Do you visit gay saunas/baths or are gay saunas 'outdated' in the age of Grindr, etc?

Do you visit gay saunas/baths or are gay saunas 'outdated' in the age of Grindr, etc?

They're not out of date, in San Francisco and the Bay area, but covid has dampened it down. Groups of men are a different thing even if it comes to one on one. They still do well and will for a long time i suspect. Like bars, they are a social scene as well as that "other" stuff.

Sadly, in the SF Bay Area, I think the only one left is the Steamworks in Berkeley. I often attend their "Bears, Baths, and Beyond" event. I do miss The Watergarden in San Jose, however.

Never been to one, but did work next door to one when I first moved to Canada. Took me a while to get the irony of the sign out front "Entrance in Rear".

Not kidding.

I attended the Steamworks in Berkeley CA for more than 20 years, starting in the 1980s. I was on the down low. The baths gave me a place for safe release of my sexual tension. Haven’t been there recently but get very nostalgic reading their website.

There is a place in Grand Rapids Michigan called the Diplomat Health Club. Not sure about the "health" part since there is no work out equipment. There is lots of other rooms with sauna, hot tub and showers. They take you driver's license when you enter and give it back when you leave. I brought a lock for my locker which allowed me to walk around in what ever clothes or lack of clothes there of. I haven't been there in years, however I have a friend that visits it frequently. It's an exhilarating feeling to walk around in your fetish clothing and not have to worry about detectives. When I was ready to leave, I went into the communal shower and enjoyed a nice hot shower. I probably washed my male parts more than I should as other men walked by and watched me wash up and down and up and down my male parts until the lotion came out...

Although this other place was actually a fitness center with a communal shower and sauna. I was in the shower and there was another man in shower across from me. He kept staring at me as he washed his man parts more than needed. I followed him into the sauna wearing a towel. We talked for a while and the subject turned to sex as there was a pronounced tent in my towel. We went back to the showers and I proceeded to wash my man parts up and down, up and down until the lotion came out as he watched me...

I went to a bath house several times years ago. It was fun just walking around with a towel around my neck and checking out the other guys. Received my 1st anal sex there with a guy using a condom of course. But he went so fast he was done in a few mins. 🙄

I think the tech age has definitely put a damper on cruising irl, and bathhouses are a cruising venue. Not unusual to see a bunch of guys on their cell phones looking at grindr while at a bathhouse. A lot of bathhouses are closing, and covid put the final nail in the coffin of several bathhouses.

Cruising irl in general has become more of a thing of the past. i lived in VA, Virginia Beach, Hampton Roads area for many years in the 80's and 90's. Norfolk is the world's largest Naval Base, and there were some very cruisy places. Back then things were less open, gays (and gay sex) were still largely social pariah and had to meet secretly. i think that fueled a lot of how cruising/connecting took place. Parks, restrooms. i can't count the number of times i've been fucked under a restroom stall wall. Secrecy, anonymity were the rule. Gay bath houses and bars were places where one could be more their self, it was about more than sex.

One irl venue i think that still survives, and in many places thrives, is the venerable "Adult Book Store" (aka "ABS"). Of course, there are no longer books or magazines, it's mostly sex toys and backroom booths where one can watch porn (read: "have sex"). Those places not only cater to gays, but i think more to DL guys who are maybe Bi or closeted gay. Even in the 21st century, there is still a lot of shame and hiding when it comes to sexuality, but i think the gay community has switched to technology for meeting for the most part.

I agree with tallslenderguy, but think that once a youngster has got over the delights of the quick pickups one can have on Grindr or similar, they may very well go for meeting future liasons/partners in a sauna, pub, bar or similar because one can chat up another man and get to know him a little better, and therefore get more out of a meet or series of them, because of that knowledge before things got very physical. Perhaps it's an age thing? I'm not really sure!

I think they're suffering due to high energy prices. "Boots only" venues can offer much of the same for a fraction of the cost. Grinder etc may be free, but many younger people rent with housemates and can't accommodate. I think the age of people at saunas has been rising in recent years, even pre 2020 due to the entry price. London's Chariots network of Saunas, once 4 or 5 strong has closed down. Independent London Saunas have survived.

In my teens, 20s, and 30s, I went to the sex clubs and baths frequently, as well as some of the rotating parties like the Dome Party in NYC. Online hookups really did change the landscape. If you want group sex, there are always groups being organized online and held in private homes. Of course, that always existed, too - except for the online part. But a big part of the crowd that you used to find at sex clubs - because there was no other option for easy, anonymous sex let alone group sex - is now content to stay home and scroll. I have kind of aged out of the scene anyway, but I am happy that I came of age when you still had to actually go out and hunt for sex and be physically present and available in a particular place.

While Grindr and similar apps have made connecting easier, I don't think it necessarily makes gay saunas 'outdated.' They offer a unique experience, often focusing on relaxation and community. Sometimes, stepping into a sauna can be a great way to unwind and meet people in a different context. It's all about personal preference and what you're looking for. So, whether it's Grindr or a sauna, as long as it's a safe and enjoyable experience, why not give it a go?I found some helpful tips about home saunas and saunas in general that might interest you. Check them out here: https://solasauna.com/outdoor-saunas

I love gay bath houses! It is enjoyable to be naked with other men, and exciting to occasionally have fun with an anonymous man. Now that I have been on estrogen for a while I have developed small breasts and shrinking cock and balls, but I still consider myself a man and enjoy man to man sex. I have found many of the guys enjoy playing with my tits, and taking my whole package in their mouth.

In Florida, I like the Club House II in Ft Lauderdale, and Club Orlando. Most men there know what they are there for-- sex! Some clubs like Club Ft Lauderdale have young guys preening all the time.

Adam4Adam is my go-to on-line contact. It has been hit or miss, but some very good hits! And the chat can be fun!

I do visit the local gay sauna, not often, but i do enjoy being relaxed and enjoying the steam room and sauna, anything extra is a bonus but i don't go there for such

Oh no, they are definitely not outdated and makes a great meeting place that is neutral for everyone. I was out in Las Vegas and met up with an online buddy at Hawk's Gym & Spa, a bathhouse, and we went to the back, to the dark room. He has been wanting to top me since he likes guys like me, and his cock was nice and thick, just how I like it. when we get back into the dark room, I felt several hands on me, and he said he wanted to surprised me with some of his play buddies who also have seen my pics. Who am I to say no, and I stated to suck him and stroke his buddies...of course someone already had lube, and started to lube up my hole, and finger me. I tasted lots of precum, and then my buddy got behind me and started to fuck me, long, deep and slow...he whispered in my ear, do I want the light on or keep it dark. There were 5 guys, him, 2 of his buddies and 2 guys who were friends of the friends. The kept out the lookers, and I was theirs for the night. After my buddy came in me, his other friend, came right behind him, he was thicker and longer...but cum makes the best lube, I took loads in my face and mouth, and they put me the sling in the back room so I just had to lay there and get filled and drilled. That is what friends are for. I need that again and will be out in Palm Springs next month and plan on going to CCBC.

Does anyone know of any gay bars, bathhouse or such in central Connecticut? If so, please message me with the location.

I had the most amazing cuddle with the man I love on the couche in the Covent Garden Spa.

He is now...gosh I don't know but probably 75 if not older.

I lay with him naked in his arms for an hour. We didn't do anything because it was us, tender and loving.

In answer to the question. I hope not. Spa"s, sauma"s are terribly important. Where else could can I lay naked with the only man I love but cannot be with.

God forbid the very idea they close and, Fred, if you read this, remember, it was fucking fab.

No its not ourdated atleast in Switzerland. Most of the gay saunas in Europe accommodates couples too in some days. It is a real safe place for women who like to enjoy sauna ans men who likes to have fun. I you need any suggestion regarding European gay saunas feel free to ask.

Those died out here when the AIDS virus showed up. There are still clubs and bars to meet at and take your chances. There are licensed gay all-male massage parlors. Not the same by any measure, but the service is there. Many insurance policies cover their services as licensed massage therapy.

Mainstream spas are inclusive. LGBT singles and couples can enjoy their services along with heterosexuals.

I enjoy a spa day once a month with my friend Zofia. Sometimes a whole weekend! A steam, full body massage followed by a hot rock and steam treatment or a kelp wrap finished off with a mani pedi. Sometimes we get dirty with a soak in hot mud! Oink Oink!

I do not know how the situation is now, but pre-covid-19 there were many gay saunas in UK. And those establishments were used by majority of their clients as hook-up and quick sex places. Some, especially in bigger cities, had rooms purely for sex.

I love going to gay baths to be naked with real men. They are safe while a date on Grinder can be dangerous. Everyone in a gay bath is there for the same reason - sex. Safe sex!

I don't go to them but there's a very popular one near where I live in the UK, so I guess not!

When I was twenty, I went to saunas a few times. At first, I found it hard to relax. But once I gained confidence, I met some amazing people. The place I went to had steam rooms, pools, and rooms where people could have sex. I used those rooms a few times, and on some of those occasions, I saw people watching and masturbating while I was having sex. Sometimes I kicked them out, and other times I liked having people watching.