THEGAYUK

Tag: Sauna

  • Nottingham’s last remaining gay sauna to be turned into an “air hotel”

    Nottingham’s last remaining gay sauna to be turned into an “air hotel”

    Plans have been submitted to turn Nottingham’s gay sauna, Wolf Spa, into what developers are calling an “air hotel.”

    Wolf Spa, which has been closed for a number of years, has been eyed by a developer who wants to create a hotel without staff or kitchen facilities. Documents show that the new owner, Mr B Tiwana, has now submitted plans for a change of use for the building.

    Wolf had operated in the city centre from 2017, but was closed by its owner shortly after the COVID-19 pandemnic.

    According to planning reports presented to Nottingham City Council, the applicant’s intention is to transform the structure into an “air hotel.” The concept of an air hotel can be described as a hotel that differs from conventional ones by not having a permanent, on-site, full-time staff presence, as stated in the documents.

    No kitchens, No full-time staff

    The documents also note that the building does not include cooking, catering, or restaurant facilities. This is because such amenities are unnecessary, given the ample availability of cafes, bars, and restaurants in the immediate vicinity of the city centre.

    The hotel, however, does employ service staff responsible for day-to-day cleaning, laundry services, general maintenance, and overall management. These services are contracted through an external company, as provided by the applicant.

    Before its opening, Wolf Spa underwent a transformation and offered a range of services, including massages, sauna rooms, waxing, manscaping, body hair trimming, body scrubs, body polishing, and various other therapies.

    According to planning documents, there is a recognized demand for a new air hotel at this location. The hotel will cater to a diverse range of visitors to the city centre, including parents requiring accommodation when visiting family members such as students, business travellers in need of extended stay options, and tourists exploring the city centre, as stated in the documents.

    The hotel is promoted online through a dedicated website, and guests make their reservations and payments electronically. Each customer is assigned a unique access code, exclusively generated for their use, allowing entry to the main entrance, bedroom, and courtyard amenity space. Importantly, this access code is valid only for the duration of their stay, and doors automatically unlock upon departure.

    Hope that Wolf might have reopened

    Locals in Nottingham had hoped that Wolf might reopen as no official closing down announcement had been made and the building had been kept in good condition over the last couple of years.

    A former employee, who wished to remain unnamed, said: “I’ve had few of the former customers ask when the place would be back and running, but the former owner just seems to have gone dark on us all, which is a shame, because it was pretty popular.”

    The closure means that Nottingham’s once-thriving gay scene is diminishing and is left with two bars.

    The nearest gay sauna to Nottingham is now Zeus in Mansfield.

  • Will gay saunas be able to open after lockdown?

    Will gay saunas be able to open after lockdown?

    The second lockdown in England has in no doubt been tough for many businesses, but even more so for businesses that serve the LGBT community, like gay saunas and LGBT bars

    Gay bars that don’t serve food, which is a vast majority of them, have been forced to close in Tier 2 and Tier 3 areas and all businesses except “essential” shops have been closed for nearly a month during the last lockdown, due to the on-going coronavirus pandemic.

    Gay saunas have been no exception. While some were able to reopen after the first lockdown eased, many, particularly in London never reopened.

    So after this latest lockdown will gay saunas be able to open from the 2nd December?

    According to sources, Spas and Saunas across England will be permitted to reopen again from the 2nd of December, provided the area which they serve doesn’t end up in Tier 3.

    Rules in the devolved nations will be slightly different.

    Spas in England will be in no doubt be in touch with their local Environment Health Office for the all-clear. However, it is thought that if an area is in Tier 1 or Tier 2 that gay bathhouses and saunas should be allowed to reopen, although there may be some restrictions on capacity and restrictions on some of the facilities.

    Club Zeus in Mansfield told its customers, “We aren’t totally sure of the full restrictions yet, but according to officials, Saunas and Spas can re-open across the UK from December 2nd.”

    Many businesses are planning to reopen come the 2nd December, but life will be far from normality until Spring of 2021 when it is hoped that a full roll-out of an anti-COVID vaccination will be made available to the UK’s population.

    How gay saunas coped in the Tier system

    Some saunas were able to reopen in England, however, it seemed as most gay saunas in London never actually reopened. The Number 52 sauna in Newcastle came up with an ingenious way of staying open for business, by becoming a cafe for a short period. It told it’s customers, “Our venue has been responsibly adjusted in accordance with current government guidelines. We have installed seating throughout, adapting the venue into a Cafe & Bar.

    “We’ve got alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, teas, coffees and we’ll also be serving food and snacks. Take this opportunity to see Number 52 in a different way.

    Do you have to wear a face mask while inside a gay sauna?

    Do you have to wear a face mask while inside a gay sauna
    Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

    The law isn’t clear on whether you have to wear a face mask in a spa or sauna and there are health implications of wearing a mask inside hot spaces, such as a sauna or steam room.

    As most bathhouses would be classed as a health spa, it would most likely be impractical to wear a face-covering during your visit, however, it’s best to follow the policy of the sauna/spa that you’re visiting.

    Saunas along with bars and restaurants will be required by law to take your contact details for the government’s track and trace system. A system that allows up to 35 companies, organisations and government departments access to your contact details.

    However, in line with data protection guidelines, your details must be deleted after 21 days.

  • Do I have to wear a face mask if I go to a sauna or a bathhouse?

    Do I have to wear a face mask if I go to a sauna or a bathhouse?

    The Government have launched a fresh set of rules in order to combat the rise in Coronavirus in the UK including harsh fines for those who don’t comply with the new rulings.

    Rules and regulations are different in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

    One of these rulings is the mandatory use of masks in enclosed public spaces in England. However, gyms have an exception. Masks do not, currently, have to be worn where their use would be impractical, such as eating or exercising in a gym.

    Not all saunas across the UK have been permitted to open, but for those that have, it might be best to phone or message ahead to see what their rules are.

    As most bathhouses would be classed as a health spa, it would most likely be impractical to wear a face-covering during your visit, however, it’s best to follow the policy of the sauna/spa that you’re visiting.

    Track and trace

    Saunas along with bars and restaurants will be required by law to take your contact details for the government’s track and trace system. A system that allows up to 35 companies, organisations and government departments access to your contact details.

    However, in line with data protection guidelines, your details must be deleted after 21 days.

  • This gay bathhouse has done something quite interesting while it can’t open as a sauna

    This gay bathhouse has done something quite interesting while it can’t open as a sauna

    Number 52 sauna in Newcastle has chosen to reopen, but it’s not quite as you’d expect.

    All gay bathhouses, like many businesses across the UK, were required by the government to close at the end of March, in order to flatten the curve of Coronavirus.

    Slowly parts of the UK’s economy have reopened and although some gay saunas have reopened, some remain closed.

    Number 52 has done something very different.

    In a Facebook post, Number 52 wrote, Number 52 is back… “Our venue has been temporarily repurposed”

    Where you’d normally find plenty of naked men, milling the halls of Number 52, you’re more likely to bump into a barista!

    You can now get a coffee in the steam room – minus the steam of course.

    They explained,

    “Number 52 will be reopening Sunday 30th August from 3pm until the early hours of Bank Holiday Monday

    “Our venue has been responsibly adjusted in accordance with current government guidelines. We have installed seating throughout, adapting the venue into a Cafe & Bar.

    “We’ve got alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, teas, coffees and we’ll also be serving food and snacks. Take this opportunity to see Number 52 in a different way.

    “Admission is temporarily free as we are operating as a Cafe & Bar. Everyone is welcome, pop on down and have a drink.”

  • These gay saunas have reopened in London

    These gay saunas have reopened in London

    Searches for gay saunas have skyrocketed on THEGAYUK, as gay, bi and curious men search to find out if bathhouses have reopened as lockdown in many business sectors eases.

    Here we find out which saunas in London have reopened and what services they are currently providing.

    Pleasuredrome

    Pleasuredrome is not yet opened but is planning to open in August. Once it has reopened the management have laid out some new safety policies. In a statement they said,

    “Pleasuredrome Spa remains committed to protecting all our friends and so we have also introduced state of the art measures such as airport-style temperature checks on entry, smart-sensor showers, ozone room disinfection, upgraded ventilation systems as well as an unceasing sanitisation and disinfection regime within the venue.”

    Chariots

    Is currently closed and they have not updated their Facebook page since March.

    Sailors Sauna

    On the 25th June Sailors Sauna in London announced that it was still closed, but will be providing updates on when it may be reopening.

    Sweatbox Soho

    Sweatbox Soho has now reopened and is open 24 hours a day. In a statement to THEGAYUK, they said,

    “We have now reopened and are back open 24 hours a day. Someone will get back to you shortly but in the mean time take a look at our website for pricing and further information”

    http://www.sweatboxsoho.com/

    Locker Room Sauna

    Locker Room hasn’t updated its Facebook page since Lockdown began in late March.

    E15 Club

    Again, the E15 Club, like other saunas in London remains closed.

    THEGAYUK has reached out to each of the businesses for the latest details and will update this page, when new information comes to light.

  • HOT ALERT: Pleasuredrome is showcasing the guys who made it through their casting call

    A little while back, Pleasuredrome, one of London’s leading gay saunas, put out a casting call for its “A New Generation” advertising/marketing campaign and now, they’ve been showcasing some of the talent that made the final cut.

    Of course, it’d be remise of us not to show you the guys who made the finals!

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CDI3-0IlGhP/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/CDLhrRCFNse/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/CDN2pHGFlWP/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/CDQgw3YFPbN/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/CDTLQTgFRr-/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/CDVvUj_FhjE/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/CDYpnIXFwvc/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/CDd3OuxFBDs/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/CDjA0vClfkT/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/CDn8q0ugejf/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/CDv4zNZjvd6/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/CD1CYMDl9N-/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/CD5-PWqAv64/

    Give Pleasuredrome a follow on Instagram for further updates!

  • This London Gay Sauna has announced post-lockdown opening date

    This London Gay Sauna has announced post-lockdown opening date

    One of the UK’s busiest gay bathhouses has announced its plans to open for the first time since non-essential businesses were ordered to close by the UK’s government.

    As the UK’s businesses start, slowly to come back to life, after 100 days of lockdown due to the Coronavirus, many customers are eager for some businesses to re-open, particularly in the LGBT+ sector. One of the last business types to reopen is the sauna.

    Now, Pleasuredrome in London has given fans of the gay sauna hope, by announcing it is planning to reopen and welcome back patrons by the middle of summer.

    In a statement sent via its mailing list, Pleasuredrome, one of the UK’s busiest gay bathhouses announced its plans to reopen in August – although no specific date was given. We will, of course, update if a specific date is published. The sauna closed back on March 17th.

    The pledge to reopen was made after the UK’s government said it was further relaxing restrictions on yet more businesses including swimming pools and gyms. These lifted restrictions only apply in England as the devolved administration in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are setting their own timetable for reopenings.

    From the 13th July close contact services such as spas and massage parlours will be allowed open in England.

    From the 25th July sport facilities and venues will be allowed to open, “subject to evidence closer to the time”

    Many businesses in England have returned, albeit will COVID-secure restrictions including physical distancing measures and limiting the number of people permitted in the building. Bars and pubs were allowed to reopen last weekend, however, nightclubs are still not permitted to open.

  • When will gay bathhouses and saunas reopen in the UK?

    When will gay bathhouses and saunas reopen in the UK?

    Fans of bathhouses may have to wait a little longer than hoped for saunas and bathhouses to reopen.

    Many parts of the LGBT+ economy is starting to awaken from the COVID-19 Lockdown, with the return of gay sex and lifestyle shops last week in England, but other sectors, such as nightclubs and gay saunas are still having to wait their turn to open.

    Hopes were dashed for many sauna fans when gyms, spas and other health venues were not included in the list of business types that could fully reopen during the last official announcement by the government on what businesses could reopen – provided they were “COVID SECURE”.

    It had been hoped that many businesses could fully reopen on the 4th July, however many health businesses and nightclubs were not included, despite outdoor gyms and pubs and bars being permitted to open from the beginning of July – provided they could prove they are “COVID Secure” – a term the UK government has been using to denote that businesses are making sure that customers and employees are adhering to rules and restrictions that can halt or slow the spread of coronavirus.

    Possible mid-July opening?

    However, a little glimmer of hope came in the form of a Tweet from the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Oliver Dowden, who said, “Subject to public health, our aspiration is to reopen gyms & leisure facilities in mid-July”

    Read how the Gay Sauna experience may differ after lockdown eases. One sauna in Nottingham shares what changes will happen.

  • Gay clubs and saunas to remain closed, as lockdown eases for other sectors

    Gay clubs and saunas to remain closed, as lockdown eases for other sectors

    In a blow to the LGBT+ economy, gay bathhouses and clubs will be unable to open when huge parts of the economy will be allowed to open on the 4th of July.

    As the majority of England’s businesses prepare to reopen at the beginning of next month, following months of closure, because of COVID-19 certain sectors, including nightclubs and spas (which includes gay bathhouses) will not be allowed to reopen, the government has confirmed.

    It had been hoped that saunas and clubs would be allowed to reopen on the 4th July, however, there are a number of businesses which cannot open until further notice, due to the possibility of infection spread.

    What cannot open from 4 July?

    The following places will remain closed by law

    • Nightclubs and casinos
    • Bowling alleys and indoor skating rinks
    • Indoor play areas including soft-play
    • Spas
    • Nail bars and beauty salons
    • Massage, tattoo and piercing parlours
    • Indoor fitness and dance studios, and indoor gyms and sports venues/facilities
    • Swimming pools and water parks
    • Exhibition or conference centres – other than for those who work for that venue

    Can more businesses open in the rest of the UK?

    There are different rules in place for Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, all of which are considered stricter and tighter than England’s lockdown easement.

    Gay Bars can open

    However in some welcome news, some LGBT+ spaces, including pubs, bars and theatres will be able to open, but only if certain criteria is met.

    Pubs and bars will be able to open only if they offer table service or have outside seating spaces. Customers will also have to leave their contact details to help with contract tracing.

  • This gay sauna has outlined how things might work after lockdown eases

    This gay sauna has outlined how things might work after lockdown eases

    Booking time slots, having the building to yourself and temperature checks is how one gay sauna is saying how it will operate until the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided enough for life to go back to normal.

    As parts of the LGBT+ economy is starting to awaken from the COVID-19 Lockdown, with the return of gay sex and lifestyle shops this week, other sectors, such as bars, clubs and saunas are still having to wait their turn to open.

    So far the UK’s government have not set a date for when businesses such as saunas might be able to reopen in England. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the devolved governments have ultimate say over when businesses may open. However, it is thought that businesses like sauna may be able to reopen from the 4th of July, in England.

    However, despite this, the interest of gay saunas has increased week by week here on THEGAYUK, with the search for sauna openings and locations surging 152 per cent from May to June.

    One sauna, the Wolf Spa in Nottingham has laid out some of its plans for operations post lockdown.

    In a post on Facebook, the sauna’s management wrote, that it “may be opening on the 4th” depending on advice from the government. But when it opens it will be a very different experience, with the sauna opening only for massage, manscaping and waxing – for singles or couples from the same household.

    The spa would be open for private use for visitors from the same household.

    The venue advised that “Booking via the website would be essential and that no one else would be in the spa”.

    Temperature checks when you enter the building

    Embed from Getty Images

    The spa also suggested that temperature checks might take place for those entering the venue, to ensure that no one has an active fever or raised temperature.

    A statement on the website states,

    “We are closely monitoring the government’s statements and following their guidelines we are planning on re-opening our doors again on Saturday, 4th July 2020. That being said, when we do re-open we will only be offering Massages/Manscaping/Waxing & Body Scrubs.

    “Clients who book one of our therapies will be able to use the facilities of the spa such as the steam room/sauna/jacuzzi – however apart from a member of staff they will be the only other person in the spa.

    “We will be allowing clients to use the spa facilities without booking one of our therapies but they will have to be a member of Wolf Spa.”

    THEGAYUK.com reached out to a number of other venues for their policies ready for a possible opening on the 4th July.

  • 19 things you only know if you’ve worked in a gay sauna

    19 things you only know if you’ve worked in a gay sauna

    It takes all sorts

    You are going to meet all types of guys in a sauna. Older, younger, larger and smaller. All colours, races and creeds. There will be the out and proud and there will be the curious and closeted. We don’t judge you… Just pay your fee and go have some fun.

    Straight men go there to experiment

    One of the things I learned while working at one bathhouse is that not everyone who frequents them identifies as gay or even bisexual. Nope. Even straight/curious guys go there to check out the happenings. One straight guy I met even lost his anal virginity… on his first trip… proudly exclaiming that he managed it first time!

    It’s clean, but not that clean

    Despite the worker’s best efforts, and this may vary from sauna to sauna, cleanliness isn’t always 100 per cent. It’s pretty impossible to keep up with it tbh. Bathhouses can see a huge turnover of guys over a day and where I worked we tried every half hour to go around the building and disinfect all the cabins, the couches, the gloryholes and orgy bed, but sometimes sexual encounters are fleeting and we don’t always get to clean up right away. Where there are naked human bodies there will be germs, it’s a basic fact of life.

    However, the jacuzzi should be pretty bug-free – it’s given a chlorine treatment every day – and the water is changed regularly.

    Please pay attention to those signs that say “no bum fun in the sauna” or “no sexual contact”. The heat of the water is the perfect breeding ground for microbes and other nasties!

    Some guys don’t douche before they go

    On that note, it’s really not uncommon for us to find dirty tissues and towels stuffed in places they really shouldn’t be. And by dirty, I mean poop. Whether they know how to douches or just choose not too, some guys leave a mess and it’s not uncommon for clients to bitch about other guys who don’t douche or leave a mess. Which is why you should…

    Really wear a condom

    I’m not bareback-shaming anyone here. But as sexual encounters tend to be with people you really have no prior knowledge about, including their sexual health, (hell, lots of guys aren’t 100 per cent keyed up on their own sexual health) you should really make a point of wearing a condom – even if you are on PrEP. And please, please put it in the bins provided, afterwards. Days are not made by slipping A over T on a used condom discarded on the floor.

    NEXT PAGE > 2 of 3

    Pages: 1 2 3