Your favourite Bath Houses / Saunas anywhere
Jul 8, 2012, 12:21 am
#77
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 33
I have a question, seriously,
I have yet to travel overseas. I would really like to go to a Spanish speaking country first.
For folks from the US, how have your experiences been in a foreign country's bath house and not speak the language? Or does that not matter in that ty eof place lol.....?
I'm kind of particular, I don't want too many misunderstandings
I have yet to travel overseas. I would really like to go to a Spanish speaking country first.
For folks from the US, how have your experiences been in a foreign country's bath house and not speak the language? Or does that not matter in that ty eof place lol.....?
I'm kind of particular, I don't want too many misunderstandings
Sep 30, 2012, 9:40 am
#78
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: DL SkyMiles PM/2MM, AA Plat, IC Diam. Amb., Peninsula regular, amanjunkie
Posts: 5,848
What are the crowds like and what are the best times to visit Club Eros San Francisco or Steamworks Berkeley? I've never been, so curious.
Oct 7, 2012, 11:00 am
#79
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Programs: KE Skypass Morning Calm Member, OZ Club
Posts: 2,352
Hokoukouan in Osaka! Or however you spell it. Six floors of awesome. Only go on weekends, though. Weekdays are dead. Weekends, however, that biatch was FILLED to the brim. Like when I left at 11:30 AM, people were still coming in.
Oct 13, 2012, 10:13 pm
#82
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: AA EXP, 3MM AA, Admirals Club
Posts: 461
I'm sure I'm not alone. I consider a trip to the bath house or sauna a CRUTIAL and INTEGRAL part of any GAY-VAY (Gay Vacation) be it with friends or the boyfriend.
Perhaps its because in New York, the bathouses are so sad, and in London, well...not that great.
Here's my favorites, I think the best in the world (in no order).
1. Steamworks, Chicago, IL, United States
The hot tub maze alone is wonderful. If you have a weakness for mid westerners and the like from Indiana, Ohio etc, wow what a place.
2. Badehause, Koln, Germany
I have made trips to Koln just to go here. It's only 3 hours away from AMS by train or car. Beautiful. Koln is a fun gay place. Unlike bathhouses in the states, which is dirty and primarily patronized by 'senior citizens' - badehouse is a gem of 20 somethings and 30 somethings who are just around the "corner"
3. Thermos Day, Amsterdam
A felllow gayvay companion of mine is of the opinion that the companion sauna Thermos Night is better, but I disagree. 4 floors of heaven and debauchery.Next to Badehause, probably the best in Europe. Crowd simmilar to Badehouse, always busy.
I always consult the following guide, in what ever city I'm in, (mostly in German)
http://www.gaysaunen.com
Please add along - where should I go next boys?
Perhaps its because in New York, the bathouses are so sad, and in London, well...not that great.
Here's my favorites, I think the best in the world (in no order).
1. Steamworks, Chicago, IL, United States
The hot tub maze alone is wonderful. If you have a weakness for mid westerners and the like from Indiana, Ohio etc, wow what a place.
2. Badehause, Koln, Germany
I have made trips to Koln just to go here. It's only 3 hours away from AMS by train or car. Beautiful. Koln is a fun gay place. Unlike bathhouses in the states, which is dirty and primarily patronized by 'senior citizens' - badehouse is a gem of 20 somethings and 30 somethings who are just around the "corner"
3. Thermos Day, Amsterdam
A felllow gayvay companion of mine is of the opinion that the companion sauna Thermos Night is better, but I disagree. 4 floors of heaven and debauchery.Next to Badehause, probably the best in Europe. Crowd simmilar to Badehouse, always busy.
I always consult the following guide, in what ever city I'm in, (mostly in German)
http://www.gaysaunen.com
Please add along - where should I go next boys?
Oct 14, 2012, 9:04 am
#83
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SEA
Programs: Million Miles achieved | 2017 Delta Platinum, United NADA, Global Entry, PreCheck, NEXUS
Posts: 1,295
Oct 14, 2012, 5:16 pm
#84
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
Posts: 3,646
Anyway, I think you might be missing BIG time a lot fun by not going to the bathhousues or saunas in places outside the US
I used to go to the bathhouses in the US some years ago. The first time I stepped in the West Side Club in NY back in the 90's I was like WOW...what an assortment of HOT men all over the place. And they were the same men that were hours ago in the "hot" club or party of the moment. Unfortunately, the West Side Club (and almost every other bathhouse in the US) attracts a very different crowd nowadays. Given my personal preferences, I don't think it is worth going.
HOWEVER, the saunas in other places of the world are a WHOLE different story. Saunas in Brazil and Europe can be very nice, and they have a bar where you can get any drink/ any time, and some of them may even have light hot and cold snacks to offer. And they are frequented by just about everybody. The saunas in Paris are the place to be on Sunday afternoon, lots of young pretty boys. Der Boiler in Berlin is pretty cool too. I can't remember the name, but there was one in Amsterdam, not too far away from the venue where the Rapido is, and that one was hot too. I liked 240 in Sao Paulo, but I think it has been closed and another brand new one has replaced it.
Seriously, you might want to check them out and then come back and share your opinions about them. THAT would be useful for this thread.
Oct 15, 2012, 11:11 am
#85
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: VZ
Programs: M&M, ROP, KrisFlyer
Posts: 1,028
Originally Posted by NYCWahoo View Post
One of the most odd, but fabulous experience was seeing a live jazz trio playing at Babylon. Initially we thought we were hearing CD over the speakers...No, no, it was a very large African-American woman singing live. It was my "Bette Middler" moment!
I am looking to my Thailand trip next week and hope that the famous singer will be there on Saturday again...because I have missed her some other nights at Babylon. She is really GREAT..I love her!
And after many many years, I went to the Badehaus Babylon in Cologne yesterday (while I visited the Phoenix Cologne during the last years) and I was amazed: many guys, on Sundays mainly mid-aged bears (while Phoenix is patronized by a younger crowd)...its a real alternative for people who might want to experience not only one place in town.
One of the most odd, but fabulous experience was seeing a live jazz trio playing at Babylon. Initially we thought we were hearing CD over the speakers...No, no, it was a very large African-American woman singing live. It was my "Bette Middler" moment!
I am looking to my Thailand trip next week and hope that the famous singer will be there on Saturday again...because I have missed her some other nights at Babylon. She is really GREAT..I love her!
And after many many years, I went to the Badehaus Babylon in Cologne yesterday (while I visited the Phoenix Cologne during the last years) and I was amazed: many guys, on Sundays mainly mid-aged bears (while Phoenix is patronized by a younger crowd)...its a real alternative for people who might want to experience not only one place in town.
Oct 15, 2012, 9:34 pm
#86
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,234
Oct 19, 2012, 6:54 pm
#87
Join Date: May 2009
Location: USA
Programs: Marriott Titanium -> United Silver
Posts: 937
Why is that the case? I know that in the US they attract the after-hours (drug) crowd. Is it different elsewhere?
Oct 19, 2012, 8:06 pm
#88
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
Posts: 3,646
Go to a bathhouse in Paris on Sunday at 5PM or after a day at the beach in Rio (a non-escort one, of course).
Amazingly, not everything is like in the US
Oct 20, 2012, 4:24 pm
#89
Join Date: May 2009
Location: USA
Programs: Marriott Titanium -> United Silver
Posts: 937
Oct 22, 2012, 2:20 am
#90
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: my heart is on the shores of the north Italian lakes
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