Back to the Baths: More Gay Bathhouse Stories

By Bathhouse Blues

The sequel to Bathhouse Blues, this second edition continues to explore the gay culture of the tubs. The gay baths are the only meeting place where you can see a cross-section of every queer group imaginable under the same roof. Up until now, there has been minimal literature on the culture of gay bathhouses. This book will dispel misconceptions and broaden your perspective. You will learn even more about an activity that many gay men have enjoyed for decades.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bathhouse Blues
• Release date: Apr 9, 2014
• ISBN: 9780992066246

Bathhouse Blues

Bathhouse Blues is the world-renowned expert on gay bathhouse etiquette and culture. He has been the author of his self-titled blog since 2001, which remains the only one on the web dedicated to discussing the intricacies and peculiarities of gay bathhouses. His bathhouse writings have been referenced in over half a dozen books and a broad range of periodicals worldwide, from the Huffington Post to Unzipped Magazine. He is also a contributor to the website GayDemon and runs a second bathhouse site Bathhouse Blog

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Back To The Baths: More Gay Bathhouse Stories

Copyright © Bathhouse Blues 2025

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the author's express written permission, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

I have tried to recreate events, locales, and conversations from my memories. To maintain people's anonymity, I have changed the names of individuals and places in some instances. I may have changed some identifying characteristics and details, such as physical properties, occupations, and places of residence.

ISBN: 9780992066246

PRAISE FOR BATHHOUSE BLUES

This anonymous web author's essays are worth a browse. Be advised that it's all straight talking expository dialogue, earnest and in some cases, a bit wide-eyed. Still, the author's intentions are noble.

Unzipped Magazine

What a good effort here to educate and enlighten people on an area that is little known by outsiders - the gay bathhouse. Recommended.

Jane's Guide

Bathhouse Blues is the best thing I've read about the sexual politics of gay sex in a semi-public arena

Tablet Magazine

These stories may not get you off but they provide a very interesting characterization of a system that many gay men are drawn to without really knowing why

Darkpost

Well written and entertaining site packed with interesting stories and information, whether you are a bathhouse regular, or have always wondered what goes on in these places. The author delves into pretty much every topic you can imagine being associated with 'The Tubs'. Four stars out of five!

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MORE TITLES BY THIS AUTHOR

Bathhouse Blues

Your Guide To Gay Bathhouses

No Asians Please

How Asian Men Are Perceived In The Gay Community

Gay Steam

True Sex Tales From The Tubs

The Gay Men's Guide To Glory Holes

Glory Hole Guide for Straight, Gay, and Bisexual Men

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INTRODUCTION

I've been so pleasantly surprised by the first book's reception that I've decided to publish a second volume. So here is the sequel to Bathhouse Blues, called Back To The Baths: More Gay Bathhouse Stories.

As with my first book, I continue to explore the bathhouse culture. The baths are not all about sex. It is the only gay meeting place where you can see a cross-section of every gay group imaginable under the same roof. On any night, you can see Latinos, Twinks, Bears, Chubs, Asians, Blacks, and Gay Seniors. All nationalities, ages, and shapes and sizes are welcome. Everyone is accepted, and no one gets turned away at the door.

Being practically naked gives men a feeling of inhibition and vulnerability. People's walls and guards crumble when stripped down. It puts men interacting with one another on an equal level playing field. You have corporate lawyers interacting with truck drivers. You don't know the other person's actions since everyone is only in a towel. In that sense, being naked brings a sense of equality. Some men are better looking than others (obviously) and never know what the person's financial status is. You can only judge the person in their birthday suit.

The baths offer these men a false sense of security and acceptance. Because the baths are such a closed-door environment, many men feel safer connecting with other gay men than in bars or clubs. There is a sense of freedom to express oneself and feel liberated.

I hope you enjoy this second set of bathhouse stories. Thanks for visiting.

Hugs—Me.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1

Barefoot Essentials

Let's face it, you don't need much at the baths to make an impression. You are just exhibiting the bare essentials—your nakedness wrapped in a towel. However, there is an old saying that says clothes make a man. You wouldn't think that statement would hold up in a bathhouse while wearing only a towel. Well, you're mistaken.

Other than your towel, footwear is the only other clothing item men wear at the baths with any regularity. Over the years, I have seen every imaginable type of shoe worn by men at the tubs—sandals, running shoes, flip-flops, socks, and even winter boots. What do I prefer? I like to go barefoot. The sensation of total and complete nakedness is unparalleled. It feels unnatural to wear footwear, especially when you have to go in and out of the wet area—the sauna, steam room, and whirlpool. My general rule is that the fewer clothes you wear at the baths, the better it feels.

I find it odd that men protect their feet but don't mind where their mouths and hands have gone. At the baths, many mouths enter and exit cocks. But are any of these guys gargling with mouthwash between blowjobs? Speaking of jobs, let's not forget all those hand jobs and fingerings. Yet I don't see guys wearing latex gloves. Despite that, some guys will never go barefoot at the baths. They are convinced that they must protect their feet. However, they fail to understand that the steam room or hot tub can expose other parts of your body to the same fungi.

Some may use the excuse of wearing footwear to avoid stepping on cum, urine, or discarded condoms on the floor. Again, it seems okay to slurp and urinate during a blowjob. However, stepping on it is unacceptable. No way! Nothing gets me more frustrated than when someone walks right through the shower area in their regular street shoes. While wearing the shoes to protect their feet, they are also tracking dirt on the shower floor. Why don't they consider shower-goers are washing