A bathhouse is a spa-like facility that caters to men, specifically gay men, with private rooms, steam rooms, saunas and jacuzzi tubs as well as open space areas where they meet men and possible have sex. Bathhouses have been around dating back to the 15th centuries. In the late 20th century, many bathhouses became safe havens for gay men who need to escape their hetero-normative life to be amongst over gay man for sex and companionship. With the spread of HIV/AIDS, bathhouses became targets as the catalyst for the epidemic so many cities changed their laws and regulations and shut down the facilities as a public health even though these places were privately owned and operated.
Currently, many cities with more lax laws still have bathhouses that mainly managed by SteamWorks Baths. With bathhouses in Seattle, Toronto, Chicago, Berkeley (California) and Vancouvers. In New York City, there are two bathhouses that are privately-owned - West Side Club and East Side Club. NY State laws does not allow any sexual activity in public spaces so men have to pay for private rooms within the facility in order to have sex. |
COURTESY OF SQUIRT.ORG
EAST SIDE CLUB
Name: East Side Club
Location: 227 E 56th Street, between 3rd and 2nd Ave, Midtown East neighborhood
Hours of Operation: 24 hours/7 days of week, 365 days
Bathhouse Amenities: Lockers, Changing Rooms and Private Rooms
Membership: Temporary - One-Time Fee ($15-includes 5 visits in 1 month)
Regular - New ($40) / Renewal ($35) / Reissue ($10)
Premier - New ($65) / Renewal ($50) / Reissue ($10)
Rates: Lockers - Weekdays ($19) / Weekends ($22) **Overtime Charges $7/hour
Changing Rooms - Weekdays ($22) / Weekends ($24) **Overtime Charges $7/hour
Rooms - Weekdays ($25) / Weekends ($27) **Overtime Charges $8/hour
Premier Rooms - Weekdays ($37) / Weekends ($42) **Overtime Charges $11/hour
Deluxe Rooms - Weekdays ($75) / Weekends ($100) In/Out Privileges available for these rooms
Specials: Double Coupon Tuesdays - Redeem as many coupons as you choose (Value $2.00 per coupon. Balance due in cash)
**Coupon Printout Specials Down Below must be printed off in order to redeem value**
WEST SIDE CLUB
Name: West Side Club
Location: 27 W 20th Street, Between 5th and 6th Avenue, Chelsea neighborhood couple doors down from Boxers NYC
Hours of Operation: 24 hours/7 days of week, 365 days
Bathhouse Amenities: Lockers, Changing Rooms and Private Rooms
Membership: Temporary - One-Time Fee ($15-includes 5 visits in 1 month)
Regular - New ($40) / Renewal ($35) / Reissue ($10)
Premier - New ($65) / Renewal ($50) / Reissue ($10)
Rates: Lockers - Weekdays ($19) / Weekends ($23) **Overtime Charges $7/hour
Changing Rooms - Weekdays ($22) / Weekends ($25) **Overtime Charges $7/hour
Regular Rooms - Weekdays ($23) 8am-4pm ($25) 4pm-8am / Weekends ($27) **Overtime Charges $8/hour
Premier Rooms - Weekdays ($37) / Weekends ($42) **Overtime Charges $11/hour
Specials: Refer one friend and add one month to your membership
**Coupon Printout Specials Down Below must be printed off in order to redeem value**
Location: 27 W 20th Street, Between 5th and 6th Avenue, Chelsea neighborhood couple doors down from Boxers NYC
Hours of Operation: 24 hours/7 days of week, 365 days
Bathhouse Amenities: Lockers, Changing Rooms and Private Rooms
Membership: Temporary - One-Time Fee ($15-includes 5 visits in 1 month)
Regular - New ($40) / Renewal ($35) / Reissue ($10)
Premier - New ($65) / Renewal ($50) / Reissue ($10)
Rates: Lockers - Weekdays ($19) / Weekends ($23) **Overtime Charges $7/hour
Changing Rooms - Weekdays ($22) / Weekends ($25) **Overtime Charges $7/hour
Regular Rooms - Weekdays ($23) 8am-4pm ($25) 4pm-8am / Weekends ($27) **Overtime Charges $8/hour
Premier Rooms - Weekdays ($37) / Weekends ($42) **Overtime Charges $11/hour
Specials: Refer one friend and add one month to your membership
**Coupon Printout Specials Down Below must be printed off in order to redeem value**
STEAMWORKS BATHS
Name: SteamWorks Baths
Location(s): Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver, Berkeley and Chicago
Hours Of Operation: 24 hours / 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Amenities: Lockers, Private Rooms, Wifi, Steam Rooms, Saunas, Whirlpools, Live DJ, Free Condoms and Lubes, and HIV / STI testing
Location(s): Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver, Berkeley and Chicago
Hours Of Operation: 24 hours / 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Amenities: Lockers, Private Rooms, Wifi, Steam Rooms, Saunas, Whirlpools, Live DJ, Free Condoms and Lubes, and HIV / STI testing
THE CLUBS
NAME: The Clubs
LOCATION(S): Columbus, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Indianapolis, Orlando, St. Louis, Aqua Miami
AMENITIES: Lockers, Private Rooms, Steam Rooms, Saunas, Outdoor Pools, Whirlpools, FREE WIFI, Gang Showers, Gym (select locations)
LOCATION(S): Columbus, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Indianapolis, Orlando, St. Louis, Aqua Miami
AMENITIES: Lockers, Private Rooms, Steam Rooms, Saunas, Outdoor Pools, Whirlpools, FREE WIFI, Gang Showers, Gym (select locations)
FLEX SPAS
NAME: Flex Spas
LOCATION(S): Atlanta, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Phoenix
AMENITIES: Lockers, Private Rooms, Saunas, Steam Rooms and Outdoor Pools
LOCATION(S): Atlanta, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Phoenix
AMENITIES: Lockers, Private Rooms, Saunas, Steam Rooms and Outdoor Pools
THE CREW CLUB
NAME: The Crew Club
LOCATION: Washington, D.C.
AMENITITES: Lockers, Private Rooms, Saunas, Steam Rooms, Gym and Showers
LOCATION: Washington, D.C.
AMENITITES: Lockers, Private Rooms, Saunas, Steam Rooms, Gym and Showers