Main image: courtesy of La Demence

If you’re new to the world of gay circuit parties it might feel like a bit of a daunting proposition – the lights, the music, the men.

Don’t worry – we’re here to break it down for you with tips and advice to hit the circuit party with confidence.

What is a gay circuit party?

A circuit party is a big dance event. It could be a one-night only kind of thing or it might be a programme of multiple events over successive days.

While everyone can enjoy a big dance event or music festival, the concept of the circuit party is something that emerged from the LGBTQ community and continues to be seen as inherently queer – if you call something a circuit party then you are marketing it primarily towards gay men.

Although there’s not really any rules about what defines a circuit party, the assumption is that it’s going to be a big event – lots of people in a big space. It’s also going to have DJs playing dance music, there’s going to be high-end production in terms of sound and lighting, and there’s probably going to some kind of performance or at least some go-go dancers on podiums.

What’s the history of gay circuit parties?

It was in New York City in the 1970s that big dance parties marketed towards gay men began to appear.

It’s not exactly clear how the term “circuit” became associated with these parties but the assumption is that it relates to there being something of a calendar of major events and that if you planned to attend the various events then you were doing the circuit of parties – you were a circuit gay.

With the emergence of the AIDS pandemic in the early 1980s, the circuit parties began to be associated with charity fundraising to support people living with HIV. The production values of the big parties were elevated and themes were used to create a look and feel for the event – there was the White Party, the Black Party, the Blue Ball. Attendees would incorporate the theme into what they were wearing.

Who goes to gay circuit parties?

The stereotype of the “circuit gay” is that they are gym-toned, affluent white men.

Money is a factor because the ticket prices to these events are significant plus you will generally be travelling to a specific destination to attend a circuit party. For example, you would travel to Palm Springs for the White Party, or to Barcelona for the Circuit Festival.

While you will find a diverse range of men at pretty much any circuit party, the marketing of most events leans into the fantasy of very fit muscular men who look like they’re probably crushing it with their fan-subscription content.

Do guys have sex at gay circuit parties?

It’s impossible to ignore the sexual energy at a circuit party – you’ve got huge numbers of gay men, all with their shirts off, getting hot and sweaty on the dance-floor.

We’ve all seen videos of guys fucking on the dance-floor at a circuit party, right?

Some events are more sex-positive than others. For example, La Demence in Brussels has a designated dark-room. 

No one is going to force you to have sex or do anything that you don’t want to do, but if you’re looking for sexual encounters then a circuit party is going to present you with plenty of options.

Do guys take drugs at gay circuit parties?

While event promoters do their best to create a drug-free environment, most circuit parties will have paramedics on standby because attendees are often using various substances to enhance their night out.

That’s no different to any nightclub or music festival. No one is going to force you to take drugs, but you should expect that security will be on the look-out for anyone carrying drugs and you may encounter people on the dance-floor or in the restrooms who have clearly taken something.

Drugs that guys may be using include MDMA, GHB, and methamphetamine.

What should I wear to a gay circuit party?

You can wear whatever you want to a circuit party. However, if there’s a theme – such as a colour – then that’s a good starting point. If it’s a Red party and you show up in Blue, then you’ll feel like you misunderstood the assignment.

Most guys don’t wear much to a circuit party. Events will usually have big cloakrooms or lockers – attendees turn up and then take off most of their clothes and store them in the cloakroom. That’s why you’ll see pictures of everyone on the dance-floor with their tops off and not wearing much more than a jockstrap.

The other thing to think about is that the dance-floor of a circuit party is generally going to be hot and sweaty. You’re probably going to want to be in a pair of shorts. You need to have comfortable shoes. If you’ve got a chest harness then a circuit party is the perfect time to get that out.

You’re going to want to feel sexy and confident – that’s the vibe that everyone is doing their best to project. Wear something that helps you to feel like you’re bringing your A-game.

Which gay circuit parties should I go to?

If you’re ready to hit the dance-floor, here’s some of the circuit parties that you might want to add to your travel vision-board:

• Prism Festival in Toronto

• Macho in Vancouver

• Circuit Festival in Barcelona

• Xlsior in Mykonos

• Pines Party on Fire Island

• Meat XXL in Chicago

• Hydrate in Chicago

• Matrix Sun Festival in Toreemolinos

• Masterbeat in Los Angeles

• Alegria in Miami

Can I go to a gay circuit party by myself?

Most people will go to a circuit party with people that they know. It’s fun to get ready with friends, travel to the venue together, and then have a bit of a home-base meeting spot where you can check in with each other during the night.

But if you don’t know anyone that will go to a circuit party with you, you can absolutely go by yourself. Although they may look a bit cliquey, most guys at these events are friendly and welcoming.

If you’re by yourself, a good strategy is to use your hook-up app to connect with guys who are also going to the party.