Gay bathhouse experience

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Take a deep breath, smile (yes, even in a sauna), and remember you’re there to enjoy yourself. Pro tip: Lean against the wall of the pool with the water line above your shoulders.

5. Bathhouses typically provide efficacious treatments like deep tissue bodywork or exfoliating scrubs. Just relax? The more relaxed you are, the more fun you’ll have.

If you’re feeling a bit nervous, try not to overthink it.

All are perfectly valid reasons – just be sure to set the tone for what you want from the experience.

2.
Nearby Banos Finisterre gets going at 6 AM after the bars close.
In Puerto Vallarta, Spartacus is located in the heart of the gay mecca’s Zona Romantica. Spas, on the other hand, typically only offer private treatment rooms where guests receive individual services, which tend to be isolating.
Although bathhouses usually provide treatments like massage and body scrubs in addition to shared pool and sauna amenities, spas rarely have communal areas.

How to Use the Bathhouse Amenities

How to Cold Plunge

Try a “body scan” to fully be in the experience. Know What You Want Before You Walk In

First things first, think about why you’re going. The Golden Rule: Sauna Etiquette

Saunas are communal spaces, and just like any social setting, there are unwritten rules that help things flow smoothly. Here are some do’s and don’ts for first-timers, and an insight into what you’ll find.

North America

Montreal is host to GI Joe, Canada’s most prominent gay bathhouse, where Anglos and Québécois, cut and uncut, mingle over four floors of sauna amenities, dark rooms, and the holes of glory.

In Toronto, find one of Steamworks’ most popular locations in the city’s Village gayborhood.

Steamworks in Chicago is one of the U.S.’s most popular and high-end bathhouses, and maybe the only one that rates comparison to its European bathhouse brothers; when it comes to sauna culture, New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles are all Second Cities.

Discover more gay bathhouses in our CityGuides

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New Offering: First Timer Day Pass

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Bathhousing for the first time and want to learn how to sauna like a pro?

Whether it’s your first time or your hundredth, all sauna-goers are welcome!

Head straight into the cold plunge or continue on your own journey through the bathhouse.

Know Before You Go

Already booked? Or maybe it’s your first time and you’re curious to see what it’s like? It’s okay to take it slow and explore different spaces when you’re ready. It has a rooftop pool and many other outdoor amenities.

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The best gay bathhouses and backrooms in Mexico City
Mexico City is a playground filled with bathhouses, men’s only resorts, and “anything goes” backrooms.

Whether you’re making new friends, unwinding in the steam room, or exploring your curiosity, it’s all part of the experience. Commit to at least 15 minutes of exposure in the sauna.
2.
Into the Steam: A First-Timer’s Guide to Gay Saunas
Gay saunas are a mix of relaxation, socializing, and exploration, but they can be a little intimidating if you’re not sure what to expect.