# What goes on inside a gay bathhouse? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 24, 2004, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-goes-on-inside-a-gay-bathhouse/276555 "2004-11-24T23:44:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-goes-on-inside-a-gay-bathhouse/276555/41 "2004-11-25T04:48:05Z")
> [@matt\_mcl](#): > > I’ve been, once or twice, to a classy establishment downtown called the 456 (one of my friends works there). > > Upon entry, you may choose either a room or a locker. You are then issued a towel and some condoms. You go in and disrobe. At the 456, the lower floor is, indeed, a bathhouse: there is a large swimming pool, hot tub, showers, and a sauna. There is also a sort of drawing room with a TV and an Internet terminal, and a bar where health foods and light snacks are served. (In the basement is a gym; the place doubles as a health club.) Damn, you gays have everything so easy. And another upside is that everyone in there is a potential sex partner. Even in a hypothetically heterosexual bathhouse, at least half the people there are competitors and you _don’t_ want to see them naked. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-goes-on-inside-a-gay-bathhouse/276555/42 "2004-11-25T05:06:08Z")
Huh. I find myself wondering, do lesbians do the bath-house thing, or is it just gay guys? ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-goes-on-inside-a-gay-bathhouse/276555/43 "2004-11-25T05:38:51Z")
> [@Blalron](#): > > Damn, you gays have everything so easy. And another upside is that everyone in there is a potential sex partner. Even in a hypothetically heterosexual bathhouse, at least half the people there are competitors and you _don’t_ want to see them naked. I’d venture there are some women (personal preferences, etc) you don’t want to see naked either. Meanwhile, for some of us equal opportunity employers…😃 ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-goes-on-inside-a-gay-bathhouse/276555/44 "2004-11-25T06:53:00Z")
> [@Blalron](#): > > Damn, you gays have everything so easy. And another upside is that everyone in there is a potential sex partner. Even in a hypothetically heterosexual bathhouse, at least half the people there are competitors and you _don’t_ want to see them naked. Of the bath houses I’ve gone to (NYC, SF, London), \*\*everyone \*\*is a competitor, plus you don’t want to see about 75% of them naked. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-goes-on-inside-a-gay-bathhouse/276555/45 "2004-11-25T07:07:23Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Huh. I find myself wondering, do lesbians do the bath-house thing, or is it just gay guys? From time to time, although it usually ends up being guy-type bathhouses that are designated lesbian one night a month or something of the sort. ---
**Author:** ![Maxxxie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@Maxxxie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maxxxie)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-goes-on-inside-a-gay-bathhouse/276555/46 "2004-11-25T08:24:59Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Huh. I find myself wondering, do lesbians do the bath-house thing, or is it just gay guys? They had a thing like that here in Brisbane a while back. A once-a-month gig, if I remember correctly. It was half lounge-bar and half hot-tub-cruising-place. I never attended, but acquaintances of mine went and swore never to return. The “cruising” chicks were all skanks, apparently, and the hygiene of the hot-tub itself was in question. If I recall correctly, the place died a slow and uneventful death. Lesbians, as a species, tend not to be into the casual, anonymous sex thing. It’s a shame really, but I think it’s more a reflection of the way our brains are wired. Max. ---
**Author:** ![SolGrundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-goes-on-inside-a-gay-bathhouse/276555/47 "2004-11-25T11:22:55Z")
> [@PaulFitzroy](#): > > This is the kinda thing that makes me wish I was gay. It would be so awesome if there was something like that for straight people. Dammit, why isn’t there?! It sounds like such a kickass place. At the risk of getting into TMI territory, here’s a snippet of a conversation I “overheard” in an online chatroom, where someone was asking about a gay bathhouse in the SF Bay Area: “Just remember to watch your step.” “I always use protection.” “No, I mean watch your step. Or get a pair of cheap flip flops.” Yeah, what a kickass place! I’ve got to groan whenever I hear a straight guy go on about how great it is to be gay because of all the “free” sex. From what I’ve heard, it’s not all that difficult to find female (hetero) sluts, if that’s all you’re looking for. You just have to go out to a club and get over yourself to the point where you can come on to a woman making it clear that’s all you’re looking for. And I’ll just say that at least from my perspective back when that was all I was looking for: either I’m a lot more ugly and unpleasant to be around than I like to think, or it’s not all that easy and “free” for the homos, either. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-goes-on-inside-a-gay-bathhouse/276555/48 "2004-11-25T11:44:40Z")
> [@SolGrundy](#): > > I’ve got to groan whenever I hear a straight guy go on about how great it is to be gay because of all the “free” sex. From what I’ve heard, it’s not all that difficult to find female (hetero) sluts, if that’s all you’re looking for. You just have to go out to a club and get over yourself to the point where you can come on to a woman making it clear that’s all you’re looking for. And I’ll just say that at least from my perspective back when that was all I was looking for: either I’m a lot more ugly and unpleasant to be around than I like to think, or it’s not all that easy and “free” for the homos, either. I have to agree about wishing for easy sex for gays. If a straight guy can’t some after a night in a bar, well, you’re just not doing it right. Lower your standards if you must, but if you want to get laid and go home horny, maybe your standards are high enough to not want a one-nighter. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-goes-on-inside-a-gay-bathhouse/276555/49 "2004-11-25T11:46:35Z")
There were, oh, about 5 words left out of that last post. Hope the idea was clear enough. :smack: :smack: ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-goes-on-inside-a-gay-bathhouse/276555/50 "2004-11-25T13:17:50Z")
> [@matt\_mcl](#): > > Um, they definitely still exist – there are at least five I know of in Montreal, of which one opened quite recently. There are _way_ more than five. There’s one in Verdun, one in Brossard, one in Chomedy. Check the smaller ads in _Fugues_. (This is, of course, the only reason _I_ know. :eek: ) ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-goes-on-inside-a-gay-bathhouse/276555/51 "2004-11-25T13:22:53Z")
> [@matt\_mcl](#): > > From time to time, although it usually ends up being guy-type bathhouses that are designated lesbian one night a month or something of the sort. I recall reading somewhere that in the 70s, some SF bathhouses had “straight nights” where women and (presumably straight) men were admitted. Never on the weekends, though. In any case, I don’t think the concept ever really took off in “mainstream” bathhouse culture. Oh, and I once came across a web site that had first-hand accounts of the stuff that used to go on in 70s SF baths - some really extreme shit. (Take that how you want.) You could buy drugs from the attendants, the atmosphere was mainly composed of amyl nitrate, and basically, anything went. ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-goes-on-inside-a-gay-bathhouse/276555/52 "2004-11-25T15:26:07Z")
> [@SolGrundy](#): > > And I’ll just say that at least from my perspective back when that was all I was looking for: either I’m a lot more ugly and unpleasant to be around than I like to think, or it’s not all that easy and “free” for the homos, either. Must be the latter, judging from your SDMB personality and picture. But more on-topic… seriously… flip-flops to walk around? Do they not have people that clean it? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-goes-on-inside-a-gay-bathhouse/276555/53 "2004-11-25T15:33:03Z")
Wouldn’t flip-flops be a given? I mean, it’s similiar to a gym or spa, and I for one wouldn’t walk into a public shower without flip flops. (After having suffered raging cases of both athlete’s foot and plantars warts.) ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-goes-on-inside-a-gay-bathhouse/276555/54 "2004-11-25T15:38:56Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Wouldn’t flip-flops be a given? I mean, it’s similiar to a gym or spa, and I for one wouldn’t walk into a public shower without flip flops. (After having suffered raging cases of both athlete’s foot and plantars warts.) Hmm… showers, yes, gym I wear tennis shoes, and I’ve never been to a spa. Whoops… inexperience rears its ugly head. ---
**Author:** ![pokey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ebca7d/32.png) [@pokey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pokey)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-goes-on-inside-a-gay-bathhouse/276555/55 "2004-11-25T16:31:47Z")
A long time ago (around 1999) my best friend came out and the first thing he did was go to a Toronto bar and meet a guy who took him on several dates to the bath house. It was a big deal because you know, he got to find out what goes on inside a gay bath house! What he told me is exactly what \*\*matt\_mcl \*\* said. I remember at first I was all jealous thinking I wish ‘I was a gay man so I could have lots of sex at bath houses without having to get to know a bunch of idiots,’ etc. But then I visualized it and I suddenly saw myself as Jack Black wearing one towel around my waist and another turban-style on my head trying to make friends in a locker room full of cool people and got an anxiety attack. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-goes-on-inside-a-gay-bathhouse/276555/56 "2004-11-25T18:15:35Z")
> [@scott evil](#): > > There are _way_ more than five. There’s one in Verdun, one in Brossard, one in Chomedy. Check the smaller ads in _Fugues_. (This is, of course, the only reason _I_ know. :eek: ) It better be, what with you being an old married man and all! ---
**Author:** ![SolGrundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2004, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-goes-on-inside-a-gay-bathhouse/276555/57 "2004-11-26T00:22:36Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Wouldn’t flip-flops be a given? I mean, it’s similiar to a gym or spa, and I for one wouldn’t walk into a public shower without flip flops. (After having suffered raging cases of both athlete’s foot and plantars warts.) Sigh. I was trying to be tactful. I don’t get the heebie jeebies from the thought of walking barefoot in someone else’s athelete’s foot fungus as much as I do at the thought of walking barefoot in someone else’s semen. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2004, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-goes-on-inside-a-gay-bathhouse/276555/58 "2004-11-26T00:57:44Z")
Ummmm. Is a **Glory Hole** what I think it is? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2004, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-goes-on-inside-a-gay-bathhouse/276555/59 "2004-11-26T01:07:58Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > Ummmm. Is a **Glory Hole** what I think it is? Probably. What do you think it is? ---
**Author:** ![ltfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2004, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-goes-on-inside-a-gay-bathhouse/276555/60 "2004-11-26T01:29:32Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > Ummmm. Is a **Glory Hole** what I think it is? Um…if no one is looking over your shoulder…Google / Images / Glory hole. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-goes-on-inside-a-gay-bathhouse/276555.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-goes-on-inside-a-gay-bathhouse/276555.md?page=4)