Gay bath london
Finding a luxury baths in London is not as easy as you might think.
Fine, plenty of five star hotels offer spas and spa treatments; and gay baths are plentiful in London.
But if you have ever experienced an historic baths – utter in Istanbul or Budapest, then you’ll know there’s something magical about combining hot water with an ancient setting.
London is now the lucky recipient of an AIRE ancient baths. The Spanish company has four baths in Spain and a growing international list of baths – all in historic settings; and have now opened up in London just by the Thames, in the lovely Adelphi area of the city proximate to Covent Garden.
Housed in a stunning 18th Century building, with plenty of charm and history, this is the place where J.M. Barrie lived and wrote Peter Pan!
Also, because it’s built on the original embankment along the Thames, the building has cavernous cellars, full of beautiful brick arches; and this is the vacuum that AIRE has converted into its luxury baths.
It couldn’t be more atmospheric or beautifully done, with candles everywhere, lots of stone, brick and marble, running water, and a succession of lovely bath experiences.
Aside from the queue, the sauna, which Americans would call a “bathhouse”, appears just as it always has: a boxy, azure, three-story construction, with a busy car park in the front. The queue is remarkable because even at busy times the sheer size of the place – with hundreds of lockers, three stories, a pool, two Jacuzzis, three shower rooms, a lounge, three saunas, two steam rooms, a gloomy room, and a couple of dozen private cabins – is enough to house high numbers.
I block for a minute to look at the scene ahead, to consider what has taken place here over the years. Thousands have met and had sex. Some found treasure. Two men died (in 2006 and 2012). Several were caught in a fire (in March 2011, more of which later). Men have wept and slept here, strung out after days of partying.
Others have indulged secret desires before going home to their wives. Justin Fashanu, the first and only premiership footballer to approach out, spent his last night here before killing himself. Some have had their first, tentative male lover experiences in this converted warehouse, nestled in between Great Eastern Street and Bishopsgate, as hipsters, shoppers, and business folk proceed by unaware.
With such a hothou
Gay Saunas in London
Internationally esteemed, gay-owned Pleasuredrome has been in business for three decades, attracting all types and ages, from London and across the world.
Behind its discreet entrance, you'll find de-luxe pods and rooms to rent, spa pool, two steam rooms, two saunas, lounging and social areas, cinema, darkroom and upright sunbed. It also has a 24-hour bar - a rarity in London.
There is free WiFi and mobile smartphone charging lockers. Located just a 1-minute walk from Waterloo, walk down either Alaska Street or Sandell Street. Find the railway arch that connects these two streets at the end, and the entrance is in the arch.
Take a look at their website for more communication including FAQs.
Busiest time to visit Pleasuredrome
After the clubs and bars close, many people head to Pleasuredrome. As Pleasuredrome is nearby to Vauxhall, it's a popular destination for people leaving bars like RVT and club nights enjoy Beyond.
Maze
Relaxing Cabins
Dark Room
Cafe
Steam room
Sauna
Massage
Jacuzzi / Hot Pool
Free Wi-Fi
Saunas have been an necessary place for gay men to relax, hang out and cruise since ancient Roman times or even earlier. And 21st century London's not short of places to get steamy, from Soho to Shoreditch and down to the fleshpots of Vauxhall. Many of London's gay saunas are theoretically 'members only' but you can almost always just turn up and get in for a small fee. Then, you'll be issued with a towel and a locker. Inside, what you obtain will vary from an intimate spot for a few sweaty guys to a giant nude pleasure palace, complete with swimming baths, naked workouts, and late night foam parties. These spots are typically reserved for men only: for other genders who want to enjoy a good soak (but less cruising) check out our guide to London's top spas.
Recommended: head out on the tiles at London's best LGBTQ+ nightclubs.
Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.
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