Nyc gay bathhouse
Everard Baths
History
The famous Everard Baths, one of the longest lasting of New York’s bathhouses, attracted gay men probably since its opening in , but, as documented, from at least World War I until its closing in
The building began as the Free Will Baptist Church in In , it was converted into the New-York Horticultural Society’s Horticultural Hall. It became the Regent Melody Hall in , then the Fifth Avenue Music Hall, financed by James Everard. Born in Dublin, Ireland, Everard () came to New York City as a boy, and eventually formed a masonry jobbing business that was successful in receiving a number of major city widespread works contracts. With his profits, he invested in real estate after , and built up one the country’s largest brewing concerns. (He was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery.)
After the Music Hall was closed by the Capital over the sale of beer there, Everard decided to conserve his investment by turning the facility into a commercial “Russian and Turkish” bathhouse, opened in May at a cost of $, Lushly appointed and with a variety of steam bath
Mt. Morris Baths
History
Located in the basement floor of the Lohengrin apartment house, the Mt. Morris Baths (originally the Mayer Baths) was the first commercial tenant of this vacuum. The establishment, featuring Turkish and Russian baths, catered to a mostly Jewish clientele and in the late 19th century was also known as a hangout for police officers. By , the baths were renamed the Mt. Morris Baths, and by the s and s, African-American patrons began frequenting the baths reflecting changes in the demographics of the neighborhood.
When exactly it began to lure a predominantly homosexual, African-American clientele is unknown, but it was mostly likely in the s during the Harlem Renaissance. In , Carl Van Vechten, patron of the Harlem Renaissance, noted in his diary that he had visited the baths, which at the period was known for its “rough trade.” In , Countee Cullen left his wife Yolande Du Bois for Harold Jackman, who he had allegedly met at the baths. Lincoln Kirstein characterized the baths as “a rendezvous” for “notorious homosexuals, deviated p
What goes on inside a gay bathhouse?
Blalron41
I’ve been, once or twice, to a classy establishment downtown called the (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 , 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 uncomplicated. 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.
Ethilrist42
Huh. I find myself wondering, undertake lesbians do the bath-house thing, or is it just gay guys?
iampunha43
Damn, you gays have everything so easy. And another upside is that everyone in there is a potential sex
Gay Saunas in New York City
Introduction to New York City Gay Saunas and Bathhouses
Discovering a gay bathhouse in New York Capital can feel like navigating a maze, especially when you realize the options seem surprisingly sparse in such a bustling metropolis. This is a usual puzzle many gay travellers find themselves trying to solve when they attend NYC. In this metropolis, the gay sauna tradition diverges significantly from what one might find in European capitals like Barcelona, Rome, or Milan.
Why, you might ask? The landscape of gay saunas in New York City has been shaped by its history, particularly during the devastating HIV/AIDS epidemic of the s, leading to the closure of many establishments. Yet, the soul of communal and intimate exploration among gay men has not dwindled. Instead, it has transformed, giving rise to alternative venues and vibrant events that capture the essence of New York's gay scene.
East Side Club, the city's lone traditional gay bathhouse survivor. From massage-based establishments masquerading as spas to the lively world of gay sex parties, N