|
| July
23rd. |
Hi
Gaz, Just read your blog about cheap places to eat and when I was there
found 2 that were really great value. 1st one is opposite the underground
car park on the corner of Carrer D'Espalter and Carrer de Sant Francesc.
Cant remember the name but at lunch time it was full of locals all having
the menu del dia (approx 8 euros). At night its about 11 euros thats 3
courses bread and wine. All mains come with chips but the portion sizes
are great and is all very fresh. 2nd one is called Estrella D'Xavier and
is opposite the La Coste shop on Carrer Major and is similar with Menu
del Dia but not everything comes with chips and the food is superb! This
is about 12 euros and the waitress whos Uraguayan is very friendly and
speaks great english. One last cheap tip, best cheap coffee in Barcelona
is the self service cafeteria in El Corte Ingles. the coffee is decent
enough at 1.5 euros and the surroundings clean, but the best bit is the
stunning view as you are on the 9th floor and overlook Barcelona to the
west and the mountains behind. I will be visiting them when i come back
later this year. Hope this helps. Terry. England.  |
| That's
a few great tips. Its starting to look like Sitges can be cheaper than
even I thought, once you know the right places, and move off the beaten
track a little. Thanks Terry. |
 |
| July
20th. |
| Eating
on a budget. When away anywhere look for the meal deals like 3 course lunches
for a set price....look where the locals eat, and generally shop around....one
good place we found last year (this now may sound like an advert ) was
the Hotel
Platja D'or the hotel Restaurant (El rincón
de Pepe) has a lunch deal every lunch which
we used nearly everyday. 3 courses plus a drink for i think 13 euros not
huge portions but enough, lots of local stuff and always some type of Paella....so
good for the environment too, always full of locals often well dressed
locals all dolled up, and a fantastic relaxed service....we just happened
to be staying at the hotel last year but would normally have just walked
straight past....we are going back there again this year just over 7 weeks
to go and counting.....so hope the weather holds up again. hope this helps.
People often think Sitges is expensive but it can be as expensive or in-expensive
as you like, but you get what you pay for (mostly) and it is always FUN.
Cheers Paul & Andy. Manchester, England. |
| Nice
one lads! That's so very true - eat where the locals eat - they know best! |
|
| July
19th. |
How
about a happy hour time table?
–
start early evening at Blondies at San Sebastian beach – she doesn’t have
a happy hour now but does have huge measures and overall very cheap drinks
and nice easy start to the night (and helps to support Sue in her new venture)
–
next go to Azul for some porno on the big screens and great two for one
offers from I think 9 till midnight.
–
then B side, get in just before 11:30 and you get another two for one and
smile nicely at Neil and he will give you a large measure, in both your
drinks.
–
then off to Oreks just before 1am and in time for another two for one offer.
–
then off to Bourbons, big measures, no happy hour but very cheap drinks
anyway, only place in Sitges to see the Donna Summer and Westlife turn
or the fab French Rugby boy calendar video, and nice to support the new
guys taking over from the inimitable Eric.
So,
that’s nice cheap drinks at Blondies with a fab view of the beach through
the trees, then six very large G&Ts for the price of three, then some
Westlife and French Rugby hunks, and thereafter try to get even more lucky
and enjoy the night…Cant think of any cheap, decent eateries, wish there
were some but not sure they exist in Sitges…….Tom, Sitges.  |
| Thanks
Tom. That helps with a choice for a cheap night out in Sitges and in fact
touches on a popular 'circuit' with many. (Hmm, looks like one or two circuits
do still exist in Sitges). |
|
| July
18th. |
| Hi
Guys. I’m looking for some help and information if you don’t mind? We are
planning on coming to Sitges this September but getting worried that it
may be a bit expensive for us. I’ve looked at some of your links to bars
and restaurants and the prices are a little scary, especially since the
euro exchange for us Brits is really poor at the moment. Are there cheaper
places to eat and drink - not chips and chips and chips etc, nice food
for a nice price? Your help would be appreciated ;0) Regards. Jon, UK. |
| We're
working on compiling a list of places to eat and drink on a budget. Watch
the daily blog for further details. |
|
| July
17th. |
Hi
Gaz. Thanks a lot for your info on the rent-a-bike shops (special thanks
to Dutch Edwin and Michiel of course!). Hup Holland! :) I had a look on
the bike shop's website - I dunno why but I think a taxi will be cheaper...
;) Anyway, thanks a lot. Arriving next Monday, can't wait, after all these
years. Keep up the very good work, Gaz, thanks again. Steve, Switzerland.  |
| Thank
you to all of you who wrote in about the rent-a-bike thing. Love it when
between us, we help someone else. That's what its all about :-) |
|
| July
16th. |
| Last
few years we have been in Sitges everyone uses Pans because it is easy
for the beach and it's (just ) OK and that is what they trade on. They
don't care about crap service or the fact that at least half the menu is
missing no matter what time you go in....they just know they will take
our money again tomorrow because there is no competition for them............if
only we had the capital to open something similar, because it's not fair
that some businesses put so much effort in and Pans just DON'T bother....see
you all in September. P & A. Manchester, England. |
| "Location,
location, location" wins every time. |
|
| July
15th. |
| Hi
GaySitges.com. Arriving next Sat for 3rd year on the trot and can't wait.
One thing, saw on your site the demolition in Plaza Industrial, is it still
ongoing? What are they building in its place? And is it a pain in the arse
when you want quiet beer in Parrots? Cheers. Neil n Adam. Manchester, England. |
| All
they did was tear down the building and construct a temporary wall in its
place, so yes, you will still be able to quietly crotch watch from Parrots
Terrace :-) |
|
| July
13th. |
| Hey.
I have to disagree with your comments about Pans & Co (for anyone who
hasn’t heard of them, they are a fast food chain that’s kinda like a cross
between Subway and McDonald’s). I really quite like Pan’s and we probably
picked up lunch there most afternoons while down on the beach sunbathing.
Not sure it’s that pricey either, probably no more expensive that other
fast food chains. Still, it’s not all wonderful, the service is terrible,
they are so slow its almost laughable .. the upside of waiting is you always
get super hot cuties in nothing but their shorts to keep you distracted
;-) Jax, London, England. |
| Thanks
Jax. Glad to hear your opinion. Its because I can't get the Subway's you
get in the USA & Canada out of my mind that makes it seem such poor
value for money. Over there, they're half a baguette long and packed full
of row after row of whatever you want them to put in it, and they cost
the same. Maybe if they hadn't called them Subway's, I might not have been
so harsh. |
|
| July
9th. |
Hello.
Eric and Carlos are no longer in the Bourbons Bar. It is sold to two guys
Edison and Manolo. Last week, when we were in Sitges, is was crowded there.
But it is a pity that Eric is no longer behind the bar. Greetings from
Ad & Wieger from Breda, Netherlands.  |
| Thanks
for that clarification lads. Much appreciated. You see, when I say something
at GaySitges.com, its because I do actually know what I'm talking about! |
|
| July
8th. |
| Hi
Gaz, We heard from some guys who were in Sitges last week that Bourbon's
bar has been sold. Did we miss anything? (not that it's one of our favourites).
About the rent a bike. When we were in Sitges last May, the scooter-shop
on the road to Vilanova had a rent-a-bike sign on the window, and as far
as I know there is a small bicycle shop in Oasis that rents bikes as well.
Kind regards, Edwin and Michiel, Den Haag. Holland. |
I
too heard it was sold and mentioned it on this site in March, but later
withdrew the statement when Eric (one of the owners) phoned me and assured
me it is not.
Thanks
for the tip about the bike rental. Now you come to mention it, I do recall
seeing something in Oasis, which I'll check out. |
|
| July
7th. |
| Hi
there. I am returning to Sitges in July after 12 years. Thank you very
much for all the news I could read on your website! Keep it up, it's very
good - no wonder you get so many hits! :) To answer your question about
the new shops...I think it's bad. I remember Sitges how it was in 1996
and reading your last entry I'm now prepared to see something totally different
from what Sitges was like in 1996... Anyway, I have a question, too: Is
there anywhere a rent-a-bike service in Sitges? I can't find anything online.
Do you know of any? Cheers, Steve, Switzerland. |
| This
year, you won't notice all that much difference, but by next year, I imagine
its going to have changed a lot. The invasion of national and international
companies has only really begun this year, but now that its started, its
happening with a vengence. As for the rent-a-bike service, there was one
last year but its gone and I haven't seen another advertised. I'll keep
my eye out for one and post it in the blog if I find anything. |
|
| July
3rd. |
My
partner, John and I spent ten days in Sitges last September and loved it
so we are planning two weeks this time. I bet all those guys who plan their
annual holidays hit your website every few days to check the gossip and
the weather (just like me), so I am not surprised you get 700 hits a day!
Keep up the good work- I always enjoy taking a quick peek at your site.
Cheers from Australia. Shane.  |
| Thats
gotta say something about Sitges, if you're willing to put up with another
25 hour plane ride to get here! Thank you very much for your kind comment
:-) |
|
| July
1st. |
| Hi,
love the blog/daily comments. Have a question rather than a comment. What
is the weather like in August during the Fiesta Mayor? We’ve booked this
year so that our hols coincide with the Fiesta Mayor but now I’m a little
worried that the weather might not be so great as it’s the last week of
August. We’ve been to Sitges many times before, but always between May
and July. Please tell me it’s usually pretty fab ;-) Regards, Jax, London. |
I
have never known the weather to be anything but perfect for Fiesta Mayor.
The average rainfall for August in Sitges is something like 0.0000000000001%,
so you really have no worries at all. Temperature wise, expect 27ºC
to 30ºC, with it staying well above the 20ºC mark even at night.
(Hope your hotel has air-con, or you won't sleep much!)
As
for Fiesta Mayor, as this
is your first time being in Sitges during it, you are going to be astonished
at just how busy Sitges can get. It fills up so much, it takes an hour
to get from Parrots
Pub to Parrots
Terrace. You think I'm kiddin'? You'll
see! |
|
| June
24th. |
| Hi
Gaz. I think there is a circuit - Bar 7/Candil/Mediterraneo/Trailer, but
I would say that it is particular to (some of) the Brits and by no means
representative of all Brits or of other nationalities. Steve & I have
been coming to Sitges 2 or 3 times a year since 1999 and we absolutely
love it. Although we are British, we tend to stay in the c/San Bonaventura
area earlier on as it's more international. We generally start at
10.30 with a chat with Thomas and Pedro in Bar Azul, then mix 'n, match
from Bourbons, B-side, Orek's, plus a trip down to Candil or even Comodin
for the drag. Later maybe Organic, or even Ricky's. We find Mediterraneo
too big and impersonal, and find it caters for the "chemical brothers"
a bit too much. But that's our own taste and our own circuit. We
would never suggest that people should follow us. Everybody should find
the bars they like and go there when they like. Don't just follow
the herd. Ken. UK. |
| The
circuit Ken mentions is the one I and many others used to follow for many
years. I don't go out partying very much these days, so wasn't sure if
it still existed, but it sounds like it does, to some extent anyway. |
|
| June
23rd. |
Hi.
My partner & I have visited Sitges many times & have always looked
forward to coming back. We like keeping in touch with what's happening
by regularly dropping by your site. Unfortunately my partner, Terry, has
recently become disabled and it would be a great help to us and no doubt
others if you could start showing which bars, restraurants etc have a reasonable
disabled access - a ramp, no steps, a couple of steps, etc? Any chance?
Keep up the good work! Mike & Terry, Scotland.  |
I'm
affraid wheelchair access is not very easy in Sitges. For starters, there's
at least one step up to just about everywhere because since Sitges has
no storm drains and the roads themselves drain the storm water. Everywhere
has at least one step to prevent the water entering the premises during
a downpour. Also since Sitges was a fishing village, which has retained
much of its original character, most of the bars and restaurants are fishing
village size establishments, who's physical dimensions don't permit the
construction of ramps.
If
you have someone to assist you, most places are accessable, however if
you are in a wheelchair on your own, it will prove very difficult. I have
made a page about Wheelchair access
to the gay places in Sitges. (More to add to it) |
|
| June
22nd. |
| Hi
there. Just returned from Sitges for the 2nd year in a row and both years
have found your website invaluable for information. However, this year
a lot of the information is not as up to date as it could be. Examples
we found: Happy Hour at the Beachhouse You state it is 2 euros but its
3 this year. The Gay Nudist Beach: You could also suggest getting there
by taking the Linea 2 local bus to the hotel terramar and walking from
there (mentioning wading across the sea edge) its only 1.30euros. At Barcelona
Airport: You suggest walking under the walkway as its quicker, this is
not possible anymore so you should remove that from the website. We missed
a train as we walked under it and found we could not access the station.
Also you could post the link to the Barcelona train times so people can
plan their journies and the price is 2.60 euros not 2.80. I hope you update
yourwebsite as I know it is such a valueable resource for the gay traveller
to Sitges and i enjoy reading your daily blog. Regards. Terry Shroder.
Newcastle upon Tyne. |
| Oops!
You caught me with my trousers down, but I've pulled my finger out and
made the corrections/additions. S#/t! Really sorry you missed your train.
I haven't been to the airport for a while. After all, why would I want
to fly away from paradise? |
|
| June
13th. |
| Hi
there, My partner and I came to Sitges for the first time last year, a
very short week, but are returning for a full two weeks on July 1st...YEH!
Just a couple of queries really: First of all, is there anywhere to do
water sports i.e. paragliding, banana-boating etc in Sitges? We're just
looking for a bit more activity rather than lying at the beach. Secondly,
is there any bar/club that plays music that's more contemporary to the
British music dance/clubbing scene and / or something a bit more 'cheesier'
from time to time? We found the music that was played a little bit
too housey, reptetive and (dare I say) dull at times! We want something
to jump and bounce around to!! LOL! What are your recommendations?
Thanks in advance and keep up the good work on the site. Mark and Chris,
Scotland. |
I'm
affraid that in Sitges, there isn't any paragliding or banana-boating,
nor any other kind of sporting activity for holiday makers, that I know
of. That is something the town is lacking in. The best you can do is rent
a paddle boat on the beach. Even has a slide on it, for that extra bit
of excitement!
As
for "cheesier" music, the winner on that score would have to be Piano Bar,
but its only a small bar and gets so packed, there's no room to dance.
They play show tunes, sing along songs and all our fave diva's songs. Bar
7 plays a lot of 70's/80's/90's hits but again, its not a dance bar and
it also gets too packed to jiggle around. All of the other bars play House/Dance
music. Before you all write to me telling me I forgot to mention Orek's,
they are playing much more House'y type music this year.
If
you don't want to hit the beach every day, a trip to Barcelona
is a must. There's lots of stuff to see and do there, and its so easy and
cheap to get to by train. |
|
| June
12th. |
Hi
there, my partner Jude and I visited Sitges for the first time recently.
One thing that stands out from your comments page, was the fact that so
many people returned year after year. This is certainly what we will be
doing, yes we had an unusual amount of rain, but we weren't put off. It
was the friendliness of everybody that we warmed to. From the bar manager
Carmen, at Hotel Platjador, to James and Andrew at Cafe Sitges. We come
from a friendly Town in Wales called LLangollen, so for us it was home
from home. Ok some of the bar prices were high, but not everywhere, hey!
shop around and try a variety of places to drink and eat. We fell in love
with Sitges and cannot wait to return! Written by Diane. Wales,
UK.  |
| I'm
beginning to think I should rename this the "Café Sitges Comments
Page!" It would seem Café Sitges is getting more mentions here than
all the other businesses in Sitges put together, but from my own personal
expierience, deservedly so. They are very friendly to everyone who enters
their door, not to mention their excellent coffee. |
|
| June
7th. |
Hello.
Gijs from Holland is right (June 4th), but the "not welcome" approach in
hotel Subur is not because of the weather, it is always just like that.
The reception people just ignore their guests at the reception desk. Cleaning
personnel and the personnel in the Sports Bar (breakfast) are ok, but reception
very very very poor. A lack of management!!! This is also why, after 6
stays at Subur....we go elswhere. We are on a holiday, and a simple "hello"
is enough, and the least one would expect from a reception desk....but
not at Subur. Filip. Belgium.  |
| For
the last couple of days, I've been thinking 'should I or shouldn't I add
this comment?'. I don't want to get in any more trouble than I already
am for telling the truth on this web site, be it good or bad. (Not that
any business ever complains to me as long as its in their favour!) However,
I've decided to add it because it is a visitor to Sitges opinion, and this
site IS for visitors to Sitges. In fact, I've decided I will add any comment,
good or bad, as long as its not an obvious attack on any specific business
or from my knowledge of Sitges, an untruth. All I can say to any business
that is offended by a comment here, is that they should address the situation
that is causing people to make the comment. |
|
| June
5th. |
| Hi.
Regarding recent 'route' comments on the website I just wanted to say when
myself & partner visit Sitges we do not follow any 'route'. We just
visit / frequent any bar that we choose, the spanish tapas bars are great
for an early drink, not overpriced, friendly and very welcoming. Great
atmosphere! Some of the gay bar's charge outrageous prices for a beer,
don't they realise people will drink less if they feel ripped off! A group
of us (19in total) are coming next week, we are really looking forward
to it. I hope the weather has improved! cheers. John & Darren (plus
friends from Manchester) England. |
| 19
of you comming next week. An invasion of hunky men! :-) Their comment confirms
what I thought about their being no 'route' to follow anymore. (See June
4th comment). As for the drink prices, its no secret that I've got in trouble
from bar owners several times for bringing that subject up on this web
site. I totally agree with you. We sure hope the weather has improved for
you too. Touch wood, we had a beautiful day yesterday and today is the
same. |
|
| June
4th. |
| Thank
you for keeping us updated on Sitges. Its a great place and we've returned
every year for the last decade. What still confuses us most is the route
in the evening? Where do we go when. For some years it has been Parrots,
Seven, El Candil, Mediteranneo, Trailer, but we got lost. Maybe you can
update on latest route during Sitges nightlife? Something we experienced
for the first time ever last week - was the somewhat rude and "not-welcome"
approach of people in some bars (Bears bar) & our hotel (Subur). Maybe
it was the bad weekend weather. It didn't keep us though from enjoying
Sitges and looking forward to be back in August. Gijs. Holland. |
Interesting
the "route", or as we call it here, circuit, has been brought up. Over
the last few years it has changed considerably. Its no longer as cut and
dried as it was. Parrots is still the starting place if you like to go
out earlier than when most of the bars open at 10 to 10:30pm. Bar 7 is
an institution and I'd say is still the main starting place, but after
that, people go off in all directions, depending on their tastes. There's
a wider variety of bars these days, from Music bars to drag bars to bears
bars to danc bars and everyone has their preferences. Late at night, you
have the choice of either Trailer or Organic disco, both of which have
their followers. So lads, its no longer easy to stick to a circuit, as
people branch off in all directions.
As
for the "rude" approach mentioned, my guess is that the aweful weather
we had in May affected people. I know it brought us down. We're not used
to a day of rain in Sitges, let alone a whole month of it!!! |
|
| May
26th. |
| Hi:
Thanks for all the useful information on your website - even though we'll
be coming to Sitges for our ninth visit in July, we're still discovering
more and more about the town. Just one query - we wonder why you discourage
people from going to the first nudist beach after the long trek out of
town (the one before the Playa del Muerto). We've been to both over the
years and have found them both frequented by gays and equally gay-friendly.
If anything, the first one is a slightly better beach with more space and
and more sand. Is there something we should know? Peter and John, Manchester,
England. |
| I
must confess, I have not been out to those two beaches for a couple of
years, so was unaware of the change. I have re-written the section on the
beaches
page to reflect the change. |
|
| May
23rd. |
My
partner and I recently visited Sitges on the 7th May 2008, the week when
all it did was rain, however it was not our 1st visit and did not put us
off because we are returning on the 25th August 2008 for 12 nights. I must
point out that the price of drinks seem to have gone up some what, this
together with the fact that the exchange rate makes it very expensive to
drink, however a tip to you readers. Start the nights off at Bar Orek's,
where you will find a friendly atmosphere, even friendlier bar staff and
the best bit, 2-4-1 drinks from 10.30 to midnight, it makes your euro go
that little bit further. Looking forward to August.
Shaun
and David. Huddersfield, England. |
| Glad
you mentioned it. I've been steering clear of the subject since I was banned
by the owner of El Horno, Man Bar & XXL from those bars for mentioning
their price rise on this web site, but as you say, there are still good
deals to be had. Orek's does do 2 for 1 from 10:30pm to midnight and B-Side
also does 2 for 1 from 10pm to midnight. Check our What's
on & Where page for 'happy hours'. |
|
| May
22nd. |
| My
partner and I visited Sitges for the first time recently and it rained!
Although we were assured that it was unusual so don't be put off. However,
despite the rain we had a great week and hope to return again in September
- says a lot about the town itself and its appeal. But for all you summer
holiday makers I must draw your attention to Cafe Sitges. The cafe opened
this year and was one of the highlights of our visit - great coffee, prepared
with 'pride' by Andrew, one of the proprietors, unbelievably well priced
and delicious red wine (if you like wine you have to pay them a visit)
and a selection of snacks and pizzas created by the ever accomodating James.
The best part is the guys themselves and their attention to detail. If
you are single or a couple and just arrived, make your way to Cafe Sitges,
the guys will make you feel as if Sitges is your second home and you are
bound to strike up a conversation with some of their other visitors. There
is a lot to do in Sitges but we would strongly recommend Cafe Sitges is
your first port of call and I gurantee you will want to keep going back
there again and again during your stay. Happy holidays! Craig & Jason.
Ascot, England. |
| Sounds
like an advertising campaign for Café Sitges, doesn't it? However,
this was emailed to me by a couple of guys who discovered Café Sitgess
through this web site, that later wanted to let us know their experience
of it. From personal experience, I can vouch for everything they say and
am only too happy to put this comment here. Yes, we have had a very wet
May and yes, that is unusual. |
|
| May
18th. |
| Hi,
Love the website, you are a hard worker there. Would be lost without it.
Please can you help? we are desparate to find a bar or somewhere where
we can enjoy the eurovision song contest while in Sitges, do you know where
it may be showing? Looking forward to hearing from you. John. (Location
not given) |
| Unfortunately
we know of nowhere that is going to show it. We've asked several places
and no luck. We'll keep trying to find somewhere and if we do, we'll mention
it in the daily blog. |
|
