Gay Baths - the good (hot), the bad, and the ugly

A few days ago, there was a discussion about gay bath houses (or gay or men's saunas as they are called outside North America) on a certain discussion thread. It prompted a long response from me (at the end).

Kirk: So I have this odd obsession over
bathhouses. I've only been once, and don't know if I'll go back. It was hot, and
interesting, but I'm not much into an older crowd and it seems most guys that
visit the baths are older, with the occasional young guy.Anyway, what I was
looking for, since bathhouses do something for me, is pics/videos of guys in
bathhouses.

Barebacker: It depends on where you go I guess. I know a lot of bath houses full of teens and twentysomethings here in Europe. Some saunas (as we call them) will not even allow anyone over 25 or 30. (He lives in Belgium.)

Bike: I was bathhouse virgin until two years ago. Then I discovered The Club in St. Louis and been there several times. It part of chain of bathhouses. It is great facility, nice lay out, great staff and always great guys.

hpb: I tried out a bathhouse in DC last week for the first time. i was the youngest person there by at least 5 years (i'm 20), but i still really enjoyed myself. i got advice that a different night of the week is better for guys my age, so i'll probably go back again on one of those nights.

Kirk: bike, the nearest bathhouse to me is actually a part of that chain. Club Indianapolis, to be exact. I'm thinking about trying again, but I'm not too sure about it. I just don't want to waste another $30 walking into a building full of people triple my age.

SilverCloud: This might be a very valid point, if you are into guys of your age group only. I go by the rule: 'Never pay for something, if you can get it for free or for less'. If you do not need to burn $30.00 to get your rocks off, well, don't.

Jack: Check out this site for helpful information:http://www.bathhouseaddict.com/

Sunbuns99: It's just a fact of (gay) life -- the baths suck (but sometimes sSOOOoo good!) Stop complaining - either try them out, recognizing the problems and limitations or shut up about it. It's probably true what was said about the timing and location are very important and it really depends on WHAT you can tolerate in order to 'get your rocks off."

If you want sex on a steady basis, then get a boyfriend or husband or marry a woman (release your inner bisexuality)..... and of course, you have to deal with everything involved in a LTR. Baths are what they are. Good for some, barely bearable for others... LOCATION counts. Timing is important. It depends - there are good ones in North American - although that's generally the exception -- not the norm.

I'm middle aged but since I stay in shape and generally look and act young (enough), it's not such a problem being about to 'pick' between offers from guys in their 20s to those in their 50s. It might be problematic for the 20-year-old.. but you're still in college or at least college age - so go west, young men and fuck a fraternity!

Barebackteen is absolutely right about most European 'saunas'..I should know - I visited the one he recommended in Brussels and was completely impressed (although I had been to similar ones in other EU states) and tired out from all the sex.

For North Americans, however, the 'baths' ofter are simply (sometimes dingy dark) places to go to get your rocks off --- even the chain of baths mentioned earlier -- We're talking about sex with strangers -- gettting off anonymously -- so if the clientele turns your stomach -- or allowing some 40 to 50 something 'old' guy 'do' you (or you to 'do' him)...then just don't do it, and go back to the 'tried and true' -- blind dates, bar hopping, public tea-rooms (toilets - 'cottaging') or something more virtual sex - webcam sex or phone sex, hooking up with a Craig's List or Manhunt type. Sex is a highly overrated pasttime anyway. (LOL)

Japan, where I spend a great deal of time - is a different kettle of fish -- there are 'men's saunas' that are totally straight (well..actually there IS no such thing - but where sex is not condoned), and there are those that are mainly for male-to-male sex purposes - but NOT simply that.. they also serve as gay 'community' centers - of a sort - with regular customers who use the exercises or sun-roof (or jacuzzi etc) to socialize, and sunbath, or the cafe for eating and chatting.. - which is a lot like the European ones.. except that each 'sauna' in Japan (esp Tokyo) tends to appeal to a certain age of clientele - 45-65 group, the 30ish-50 group, and the under 30 group tend to segregate into different areas of the city - so the sauna's (not that numerous actually) tend to have customers in those age ranges. I got the impression that it depends on the day of the week for what age of customer is most common in the European (and probably North American) baths.

The alternative to 'baths' are also quite popular in Japan -- which doesn't seem to exist any more (let me know if I am wrong) is the sex club or porn video cubicle club.... (perhaps these still exist in the US but I have not seen one in operation is many years).. The Japanese version is a dark single story space - subdivided into many small cubicles - some are large enough for a sleeping mattress, and others are just for video viewing, but you pay an entrance fee (1000 - 2000 yen) and then remove your clothes/shoes and store in a locker. (dress code may be required or not - such as underwear or jockstraps, but full nudity is the accepted practice).

Then guys try to go from cubicle to cubicle - either going inside or hanging outside - there are glory holes and also peek holes in the walls between to 'facilitate' oral and anal sex or if the guys are mutually attracted they get in the same stall and bang away.. In some of these 'sex clubs' there are bigger rooms or dark rooms for 'group' activities.. so it can get really hot and sweaty and cum soaked. Unfortunately, sometimes there is only one bathroom and may or may not be anything but that... or a coin-operated shower stall... It's kind of kinky and a 'cheap' way to get quick anonymous sex for the young, the older and the married man who needs cock.