San Francisco and the broader Bay Area have one of the highest concentrations of LGBTQIA+ folks in the world. We have explicit legislation creating a favorable business environment (Supervisor Mandelman, bless 🙏). If there was ever a time to revive our city’s once burgeoning bathhouse culture–it’s now.
Castro Baths is hustling to open our doors in time for Pride 2025 and you’re invited!
Our Vision
Last summer, we visited bathhouses around the world: Tokyo, Tel Aviv, Berlin, Istanbul, New York, Los Angeles, London, and more. (If Lorraine at the IRS is reading this - this was an absolutelynecessary business expense!)
Repeatedly, we were asked: “I’m going to San Francisco next month - which bathhouses should I visit?” Sheepishly, a tad embarrassed - we explained that there isn’t really a gay bathhouse scene in San Francisco. “Your best bet is probably in Berkeley.”
While there are a handful of local traditional bathhouses we frequent (shoutout to the newest addition: Alchemy Springs) - gay bathhouse culture in San Francisco never recovered after the AIDS crisis.
Closing the baths in 1984 was favor shutting off the internet today. Our lines of commu
For events and hours, visit the Powerhouse facebook page at this link
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Dore Alley Sunday:
Powerhouse Bar 1347 Folsom St San Francisco, CA 94103
Visit the Powerhouse facebook page at this link
Softly lit playrooms with video pits, bunk beds, cages, glory holes and a sling. Private sex rooms are illegal in San Francisco, so they build the best of bunks and secluded areas. Professional non-sexual massage available upon appointment.
open: 12-24, Fri & Sat -3h; prices: US$ 15.- with a 3-month membership or US$ 25.- for a one-time attend / 3-month membership: US$ 10.-; number of lockers: 149/-
Gay. Exclusively or almost exclusively gay men
Showers
Dry sauna
Steam bath
Solarium
Massage on offer
Darkroom
Glory holes
Sling
Free condoms
Video shows
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