Honest if naive question. What are gay saunas about, and is there any etiquette to adhere to? New to the scene and thinking of trying one out in London, any suggestions?
2006-11-13 19:15:56 · 18 answers · asked by Saffa London Lad 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
Although gay saunas do provide the usual spa facilities of sauna cabins, steam rooms, jacuzzi and in some of the larger ones swimming pool, gym and solaria, their raison d'etre is very much for men to go and have sex; in Australia they're often referred to as SOPs or sex-on-premises venues. Although this is technically illegal, the police turn a very blind eye and there has been nothing even slightly like a raid in recent memory.
The 'etiquette' such as it is is that you go along, collect your towels and locker key from the reception and once undressed and wrapped in a towel (walking round buck naked apparently is bad etiquette) you're free to roam the corridors and spa areas until someone catches your eye and you lead or follow them into one of the private cabins that line the corridors. In all venues condoms and lube should be in free and plentiful supply, but it's always a good idea to take some of your own with you just in case - the rise in recent years of unprotected sex in SOPs has contributed to a rise in STIs especially the near-extinct sypphilis, so don't be tempted to bareback because you've not got protection.
After 'the deed', some guys like to chat and maybe have a drink or coffee in the lounge rea - I do know people who've met long term partners in saunas! - others prefer to disappear back off into the venue without a word and you may see them again as you go round cruising someone else; etiquette dictates that you don't give someone a hard time if all they want from you is a quick anonymous bang.
One key point with suanas is that you will always find the place full of peacocks, guys who don't really go to do much else than have guys ogle them. this can make Joe Averages feel very insecure, but don;t be - if they're so damn attractive to guys then what are they doing parading round a sauna for attention?!
Ultimately saunas are a space to cruise, relax, meet a partner, meet several partners, whatever you want it to be - f*** etiquette! Chariots Saunas (or 'Roman Spas') are all across town in locations including Shoreditch, Vauxhall, Waterloo and Streatham; Pleasuredrome also at Waterloo is big, modern and clean; and there are a number of other smaller venues such as the Portsea (off Edgware Road) and Locker Room (Kennington) which make up for in intimacy what they lack in facilities.
Good luck, and enjoy!
2006-11-14 02:12:30 · answer #1 · answered by HRW 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Portsea Sauna
2016-10-01 02:28:26 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Essentially gay saunas are about anonymous sex, cruising, and voyerism.
For the most part people limit communication to the non-verbal, a lot of it has to do with people catching one anothers gaze and reading whether the other person is interested or not. Generally if someone is interested they will pasively allow your advances, if not they will usually tell you by looking away or giving you closed body language (turning their back etc), such things should be respected, and usually are. Most of it is common sense interaction you will pick up quickly.
Such places can be pretty daunting at first, so be clear about your intensions, if you just want to check it out, or if you want to participate, and be clear with what you want from others. It is okay to go there just for the experience and not participate.
I would suggest you try a smaller sauna first, especially one with a hot tub as this can offer respite (usually there is more relaxed talking there, less cruising pressure), and be clear about practicing safe sex, not all do, not all are interested in doing so. They can be high-risk places if you do not practice safe sex, or just good fun if you do protect yourself.
Another good way to try it is to go with a friend, not necissarily to get off with them, but just to check it out, you may both do nothing there but look around, but it is a good way of building confidence and getting to know what saunas are about and whether they are likely to interest you.
Enjoy!
2006-11-14 04:08:03 · answer #3 · answered by tysonian22 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Similar to what is found in the States, bath houses that provide a private place for gay men to enjoy pleasures of male bonding.
2006-11-13 20:33:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are loads of them. That said, some are better than others, but all depend on the crowd that are in. Try looking on gaytoZ.com or squirt.org to find them.
2006-11-14 04:10:58 · answer #5 · answered by dodge21000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Think I am a bit too old to try and find out now
2006-11-14 04:25:44 · answer #6 · answered by bwadsp 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some of them are awful, like Portsea place. off Edgeware Rd. Don't go there. It's tiny.
Cape Town's one is good.
2006-11-14 10:47:31 · answer #7 · answered by barry-the-aardvark 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are about having a sauna and meeting new people...
2006-11-13 19:24:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
don't put anything in your mouth or up there without a condom.
you don't want to regret it for the rest of your life.
2006-11-13 22:40:31 · answer #9 · answered by popo dean 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
the only way you will know is if you give it a try. enjoy.
2006-11-13 19:18:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋