There are multiple gay bathhouses, in the United Kingdom. In the UK the term used is "gay sauna" as opposed to gay bathhouse, the term more commonly used in North America. There are gay saunas throughout the UK, with London having most of them. Among the more noteworthy are Pleasuredrome, South London and Sweatbox in Soho, London.
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Chariots
Chariots Leisure Ltd has opened the following gay saunas: Chariots Shoreditch (now closed), Chariots Streatham (1999) (now closed), Chariots Limehouse (2002, previously Sailor's Sauna), Chariots Waterloo (2003, previously Wellingtons Health Club) and Chariots Vauxhall (2005). Chariots Farringdon (opened 1999) closed in 2010 due to the Crossrail development. In terms of floor-space and capacity, Chariots Shoreditch is the largest gay sauna in the UK.
Description
Chariots Shoreditch was on three floors decorated in the style of Roman baths.
There were free STD testing sessions held at the bathhouse.
Chariots Roman Spa opened in 1997. The management previously ran Rio's, a Kentish Town naturist club. Originally a warehouse, the Shoreditch redevelopment cost £2.5 million. In 2000 the venue was significantly expanded with the addition of the restaurant, 30 more cubicles, video lounge and internet room. It was announced in February 2016 that the venue would be closing down, and the building would be demolished for a redevelopment of the site.
Etiquette
Customers were given two towels, a locker key and condoms on entrance. Further condoms were available from wall dispensers. Most people kept the second towel as a dry spare in their locker. The convention was to walk around the bathhouse wearing a towel, though nudity in the dry or steam sauna was normal. Apart from the lounge, cafe area, lockable cabins and within the jacuzzi, sexual activity occurred anywhere, with anyone free to watch or attempt to join in.
Media attention
On 2 May 1998, former footballer Justin Fashanu spent the evening in Chariots before committing suicide nearby that night.
There was significant press interest and internet speculation in 2006 when the sauna was closed for Easter Weekend, after a 24-year-old man's body was found. The police investigation found that death was due to a drugs overdose but there were no suspicious circumstances.
On Sunday 20 March 2011 the London Fire Brigade were called to attend a fire which was reported to have destroyed most of the ground floor of Chariots Shoreditch. 150 patrons were evacuated, and there were no injuries.
Pleasuredrome
Pleasuredrome is a gay sauna in south London, in the arches below Waterloo East railway station on the corner of Cornwall Rd and Alaska Street. It markets itself as "We never close" and is open every day of the year and is also licensed to sell alcohol 24 hours per day.
Etiquette
Customers are given two towels, a locker key and condoms on entrance. While it is etiquette to wrap in a towel while moving around the premises, nudity in the dry sauna or steam room is normal. Inside the sauna area sexual activity may be present and others may wish to watch or try to join in. Privacy at this venue is afforded by private rooms., This venue actively promotes condom use reinforced by staff in their interactions with the clientele to promote safer sex. The venue has a drugs-free, smoke-free policy.
History
The sauna is set in railway arches, a building method employed as land prices in large English cities increased. The sauna opened as a gay bathhouse in 1998. In 2006 there was claim by an 18-year-old male that he had been raped at the sauna by a 24-year-old man while visiting the sauna. "With the full co-operation of the management and patrons, the suspect was subsequently identified and arrested" the official statement further stated that "A 24-year-old man was taken into custody at Kennington police station where he remains." Police thanked staff at the sauna for their co-operation.
Sweatbox
Sweatbox is a gay sauna located in Soho, London's gay village. Sweatbox opened in 2008, and is the only gay sauna in the UK to offer 24hr and 48hr passes, as well as a weekly pass. The sauna also offers annual membership. Sweatbox, being ideally situated in London's gay quarter, Soho, attracts many customers from the pubs, clubs and bars of the nearby gay scene either before or after a night out.