Tenerife Gay Scene. In Spain and, therefore, Tenerife, homosexuality is legal and the age of consent is 16. Although many in the gay community will be aware that, out of all the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria has the biggest gay scene, Tenerife is slowly catching up. On this page, I'll try to give you as much information as I can about bars, beaches, saunas and cruising areas, plus details of companies that provide gay holidays.
Currently, in the Tenerife gay scene, all gay bars in south Tenerife are in Playa de Las Americas. In the north, you'll find gay venues in Puerto de la Cruz, La Laguna and Santa Cruz.
Playa de Las Americas
Playaflor Chill Out Bar
Part of the exclusively gay Playaflor apartment complex, directly opposite the Veronicas strip, this gay bar is an ideal place to start the evening with an early drink, before the gay scene livens up sometime between 11pm and midnight.
It is situated on the first floor and you'll find it by going through an iron gate.
It has an impressive Moroccan-style interior and comfortable seating, plus it is the only gay bar in Las Americas with an outside terrace.
Compared to other gay bars, drinks prices are reasonable, too.
The bar also serves snacks.
Its first-floor situation also means you are guaranteed privacy.
Opening Times
Sunday to Thursday
9pm-1am
Friday & Saturday
9pm-3am
All the other gay bars in Las Americas are found in the Salytien Commercial Centre. This is found by positioning yourself with Veronicas on your left and walking up the road for about 15 minutes.
Some of the bars can be a bit hard to find and you may have to actually enter the shopping centre to get to them.
Chaplin's Bar
Chaplin's is accessed by going down a few steps from the seafront promenade, on the left, and along a passage past the Cellar Bar. It has two entrances, but, on quiet nights, one may be locked.
This is a popular gay bar, with a lesbian in charge. It stays open very late and sometimes features drag cabaret.
It is equipped with private cabins.
Opening Times
11pm-8am
The bar is at its busiest between 3am and 4am.
Gemini's Bar
At the furthest end of the Salytien Centre, as you're walking away from Veronicas, on the seafront promenade side, you'll see a dark, narrow passageway, with a rainbow sign over the entrance. You go down there to find Gemini's.
This is another popular starter bar. It gets busy by around midnight.
It is a good dance bar, featuring, from time to time, cabaret.
Opening Times
10pm-4am
Punto Zero
This is a gay club and has two entrances. From the main road, down the steps under the bingo sign. From the seafront promenade, up some steps on the right, then down a passage.
A club playing good music and with friendly staff. Generally regarded as the biggest and best of all the gay venues.
Possessed of a smart interior, it puts on a good drag show.
Busy from 1am onwards.
Opening Times
10pm-6am
The Cellar Bar
Found by descending a few steps on the left of the Salytien Centre, on the seafront promenade side, this is the only British-owned and run gay bar in south Tenerife.
It is quite small and intimate and, as well as drinks, serves light snacks such as hot dogs.
Opening Times
10pm-2am
Please Note
I have been informed by Christophe, via feedback, that the Salytien Complex has fallen into disrepair and all the gay venues within it are closed and look derelict. He specifically mentions Gemini's, Chaplin's and Punto Zero.
However, I have since been informed by Kris that there is a new bar in town...
The Red Queen
This is a small bar frequented mostly by local Spanish, or Canarian gay men and women. However, it seems that all nationalities are made welcome.
It can be found on Avenida Austria, part of the Malibu Park building, in Costa Adeje.
THE TENERIFE GAY SCENE IN THE NORTH
Puerto de la Cruz
Details of these venues are a little more sketchy, but here's a list anyway:
Dominique Bar
Plaza del Charco
Incognito Bar
Avenida Generalisimo
Jim's Bar
Avenida Generalisimo.
Mito 2
Avenida Generalisimo.
Sabor Sabor
Valois, 24, edificio Bel Air
Tabasco
Avenida Generalisimo
O'Neill's Cafe Bar
Edificio La Guajara,3, Avenida Generalisimo
Open all day, 10am-10pm, serving breakfasts and lunches, becoming known as an early evening bar.
Anderson
Avenida Generalisimo
Despanto
Avenida Generalisimo
Mito 3
Avenida Generalisimo
Sabor Sabor
Avendia Melchor Luz
Vampi's
Avenida Generalisimo.
There is a drag show at around 2 a.m. A predominantly gay club but straight people are welcome.
La Laguna
El Galeon
Carretera de Tabares.
Nashville Pub
Calle Dr. Antonio Glez
Palladium
Carretera General del Norte, Paseo de las Acacias 1 Bajo - Guamasa.
This is only open Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays and features Drag & Strip-Tease Shows.
PK2
Small bar with a good selection of music, open till 3am.
Santa Cruz
Seattle
Avenida Madrid.
Small, trendy bar, with, apparently, cute waiters.
Blue Dreams
Calle San Miguel, near Garcia Sanabria Park.
Disco-pub, open every day, with shows Fridays and Saturdays.
tenerife gay scene
Tenerife Gay Scene: Beaches
Nude beaches are prevalent in Tenerife and they usually have a gay/cruising area.
Playa de los Rusos/Darsena Pescadora
Puerto de la Cruz
You head north towards San Andres and follow the signs toward Darsena Pescadora. Bus number 914 will take you there.
Playa de la Teresitas and Playa de la Gaviotas
This artificial beach can be reached from Puerto de la Cruz by heading toward St Andres and following the signs. The cliffs on the left is a cruising area. At Playa de la Gaviotas, nude sunbathing is acceptable. Also bus 914.
Punta Roja at Playa de la Tejita
Found near Reina Sofia airport, between Los Abrigos and El Medano, this is a nudist beach situated at the headland between these two villages. Take the number 111 bus from Las Americas.
Los Cristianos
At the far end of Los Cristianos (away from Las Americas) you'll find a nudist beach with an area for gays and cruising. Head for the landmark Costamar tower and, just past that, head down towards the sea. The gay area is at the far end and cruising takes place at the rocky area.
La Caleta
A little tricky to get to, but consisting of two sandy bays - and well worth the effort.
Bora Bora
Las Americas
This beach is popular for cruising in the evening.
Don't Forget...
The beach area in front of the Salytien Centre, Las Americas - cruising galore!
Lago Martinez, the water park complex in Puerto de la Cruz, though predominantly straight, has a gay area, to the left as you walk in.
Gay Saunas
Sauna Acuario
Calle Santiago Beyro, Santa Cruz.
Tel: 922 206576.
Norte Sauna
Calle Poeta Tomas Morales, Santa Cruz.
Laurent
Calle Iriarte, Puerto de la Cruz.
Babylon
Calle Blanco (the basement of Edificio Isla), Puerto de la Cruz. Open every day 2pm-10pm. On Saturdays, there's a special night session that starts at midnight and goes through till around 6am.
Tel: 922 372610
Puerto Sana
Calle Blanco, Puerto de la Cruz.
tenerife gay scene
Here is a selection of companies or websites that deal with gay holidays to Tenerife.
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