Ever been to a bathhouse?

beltboy

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Recently visited one for the first time ever, and was surprised by the level of decorum and respect. Also, the guys were a pretty decent mix of ages and looks. I too was expecting a bunch of trolls, but it was not the case. Saw alot of wedding rings. Overall, the experience was good. However, I did nothing, not even jerk off. It was not as arousing a place as I was expecting.
 

jason_els

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I direct you to the best thread I've read on this subject. It includes my own novice experience, writing a post or two to LPSG while I was actually in a bathhouse.

Pay particular attention to the posts by earllogjam and ebjay. ebjay's rules of bathhouse enjoyment are an absolute must. Do what ebjay says, to the letter, and you won't leave disappointed with yourself for going:

Since it is my first post, I figured I would post on something I am knowledgable about. This is quite a site by the way.

I have probably been to the baths several hundred times in the last 25 years. Why do gay (or any) men go?
1. I like sex
2. I like sharing a sexual experience with another man
3. I have been single most (but not all) of my adult life, and sex is a basic human need, and fulfilling it is part of taking care of myself
4. I am fairly social, and I seem to usually meet interesting people there, even if I do not have sex with them

Some posters mentioned they were curious, but had not been, so I would encourage you:
1. Give it a try
2. Go with a positive attitude, but no expectations
3. Be friendly and observant - a lot of bath culture is non verbal communications
4. Don't take any rejection personally - it is just sex
5. Don't form your response based on one visit

I have probably had sex with a couple thousand men at the baths - there have been nights where it literally felt like everyone wanted me (I'm tall, thin, reasonably good looking, and have a cock that most men really seem to like) and others when no one would even look at me. Point is, don't take it too seriously, and you'll probably have a nice time. And at least you'll come out clean. Ha.
 

B_Lightkeeper

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When I was younger, I went to one in Atlanta, I think it was The Locker Room, and another one in Houston.
The Georgia one had an adjoining bar and the guys would/could come out to the dance area wearing only a towel. Many hot sights - some trolls. I guess I would be considered one now.:redface:
 

aussiebum20

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after a really long night out in Houston, my friends dragged me to a bath house downtown. This was sooooo not my scene! My friends seemed to love it, but I was disgusted at what I saw. I ended up having a few too many Valium and had to go home. LESSON: no downers while at a facility where nakedness is encouraged despite someones looks, and be sure you really can deal with what youre going to see. Good luck! LOL
 

jason_els

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I'm sorry to hear you feel it's degrading. I find it very liberating. It was the first completely gay male sexual environment I've been in. I knew why I was there and why everyone else was there. No risk of arrest, harassment, or mistaking a straight guy for a gay one.

Any experience in life is degrading if you believe you're not meeting your moral imperatives and, given some of the things earllogjam wrote about the bathhouses, I was wondering if I would feel the same way. After I considered it, I came to the conclusion that adults engaging in consensual sex was fine by me so why was I worried? So long as I didn't do anything I didn't want to nor force someone to do something he didn't want to, then I might have a good time and I did on both occasions.

I wouldnt degrade myself by going to a bath house.
 

earllogjam

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The apprehension about going to one of these places for the first time is great. Fear of disease, the shame, feeling dirty...etc. I had the same qualms towards going my first time but discovered most of these fears were unfounded. See for yourself what all the fuss is about. You might like it you might not but you won't know until you've gone. Nothing ventured nothing gained.
 
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Speedy2

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what kind of people do you find there?
but i dont want to go there and see 60 year old men, .

But you will be one, one day - IF you're lucky! Less of this sick ageism business, thank you!

Humans come in all shapes and sizes - and ages too!

Adonises are in the minority....
 

Speedy2

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Recently visited one for the first time ever, and was surprised by the level of decorum and respect. Also, the guys were a pretty decent mix of ages and looks. I too was expecting a bunch of trolls, but it was not the case. Saw alot of wedding rings. Overall, the experience was good. However, I did nothing, not even jerk off. It was not as arousing a place as I was expecting.

True - it can be as exciting, or as relaxing- yes, relaxing! - as you wish. There's no pressure on anyone to do or be anything they don't want, and politeness and friendliness are the norm.

Well, that's how it is here in Britain. There are plenty of gay saunas - we don't call them "Bath-houses" as those used to be literally just that, as part of the facilities at swimming baths, for those whose homes didn't have baths.

Many towns and cities now have gay saunas, and are clean, pleasant and well run. Some are small, others larger and some run as a group by a company such as the Greenhouse, who have 4 or 5 in England.

They are not "just" gay cruising/knocking shops, though that IS a main intention for most guys visiting, but are quite social places as well, not to mention - instructional - it can be quite a shock to see the size of some guys' cocks - the popular american word "awesome" can be most appropriate!

It is always scary going to somewhere for the first time, but when I first visited the little Greenhouse Club in Newport, South Wales, one of the staff cheerfully took me around and showed me all the facilities, and that friendly approach to newcomers made it all the less stressful, and the whole visit more enjoyable, for a real "newbie".

Now I visit about twice a month, and whether the time is exciting, or just plain relaxing in the heat of the steam room, jaccuzzi and sauna, its most enjoyable, and I've made several friends since that first time. With a snack bar and several lounges with TV, there is plenty of opportunity for lazing about, and chatting, as well as opportunities for more exhausting and exciting acitivities :smile:
 

B_feellikealilgirl

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bathhouses are great fun, if you enjoy looking at male bodies and having sex with other men. i used to go to a bar in berkeley called brennan's. i was trying to pick up women, but always struck out. i had noticed a place called the steamworks nearby, and one night after striking out once again, and a little drunk, i got up the nerve to head over to the steamworks and check it out. i was there til dawn, sucking and getting fucked! it was great. after that experience, i'd head for the bar, have a few drinks, forget about the girls, and head for the baths. i sucked a lot of big cocks in that wonderful place. i never struck out there!
 

notthatguy

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You should go to youtube and put in the search:
SoGayTV - Straight guy visits gay bath house

It is an interview about a straight guy they send to the bath house.

I had no idea until I saw this.
 

Extremecummer

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Bathhouses (at least in the US -- what few there are left) are what you make of them. When I was travelling all the time, I found them an extremely cheap place to stay. I had learned to sleep in a tiny room with disco music blaring. The scenery varies. I know a lot of anonymous sex goes on (that is why, after the first wave of the AIDS scare so many cities shut them down) but they are also a great place to unwind and "compare." There are still a few squeaky clean ones in the US, in San Jose, Lauderdale, Indianapolis, etc.
Dennis
PS: If you're into size, quite a few guys I know say the largest they ever saw was either at a gay or bisexual bathhouse or at a clothing optional resort in either Key West (Florida) or Palm Springs (California).
 

Mickactual

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Ahhh - a subject close to my heart.
I love the bath houses. Mainly because bars don't work for me. Bars require too much small talk and "courtship". No to mention the fact that I'm not a very big drinker, not at all a dancer, and get headaches from the blaring dance music. At the baths - everybody's there for one reason. So You just get to it (with any luck).
The baths are very addictive atmospheres. Around every corner, with every new customer who walks through the entrance, and with every tick of the clock is hope. The hope of seeing or maybe even hooking up with some hottie Mr. Tonight. It's very hard to leave once You check in.
Do I recommend the baths to those who've yet to visit one? ABSOLUTELY! Depending on where You live, of course. There are two fairly nice ones I've been to occasionally in Philadelphia (but that's a 2hr+ drive for me). ...But it's my travels to L.A. where I've found the best ones. There are quite a few in L.A.. Some are really good spots, and the clientele is usually quite hottt. There are steam & sauna in all of them. Most have porn video rooms. Some have hot tubs. A few have cafe's. One even has an outdoor Jacuzzi & swimming pool. Ohhh - how I wish I lived in L.A.!
But I live in north east New Jersey. To my knowledge there are no baths in NJ, and I believe there are only two remaining in New York City (and both run by the same owners): The East Side Club, and The West Side Club. Of the various baths I've been to, these are by far the worst. Unfortunately they're the only game in town in this area, so it's a like it or lump it situation.
The West Side club is a joke. They rope off the entire lower level when nobody is checked into those rooms, leaving you with a very small, single-level area to cruise around. Their steam & sauna have been closed for years.
The East Side Club is a somewhat nicer facility. Three floors, and they at least have steam & sauna (tho finding the steam working is hit and miss). They rarely have hot water in the showers tho.
Both clubs at one time had porn video rooms which are now closed. Both are filthy (good luck if You need to use the loo). They never had hot tubs. Nor cafe's. Nor sun decks. Nor playrooms. Nor many of the other amenities baths in other cities offer. They're prohibitively expensive: $20 for each room admission (higher on weekends) + a $50 annual membership. The attitudey staff (esp. at ESC) expect tips every step of the way (You're "suggested" to tip at no less than three different points). Oh, and they only give You 4 hours per check-in (and believe me - it goes FAST). Most other places give 6-8 hours.
I always LOL when I see the "Queer As Folk"-type depictions of bath houses: always packed to the rafters with 30 or younger washboard abs Abercrombie model-types. Sometimes You see that in L.A., but at these NY dumps?
The WSC gets a fairly younger crowd (no surprise - it's in Chelsea...). ...But the ESC's clientele is mostly older men. And I mean older men. Like retirement age & up. And it seems to be getting more & more so. When I first started going to these places, it was all about chasing hotties. Now it's mostly about troll-evasion. :yuck:

With all my betching, I'd like to emphasize that I'm referring to the NYC places only. I still love the baths. I just wish there were better ones in this area. I'd love to hear the views of anyone local who's been to the ESC or WSC....and I'd particularly like to know if anyone knows of any other/better baths within driving distance of this area that I'm unaware of!
 

texasbuddy

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OK -
"No. I have never been to a bath house. But will anyone please explain to me the purpose of a bath house? I don't get it. really. I don't. We can take baths or showers at our own houses or at the gym if we have to be someplace that we need to be presentable.
"

Goodwood: The purpose of a bathhouse is to get admired. Many are beautiful private clubs filled with high placed persons of every age...when you look out at the guarded parking lot you'll be amazed and the stickers on cars from some of the best clubs in town.

If you're well hung like the rest of us here on LPSG: you'll do well. It's the one place in town your money does NOT count...because we're all naked out side by the pool or in the showers.

Your big dick is on display as well as your big personality: Are you going to hold someone else in contempt because he didn't get blue eyes, blond hair or a big massive dick...or are you going to 'share the wealth' and let him enjoy it in a safe way with you.

I've met some wonderful people over the years in bathhouses...I've been to over 70 countries: I'm hiv NEGATIVE; have never done drugs, have served my county in the military, continue to work with our vets and help the poor -yes- and have only safe sex on off duty time away from all public places.

I would prefer a "paid-off protected enviornment" not a college bathroom, or barracks shower, a public park or a shopping mall. I want it safe with other responsible people who also pay for a police protected enviornment.

Don't worry about seing a 60 yr old guy: I just did: 6"5', perfect body, 11 inch dick; I also saw a 19 yr old: short, fat, hairy and a dick the size of your thumbnail: plenty to choose from / something for everyone: and both were nice...you be too !!!
 

BayAreaGuy

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Okay, since Mickactual did such a good job covering the East Coast, I'll give my impression of the West Coast.

Los Angeles does, indeed, have a few bath houses left. The clientele tend to be a bit younger and better looking (on average) there, but the San Francisco Bay Area has them all beat, hands down. Why? One word: Steamworks.

Located in Berkeley, CA (although they have others in Chicago and San Juan), Steamworks is the best bath house I've ever been to. If they were ever to ban me, I'd probably walk into the ocean and kill myself. The staff are all extremely nice, they never expect a tip (although there are tip bowl, and they're usually full). The place is extremely clean and well run, and no one EVER gives attitude.

A six-month membership is $20, and a locker is $13 each time you visit. There are regular rooms (no tv) for $20, and tv/video rooms for $25. They also have a few large rooms complete with sling, etc., for you kinky dudes (not my style). If you're just visiting, they'll sell you a one-time pass (something like $5.00) and then you just pay admission like everyone else. That keeps their "private club" status straight.

The clientele varies. Sometimes it's a very mixed crowd. Being so near to SF, there's a surprisingly large percentage of Asians, of course. Also, a good many older, overweight guys hang out there because they're retired and horney. Even still, there's no shortage of hot guys with big cocks. I get my nut about 80&#37; of the time I go there, and I've very picky about who I fool around with. They need to be cute and hung to get my attention, baby.

They have a hot-tub-style pool, a large steam room, exercise equipment (which a few actually use), and a large back room where there are booths, a raised blow-job platform, and lots of places for privacy in the dark. The rooms are pretty darn small, but then I'm not renting it to entertain guests, so I don't mind. Two towels are given at the door, and you can get as many extras as you like, free of charge. (They tried charging $1.00 per extra towel, but that didn't work out so well. Now they're back to the courtesy of free towels, and we're all happy again.)

There are large screen tv's all over, and a projection screen in front of the pool playing porn. The place is open 24/7/365, so you never need to worry about schedules or any of that bullshit. If you're horney, Steamworks is there for you. (Of course, your chances aren't that great if it's 4am on a Monday or something, but still...they're always open just in case! LOL)

The best times to go are Thursdays (it's lights-out night, complete with glow-in-the-dark necklaces to help you get around in the dim lighting), and/or any time there's a holiday or a big event in SF (like during Pride, Folsom Street Fair, or Halloween...gotta love them tourists!).

If anyone is planning on going and has any questions, pvt. me. I'll be happy to play welcome wagon! : )