The success of Heated Rivalry, the Crave smash hit TV show following two fictional rival hockey players who start a sexual relationship and fall in love, has brought new attention to gay sex onscreen.
Suddenly it seems like everyone is talking about back arches, shower cruising and covert blowjobs in glamorous hotel rooms. But long before the hockey boys were getting down at the cottage, queers of all kinds were getting hot and sweaty on the silver screen. With that in mind, here are some of Xtra staff’s favourite LGBTQ2S+ sex scenes from film and TV history… read more.
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We’ve researched this subject and went crowdsourcing to see where users online love to go when traveling abroad or getting freaky outside the US of A.
Here are some of the bathhouse destinations you might want to include in your European itinerary, but first, here are some details on how we compiled our greatest hits.
First, How Does Sauna Gay Cruising Differ Internationally?
Sauna cruising in North America is similar to other parts of the world. However, while some argue that gay saunas are going away in many US states, the communal nature and the opportunity to fuck and hang at a sauna seems to be on the rise abroad.
The best example is a city like New York, a mecca of gay males and a haven for gay hookups, the first complaint many will have is that it’s a place that lacks a lot of gay bathhouses, with many males seeking these anonymous gay hookups at local gyms near them to scratch that horny itch!
Don’t get us wrong, a throbbing, sweaty cock in the local gym steam room is the perfect end to a hard bicep workout, but it differs from the general availability, visibility, and sometimes even cleanliness of these sex-only spots abroad.
Where Did We Find Our Hottest List of Gay Saunas to Visit in Europe for 2026?
After gathering the hottest gay gloryhole spots in the USA to fuck and suck in our last blog, we turned again to the knowledge of the Reddit community and the horny sluts of the internet for where to bang when visiting new places internationally and in Europe.
In r/gaybros, we were not disappointed and found a horny user just like us who asked the hive where they can find the hottest gay saunas, with many of the answers coming from places we didn’t think of but have added to our list when planning our next sex tourist vacations in 2026; let’s get into it!
via Gaycest.com
What are the best gay saunas in Europe, according to Reddit?
If you’re debating a trip to Germany, you’ll be happy to know many users suggested these various cities in Germany for the best gay sauna experience, including:
Der Boiler is a modern and cleverly designed men’s spa in Berlin featuring fantastic cubicles, saunas, steam rooms, massage rooms, and more.
It attracts men of all shapes and sizes from around the world. The best time to visit is during the week, with theme nights and discounts available. The spa is located in a courtyard off Mehringdamm Straße and is open 24 hours on weekdays.
Nudity is common, and there are cruising areas like the steam room maze, which is the most discussed feature by users on Reddit.
Stargayte Sauna – Leipzig, Germany
The Stargayte Sauna in Leipzig is a clean, well-kept gay sauna with a multi-level layout. The bar area is pleasant and offers hot and cold food. The wet area includes steam, a jacuzzi, and a sauna.
They have a special discount day for guys over 55 called ‘Daddies Day,’ a men-only event once a month. There are also days when women are welcome, but weekends are men only, and the facility is open 24 hours.
Known as the first and largest gay sauna in Germany, it has traditional and tasteful decor and facilities, including saunas, steam rooms, jacuzzis, and TVs.
It is open daily, with weekends being the busiest time. It is located on the edge of the city center and is easily accessible via public transportation. It is a popular spot for all types of gay men.
PLUTO Sauna – Essen, Germany
PLUTO Sauna Essen is a popular gay sauna located centrally in Essen with over 1600 m² of space spread over three floors. Featuring lockers, showers, a bar and lounge, an indoor swimming pool, a Finnish sauna (pictured below), Hamam, a cruising labyrinth, glory holes and gay sex slings, you’re in for a treat and possibly several loads if you’re able to visit.
via PLUTO Sauna
Bathhouse Babylon – Cologne, Germany
Badehause Babylon is a popular gay bathhouse in Cologne with a worldwide reputation. It offers sauna and wellness facilities and a large cruising area for guests to relax and enjoy.
Major amenities include a large outdoor pool in a Mediterranean-style inner yard where you can relax naked on the sun deck, a Finnish sauna, jacuzzi, steam room and a bar and lounge.
Amsterdam is a compact city, so you can get anywhere you need to go without much hassle – although the network of canals can sometimes make it difficult to get your bearings.
Amsterdam is relatively straightforward for visitors —it’s an international city that attracts visitors worldwide, and English is widely spoken.
Locals are direct and to the point. That can sometimes feel abrupt or cold—for example, the sauna staff may not seem particularly friendly—but they’re just being efficient.
Once you’ve found your locker and got naked, it’s a good idea to explore and get a feel for the layout of the bathhouse. As expected, this venue has cubicles, glory holes, and a dark room.
The wet areas include a jacuzzi, steam room, and communal showers.
Because of the city’s international nature, you can expect to encounter European and Middle Eastern men and plenty of local guys.
Multi-level sauna in Brussels with steam room, dry sauna, lockers, dark room, cabins, sun terrace, bar, labyrinth, oversized cabins, orgy room, lounge, designated smoke areas, and sex shop. Popular with tourists and locals. It is located near Grand Place.
It is open daily, with the best times on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Nudity is allowed and encouraged. The entrance is discreet; however, you should bring your own sandals.
While the French bring plenty of attitude to everything they do, the SunCity bathhouse is surprisingly easy to navigate.
You’ll find SunCity on Boulevard de Sébastopol, which is in the gay neighbourhood of Le Marais.
The staff is generally fairly accommodating of tourists—if your French is a bit rusty, you can figure things out in English. At check-in, you’ll get a locker and a towel.
Known for its regular pool parties, SunCity has all the wet area facilities you’d expect and gay dark rooms.
There are no gay douching stations at SunCity, so make sure that you’re feeling clean and confident before you leave your hotel.
As well as all the play areas, the bathhouse has a bar and a lounge area. There’s also a gym area if you fancy some hot gay gym cruising.
The Kaiserbruendl is a historic gay sauna with a Moorish theme featuring elaborate rooms on multiple levels; seriously, if you ever thought you wanted to see a landmark, architecturally beautiful sauna, this is the joint.
A few things to note from Squirt.org members: the entrance is not the central door but a smaller door on the right, and the cruisiest spots are the dark rooms, bar, and steam room. There are many stairs and steps, so be aware (unless you’re tripping onto a nice fat cock, then you’re welcome).
via KAISERBRÜNDL Herrensauna
Gay Sauna Renos Relax – Zürich, Switzerland
With events for both men and women, but specific sauna amenities for men such as a Finnish sauna, a bio sauna and more, the sauna does not have a Jacuzzi but has a steam room and a small cold pool.
There are play areas and a bar, with a TV screen showing porn in the steam room. And yes, many of the door handles are thick, gold, cut erect dicks.
A couple of the big bathhouses in London have closed in recent years, but SweatBox – centrally located in the gay neighbourhood of Soho – is still going strong.
While in-house massage therapists aren’t common in North American gay saunas, booking in for a massage is still a feature of a visit to a sauna in London.
Just because you’re in a sex-on-premises venue, however, doesn’t mean that your massage is going to come with a happy ending.
The local laws about sex work are a bit complicated, but if you want a proper erotic gay massage, then you’re better off booking that privately rather than through an establishment such as a bathhouse.
The check-in process at Sweatbox could be more straightforward. Because of some issues in the past, the venue has had to introduce strict drug-control policies; this means you must keep your phone in a lockbox behind reception, and you can’t return to your locker until you’re ready to leave.
The staff are generally pretty friendly and will explain all of this to you, but it still takes some getting your head around.
One of the features of Sweatbox is the large jacuzzi in the ground-floor bar area; this is a social area, so there’s no sex in the jacuzzi. The action happens downstairs, with a giant steam room and a maze of cubicles.
The gym at Sweatbox is pretty well equipped, and they offer regular naked workout sessions, which are fun.
Pleasuredrome is a 24/7 sauna and spa for gay and bisexual men in London. It has state-of-the-art facilities and is a must-visit destination for gay men.
The cruisiest spot is upstairs, with lockers. The facility has a pool, steam rooms, saunas, private rooms, and a lounge/cafe bar. It is open 24/7, and the best times to visit are Friday evenings and Saturday nights.
The Greenhouse is a friendly sauna with various facilities, including glory hole cubicles, a swimming pool, a jacuzzi, steam rooms, a sauna, and cinema rooms. There is a mixed crowd on Fridays, and The Greenhouse is open daily and has special events like TGirl Fridays and Bears Day. It is also Naked Day on Wednesdays.
The Pipeworks is a three-floor spa and cruising venue for men aged 18 and older. Its facilities include a spa pool, steam room, sauna, sling rooms, cruising areas, darkroom, and more. Membership and guest entry options are available.
The Boilerhouse in Dublin is a clean and welcoming bathhouse and sauna for men 18 and up, including bears and twinks.
It is in the city centre and is open 24 hours on weekends. Squirt.org members report the entrance fees are 24 euros for standard entry, with discounts for students and re-entry passes available.
Budapest’s first gay sauna offers various amenities, including lockers, a TV, a workout room, massage services, a darkroom, a maze, glory holes, and sauna options. Discounts are available for those under 25 or with a Club Card.
The sauna is open daily at different hours. Check the website events and dress codes for said events, such as Bear Night or Underwear Day.
Sauna Paraíso – Madrid, Spain
Sauna Paraíso is Madrid’s most prominent gay sauna. It offers various amenities, including a Finnish Sauna, Turkish Baths, a heated pool, a dry sauna, private rooms, showers, Turkish baths, and a bondage area.
The sauna also offers daily massage services and is open 365 days a year. The entrance fee is €16.
A clean, modern sauna with enthusiastic visitor reviews; bring your ID on entry and explore all the various rooms, including the dark room upstairs.
Visitors note that the sauna is very stylish & modern, almost like a luxury day spa; however, not always busy or super sexy, as some reviews say this ends up being more social in space rather than a sucking and gay fucking bareback fest.
24 Kaikan is a popular spot in Shinjuku. It has seven floors of fun for all types of Japanese guys, especially those in their late 20s and older. It is located near Shinjuku Gyoenmae station on the Marunouchi Metro line.
Do you have any favorite European bathhouses that should have been included in our list? Comment below and share your expertise and experiences with the world!
HUNG YOUNG BRITS: Gran Canaria for fetish week, and Bohemian Boy show up – we met him and filmed him fucking Serg Shepard at the Grabbys. Proper hung like a horse.
At the same time we’ve invited over this fit-as-fuck neighbour from next door who’s been flirting his arse off with us all week, cheeky glances over the wall. Jamie’s being a total flirt, doing everything he can to grab their attention, any excuse to pop in and chat. He keeps offering them tea, then realises he’s run out of teabags but he’s too polite to tell them out.
Meanwhile Bohemian Boy and the neighbour lad Pup Arrow are snogging whilst groping each other crotch. Bohemian Boy whips out what’s gotta be the biggest fucking cock you’ve ever seen, thick, long monster of a thing.
Arrow a real kinky dirty bastard, chain-wearing, sweaty dark-haired hunk, rock-solid and filthy-minded and wants his ass filled. Jamie must come out at least three times trying to take their tea.
Bohemian Boy gets his massive cock sucked deep – throat stretched wide, spit dripping everywhere. Then he flips him, licks his tight arsehole till it’s soaked and twitching, before running his huge rod straight up his ass and fucking him senseless, balls slapping.
Shooting his load all over the table then Bohemian Boy pulls out and unloads a really thick, creamy cum load glazed right over his arse.
ADULT TIME: Two straight buddies, Pete (Ryan Bones) and Gus (Cam Crawford), were supposed to depart on a long drive to meet up with some other guys for a camping trip. But the car wouldn’t start, so the two of them have just finished up doing some last minute repairs to the car.
As they wait before trying the engine again, they talk about the trip, and realize they’re gonna be crammed into tents with other dudes at their destination… so they’d better jerk off now while they still have privacy!
They come up with various excuses to jerk off in the back seat of the car together, then come up with excuses to go even further!
Whether you’re returning to bars after a long pandemic or if it’s your first time experiencing this gay hookup staple, dark-rooms can be a fun, titillating way to explore another man’s body.
Dark-rooms are a unique opportunity for your imagination to run wild without actually seeing who your hook-up partner is. Are you fucking the guy that you’ve been fantasing about, or are you just getting off on knowing it’s the opposite of Cheers – nobody knows your name, but everyone is glad you came!
In this article, we’ll examine what a dark-room is, how to navigate one, what the etiquette is, and we’ll also share some tips on how to ensure that you have a good time.
What is a Dark-room in a Gay Bar?
A dark-room is a small room or space in the back of a gay bar or club where you could get a bit of an anonymous action.
In North America, these are often referred to as backrooms, but in Europe the general term is a dark-room.
The precise history of dark-rooms isn’t particularly clear. Gay men have always found ways to connect with other guys and find spaces where everyone knows that sex happens, but the concept of a dark-room seems to have crystallised in the 70s.
This was the post Stonewall period – we had the twin forces of Gay Liberation and Sexual Liberation. Gay bars could promote themselves as gay bars, and within gay bars you could designate a space where sex happened.
Dark-rooms were perfect for guys who knew what they wanted but may have had to conceal their sexuality in their day-to-day life.
The size and functionality of a dark-room is generally shaped by the logistics of the available space – they can be little more than a storage cupboard, or an expansive area that includes a maze, props, and lighting effects.
The appeal of the dark-room experience is often reflected in bathouses or sex-on-premises venues. In the same way that a gloryhole wall at your local bathhouse means that you don’t have to go searching for gloryholes near you, a dark-room space at a sex-on-premises venue helps to cater to our need for some anonymous, sleazy fun.
While the golden era of dark-rooms pretty much ended in the early 1980s – as HIV took hold – you can still find dark-rooms in action in many cities around the world, particularly at sexed-up club nights where play spaces are created.
How Do I Find a Dark-room in a Hookup Space?
This is often a point of discussion when I’m travelling in Europe with friends. When you’re in a bar that you haven’t been to before, in a city that you’re maybe not familiar with, the conversation often turns to the question of whether or not the venue has a dark-room.
Sometimes, they’re super-obvious. But sometimes it takes a bit of exploring. If a bar has a dark-room, it’s generally at the furthest point away from the door, or near the toilets. It also helps to watch what the locals are doing – if guys seem to be making a beeline for a dark corner, that’s going to be worth investigating.
How Do I Navigate a Dark-room?
If it’s a dark-room that you haven’t been in before, it’s a smart idea to do an initial reconnaissance so that you know what you’re working with.
It’s helpful to know how much you’ll be able to see, how big the space is, and how busy it is.
Once you know what you’re getting yourself into, it’s always best to enter a dark-room with confidence but not without caution. You don’t want to barge into anyone, you don’t want to fall over. Positioning yourself on a wall is always a good starting point until you’ve got your bearings.
What is the Etiquette in a Dark Room?
Because the usual gay cruising cues like body language and eye contact generally aren’t available to you in a dark-room, you could find yourself in slightly uncharted territory.
You’re going to have to expect and be comfortable with unsolicited physical contact. But while the initial physical contact might be unsolicited, the importance of consent still needs to be respected.
If you want to discourage or put a stop to someone’s touch, you can move away or you can use your voice. A firm “no” or “stop” has a lot of impact in a dark space.
That applies equally if you’re the one making the contact. If you’re unsure if the guy that you’ve got your hands on is into it, simple verbal cues should confirm whether you’re on the right track. Ask him – “yeah?” or “you like that?” Whatever response you get will let you know where you stand.
How Dark is Dark?
Some dark-rooms are pitch-black and that can be fun, but personally I like it when there’s at least enough light to see what’s going on.
It pretty much varies from venue to venue, which is part of the fun but also why an initial reconnaissance is useful.
General Tips
Dark-room hook-ups are generally fairly rough and ready. You should generally expect that you’re signing up for a gay bareback hookup – trying to get a condom on in a darkroom is not easy and probably not a priority.
Having a small tube of lube in your pocket could come in handy.
Think about your phone, wallet, and any valuables. You’re pretty vulnerable in a dark-room and dark-rooms are often targeted by opportunistic pickpockets.
Have fun. Dark-rooms are part of our queer history and our queer culture. Celebrate the power of man-on-man physical need and Immerse yourself in the primal sexual energy of a dark-room.
SEAN CODY: It’s a double debut, so the guys kick things off with a fun get-to-know-you activity. After Hugz and Alex go paddle boarding, they make sure they’re on solid ground before they start kissing and stroking each other’s cocks. Hugz bends the bespectacled bottom over to sensually tongue his hole, then eases his cock inside.
Alex rides the top and gets fucked on his back by the water, and Hugs gives all he’s got in superman position before pulling out so the guys can jack off and cum together.
With warmer weather comes the opportunity for sex on the beach, and we’re not just talking about the cocktail. While the beach allows a chance to sun our buns, catch up with friends and just lay out and enjoy the blink-and-you-miss-it summer months, it also is a great place to cruise.
Wherever you are, there are likely to be many places to have public sex. However, the beach is a bit of a tricky one – it’s generally a fairly exposed space and there’s a real mix of people coming and going. This all presents a range of risks beyond just getting sand in every orifice.
Let’s take a look at some tips on how to navigate your next gay beach adventure.
Can I have sex on the beach?
The short answer is – it depends.
An important starting point is to have a basic understanding of what the relevant laws are in your location. Even under the most liberal legal systems, while having sex in public might not be a crime you can still run into problems if someone complains that what you’re doing is causing offence or is a pubic nuisance.
So, even while for some of us the days of getting arrested while cruising are a thing of the past, having sex on the beach still requires some discretion.
This means that your opportunities for having sex on the beach are going to be considerably less if there are lots of people around. For example, compare it to a local park cruising adventure – if there are lots of families around then you’re less likely to risk getting naked and getting off.
This is why sex on the beach generally happens off in the sand dunes, or in the nearby scrub, or behind the rocks – if you can put some kind of visual barrier between you and the general public, then you’re less likely to be accused of having inadvertently caused offence.
What are the best destinations for gay beach sex?
Anywhere that there’s sun, sand, water and some gay men can quickly turn into a beach sex hot-spot.
Undoubtedly, gay cruising in the United States has a long and proud tradition, but you’ll also find some spectacular gay beach sex destinations in Europe and South America.
If you’re travelling and trying to track down some gay beach sex action, then a little bit of local knowledge goes a long way. Chatting to local guys on hookup apps is an easy starting point. Squirt.org’s cruising directories will help you find the best cruising locations by country, state or city and also provide reviews of what to expect. The reviews include details on where to look for a safe spot to cruise, as well as how many guys you can expect to see on certain days of the week.
The Squirt community is full of men who help other cruisers find what they’re looking for. With the option to filter by beaches, you can use Squirt to find the best local spot by the water to partake in some anonymous outdoor fun.
Is gay sex only at nude beaches?
Just because a beach isn’t clothing optional doesn’t mean that sex is off the table, but there’s generally a bit more of a sexual edge at nude beaches. Plus, if everyone is already naked then you’re already getting a preview of what you might be able to get your hands on.
Whatever kind of beach you’re at, head towards the end that looks the gayest and the most naked. That’s the direction that you’ll find the cruising options.
How do I let a guy know I’m looking for a gay meetup?
If you’re cruising for sex on the beach then the same general principles apply as for any other type of cruising.
Eye contact is always a good starting point. Take your sunglasses off and let him know that you’re looking at him.
If you’re sitting on the beach and someone has walked past you a number of times, that’s not by accident. Let him know that he’s got your attention.
If a guy that you’re into goes into the water for a swim, go and get in those waves. If the vibe is right, the swell is going to bring you close enough for a quick chat or a bit more.
If the cruising area is somewhere behind where you’re sitting, and a guy walks by you on his way there – it’s likely that he wants you to follow him. Don’t be shy – go get some cock.
ACTIVE DUTY: It’s just guys being guys, having fun on base. Whether it’s DL hookups in the showers, or sneaky after-hours fuck sessions at the dorms, these guys aren’t afraid to let loose and have some fun with each other’s holes and poles. Kyle Harper has had a thing for his straight roommate Daniel Evans. He can’t help but sneak a peek at Daniel every chance he gets, but when he gets busted watching Daniel in the shower, Daniel confronts him. Will he get what he always wanted or is it time to find a new roommate?
