For international folks, you might understand what to expect at a gay sauna in Amsterdam like Gay Sauna Nieuwezijds. But now that we can once again scratch that travel itch, North American gay males are waiting for hot international guys to hop a plane and take a load at a local bathhouse near you.

While you might understand gay cruising rules at home, nobody wants a culture shock going to a Los Angeles bathhouse and realizing the same rules don’t apply. This piece will examine the differences between the US and the rest of the world and how you can prepare for cruising and bathhouse events.

How Does Sauna Cruising Differ in North America?

The good news is that bathhouses follow a fairly consistent format, wherever you are in the world. In many ways, the golden-age of bathhouses in the late-1970s was really driven by the emergence of the gay liberation movement in the United States – it was the North American bathhouses that really helped to define our understanding of the gay sauna experience.

However there are some anomalies. For example, in cities such as Los Angeles, there’s Korean spas – which emerged to meet the relaxation needs of the local Korean community. These establishments have a lot of the same facilities as a gay bathhouse – and they are quite sexual spaces – but they’re not as openly or overtly sexual as a venue that promotes itself as a gay bathhouse.

There are other cultural variations that you might encounter as you explore the bathhouse options in different parts of the world. Guys in the United States and Canada tend to be more likely to initiate a conversation with you – they like to talk – even if you’ve given them no encouragement, they will start to talk to you. You just have to go with it.

Also, there’s not really any widespread sauna culture in North America. If you think about the Nordic region, Scandinavia, and much of Europe, relaxing in a dry sauna is pretty much an everyday thing. Not so much for the North Americans so they have different attitudes to social nudity. This might translate to a guy in a sauna who keeps his towel tightly wrapped around himself to conceal his body. Don’t be offended, it’s just that they do things slightly differently.

How Do Sauna Amenities Differ Across Continents?

There’s no hard and fast rules about what you’ll find in a bathhouse in North America. It varies considerably between establishments depending on decisions made by the management.

There may also be local regulations that shape how specific bathhouses operate.

As in Europe, you’d generally expect a bathhouse to provide you with a locker and a towel. Beyond that, it’s a bit of a lottery. Some venues will have private rooms or cubicles, some will have a greater emphasis on pools and water features, some may be more sex focused with slings and glory-holes.

Most bathhouses offer some sort of communal space – whether it’s a bar or a cafe – but smaller venues may be more functional.

You might be looking at your bathhouse options and thinking – How do I get maximum results from my visit to a sauna? The main thing is to go in with an open mind, be prepared to explore and get a feel for the vibe of the venue, and don’t be in too much of a rush. Take your time and be open to the opportunities that might present themselves.

How Has Bathhouse Cruising Changed with Covid in 2023?

Health regulations may vary between cities, and each venue may take different approaches in terms of how they deal with health concerns such as Covid-19.

As a general rule, most venues have relaxed any specific Covid-19 prevention measures into their business-as-usual hygiene and cleanliness procedures.

You may find that hand sanitiser is more visible and widely available, and there has been a greater emphasis on disinfecting surfaces.

Many venues have had to rethink the ventilation of their spaces, as poor ventilation enhances the risk factor for the spread of a virus such as Covid-19.

How Do I Find Bathhouses Once I Arrive

Because of the specialist nature of bathhouses, online searching may not be the most reliable way to find what you’re looking for.

The Squirt.org Cruising Directory is a great starting point. Not only does this give you the details of the venues in your destination, there’s also updates and feedback from Squirt members to help ensure that you’re going to where the action is.

Putting the hookup apps to work is also a good strategy. Chat to local guys and ask them which bathhouse they recommend. Why not arrange to meet them there? It’s always a good idea to get to know the locals.

What is a Bathhouse Party?

Bathhouses will often have regular or one-off events that they host in the venue. This could be a regular foam party, or naked workouts in their gym, or a big theme night such as underwear or water-sports.

CumUnion provides a robust calendar of hot and steamy events in bathhouses worldwide and North America.

It’s worth checking the website of a bathhouse that you’re considering, just to see if they’ve got any events listed that you might be interested in. If the venue’s website isn’t particularly up to date, have a chat with the staff working at the sauna – they should be able to let you know which are the most popular nights.

If you’re contemplating your first time at a bathhouse, you may be better to steer clear of any big events and just check out the venue during normal operating hours. Busy events where the sauna is rammed with guys can be a little intimidating and overwhelming if you’re just getting your head around the whole bathhouse experience.

Which are your favourite bathhouses in North America? Which venues would you recommend to someone that was visiting your city? Jump into our comments below and share your perspective.

Written by Gareth Johnson