Gay bath
Did you know that men have been cruising each other for sex at bathhouses since the 15th century?
While the original intention of men’s bathhouses may have been hygiene, today’s gay bathhouses or saunas, along with other types of sex-on-premises-venue (SOPV) or sex venues, are intended as places where you can meet others for casual sex. SOPVs offer a place to examine and play with a wider variety of people, many of whom might not appear on a dating app grid.
Walking around a gay sauna or SOPV, you might quickly realise a whole new place of rules is at play; with everything from navigating consent to existence comfortable in a sexualised space, there can be a lot to understand. Here’s what you should know before heading into a sex venue for the first time.
How does a male lover sauna operate?
Like a hotel, you’ll reach at your venue, and there will be a front desk where you’ll pay an admission fee, and in return, you’ll get a locker key and a towel.
From there, it’s a matter of heading to the changerooms to change into the towel and store your clothes in a locker. Upon arriving, many people will also shower to freshen up, and many venues may include douching facilities if you want t
THE TENNER
MONDAY - FRIDAY: 10AM - 1PM
1 MONTH
6 MONTHS
(2 HR LOCKER)
(8 HR RENTAL)
MEMBER
ANONYMOUS
1 MONTH
6 MONTHS
(2 HR LOCKER)
(8 HR RENTAL)
MEMBER
ANONYMOUS
DRUGS, SMOKING, AND ALCOHOL ARE ALWAYS PROHIBITED INSIDE THE CLUB/ON OUR PREMISES.
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 devoted 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 chime 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
LGBTQ+
Bath is a compact city to and welcoming to all visitors. You’ll find a broad range of events, nightlife, bars and restaurants to keep you occupied during your visit, in addition to the city’s world-famous attractions and architecture.
The city’s accommodation providers, attractions and local businesses all strive to be as inclusive and considerate to guests as possible, so please let them know if you have any questions or concerns during your visit.
Mandalyns is the city’s longstanding and very popular gay lock, with events ranging from pub quizzes to film nights and karaoke. No two nights are the same, so when you visit you can expect camp cabaret, drag artists, drink bids and plenty of surprises!
Throughout Homosexual History Month in February you’ll find various events across Bath, hosted by local businesses and the city’s two universities.
Both University of Bath and Bath Spa University have a range of LGBTQ+ groups, events and resources for students, whether you’re studying in the city or visiting.
The city has also launched ‘Out in B&NES’, a publication featuring local LGBTQ+ role models and allies