Gay saunas in New York City are very limited compared to many popular gay cities in Europe like Madrid. This is mainly due to bathhouses being shut down in 1985 due to the health crisis and strict city regulations making it difficult for a gay sauna scene to return.
As a result, the gay sauna scene in New York is limited to just one gay bathhouse being the East Side Club. Beyond East Side Club, this type of scene has moved to other cruising spaces and pop up events like ConTEAnental (a very popular gay sauna experience in New York!).
If you are planning a full trip, see my Complete Gay Travel Guide to New York. For hotel recommendations, check my Gay Friendly Hotels in New York.
Gay Saunas and Bathhouses in New York City
For now, here is everything you need to know about gay saunas in New York City, aka gay bathhouses in New York (the terms get used interchangeably).
East Side Club
East Side Club is known as New York’s premier social relaxation club for gay and bisexual men. Here you can grab a shower, steam or sauna as well as enjoy a movie…it’s open 24 hours after all.
The set up is so that you pay for a membership first, then pay for your locker, and then if you want to upgrade and have you own room, there are different options varying in price.
You can find this gay sauna in New York at: 227 East 56th Street New York, NY 10022.
To check it is still in operation, head to their website.
West Side Club
This was one of the few gay saunas in New York and may appear on some older lists but it is now permanently closed.
Body By Brooklyn – ConTEAnental
This is a gay sauna but only on occasion. Body by Brooklyn is the location of a huge gay sauna party called ConTEAnental which happens every now and again.
When I went to ConTEAnental, the event was at Body by Brooklyn, one of NYC’s award winning luxury spas – this is not a gay sauna normally, but this is the venue that is hired out and made into a gay sauna for the event.
One half of the venue is set up like a dance floor with a bar and the other half a huge extra curricular area where you will find the steam room, sauna, jacuzzi and showers…. (for the next one look at this page on Instagram).
Brooklyn Banya Bathhouse – Morning Glory
Ran by the same organisers as ConTEAnental, Morning Glory runs on Saturday and Sunday mornings we where they take over Brooklyn Banya and make it into a gay bathhouse.
Unlike ConTEAnental, this is not a party so does not have a DJ unless they have a special event and advrtise otherwise.
They have a jacuzzi, wet sauna, steam room, pool, dry sauna and relaxation room.
To get the most up to event scheudule, look at this page on Instagram