New York City is arguably the queer capital of the world. But for decades, the “City That Never Sleeps” has shut its eyes on bathhouses.
Two out state lawmakers are trying to change that, following in the footsteps of other major U.S. metros with thriving gay scenes of their own.
On Tuesday, state senator Erik Bottcher and Assemblyman Tony Simone announced they’re partnering in an effort to bring bathhouses back to Manhattan. Their proposed law would call for New York State’s health department to repeal its AIDS-era restrictions on the spaces.
“The science has changed. Prevention has changed. Treatment has changed. It’s time for our laws to change too,” posted Bottcher on IG.
How about we take this to the next level?
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Judging by the reaction to Bottcher’s post–nearly 1,000 likes and counting as of Wednesday morning–there’s momentum behind his call to action. Earlier this year, Minneapolis de-criminalized bathhouses, and San Francisco is moving in the same direction.
Yes, even SF, the most libertine city in the country, had AIDS-era bathhouse restrictions in place for decades. Facilities were closed in the name of public health, though many advocates argued that conservatives cynically used HIV/AIDS to fulfill longstanding homophobic objectives. In addition to being places where people gathered for sex, bathhouses served as community hubs.
That’s still the case for bathhouses today, an argument that proponents in the Twin Cities and Bay Area have successfully made.
Bathhouse backers in NYC are presenting the same case.
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There is a growing movement to bring back bathhouses in U.S. cities…
A “world-class” venue
Since it’s New York, of course any proposed bathhouse is gonna do it up big. Gay Star News mentions a “world-class” venue that covers more than 10,000 squared feet. Possible locations include ultra-bougie Chelsea or Flatiron, as well as somewhere in Brooklyn. (Can you imagine the discourse if they open a bathhouse in, say, Williamsburg? In the name of content, let’s make this happen!)
Alex Gabriel, an AI entrepreneur who’s been working with businesspeople on the idea, pitches the bathhouse as a “dark place with world-class spa amenities.”
On IG, several comments joked that Equinox already fills that void. But we digress…
Sifting through the baths
While there are no legal bathhouses in NYC, there are bath houses (notice the space). In particular, the Russian Turkish Baths are very popular. After 135 years, the iconic baths in the East Village are still part of city lore.
In recent years, they’ve gone viral for trying to attract a very specific kind of clientele…
While the Russian Turkish baths are mired in mystery, there are explicitly gay bathhouses in cities across the country. In my home city of Chicago, Steamworks is a very popular (and I would dare say) world-class spot.
There are also gay bathhouses in deep red Texas and Florida.
Currently, New York State mandates that “no establishment shall make facilities available for the purpose of sexual activities.” But there does seem to be a dark room exception. Many gay venues in NYC have designated rooms where people have sex.
When one considers that, the ban on bathhouses seems like sexual semantics. With the advent of PrEP and DoxyPEP, it’s a different world.
As Assemblyman Simone says, “it’s 2026, not 1986.” A sprawling bathhouse in NYC would actually be one of the safest public spaces to hook up.
Let’s hope that cover charge isn’t too hefty!
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