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Sauna Loses Booze Application But Wins Extended Hours

December 14, 2012, 2:14 pm
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December 14, 2012

An update to a story I had blogged about earlier this year Neighborhood Wants Local Gay Sauna Booze Free.

The Honeycombe Sauna is located in a residential area, and has had to battle city hall to stay open longer, in addition to serving booze at that hour as well. They currently close at 8PM.

Well the sauna won and lost. No surprise they lost the ability to serve alcohol after 8PM, citing concerns of the residents who live near and around the sauna.

However they won a battle to stay open later. They previously were only allowed to open until 8pm. They can now operate until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 11pm on weekdays.

For more read Sauna loses drink license bid and Sauna’s hours granted.

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Gay Sauna Gets Fined And Banned From Playing Music On Premises

December 14, 2012, 2:45 pm
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December 14, 2012

Walking the bathhouse hallways, you either love the music they are playing. Or you absolutely hate it. Wondering who chooses this awful music. What you might not know is that the owners have to pay a license for it. Nothing in this life is free, and one bathhouse owner has learned that the hard way.

The Basement Complex was playing music without a Phonographic Performance Ltd license.

Leeds, England, Music, Basement Complex, Sauna
The Basement Complex

For some strange reason the owners don’t seem to be taking this seriously. A Letter was sent, with no response. The owner declined to appear in court. So the judge has banned all of Basement Complex chain of bathhouses from playing ANY music, and has been fined about 1,700 pounds.

The owners must get their music license up to date or face jail time.

For more read Leeds gay sauna’s owners face the music.

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Bathhouse sued for discrimination after management told a FTM trans person he could not use the men’s shower

December 14, 2012, 3:46 pm
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December 14, 2012

It should be noted that the bathhouse in question is a co-ed straight bathhouse. More like a relaxation center. The incident took place at the King Spa & Sauna.

Levi Pine, a Chicago transgender man, was using the men’s shower. The manager told him he would have to use the private shower or leave.

Chicago, Transgender, FTM, Bathhouse, Shower, King Spa & Sauna
King Spa & Sauna

Levi Pine later said “The experience I had was particularly degrading.” He has since filed an Illinois Dept. of Human Rights (IDHR) complaint against King Spa & Sauna.

For more read Trans man hits Niles spa with discrimination complaint.

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Bette Midler Talks About Her Time At The Continental Baths

December 19, 2012, 7:52 am
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December 19, 2012

Bette Midler has a new movie to promote, but many are quizzing her about her time singing at the famed Continental Baths. For all those newbies who don’t know, Bette started her career singing at the bathhouses.

Midler won’t “dwell” on the bathhouse days. She tells the UK times “I’m so proud of what I’ve done. The fact people go back to that as if I’ve done nothing between now and then is really distressing.”

Told her gay fans just cherish it in a celebratory way, Midler responds “I know, but it’s just not me. It was a blip on the screen.”

Continental Baths, Bette Midler, Bathhouse

To read a longer feature interview, where Bette goes more in-depth about her bathhouse days, go to Bette Midler Q&A: The Gay Interview written by Chris Azzopardi

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Gay Bathhouse Videos From Spain

December 26, 2012, 1:12 pm
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December 26, 2012


Grupo Pases proclaims themselves to have the best gay saunas in Spain. In fact they own a chain of them with locations in Barcelona, Sevilla and Valencia.

Grupo Pases, Spain, Barcelona, Sevilla, Valencia, Videos, YouTube
Grupo Pases

Recently they have produced several high quality promo videos, taking the curious behind the doors of their saunas. They are currently posted on YouTube and their own website. The videos are not that adult, but they are really pushing the line. It is nothing shocking to us as gay men. But it may violate YouTube’s set of rules. Fortunately you can also view the videos off their official website, which is where I’m linking to.

So if you are curious about the gay baths, but don’t have the guts to go in. Live vicariously through these videos. They are quite good.

For more go to Grupo Pases.

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Steve’s Bathhouse Celebrates 50 Plus Years

January 3, 2013, 9:20 am
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January 3, 2013


Steve’s Bathhouse in Reno, Nevada has hit a milestone. It is celebrating over 50 year in business. Which makes it the oldest bathhouse in the United States. According to their Facebook page, they first opened its doors in January 1, 1962.

Reno, Nevada, Steve’s Bathhouse, Half Century
Steve’s Bathhouse

To celebrate this milestone its proprietor, the very low-key and amiable, Steve Daugherty has given a very rare interview. He speaks about his 50 plus years in the bathhouse industry.

For more read The bathhouse next door.

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Continental Baths The Musical

January 9, 2013, 8:47 am
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January 9, 2013

Bette Midler is scheduled to appear on Broadway in the 2013 one-woman show about the life and times of Sue Mengers. However we might get two Bette’s on Broadway, the actress and the character.

According to Cindy Adams, Steve Ostrow the former owner of The Continental Baths is looking to adapt his book about the baths into a Broadway musical. Characters would include a towel-clad piano player Barry Manilow and a singer named Bathhouse Bette. Who of course is Bette Midler.


The Continental Baths, New York City, Steve Ostrow, Barry Manilow, Bathhouse Bette, Bette Midler
Steve Ostrow

This is only in the talking stages as Steve Ostrow is looking for interested parties.

For more read Cindy Adams column here

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Gay Bathhouse Videos From Switzerland

January 10, 2013, 7:45 am
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January 10, 2012

The Swiss are known for their saunas. In fact they are infamous for them. So it should come as no surprise that there is a very healthy gay bathhouse scene in Switzerland. Going to the saunas is bred into the Swiss as a part of life.


GayAqua Sauna is one such gay sauna located in Zürich–Wallisellen, Switzerland that is very popular.

GayAqua Sauna, Videos, YouTube, Switzerland, Zürich, Swiss
GayAqua Sauna

So popular in fact they have created and uploaded some great videos showcasing their bathhouse. Some even feature testimonials with regular patrons wearing nothing but a towel. Unfortunately they are speaking in Swiss. But they are cute to look at for sure! Go watch the videos for yourself at their YouTube channel.

For more information go to GayAqua Sauna and check out their Facebook Page as well!

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The Needle Prick Project

February 1, 2013, 1:10 pm
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February 01, 2013

The Needle Prick Project is an editorial campaign to open up dialogue on what it means to be HIV positive today.

Articles are appearing on various gay websites, with guys sharing their stories on being HIV positive. The second such profiles featured Jeffrey Tomlinson who received his HIV diagnosis in a Denver bathhouse from an STI outreach worker.

Jeffrey had a bad experience with this counselor. He said the clinician was curt, distant and unforgiving in his bedside manner. That is unfortunate, as Jeffrey deserved much better treatment.

The Needle Prick Project, HIV Outreach, AIDS, STI Testing, Denver
Jeffrey Tomlinson

I’m bringing this story up because I think it does a disservice, as men might think all outreach workers at the baths are like this. It defeats the purpose of trying to directly reach out to men who are either closeted, married, bisexual or don’t get any testing at all.

So please keep in mind that not all STI outreach workers are like this. They get rigorous training on how to educate and counsel men on STI infections, including HIV. The majority of outreach workers I have spoken with and experienced first hand have been nothing but wonderful. They have been caring, compassionate and non-judgmental.

Sure you might get a bad apple somewhere in the mix, as is life. So please keep in mind that not everyone is like that. If you have a bad experience with an outreach worker, make a complaint directly to the clinic Maybe that person needs some more training. And try for someone else. Trust me they are not all that bad.

For more read go to The Needle Prick Project: Jeffrey Tomlinson’s Ultimate HIV Lesson.

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Ottawa Bathhouse To Reinstate STI Testing

February 7, 2013, 2:59 pm
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February 7, 2013

Rates for testing positive for Chlamydia have increased every year. In fact it is now the number one reported STI.

To combat the rise of infection rates Ottawa Public Health is reinstating its “Get Tested, Why Not” anonymous STI campaign in both bathhouses in Ottawa. This is to encourage more men to get tested for STIs.

INSERT TAGS HERE
Get Tested, Why Not?

Male patrons of Steamworks for Men Ottawa and Club Ottawa Baths can get tested for Chlamydia by providing a urine sample and contact information. This is to encourage testing for those who don’t want to see a clinician.

For more read Chlamydia is Ottawa’s number one STI.

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Straight Married Father Claims He Was Fired For Having Second Job At Gay Sauna

March 7, 2013, 1:30 pm
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March 07, 2013

Gay, Sauna, Limerick, Ireland, Hotel

Eamon Ryan (not the politician) has filed a grievance with the Employment Appeals Tribunal claiming he was unfairly fired from the Charleville Park Hotel.

Ryan doing consulting work for a gay sauna in Shannon. Once the hotel discovered his second job he was dismissed. Ryan claims it was due to the ‘orientation’ of the sauna.

For its part the hotel claims the dismissal had nothing to do with the sauna being gay. It was a breach of contract, which states no employee can have a second job,

The tribunal will announce its decision later in the year.

For more read Hotel denies dismissal was a ‘homophobic’ overreaction.

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Owner of Spa Admits Mistake Over Refusing Entry To FTM

March 7, 2013, 1:49 pm
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March 07, 2013

First off this is a straight bathhouse. But this news is of interest because we reported a similar story a few weeks ago. See Bathhouse sued for discrimination after management told a FTM trans person he could not use the men’s shower.

Spa World in Centreville, Va asked an FTM to leave its premises because homosexual or transgender people are not allowed. But Spa World manager James Lee claims it was a misunderstanding.

Virginia, Centerville, FTM, Trans, Asian, Bathhouse, Spa World
Spa World

Bottom line says manager James Lee, everyone in the LGBT community is welcome. Why the sudden change?

For more read Spa World Admits It Kicked Out Transgender Woman, Says It Won’t Do It Again.

You can also visit their official Facebook page to read a letter from the owner and comments from customers.

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Vatican Now The Owner Of Europe’s Largest Gay Sauna

March 12, 2013, 1:39 pm
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Seattle Gay Scene Is Reporting Overdose Death At Steamworks

March 12, 2013, 2:32 pm
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San Francisco & The Gay Bathhouses

March 28, 2013, 2:12 pm
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Tour of F212 Steam With FTM Canadian Pornographer Charlie Spats

April 12, 2013, 12:50 pm
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April 12, 2013

Though this video is about a year old, it is still quite interesting. For those who have never stepped foot into a bathhouse, this tour is for you.


F212 Steam, Charlie Spats, FTM, Graveyard Shift, Bathhouse Tour
F212 Steam

FTM Canadian pornographer Charlie Spats works the graveyard shift at F212 Steam. One night he was alone, and there were no customers in the entire place. It was DEAD. So he took this opportunity to film a tour of the bathhouse.

To see the tour go to the video below

Charlie also organizes sTeam is an all-genders bathhouse event. For more info go to charliespats.com

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Death Of A Bathhouse

April 15, 2013, 2:07 pm
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April 15, 2013

Two and a half years ago St. Marc’s bathhouse went bust, as written here at that time. (Another Toronto Bathhouse Bites The Dust – St Marc’s Spa).

Though management said the closing was only temporary, St Marc’s never re-opened. So this bathhouse maybe gone, but it hasn’t been forgotten.


Grasp Erotic Bar, St. Marc's Spa, Toronto, Bathhouse, Brad Fraser, Keith Cole, Sky Gilbert
Death Of A Bathhouse

A new documentary film is being released. Consisting of footage from the waning days of St. Marc’s and interviews with several Toronto artists. Such as Sky Gilbert, Keith Cole and Brad Fraser.

For more go to Death Of A Bathhouse.

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Sauna & Club Drug Causalities Panel Discussion

April 16, 2013, 1:25 pm
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April 16, 2013

Due to a string of overdoses in London bathhouses a special panel discussion is taking place. Sauna and Club Drug Causalities is being put together by Michael Peacock to start a dialogue on drugs, clubs and the baths.

London, UK, England, Sauna, Drugs, Overdose
Sauna and Club Drug Causalities

Instead of having experts of a scientific background, people who have first hand knowledge of the scene will be offering their opinions. It will focus more on the gay community and less on public health. Many sauna owners and nightclub promoters who have dealt with overdoses on their premises will be attending in full force

For more read Is a community in crisis beginning to self care and visit their Facebook page to sign up and attend.

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Hawks Bathhouse in Portland Celebrates 1 Year In Business

April 20, 2013, 4:14 pm
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Straight Guy Dared To Go To Gay Bathhouse

April 20, 2013, 5:01 pm
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April 20, 2013

His name is Henry Forshaw and his is from New Alresford, Hampshire. He has created a YouTube channel called Getspunky. The premise is an entertaining, interactive and humorous videoblog, to help face your fears in everyday life. His aim is to demonstrate how moving out of your comfort zone is confidence building, rewarding and will raise your self-esteem.

In other words he is accepting any and all dares from the public. And he hopes that you will join him in the dares by doing it as well, and putting it on video.

He is currently crossing Europe visiting Amsterdam, Munich, Bratsaslava, Vienna, Sofia, Antalya and Istanbul. Most of the dares will take place in those countries listed above.

Munich, Germany, Getspunky, Straight Male, Gay Bathhouse
Getspunky

One of the dares was to enter a gay men’s bathhouse. Unfortunately his adventures could not be recorded. All recording devices are not allowed at any and all bathhouses around the world. But he does give his thoughts afterwards and the next day about his experiences at the baths.

Henry wound up going to Camp (Cruising and Men’s Play) in Munich, Germany. Watch the video below. And if you have any dares you would like Henry to do, go to the official Facebook page and don’t forget to like him!

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