As Gay Acceptance Rises And Hooking Up Goes Online Bathhouses Struggle To Stay In Business

[seaguy]

A Fox News Business story about bathhouses and how they are having to adapt to changing time to stay in business:

 

http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2014/08/23/as-gay-acceptance-rises-and-hooking-up-goes-online-us-bathhouses-adapt-to-stay/

 

The two in Seattle seem to be doing fine.  But I know Parliament house in Orlando is having financial issues.  I think the bathhouses will always have a customer base because some people have roommates, or just want to go somewhere where they can be themselves and have a good time without fear of getting caught like at a park or arrested like in a bookstore or porn store which in some states are always getting raided.

[btm2bbred]

Bathhouses in large metro areas should do OK.    While online hookup sites continue to expand, a lot of time and effort can be wasted on flakes and no shows and guys who get their jollies just texting back and forth.

 

Especially when traveling, it's nice to know there is a gay baths around where you can usually find a dick to fuck you, or an ass to tap.  And you don't need to make reservations.   

[AlwaysOpen]

Both  of our local bathhouses had black out  nights this past Saturday- I  went to the CH2 with a  well ,deep hosed out chute and  big expectations. 7 hours later I left with   no cum, no fist, and no thrills. I think there needs to be some real  marketing  done to bring in the  lost generation. Saturday night I was  the "chicken" at 58, and probably the most toned ( and I DO not  hit the gym;but do work a labor  job so I am toned at least) By and large, the guys were above 70, were  morbidly overweight ( don't call yourself a bear because you cannot stop  eating at the all you can eat Chinese Buffet) In the dimly lit ( but still  enough to see each other) I was constantly poked by  a senior  who could not  figure out depth without his  glasses- and his claim was he was very tack- tile- his words- but after he jabbed his fingers into my shoulder/arm/ribs for the 5th time, I avoided him the rest of the night. One whale had perched himself into the sling ( the only one)  way before I arrived at 8p, and stayed very put the rest of the night-- way too long, since around 10pm whatever he had for dinner exited, but he didn't. The staff had to  boot him, and shut the sling room down for total cleaning. An hour later, the area still stunk. A FF top I might have played with  was unable to play since we had no place  suitable. I checked my BBRT post hoping  someone was enroute, and heard from a guy at the other club and that blackout- same issue- some guys, but no one focused on fucking. I suspect our tubs  are designed  for out of town guys to come in and play 3 or 4 days before heading back to their more sedate  life in Bumfuck Nowhere, and this was just not a Ft Lauderdale get away weekend. 

BUT- the 20-35 year olds all grew up in the era of baths being shut down or pushed way under the radar, in the  height of the AIDS epidemic. Tubs were  demonized and  Health Departments were focused on  closing as  many as possible down to stop the spread of the virus. So in many guys heads, they  came of sexual age with the  message implanted that tubs= disease. I think during this time the baths  kept as low a profile as possible to remain open, and so this group never had the exposure to them  to incorporate them as a  part of their sexual  palate. Somehow, sex clubs/bathhouses HAVE to reach out to this  group- special nights, or some sort of targeted marketing, to bring these men in, to let them see  how a tub functions, and to try to supplement the on line hook up scene--maybe even advertising on some of the mobile sites would be viable-- something like "hook up with someone online, meet up  ( at least the first time) at our safe setting, and do it  for a special room rate of $X "  No need to meet in a parking lot, no need to reject the 70  year old  using fake  pics or pics of him from 1960 that appears on your  doorstep ( although really, the 57 Chevy should be a  tip off). Maybe it is also time for  bathhouse owners of the 70's and early 80's to sell to  a new generation of owners-- fresh blood behind the  management  can do wonders too. Nothing like a  new set of eyes to fix  things like that carpeting that was so fresh and new in 1982, but now has so many grease and cum stains on it that most people think they are walking on  rubber anti fatigue mats. Owners- you HAVE to spend  money to keep making money

[seaguy]

It's funny but a few days after I read this story and shared it.  Steamworks Seattle tweeted something about being a packed house and business being great.  So I totally think that Fox focused on the baths that are not doing well which is a normal part of business.  You get some with bad management/ownership and they let the facility fall into disrepair or they start allowing too much illegal stuff to go on and customers stop going or a new place opens up and people flock there just like with the bars.

Both  of our local bathhouses had black out  nights this past Saturday- I  went to the CH2 with a  well ,deep hosed out chute and  big expectations. 7 hours later I left with   no cum, no fist, and no thrills. I think there needs to be some real  marketing  done to bring in the  lost generation. Saturday night I was  the "chicken" at 58, and probably the most toned ( and I DO not  hit the gym;but do work a labor  job so I am toned at least) By and large, the guys were above 70, were  morbidly overweight ( don't call yourself a bear because you cannot stop  eating at the all you can eat Chinese Buffet) In the dimly lit ( but still  enough to see each other) I was constantly poked by  a senior  who could not  figure out depth without his  glasses- and his claim was he was very tack- tile- his words- but after he jabbed his fingers into my shoulder/arm/ribs for the 5th time, I avoided him the rest of the night. One whale had perched himself into the sling ( the only one)  way before I arrived at 8p, and stayed very put the rest of the night-- way too long, since around 10pm whatever he had for dinner exited, but he didn't. The staff had to  boot him, and shut the sling room down for total cleaning. An hour later, the area still stunk. A FF top I might have played with  was unable to play since we had no place  suitable. I checked my BBRT post hoping  someone was enroute, and heard from a guy at the other club and that blackout- same issue- some guys, but no one focused on fucking. I suspect our tubs  are designed  for out of town guys to come in and play 3 or 4 days before heading back to their more sedate  life in Bumfuck Nowhere, and this was just not a Ft Lauderdale get away weekend. 

BUT- the 20-35 year olds all grew up in the era of baths being shut down or pushed way under the radar, in the  height of the AIDS epidemic. Tubs were  demonized and  Health Departments were focused on  closing as  many as possible down to stop the spread of the virus. So in many guys heads, they  came of sexual age with the  message implanted that tubs= disease. I think during this time the baths  kept as low a profile as possible to remain open, and so this group never had the exposure to them  to incorporate them as a  part of their sexual  palate. Somehow, sex clubs/bathhouses HAVE to reach out to this  group- special nights, or some sort of targeted marketing, to bring these men in, to let them see  how a tub functions, and to try to supplement the on line hook up scene--maybe even advertising on some of the mobile sites would be viable-- something like "hook up with someone online, meet up  ( at least the first time) at our safe setting, and do it  for a special room rate of $X "  No need to meet in a parking lot, no need to reject the 70  year old  using fake  pics or pics of him from 1960 that appears on your  doorstep ( although really, the 57 Chevy should be a  tip off). Maybe it is also time for  bathhouse owners of the 70's and early 80's to sell to  a new generation of owners-- fresh blood behind the  management  can do wonders too. Nothing like a  new set of eyes to fix  things like that carpeting that was so fresh and new in 1982, but now has so many grease and cum stains on it that most people think they are walking on  rubber anti fatigue mats. Owners- you HAVE to spend  money to keep making money

I love how you describe that guy who hogged the sling.  That is just disgusting and to basically ruin the only sling for the night what an ass hole.  When did common sense and courtesy just go out the door?  Hope they banned him from ever coming back.  Where is CH2 anyway?

[Pig Bottom]

I thought Parliament house was a motel and nightclub.

 

Anyway, they are too expensive.  You have to pay for a membership and then $20 or more for a room, and locker aren't cheap either.  Then it's a pose party with everyone wanting to hook up with someone who looks better than them so it's dumb.  So glad to have Slammers here, there are some posers, but I go to suck dick in the ramps or get fucked in the dark rooms, not to find a husband,  

[Guest FinalDL2021]

I actually feel like dating apps have hit their Arc point, and interest is gradually going back to the old school ways, even with millennials. I have burned out on dating apps, and love frequenting two local bath houses, and one sex club. I don't think I could ever go back to online dating, unless I am looking for something specific.

[Pnpguyny]

So many of friends my age have gotten sick of the apps and the time spent and then it goes nowhere.  They tell me with the baths you see what your getting. There is a spa place I want to check out very mixed gays and straights. It's called Spa Castle, anyone ever been?

[Pozlover1]

No shit on the apps. I get endless fishing for my phone number, a “total sub 22 y.o.” that turned out to be a 30 year old thug that “Just had to drop something off” (took an hour for a 2 mile trip to a parking lot). I’m sure he slammed some T and was gonna try and rob me. A pleasant movie date with a retired military that has since vanished. It’s not like I have real high standards but sheesh. 

[Guest FinalDL2021]

4 hours ago, Pozlover1 said:

No shit on the apps. I get endless fishing for my phone number, a “total sub 22 y.o.” that turned out to be a 30 year old thug that “Just had to drop something off” (took an hour for a 2 mile trip to a parking lot). I’m sure he slammed some T and was gonna try and rob me. A pleasant movie date with a retired military that has since vanished. It’s not like I have real high standards but sheesh. 

I gave up on the apps, 5 months ago, and its been great. I never smoked cigarettes, yet its was strange, how what I went through seemed like a withdraw phase, I was anxious, and on edge, yet when I settled into the habit of going to the baths,  a sex club, and a gym on the Castro in SF.  I feel much happier now, and content.

[pervpigbottom]

Fox News stories should be taken with a grain of salt. Bathhouses will not fade into obliviion. Businesses go through ups and downs. I am sure some nights its packed some nights its probably empty. Also have to look at the cost, how clean it is, how friendly the staff is. I hate the West Side and East Side clubs here in NYC. Prefer a true bathhouse with an outdoor area, pool, hot tub. I also prefer tvs in every room instead of watching porn in a group lol. I would rather spend $60 and go to a sleazy motel here in NYC then go to east side or west side club.

happy hunting. shop local. save the bathhouses! 

[Guest BreedMeInVegas]

5 hours ago, pervpigbottom said:

Fox News stories should be taken with a grain of salt. Bathhouses will not fade into obliviion. Businesses go through ups and downs. I am sure some nights its packed some nights its probably empty. Also have to look at the cost, how clean it is, how friendly the staff is. I hate the West Side and East Side clubs here in NYC. Prefer a true bathhouse with an outdoor area, pool, hot tub. I also prefer tvs in every room instead of watching porn in a group lol. I would rather spend $60 and go to a sleazy motel here in NYC then go to east side or west side club.

happy hunting. shop local. save the bathhouses! 

All news should be taken with a grain of salt.  Ever since news organizations started relying on advertisers, clicks, and views to generate their revenue, they no longer simply report the news.  They deliver it in a way they feel will get them the most sets of eyes.  Consider multiple sources, determine your own view, and then make up your own mind.  Far too many people simply regurgitate what they hear without learning the actual truth!

[BREEDmeRAW]

This is true for ALL journalists and news coverage. We now live in a 24 hour news cycle and not all "facts" are checked and double source for accuracy. It has become more important to Report a story first over facts and details.

Bathhouses have been on a decline for years. I watched San Diego go from 4 down to one. Chicago had 3 and now 1 -- though bookstores and the Ram can have action.

It is more common now to do house parties that way every one that shows up is Bareback and they can drink or recreational all they want.

[BlackDude]

I honestly think bath houses will die out out. The new generation is just too pretentious and more interested in putting in a “front” for straight society. 
 

Most would be caught dead in a bathhouse ( what would their female coworkers think?) and the ones I do see are to busy with their nose turned up waiting for Mr. Perfect. 

[fskn]

1 hour ago, BlackDude said:

I honestly think bath houses will die out out. The new generation is just too pretentious and more interested in putting in a “front” for straight society.

...

the ones I do see are to busy with their nose turned up waiting for Mr. Perfect. 

Plenty of young people fuck in bathhouses. Many bathhouses offer discounts and theme nights to attract them.

It's the young crowd that's increasingly diverse. Racism, body shaming, gender bias, etc. will always be a fact of life, but for the first time, queers of all colors, sizes, and genders are visible, and the community (if you can call it a community) is secure enough from acute external threat that there is time to confront internal divisions. Divisions remain, but they are acknowledged now, and it is becoming less and less acceptable to write people off because they don't conform to an old ideal of beauty. If an institution like Steamworks Berkeley survives, it will survive on the patronage of Mr. Imperfect.

Yes, some people who grew up using gay.com or, a decade later, Grindr, have to go through a discovery process to find bathhouses. These generations are already rediscovering spontaneous public sex with strangers. Easy sex is in our blood! Given economic pressures, young people are more likely to live with roommates and less likely to be able to host privately, so it's only a matter of time before they realize that bathhouses are ideal places to play.

Same-sex marriage along monogamous, heteronormative lines is a threat, but biological reality — sexual attraction to more than one person — eventually breaks through.

[Guest]

16 hours ago, BREEDmeRAW said:

It is more common now to do house parties that way every one that shows up

House parties? Do people still have those?
I don’t think I have seen a post on any website that stated there would be a house party, not even any random email send out that a house party would be happening and that is probably since 2002. I have seen party invites to hotel rooms but that host stoped having them due to the amount of work they can be.

Gayborhoods, Gay Bars, Lesbian Bars, and Bathhouses, their ultimate demise will be more acceptance of homosexuality because of Stepford Gays, those sought after attractive TV personality Gay Males who have a “committed” relationship with two children (first one adopted, second one with someones sperm sucked from a Dixie cup by a pet syringe and then the poor souls injected into a vagina. GASP!) 🤭😮😲

The Stepford Gays will always keep their sheets clean in order to prove to others their sex is only when necessary and intimate, just like young girls and young married brides did to prove they were good girls. 🙄

Can the bath house demise be stopped? I think they can if they are reinvented, maybe even moved, and definitely invested in financially.

Philly still has two bathhouses in town and one video store in town. Men from all over travel to those three locations as well as all the other video stores around the Philadelphia/NewJersey permittimer.

In order to remain relevant could bath houses…

- offer a low cost video store atmosphere option as well as a higher priced “hourly room with gym for the traveler” option

- have more of a partnership with drug safety allies making them partial safe drug and injection sites. Maybe a clinically trained person on hand at all times. It may eliminate hiding in rooms only to discover an hour after they should have checked out that they did check out. 😵

- have staff hired for the sole purpose of encouraging all to play, like a Cruise Coordinator making sure your bath house cruising experience is going well so you don’t feel like you’ve wasted time & money.

Customer A: Yo who’s that guy with the clip board in the jock & white socks?

Customer B: That’s Jonathan the Cruise Coordinator. 

Customer A: Cruise Coordinator? What ever his job is he’s doing it well. He’s got my libido  dick going just by standing there. 🛳

Summary: Bath houses don’t have to die out like gayborhoods and gay bars will. The just need to be reinvented and unfortunately that’s not happening. I don’t think Stepford Gays help the situation either with their public squeaky clean , cardboard cut out, & main stream presentations.

This week on MTV CRIBS Brian & Jason Stepford…

“…and this is Brian and my walk-in-closet. We designed it ourselves with inspiration coming from watching kids in Nigeria build their entire house. Spectacular isn’t it? I didn’t catch that, what was your question? Oh no we would never have sex in here. That’s inappropriate. Right now just imagining getting one drop of lubricant in any of this closet interior makes me cringe. We have our intercourse on the bed, on clean sheets, and then we immediately remove the soiled sheets after we are through doing our business. Now have I shown you our kids refrigerator art work yet?…”

REINVENT & REINVEST in The Bath House!