Best gay bathhouses in usa

The Freddie Guide to: Bathhouses

What is a bathhouse?

Bathhouses – also known as baths, saunas, or gay saunas – are spaces where queer men* meet to socialise, relax and hold sex. They are legal, licensed sex venues, as opposed to regular saunas or steam rooms where people cruise.

The number of gay bathhouses in North America peaked in the 1970s. Most of them closed in the 1980s, as local governments made public health rules to curb the HIV/AIDS epidemic. These rules were often rooted in homophobia. 

Today, there are still bathhouses in most major cities across the world. You can find them through Google or on cruising sites like Squirt and Sniffies.

* Historically, bathhouses only admitted cisgender men. They are generally becoming more inclusive. Many have more relaxed door policies or assigned times and events that are safer spaces for trans and non-binary people. If this applies to you, it’s best to check online or dial ahead before visiting a venue for the first time. 

When you arrive

When you arrive at a bathhouse, you’ll get to a front desk with an attendant. This is where you’ll pay for your entry along with any extras like private rooms (if the venue

This guide jumps into the gay sauna experience worldwide, uncovering their cultural significance, where they thrive, regional differences, and what to hope for during your check in. We also list some of our favorite gay saunas around the society, so you can find a homosexual sauna near you when you are traveling. Be sure to also not miss our route down below!

Whether you’re a seasoned sauna-goer or stepping into a gay sauna for the first time, this exploration will help you navigate the scene with confidence. From practical amenities to more intimate encounters, we’ve got you covered!


Understanding Gay Saunas

What is a Homosexual Sauna?

Gay bathhouses, long-standing sanctuaries and social hubs, offer a safe, welcoming space for relaxation, connection, and leisure within the gay community.

Men's Bathhouses: Cultural and Regional Differences in Bathhouse Traditions

While same-sex attracted saunas offer a unique experience tailored to the same-sex attracted community, understanding the broader cultural context of communal bathing can enhance your appreciation of these spaces. Whether in a historic Roman bath, a Finnish sauna, a Turkish hammam, a Russian banya, or a tranquil Japanese onsen, the essen

We used to always wonder, what makes America the land of the free? It wasn’t until we discovered their world of gay saunas that we truly understood!

Always busy, always fun, always liberated. Let’s just say that American guys don’t hold advocate when it comes to enjoying their time at a lgbtq+ sauna. From getting off in the steam rooms to freely complimenting each other in the open showers to throwing underwear parties, it truly is a free for all zone. 

It also begs the question: Why are gay guys so obsessed with saunas?

Well, why WOULDN’T we be? They’re big, hot, sweaty rooms, full of dudes in their birthday suit, with no verdicts or diva attitudes. They are a place for queer men to find each other, socialize and relax, maybe even indulge in some hanky panky (away from the prying eyes of hetero-society), and who knows, even find Mr. Right. 

So, with all that in mind, check here is our list of the 10 best gay saunas across the USA:

1. The Club Fort Lauderdale in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

2. Steamworks Berkeley in Berkeley, California

3. East Side Club NYC in Manhattan, New York

4. Eros in San Francisco, California

5. The C

What is the Optimal Bathhouse in America?

To answer the seeking lesbian friend...

On the surface, the bathhouse is basically a spa. Naked men in towels, taking showers, using the steam, sauna, jacuzzi, and gym facilities. There is often a dark support room with a glory hole maze involved.

Through that, you find ways to make contact with guys. Guys can be choosy in this environment as they need. Men of all sorts go to the bathhouse, hot ones and lesser so. You go and try to get together up with guys you think are hot, don't receive it personally if you are rejected, and don't experience bad about rejecting an advance you don't like.

People mostly go by themselves. It's sexier than going with a group of your buddies, because let's face it: four queens descending on a bathhouse is a dick wilter, because there is going to be all manner of chatter and whisper and fear of doing something sexual in front of your friends.

Often times, couples will leave there in command to spice up their sex lives a bit.

There are many screens displaying porn. There is usually a DJ (sometimes a very good one). Sometimes it's just a CD player that may or may not be good monitored by staff.

You pay a membership fee to