From Sublime to Slime

In case you’re not into the sauna scene, or you’ve been living under a rock, do yourself a favor and experience the Babylon Sauna in Bangkok, at least once. Sure, you go there to get laid, but it’s so much more. Babylon is large, luxurious, decadent and, yes, sleazy. As I’m writing this story from the Big Apple, I decided to sample the New York sauna scene.

New York City is one of the world’s great gay capitals. A quick glance at HX or Next weeklies, you’ll find hundreds of venues, parties, and events catering to gay men and lesbians. The city used to have a thriving underground sex scene as well as several saunas and sex clubs catering to those looking for casual encounters. However, for better or worse, the Bloomberg Administration has used a variety of methods to close down most of these venues. So, some would say; sadly, the city is left with two gay saunas: the East Side Club and its sister venue, the West Side Club.

How do the Big Apple’s bathhouse offerings compare to the Big Mango’s? Bangkok seems to have dozens, maybe hundreds, of gay saunas ranging from opulent to decrepit. Babylon is definitely in the former category. The lavish facility is situated in a two-storey structure on Soi Nandha, off Sathorn Soi 1. In addition to several sauna and steam rooms and a well appointed gym, you’ll find a restaurant serving good food at reasonable prices, several bars, and a large, outdoor, swimming pool. Of course, you’re probably there to have sex and you won’t be disappointed. The atmosphere is highly sexually charged and opportunities to hook up are unlimited; you can hang up your towel and, casually, place yourself next to a sexy boy in the whirlpool, or grope and get groped in the steam room or sauna. Babylon has several dark areas, with adjacent “private” rooms. It seems that late afternoons or early evenings are the best times to go to experience a group scene in the dark area on the second floor, aptly called The Garden of Earthly Delights. Don’t be concerned if you’re a not-so-young, somewhat-overweight, farang. There are many Thai and other young Asian men who want you. Many of the youthful Asians who frequent the Babylon are not at all “sticky rice” and seem quite happy and willing to play with an older westerner. Hot and heavy romances have been known to begin at this luxurious playground.

What can I say about NYC’s East Side Club, located on the sixth floor of a downscale office building on East 56 Street? You can score there, but it’s quite hit or miss. The atmosphere is dreary and sad. Unlike Thai saunas, you rent a “room” or a locker. Guys, clad in towels, walk around inspecting the “meat” lying on beds in the rooms with open doors. If they like what they see and the person in the room is receptive, they connect. I don’t think the place has been updated since it opened in the 1970’s. It has a small sauna and stream room. However, any sort of sexual contact or touching, outside of the private rooms with their doors closed, is discouraged. Additionally, a recent visit was reminiscent of the geriatric ward at the local assisted care center. Most of the customers were, to be kind, well beyond middle age. However, for some strange reason, there were a handful of cute youngsters, including a couple of Asians. Yes, you can have a good time there. However, in contrast to the sexual tension found everywhere at the Babylon, the ambiance at the East Side Club is gloomy. You definitely feel the need to take another shower when you get home. By the way, both facilities supply condoms and lube. Use them! For now, the best way to hook up for sex in NYC may be online through such sites as Craig’s List and Gay Romeo.

I love NY. However, for the gay sauna experience, I’ll stick to Bangkok’s Babylon.