 93 222 8540 Open 11:00 - 02:00
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Crazy
& Fun! It's going to be a hot summer at Locos (‘the crazy ones’), formely Bourbons, this year as its resident Hostess Hell Fire continues to pack them in every night. Well known on the Sitges gay scene since 2002, Hostess Hell Fire shaped this ‘must-go’ venue so it is on everyone's pub crawl list. She is well known for throwing some of the best and craziest theme parties in town, so if you haven't been before then make sure you give it a try on your next night out.
We recommend you ask Hostess Hell Fire to make you her signature Hell Fire Cocktail. Tailor-made with your favourite spirit and prepared with a theatrical flourish, get your cameras ready as this is a sight to be seen. WARNING: there is a ‘flaming’ finale to her cocktail making, so eyebrows, wigs and man-made fibres beware. On Saturdays, Locos enjoys the talents of the super Hostess Marta. The sultry songstress ensures you are given a great night out as she schmoozes, cruises and works the crowd.
Plaça eSPaNya
ceNTRal PhaRMacy
gay beach chURch
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locos bar and dance floor
hostess hell Fire making her signature cocktail
Super hostess Marta
The friendly locos bar team
great Prices Spirit & Mixer €5.50 beer €2.50 Water €2.50 address C/ Bonaventura 13 Open 22:30 - 03:30 33
BARS
XXL music bar is the mothership for the XXL group, which also runs El Horno and Man Bar. It is a Sitges institution for anyone wanting to go out to dance and/or shag. With some of the best dance music being played in town, it has a good-sized dance floor which gets packed every night.
MaN baR
el hORNO
ceNTRal PhaRMacy
XXl
Open 22:00 - 03:30 address C/ Joan Tarrida 7, Sitges
grupoXXL@yahoo.es
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It has a long bar, where you'll be served by some of the hottest boys in town. Set on two floors, the upper level is strictly men only with a whole floor allocated to cruising. A video area leads to a very popular dark room and when we say popular we mean popular, as sometimes it is almost impossible to squeeze through. It's a great venue and tends to get going after midnight. It has a very mixed gay clientèle from young to mature and twinks to bears.
www.sitges4men.com
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El Horno (´The Oven´) with its friendly staff and typical pub-like atmosphere has become a bit of an institution over the years. It is one of the few gay bars that is open from 17:00. The back bar plays non-stop porn and has a dark room, which was originally home to an oven! The front bar is more laid back and less cruisy. El Horno is home to the Bear Club Sitges and plays host to the bi-annual International Bear Meeting, also at Man Bar and XXL. Open 17:00 - 03:00 address C/ Joan Tarrida 6, Sitges
grupoXXL@yahoo.es
www.sitges4men.com
Man Bar is, what it says on the tin. A men only sex bar with underwear parties every night. It's all well organised with a changing area and secure cloakroom. You get a number and pay for your drinks when you leave. Thursday sees the return of the hugely popular ‘night of the masks’ in the height of summer. A mask is provided and all you have to do is put it on and strip down for this steamy naked night. Open 22:00 - 03:30 address C/ Bonaventura 19, Sitges
grupoXXL@yahoo.es
www.sitges4men.com 355
L’AMBASSADE is located on the town’s main seafront. Enjoy unspoilt views of the Mediterranean Sea and the iconic church of Sitges, whilst relaxing on the front terrace.
Be entertained and charmed by a roving sophisticated Burlesque style cabaret show on selected nights. Think Berlin, think Cabaret, think Liza and you’re there!
THE NEW SWIMWEAR CULTURE ES4U SITGES C/ Sant Pere 5 - SITGES LAGUNA BEACH C/ Sant Josep 25 - SITGES BOYZONE FASHION C/ Bonaventura 18 - SITGES ZONA C/ Parellades 84 - SITGES NIT C/ Consell de Cent 233 - BARCELONA Catálogo y venta online: www.nitswim.com Tel: 658 59 42 24 / 93 383 87 11 E-mail: turbo@turbo.es