Belgrade City Gay Guide 2010

Page 1

by Kruno Pekas

The Spirit of Belgrade City

Everything is always on the boil in Belgrade, and
one can feel the heartbeat of history, of the people,
in every district of the city, each full of smell and
colour. This is the life of a city on the border of two
civilizations, at the confluence of two rivers, at the
foot of Mt Avala. By night the music of gypsies, the
songs of the tamburica players and the wine and
the tables set out in front of the cafs show us that
the East has not completely disappeared and that
the West is not yet fully at home here in a city
where people carry a crossroads inside of them.
When you come to Belgrade you have the feeling
that you know everybody, and that the people
there are closer to each other than anywhere else.
There is a good atmosphere everywhere you go, as
if everyone has found the ideal place to feel at his
best.
Belgrade's charm is just irresistible! The best thing
about Belgrade is the people who live there and
their spontaneity. This charm and hospitality on the
part of the people of Belgrade is mentioned in all
the travelogues and books of long-gone
international travellers, and modern journalists and
visitors to our city say the same. Its openness and
readiness to welcome visitors will always be the
most important feature of what Belgrade has to
offer the tourist.

"I know that amongst hurrying tourists Belgrade

has the reputation of being a boring city..... In my
opinion, nothing very beautiful can be boring. But
even if it were otherwise, it is in any case unjust to
pass judgement on a town, just as it is to pass
judgement on a person according to our first,
fleeting impressions. In order to judge the good or
bad traits of a place or person, we must first know
them intimately, and anyone who knows Belgrade
intimately must love it passionately" (paraphrase)
Herbert Vivien, correspondent of the London
Daily Express, 1896.

Recently Len Beloevi wrote in the Pittsburgh

Post-Gazette: "Belgrade is a city of mystical
contradictions. Belgrade... While I was walking
along Knez Mihailova, the packed pedestrian street
which leads from the centre of Belgrade to
Kalamegdan, I did not see any evidence that
Serbia was beset by economic and political
problems. The cafs were full of cheerful Serbs
drinking coffee, Serbian beer or something
stronger like sljivovica. With no visible worries,
these people idly discuss life, love and of course
politics, or ambivalently observe passers-by,
including the fashionably-dressed women, who
have come out to perform an Old Slavic social
ritual, that is, to be seen... One gets the
impression that these people, as they drink or
walk, are in better spirits and less concerned than
the pedestrians of any American city street."
(paraphrase)

What do the impressions that we take away from a

city depend on? A city that we are visiting for the
first time attracts us firstly through its inhabitants,
then through its boulevards and promenades, river
banks and gardens, its sunsets, cafs and
restaurants, its museums, the rhythm of life, its
entertainment. Every city, just like every man, has
its own biography and character and its history
chronicles its childhood and youth, its celebrations
and defeats, its dreams and errors, and the same
is true for us.

This is all backed up by the refrain of the popular

song about Belgrade:
"My Belgrade has a heart
Full of love so pure,
My city opens wide its arms
And shows that love to all..."

Belgrade is an ancient city with a rich history, in

the best location in Europe, with the most
interesting men and the most enigmatic women.
We know it is not nice to boast, but one of the
special qualities of Belgrade lies just in this mix.

Belgrade City Gay Guide 2010

Page 2

by Kruno Pekas

Glossary of Terms
(gay & lesbian) A place which is strictly for gays
and lesbians (LGBT).

(gay friendly) A place which is not declared as a

gay and lesbian but is gay-friendly and gays and
lesbians are welcomed. In such places avoid
kissing, huging and such.

(men only) Places where entry is allowed only for

gay men.

(visited by gays) A place which is only known as

visited by gays but we suggest not to have open
behaviour. These are parks for example which have
higher risk, therefore we recommend caution.

(lesbian only) Places where entry is allowed only

for lesbians.

Belgrade men and how to meet them?

will be very careful in public, so respect that and

keep that in mind as first thing.
Gayromeo.com is a gay profile service, a gay
comunity now well-known worldwide. Recently they
launched also a serbian language version because
of very big number of users and which shows the
importance and size of the community...
If we are talking about the Belgrade, freely we can
say that the simplest, most popular and definitely
the safest way to meet someone, whether due to
date, sex or just friendship, is
www.gayromeo.com.
Once you arrive in Belgrade, if you are already a
user, change in your profile administration town
and country - into Belgrade, Serbia. That is the
way to be visible to all Belgrade users and more
chance to meet up with somebody.
Some people say it is very complicated to make an
appointment with somebody for a real meeting,
because they are pretty shy or scared. But it is not
true. Belgrade guys are pretty relaxed and ready
for an action if so arranged.
To afford yourself more privacy and fun, we
suggest to rent some private accommodation, for
example an apartment with private bathroom. That
is how you will have more privacy and you could
bring somebody to your own place. Host or flat
owners are really welcoming and polite. Hotels are
also not too expensive. For budget travelers we
recommend in this guide some hostels.
To be honest, Belgrade or Serbian men are very
manly and horny. With the characteristic straight
appearance, simple behaviour and raw looking,
many peole find them very hot. It is very normal
that because of conservative invironment, many

Belgrade City Gay Guide 2010

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by Kruno Pekas

Belgrade Bears

they were forced to seek larger premises. Then the

fun began at various gay clubs in Belgrade.
Belgrade Bears organization currently has between
100 and 150 members. At parties there are a lot of
guests from abroad from neighboring countries
such as Italy, Romania, Croatia, Bosnia, Hungary,
Slovenia ...
At parties are usually DJs and electronic music to a
deserted Commercial house, Tech house, Minimal
... Parties are organized periodically, about once a
month. The goal this year is to organize a regional
entertainment for all Bears from neighboring
countries.
The atmosphere at the party is hot and relaxed,
slowly removed the shirt as the party goes on and
those who love beards and real hairy men here are
more than welcome. Please, for the parties check
their webpage: www.belgradebears.blogspot.com
and feel free to join in.

Belgrade Bears group was established in March

2009. Then, it took place the first Bear party in
Belgrade and the first such in the country.
Logo shown here, is a trademark of Bears of Serbia
even though leading group is in Belgrade. The first
three parties were held in a gay cafe Espeho, but
due to an increasing number of interested people

Merlinka International Queer Film Festival

he first International Queer Film Festival

Merlinka, organized by the Gay Lesbian Info

Centre, successfully ended last night at Belgrades
Dom omladine. Ten films dealing with LGBT themes
were shown during four days of the festival. Also, a
public discussion entitled Gay and lesbian
moments in domestic film was held. Actresses Ana
Frani and Lena Bogdanovi, actor Aleksandar Lazi
and directors Mladen orevi and elimir ilnik
partook in the discussion.
Dorothys Shoe, the audience award, was given
to Bruce LaBruces film Otto; or Up with Dead
People. This Canadian directors film is about a
gay zombie raising from the dead and running into
a director filming a political zombie film. The
director believes that his zombie looks are just
make-up. The award was designed by Lidija
Jovanovi.
Last years festival had been postponed twice.
Different obstacles, which could not be controlled,
were on its path. We hope that the organization of
the second Festival, planned for the end of 2010,
will be simpler and with less obstacles.
The Festival would not have materialized without
the solidary help from Centre for Nonviolent Action,
Queeria Centre, Goethe Institute, French Cultural
Centre, British Council and Ministry of Human and
Minority Rights.
The Festivals name honours the murdered
transsexual persona Vjeran Miladinovi Merlinka,
the star of elimir ilniks film Marble Ass which
opened the Festival.

Belgrade City Gay Guide 2010

Page 4

by Kruno Pekas

Bars & Clubs

Club Apartman CLOSED
43 Karadjordjeva St. (nearby Brankov bridge).
Club Toxic (gay & lesbian) CLOSED FOR GAYS

Open: Fri and Sat as a club from 22:00 open end,

every day from 18:00 as a bar.
Tel: +381 62 899 68 78
Gayromeo profile:Hram_X_

5 Brae Krsmanovia St. (under the Brankov bridge

(Brankov most))

A club. Most commonly released music is Serbian

ethno, house, pop-rock. Young crowd.

Temple (visited by gays) CLOSED FOR GAYS

Location: Corner of Niska/Sindjeliceva St.

Downtown (visited by gays)

Address: 7 Cika Ljubina St.
Open: 09-02

Van Helsing (gay & lesbian) CLOSED FOR

GAYS
Location: Corner of Niska/Sindjeliceva St.

Kandahar (visited by gays)

Address: 48 Strahinjica bana St.
Tel: +381 64 334 39 70

Smiley bar (gay & lesbian)

Address: 3-5 Terazije (Pasage between Terazije
and Cumicevog Sokaceta)

Plastic club (visited by gays)

Address: 34 Takovska St. (Corner of
Takovska/Dalmatinska St.)
Open: 23 06
Tel: +381 11 3245437

Small and cute gay & lesbian bar near Hotel

Moskva. Crowded mostly at night and on
weekends. On Thursday live folk music! There are
right near the entrance a narrow stairs that leads
to small gallery as well where one can feel relaxed.
Also good to have coffee durinng the day. It is
located in passage on the right side. During the
summer, bar window is opened so usually people
stand outside of the bar in the passage...

Club Plastic - another big rave/techno club in the

center of town frequently visited by top
international DJs. Plastic club is one of the most
popular clubs in Beograd during the winter. If you
really want crazy partying we definitely recommend
this place. The upper level (Club Mint) is by
invitation only, but if you go with a local they will
almost certainly figure a way to get in.

Espeho (gay & lesbian)

Address: 4 Cetinjska St. (passage)
Tel: +381 11 32 47 916
Gayromeo profile: espeho_caffe

Plato Cafe Club (visited by gays)

Address: 1 Akademski plato
Open: 09 02
Tel: +381 11 635010

Cafebar24 (gay & lesbian)

Address: 22 Kajmakcalanska St.
Tel: +381 60 70 70 777
Gayromeo profile: cafebar24

Plato pub is situated in the building of the

Faculty of Philosophy, Plato was the place where all
the major students protest of the 90s were born.
During the day you can have coffee on the terrace
and chill in the very comfortable chairs and at night
you can have a beer and relax while listening to a
jazz concert. Although drinks are a bit more

Hram X (ex Hrabro srce) (gay & lesbian)

Address: 14 Admirala Geprata St.

Belgrade City Gay Guide 2010

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by Kruno Pekas

expensive than the Belgrade average, its location,

charm and tradition can justify it. They also serve
nice meals at Plato restaurant.

Address: 17 Dobracina St. (entrance from the

imina St.)
Tel: +381 63 7836592

Mamolo Club (visited by gays)

Address: 26 Ilije Garasanima St. (Stadion
Tasmajadan).
Open: Fri and Sat from 02 open end

Currently very popular straight club but visited

also by many gays. Predominant electronic music
with international and domestic DJs.
Planet bar (lesbian only)
Currently no info about location.
Please contact: www.queeria.org.yu or
www.balconn.com.

After party club. Techno, electro, minimal music.

DJs domestic and international.
The Tube (visited by gays)

Occasional Parties
Loud and Queer (gay & lesbian)
Address: 14/a Svetogorska St.
Email: loudnqueer@sezampro.yu
Tel: +381 64 212 79 63
Gayromeo prifile: Loud_and_queer

Belgrade Bears Party (men only)

www.belgradebears.blogspot.com
Email: belgradebears@yahoo.com
Tel: +381 62 9 611 449
Gayromeo profile:Belgrade_bears

Big crowd, good music, friendly people and

atmosphere, these are necessary ingredients of
every good party as well as this one. And they
provide that. They organize gay parties in Belgrade
every friday for the last five years.

Different location for each party, please check on

the web. Entrance only with pre-reservation / only
for: Bear, Cub, Chubby, Daddy, MuscleBear,
Admirers, Chasers and friends.

Cruising areas
Important: This spots are not recommended due to the high level of intolerance and homophobia and the
possibility of attack. We recommend that you rather visit places marked with green (gay & lesbian).
Ue (visited by gays)
Cruising park
Estuary at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Lake Ada Cinganlija at the end of the New Belgrade

side. Forest near the nudist beach.
Click on link below to see the map for all cruising
areas marked with red lines:

Karaorev park (visited by gays)

Cruising park

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?source=s_q&hl=en&ge
ocode=&ie=UTF8&hq=kara%C4%91or%C4%91ev+park+l
oc:&split=1&msa=0&msid=105934494749744491132.000
47e1468bf51b54c80b&ll=44.779017,20.377493&spn=0.0
06702,0.018797&t=h&z=16

Ada Ciganlija (visited by gays)

Nudist Beach

Sex Shops
Climax (gay friendly)
Addresses: Carice Milice 16 / Karadjordjeva 61
http://www.climax.rs/index.php
Tel: +381 11 627 162

Argus (gay friendly)

Video club
Address: Jug Bogdanova 17
Open: 10-24, Sun 13-22
Web: www.argus-sexshop.com
Email: argus@vektor.net
Tel: +381 11 2631 233

Sreni ljudi (gay friendly)

Address: 5 Lomina St.
Web: www.srecniljudi.com
Tel: +381 11 3281 438

Belgrade City Gay Guide 2010

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by Kruno Pekas

Restaurants
Supermarket Restaurant (visited by gays)
Address: Vinjieva 10
Tel: +381 65 3805 044

Restaurant Zaplet (visited by gays)

Address: Kajmakalanska 2
Tel: +381 11 2404 142
Web: www.belgradeeye.com/zaplet-restaurant

Although the name of this restaurant does not

imply it - this is definitely one of the best
restaurants in Belgrade. The interior was designed
by Maja Vidakovic and the atmosphere she
managed to create is really casual and cozy. The
cuisine is truly international and the cook will make
sure you will enjoy no matter what you taste is.
Even for people like me (vegetarians) the place has
sufficiently wide choice so you don't have to call
them prior to your dinner and check what's on the
menu.

Very nice and cozy restaurant in Vracar

municipality - and one of the favorite places for
many Belgraders. This Belgrade restaurant offers
wide rage of meals from Serbian specialties all the
way to asian cuisine. The place is always packed so
advance reservation is a must here. The place
offers intimacy, modern interior, great ventilation,
and as such it is ideal for relaxing and feeling the
benefits of really professional service. The menu
includes: classic food, salads and starters, risottos
and pastas, soups, national meals, main courses,
fish and sea fruit. The specialty of restaurant is one
of the most comprehensive wine list where you will
find all sorts of domestic and imported wines.
Besides this the restaurant offers 15 different kinds
of deserts and one of the finest coffees we have
tried in Belgrade.

In addition to this the restaurant has variety of

wines and once you finish your dinner you can go
to Choco bar (that is part of the complex) where
you can try some of the nicest chocolate cakes in
the city.
The place is opened every day from 10 am to
midnight and offers really high quality at relatively
moderate prices. The service is what sets apart this
place as you will be served in really professional
and timely manner by the waiters who will always
be there for you but at the same time will not
evade your privacy at any moment.
Besides this the place is located in the very center
of the city. The complete space is air-conditioned,
and some of the specialties are really nice cocktails
with the average price below 4 euro. The place also
has its own security and accepts all major credit
cards.
So if you happen to be in the centre and want to
spend some time in really nicely furnished and
nicely decorated place I recommend visiting
restaurant Supermarket.

Organizations and festivals

GLIC Gay Lesbian Info Centre

(gay & lesbian)
Web: http://gayecho.com/glic/
Email: gayecho@gmail.com

Email: belgradepride@gmail.com
Tel: +381 65 439186
Merlinka - International Queer Film Festival
(gay & lesbian)
Dom omladine Beograda
Address: Makedonska 22
Email: merlinkafest@gmail.com
Web: www.gayecho.com/merlinka/

GLIC Gay and lesbian info centre was

established on 27th of April 2009th in Belgrade.
GLIC gathering of gay men, lesbian, bisexual,
Transsexual, transgender, queer and heterosexual
people that their political and social engagement of
information contributes to increased on LGBT
issues, rights and culture. GLIC is open to all those
who want to contribute to achiev our goals,
regardless of sexuality. One of the regular activities
GLIC is to edit and improve GayEcho Web Portal
www.gayecho.com.

More info please see article in this guide.

Gay Straight Alliance (gay & lesbian)
Web: www.gsa.org.rs
Email: info@gsa.org.rs
Gay-straight alliance is unique and it was the
first time in Serbia in the fight for the rights of
LGBT people gathered people who are not

Beograd Pride (gay & lesbian)

Web: www.belgradepride.rs

Belgrade City Gay Guide 2010

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by Kruno Pekas

important issue differences in sexuality, but the

goals they want to achieve - equal rights for all,
combating violence and discrimination.

concept, which will aim to have an exciting

collaboration and empowerment of people at the
international and regional level, promoting fun and
queer politics.

It is important that the organization brought

together a large number of people who are aware
that violence against LGBT people is not only
violence against the body of the population, but the
violence in society.

As the main activity of the collectives were

allocated DIY Queer Festival, organized annually.
Participate in campaigns, "Not in nato.org" and
"Farewell Party"; networks DrugaScena.net and
FAQ (net (anarchist) feminist and queer festival in
the region), as well as numerous ad hoc actions
and initiatives. And they publish books.

They want to participate in building a welfare

society in which every man is able to achieve
freedom and express their personality, responsible
participation in political, economic, cultural and
other spheres of life.
Queer Belgrade (gay & lesbian)
Web: www.queerbeograd.org
Email: queerbeograd@yahoo.co.uk
The group decided in 2004 to oppose violence
and homophobia: So was born the idea of a new

Accommodation

Arka Barka Hostel (visited by gays)

Web: www.arkabarka.net Email:
arkabarkahostel@gmail.com
Tel: +381 (0)64 925 35 07

Hostel Flash (visited by gays)

Address: 3a Nuieva St.
www.hostelflash.com
Mob: +381 64 064 7 064

Hostel Sun (visited by gays)

Address: Novpazarska ulica 25
open: 0-24
Email: hostel.sun@gmail.com
Tel: +381 11 2432347

Hostel Centar and Flash (visited by gays)

Address: Gavrila Principa 46 a
Web: www.hostelcentar.com
Email: info@hostelcentar.com
Mob: +381 64 064 6064
Tel: +381 11 761 9686

_______________________________
Book online hostels on: www.bookb4travel.com

Websites, blogs and portals

Gayecho.com
Portal
Web: http://gayecho.com/index.aspx
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/wwwgayechocom
/153727594178
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/gayecho

Belgrade City Gay Guide 2010

Medonje Serbian Gay Bear Blog

Blog
Web: http://medonje.blogspot.com/

Page 8

by Kruno Pekas

Gay Lounge
Blog
www.nshappy.blogspot.com

for trans people. All interested persons can register

and ask for additional information on e-mail.
Gay Serbia
Portal
www.gay-serbia.com

Transserbia
Website
Web: www.transserbia.org
Email: transgayten@gmail.com
Organized Gayten-LGBT Belgrade 30th in August
2006. began to work the first group (only) support

Click here: www.bookb4travel.com

Author: Kruno Pekas, Zagreb

www.belgradeeye.com

Name: Belgrade City Gay

Guide 2010
www.friendlycroatia.com
www.balkangayguide.com

Associates:
Nebojsa (Boogie)

- This is first complete pdf gay

guide for Belgrade that can be
used for print or on PDA or
Iphone.
All kind of support welcomed.
Feel free to contact us on:
info@balkangayguide.com

Cover:
Suprijono Suharjoto Fotolia.com
Version: v05/012010
Last update: January 2010
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.p
hp?ref=name&id=10000038943682
8

Special thanks to:

www.tob.co.yu
www.belgrade-gay.com
www.gay-serbia.com
www.gayecho.com

Belgrade City Gay Guide 2010

Page 9

by Kruno Pekas

Click here: http://www.friendlycroatia.com/?page_id=582

Click here: http://www.friendlycroatia.com/?page_id=582

Belgrade City Gay Guide 2010

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by Kruno Pekas