Bathhouse nostalgic ads. A trip down memory lane.

[Guest PozGoat]

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[Hotload84]

"Anyone else get a heavy sense of nostalgia while looking through these?"

Absolutely, Rottencock, especially when I consider what was lost. I'm astounded to see there was a bath house in Camden, NJ - I'd never heard of it, although truth be told, Camden is such a sad city that I almost never have stepped foot in the place, notwithstanding that I can see Camden when I step out my front door and glance eastward across the Delaware River. I didn't notice an advertisement for any of the old bath houses in Philly, I know of at least four that were around in the 70s - three are gone, the the fourth has been closed for (about) five months while the management deals with repairs and renovations required as a consequence of a smallish fire.

I'm also fascinated by looking at addresses of certain of the bath houses in California - I'm fairly sure the facility in San Diego, that in Wilmington, that on Lankershim Blvd in North Hollywood, and the Midtowne are operating at the same location, although two of the three are operating under different names.

[Guest PozGoat]

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[BreedingBear]

When I think back growing up near Detroit in the 70's, there were baths, bars, and sex clubs galore.... which of course I went to weekly for years.... Starting at 16... along with trips to NY, Chicago and SF... Politically things are a lot better for us now, but I miss the SLEAZINESS of it all back then....

[PhoenixGeoff]

When I think back growing up near Detroit in the 70's, there were baths, bars, and sex clubs galore.... which of course I went to weekly for years.... Starting at 16... along with trips to NY, Chicago and SF... Politically things are a lot better for us now, but I miss the SLEAZINESS of it all back then....

Man, ain't that the truth. I remember when I first discovered the baths. Within a year, I had a job working at one (got to get a free room there whenever I wasn't on duty). And the place had over 100 rooms. And it was one of half a dozen baths in town.

Incidentally, got fired a few months later...fucking around with a customer that the assistant manager had his eye on. LOL. Was just as well, I was getting ready to enlist at the time anyways.

But yeah...definitely miss the sleaziness. Guys were more open about fucking around too. Wish things were more like that these days. I'd gladly trade gay marriage rights for a sleazier gay culture than what we have now.

[totalasspig]

Oh back to those glorious days..I was on 13 and I was able to get into the Club Baths in NYC -- when I was 13, I looked 19 and not one person ever asked me for ID - The Everard, ST. Marks, Mans Country, East Side Sauna, and who could forget the Mineshaft - I got in there when I was 16 - no one ever batted an eye, they just all wanted to fuck my ass silly - and they did! If only there was a time machine to go back to those days.

[kylecigarbear]

The Denver Swim Club is still around. Not sure about now but back in the late 80s they were very very VERY picky as to whom they would allow in. In 1989 I was a student at the University of Denver. One day heard a group of guys talking about this place so I decided to check it out. At the time ( so they said anyway ) that they did not sell memberships at the door but I did receive a card by the man on duty to call some guy named Mike Ball at 3pm on Wednesday to discuss memberships. Never did reached Mr. Ball as it was one thing after other on their part. Not long after that I heard that the Denver Swim Club had pulled this shit with others as if like they didn't want the business.

Moved back to Denver 6 years ago and even today I still hear from guys about how "picky" the Denver Swim Club is when it comes to who they will allow in while others say that the DSC allows all guys in. It makes for an active debate here. Myself...no interest in the DSC since I discovered Midtowne though rumor is they are cutting back.

Edited April 30, 2013 by kylecigarbear

[PhoenixGeoff]

Kyle, I've never been turned away at the DSC, though to be honest, I generally don't go there for the action (mostly doesn't attract my kinda men). It is kind of nice to go there in the summer and enjoy the pool and just relax. But for sex, the Midtowne is closer to me and more fun too in my experience.

I've heard rumors about the DSC being picky, but I've personally never really seen it happen. But like I said, if you're looking for real men and actual fun, the Midtowne is probably the better bet anyways.

[kylecigarbear]

Kyle, I've never been turned away at the DSC, though to be honest, I generally don't go there for the action (mostly doesn't attract my kinda men). It is kind of nice to go there in the summer and enjoy the pool and just relax. But for sex, the Midtowne is closer to me and more fun too in my experience.

I've heard rumors about the DSC being picky, but I've personally never really seen it happen. But like I said, if you're looking for real men and actual fun, the Midtowne is probably the better bet anyways.

I was actually at Midtowne recently. Had a very interesting conversation with one of their employees. Apparently some of the more younger folks ( twinks and cubs ) have been trying to get Midtowne to set aside time for them as in no older guys..aka "trolls".....just hot young guys only. I guess they got the idea from Aurora, Colorado's "swingers motel" The Mon Chalet and their policy with single males. At Mon they are allowed to be there only four hours in the afternoon unless they get a room otherwise its strictly couples and single females. Anyway what works for Mon Chalet chances are won't work for DSC and Midtowne as the employee @ Midtowne said to me "...it's not happening...we will lose money if we did this".

The local Denver Front Range Bears last year somewhat did this sort of thing. Some of the younger members ( cubs ) wanted to make their annual pool party into a strictly naked bear/cub pool/sex party. First it was open to all...then only to members but very soon after that the cubs wanted to be more picky as in only sexy daddies be there. Result a lot of guys even some who were members such as myself were not invited. First I was given the address of the event and was told to bring beer, then told a week before the event it was "cancelled" only to see pics of this pool party pop up online the day after the event. One of the cubs of the group told me that "..we didn't want you there...you aren't a bear much less a daddy". Oh well !! Anyway after doing this sort of thing with other guys it was a of no surprise to learn that Front Range Bears had lost money last year.

Edited May 6, 2013 by kylecigarbear

[PhoenixGeoff]

I was actually at Midtowne recently. Had a very interesting conversation with one of their employees. Apparently some of the more younger folks ( twinks and cubs ) have been trying to get Midtowne to set aside time for them as in no older guys..aka "trolls".....just hot young guys only. I guess they got the idea from Aurora, Colorado's "swingers motel" The Mon Chalet and their policy with single males. At Mon they are allowed to be there only four hours in the afternoon unless they get a room otherwise its strictly couples and single females. Anyway what works for Mon Chalet chances are won't work for DSC and Midtowne as the employee @ Midtowne said to me "...it's not happening...we will lose money if we did this".

The local Denver Front Range Bears last year somewhat did this sort of thing. Some of the younger members ( cubs ) wanted to make their annual pool party into a strictly naked bear/cub pool/sex party. First it was open to all...then only to members but very soon after that the cubs wanted to be more picky as in only sexy daddies be there. Result a lot of guys even some who were members such as myself were not invited. First I was given the address of the event and was told to bring beer, then told a week before the event it was "cancelled" only to see pics of this pool party pop up online the day after the event. One of the cubs of the group told me that "..we didn't want you there...you aren't a bear much less a daddy". Oh well !! Anyway after doing this sort of thing with other guys it was a of no surprise to learn that Front Range Bears had lost money last year.

Yeah, sorry...that kind of attitude is precisely why so many younger guys turn me off.

I understand that different people have different standards, and that no-one will be attractive to everyone. And that's exactly why everyone has the ability to communicate with someone hitting on them and say, "I'm flattered by the offer, but you're not my type."

Some of these younger kids need to learn that it was that kind of attitude that drove the foundation of the bear movement in the first place...we were looking to get away from all of that kind of bullshit. That's one of the things I've always really loved about bears...we're not so hung up on having the perfect appearance or continually working on getting the perfect body. And as a result, we are often a hell of a lot more laid back and fun to be around.

Frankly, I wouldn't have any interest in being part of a group that told guys they were too old or too big or too scruffy or too rough around the edges to join. I hope the management of the Midtowne told those stuck-up queens exactly where the fuck to get off with their attitude.

And I look forward to seeing them when they turn 40 or 50 and are desparately chasing their long-lost youth...that's never a pretty picture, though it can be an entertaining one

Living well is the best revenge.

[AlwaysOpen]

Saw the ad for the Ft Lauderdale GYM- well, never made it to the GYM but if I am not mistaken it was locally known as Helens Hole- morphed over time to Boots Bar, with fun Sunday BBQ's out on the area once the pool - on way too many occassions BBQ included some older bears wolfing down hot dogs and each other, all the while guys were drinking and eating around them. Sadly- after the bar raids of 2003, Boots lost its life ( and something was whispered about past due taxes too) and was consumed by the church down the street- and immediately bulldozed. Now all that remains on the site is some rubble and weeds-- but there must be some milkweed- as much cum was shot out on that patio <g>

[Poz1956]

I remember a few years ago reading an article called "Mineshaft Memories." I was struck with a huge wave of remorse.

After I came out, and especially after I learned I was turned on by leather, I had wanted to go visit some of the nasty places in NY. The Mineshaft was high on my list. I jacked off many a night thinking of what it would be like to be in the middle of that sexually charged atmosphere. The men, the moustaches, the sweat, the dicks, the cum, all those thoughts sent shivers through me, and explosive cum across my chest. In truth, the Mineshaft probably would have chewed me up, and spit me out. Whatever they would have done, spit, or swallow me hole, I know it would have been the experience of a lifetime.

But alas money was tight, I knew no one there, and I feared large US cities. My image of them was Detroit as the percapita murder capital of the world, as viewed from a mile away in Windsor, Ontario.

I'd bet I still have that magazine in a barracks box in the basement. Might be time for a stroll down memory lane, while flipping through antique porn.