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Check with locals about similar offerings in the gayborhoods of J-Burg, Cape Town and Pretoria.

Latin America

São Paulo, Brazil’s teeming first city, is home to half a dozen gay saunas, including The 269 Chilli Pepper Single Hotel, a sprawling all-men hotel in Largo do Arouche district where rooms rent by the day or hour, and Espaço Lagoa for a more traditional gay sauna experience.

In Bogotá, Colombia, Cómplices Spa is a popular gay sauna with a Roman pool that caters to a younger crowd.

In Mexico City, Sodome Bath House in Polanco is popular for locals and expats looking for a traditional European sauna experience.

During this time, as societal attitudes towards homosexuality began to shift, gay men sought out discreet and safe spaces to socialize and express their sexuality freely. As word spread, similar bathhouses began to pop up in other major cities across the United States and Europe.

The 1960s and 1970s marked a significant turning point for gay bathhouses.

They cater to a diverse clientele, from those seeking casual encounters to those looking for a more intimate and romantic connection. They actively promote safe sex practices and provide a safe space for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. They regularly host events, such as bear weekends and fetish nights, catering to a diverse clientele.

Find the high-end “spa and bar’s” dirty little brother, The Sweatbox, in Soho.

Three cities in Spain are home to high-end saunas: in Madrid, El Paraiso; in Seville, the Cube; and in Barcelona‘s Eixample gayborhood, Sauna Casanova. 

Across the border in Portugal, Trombeta Bath is the locals’ choice in Lisbon.

In Rome, home of the OG gay bathhouse, find catacomb vibes at Adam Sauna in the gay-friendly San Giovanni neighborhood.

In Milan, Royal Hammam recalls ancient Mediterranean trade routes with a focus on their Turkish bath.

In Istanbul, find the original at Firuzaga Hamami, a small, historic, and popular bathhouse in the Beyoglu district.

Sauna Alexander in Athens is a popular early stop on a night out before the gay bars open at midnight.

Australia

In Sydney, find your mates Down Under at the two most popular bathhouses in Australia: the modern Sydney Sauna and massive 357 Sydney, the country’s largest gay bathhouse.

Asia

In Japan, home to ancient hot springs tradition, find Kaikan24 in Shinjuku, Tokyo, where four floors of sauna and “sento” amenities are topped by a two-story gay “love hotel”.

This elegant and sophisticated bathhouse offers a range of amenities designed to indulge the senses.

Spa Nude boasts a spacious sauna, a relaxing steam room, and a unique sensory pool with chromotherapy lighting. It has a rooftop pool and many other outdoor amenities.

Related

The best gay bathhouses and backrooms in Mexico City

Mexico City is a playground filled with bathhouses, men’s only resorts, and “anything goes” backrooms.

The bathhouse features multiple saunas, a steam room, and a range of private rooms, catering to a wide spectrum of preferences.

Beyond its physical attributes, The Barracks is known for its vibrant community engagement. Or perhaps your trip to Australia or Latin America calls for a classic sauna experience.

Or maybe you’re north of the border and looking to trade hours on the apps for the immersive experience only one of the world’s best bathhouses can provide.

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Getting there

IYKYK, when it comes to bathhouse (or sauna) culture for gay and bi men.

For first-timers, expect potential sensory overload as you arrive at the front desk.

Related

Gay bathhouse etiquette: Here’s what to expect

Never been to a gay bathhouse?

This is IRL. This is some frisson-inducing connection to thousands of years’ worth of men gathering in the same spaces and feeling exactly as you do now.

This is blowing your mind. These establishments have evolved over time, offering a safe and welcoming space for individuals to connect, relax, and explore their sexuality.

North America

Montreal is host to GI Joe, Canada’s most prominent gay bathhouse, where Anglos and Québécois, cut and uncut, mingle over four floors of sauna amenities, dark rooms, and the holes of glory.

In Toronto, find one of Steamworks’ most popular locations in the city’s Village gayborhood.

Steamworks in Chicago is one of the U.S.’s most popular and high-end bathhouses, and maybe the only one that rates comparison to its European bathhouse brothers; when it comes to sauna culture, New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles are all Second Cities.

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Many individuals visit these establishments to relax, socialize, and connect with like-minded people, with sexual encounters being just one aspect of the experience.

What amenities can I expect to find in a gay bathhouse?

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Gay bathhouses typically offer a range of amenities, including saunas, steam rooms, private rooms, relaxation areas, and sometimes even swimming pools.

With its high ceilings, exposed brick walls, and modern facilities, it provides an immersive experience. This establishment, though not exclusively gay, became a popular gathering place for gay men, offering a much-needed sanctuary from the outside world. The anonymity and discretion afforded by these spaces create an environment where individuals can feel comfortable expressing their true selves without fear of judgment or discrimination.

Furthermore, gay bathhouses often serve as community centers, hosting events, educational workshops, and support groups.

Bathhouses provided an ideal setting, offering privacy and anonymity in an era when homosexuality was still criminalized and stigmatized.

One of the earliest known gay bathhouses was The Gold Coast Baths, established in Chicago in the 1940s. As the LGBTQ+ rights movement gained momentum, these spaces became hubs for activism and community building.

Are gay bathhouses only for sexual encounters?

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While gay bathhouses are known for providing a space for sexual encounters, they also serve as social and community hubs.

bath house gay

However, it was in the 20th century that these spaces began to take on a more specific and significant role within the gay community.

The emergence of gay bathhouses as we know them today can be traced back to the post-World War II era.  

Lab.Oratory shares the same building as Berlin’s world-famous Berghain night club; if your timing is right, you’ll be there for their twice-annual joint Snax party. 

In Paris, two saunas vie for the most popular: Sun City, vast like Versailles and perennially popular with Parisians on Sunday afternoons, and IDM, a labyrinthine Paris institution.

Amsterdam is home to Nieuwezijds, commonly known as NZ: densely packed on one floor and featuring a popular bar worth the price of admission. 

In London, the massive Pleasuredrome near Waterloo typically hosts 400 men, including sought-after “rugby boys,” on a weekend night.