SUPER HONEST Bathhouse Review (East Side Club, NYC) | Patrick Marano

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Welcome to my review of New York City's bathhouse, East Side Club!
Key Highlights:
🌟Location: Out of the way
🌟Customer Service: Non existent
🌟Ambience: Explore the atmosphere and unique features that make this bathhouse a dump.
🌟Price: An honest look at what you get for your money (spoiler alert: not much)
Whether you're a local looking to explore new places or a visitor curious about NYC's LGBTQ+ scene, this review will help you decide if this venue is right for you.
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[@rexwesmusic]

Hi Patrick I'm a fellow New Yorker, born and raised, though I did spend some time living in Chicago. I just watched your video on the Eastside Club, and I must say, I giggled through the entire thing. Your observations are spot on! I couldn't stop laughing and had to share it with my friend. Your theory about everyone being on the app is absolutely correct. It's quite easy to hook up via the app these days, which makes places like the Eastside Club less appealing. It's unfortunate that the Westside Club closed down due to the pandemic and never reopened. That place was definitely the more attractive option. As you mentioned, the Eastside Club used to be frequented by older gentlemen cheating on their wives, but things have certainly hasn't changed. Excellent job on the review-your insights are spot on. And you're right, tourists with hotel rooms are the reason no one goes to the Eastside Club anymore. Keep up the great work! Best, Rex Wes

[@PatrickMarano]

Hey Rex, thanks for the comment and the confirmation LOL

[@billharnet]

Once upon a time there were several bath houses in Manhattan. During the beginning of the AIDS crisis the city closed all of them with street entrances. By the 90’s there were only three left. Not too long after 9/11 the Wall Street Sauna bit the dust. That left only the East and West Side Clubs. The west side closed after/during the Covid crisis. The East Side Club struggles along as a private club. Part of the price was a membership fee, either yearly or for a set number of visits.

[@PatrickMarano]

ah thx for explaining a bit

[@ricktompson9453]

​@@PatrickMaranotypical N.y. slum real estate owners. Overcharge as much as possible. Run away when it falls apart.

[@ricktompson9453]

Why aren't there any females on your pations list?

[@billharnet]

@@ricktompson9453 Good question but I think you posted it in the wrong place, this is not Patrick’s comment.

[@MaxEvans-cz2no]

I'm a long term NYC resident and our bathhouse culture is nearly non existent--because we don't need it and its not because of Grindr. You should have just gone to the Eagle on Pride--if you're looking for affection it was great on Sunday. Sex parties and sexy bars are the norm here now. I'm not saying bathhouses are bad at all.

[@PatrickMarano]

Thx for explaining

[@BenjaminNelson-q7j]

Yeah, I grew up on QAF, so when I moved to the city in 2006, I kind of expected them to be a big deal. Nope. I worked as a gogo boy for the first few months and then took clothed (most of the time) jobs at other bars after. Not once did I hear someone mention going to ESC or the like, though I knew they existed. As you said, we were all just hopping over to the Eagle or the 🐓 for some “heavy petting” or getting laid at wild LES, Chelsea, and HK parties.

[@ricktompson9453]

The threat of bedbugs haven't helped either.

[@MatteBlack2024]

Excellent. Thank you for your candor, honesty, prompt reporting.

[@lugano1999]

NYC really needs a Steamworks! I've never understood why one never opened there.

[@TrevorChauvin]

I live in NYC. To add to that, there are SO MANY sex parties, underwear parties, bars with darkrooms, cruising parties, etc etc etc. While a bathhouse would be amazing and I think that it will likely come in the next few years there really is no need for it. I think if someone were to invest in a really nice bathhouse with amenities it would do great. There are even bathhouse themed parties. Something for every taste in NYC!

[@ricktompson9453]

The econo route nowdays. 😅

[@rrrrecs8982]

Hey!! Im going to nyc in a few months and im looking for cruising parties and bars with darkrooms, any recommendstions?

[@JimmiAlli]

I think I went there in the 90’s. It was pretty bad even then. 😂

[@rogermusser7268]

I don't like NYC, but then, I don't like large cities. But I have to go there because that's where the best clubs are and all the museums, etc. Never heard of Monster. I have noticed that it's hard to find a good list of clubs and baths online when I travel. I always check, and note the ones that sound good. Your review reminds me of the small bath in Akron, Ohio, but things work and they treat you with respect.

[@periscope7731]

I haven’t visited NYC since 2017, and have no plans at the moment to do so. Boston is my new favorite East Coast travel destination.

[@gregorykollarus8190]

I’m from Long Island. I’ve been going into NYC since I was very young. I’m in my 30s now and it always bothered me that there was never any bathhouses in nyc. I just don’t understand why we can’t do better either. I think you bring up some good reasons, but ultimately we could have a good bathhouse if we wanted.

[@BenjaminNelson-q7j]

That’s a very good point: “we could have a good bathhouse if we wanted”. Therein also lies the reason we don’t: “if we wanted”.

[@holyfingshit]

Same situation, in LI, in my 30's, very little bathhouse options. I went to ESC once and it was pretty sketchy but I still was able to enjoy. As to why we cant to better in NYC, the cost of a new one is probably just too high for what could be made, given there is so much competition in form of the parties that basically happen everyday. But still, I feel you, the struggle is real out here haha. If you want a fellow LI'er to explore with... 🙈

[@bartgreenberg9001]

I spent a lot of time at the Eastside Club over the years as it steadily went downhill. The reason NYC lacks bath houses is in part because there are so many other options and in part political as we had a series of homophobic mayors (including the gay one) who used AIDS as an excuse to shut most of them down. The Eastside and Westside Clubs were owned by the same people and survived because of who those people are.

[@Meyerc-yv2bi]

Correct. Koch shut them all down. Unfortunately it is not economically viable to open a bath house today, due to the cost of real estate, and the laws still have not been changed since the 1980's.

[@dramonmaster222]

Talk about false advertising. Great review Patrick.

[@MarkWilliams-pu7mq]

Hi Patrick, I'm new to your channel and I'm really enjoying it. I laughed the whole way through your review. At one point I thought you were going to say "What a dump!" Best wishes from Liverpool England.👍🇬🇧

[@PatrickMarano]

Thanks for watching and welcome to the channel! I'm glad you're here!

[@taureanfighter]

Native New Yorker here! The MINUTE I saw your video title, I KNEW I was going to start laughing because ESC is PEAK trash. You did not disappoint with you just LEAVING before you even went in. The staff does tend to be very unfriendly except to regulars. Many moved over from West Side Club (which closed during the pandemic for good), but the WSC was honestly at the beginning of the end. Anyway, you don’t miss much at ESC though they’ve slowly been renovating the place. The rooms at the top floor are newly updated, but the rest of the place TRULY looks EXACTLY like the pictures. I go there once in a blue moon though when I just want to see what the place is giving (still doesn’t give much). As many of the commenters have pointed out, the lack of a (good) bathhouse is a mix of the AIDS epidemic and the homophobic mayors during that time (Giuliani was the final nail in the coffin for ANY sex-positive venue to thrive), so it wasn’t solely the apps. However, in recent years, there has been a resurgence in sex-positive venues that you could go to if orgies and sex parties are your thing. I frequent a lot of these venues and they are THRIVING these days (some days are more packed than others). One of the venue owners (who used to frequent WSC) has been talking the last couple of years about opening a bathhouse in HK, but the last we talked about it, he said it’s been quite the endeavor just to find the potential building. That was a few months ago, so I should probably follow up. Anyway, I was just put on to a sex party Google calendar/website for NYC from another one of my venue staff buddies LITERALLY yesterday, so if you’re looking to peruse the sex scene in NYC again, you should look into that. Those strippers get expensive (and they all work both Spunk AND Adonis Lounge - a similar event to Spunk). The Eagle on Wednesdays has been promoted to me as the best place to attend but…see for yourself. The Eagle turned me off. Try The Cock instead. Sorry for the long comment but I absolutely had to because this is my native city and as a fellow fan of bathhouses and sex positivity, I hated that you didn’t get to explore the many other options.

[@PatrickMarano]

Thanks for the full and complete comment! You're confirming what a lot of people have said about the scene. I'm also on the email list now for the sex parties... so that's something I'll have to check out the next time I'm in NYC. I'm curious to see what the similarities and the differences are between these parties and the tubs (other than the wet areas of course). I'm curious to get the vibe and see the space. Thanks again for watching and commenting!

[@stache1954]

You didn't miss anything. When I went there years ago the attendant expected a tip. He didn't get one from me.

[@marlonelias]

I live in NYC and I’ve never been to East Side Club! Now I have more reasons not to go there.

[@mkphilly]

Ahhhhh I miss all the places BEFORE apps!! All the fun places in my business trips..... sigh.. memories

[@toraphmoses]

Hey Pat, Thanks for this post. Indeed the ESC is not a good space....I am a native New Yorker and have lived in NYC for over 40 years. and in the past, the ESC was a good bathhouse but since the lockdowns, I can honestly say overall NYC changed but for the worse, I think, NYC is no longer what it use to be post the lockdowns. and the ESC went down the sewer.

[@DesertFrontiersman]

"Gush" by NYC Scum is pretty decent. Some say its a bit seedy (which is what I actually like about it) but it is a very well attended/populated event regardless. Usually a 'full house' event.

[@Pisti846]

I thought NYC had banned them years ago during the AIDS crises. If they have one, I suppose it doesn't need to be high-tone if there is no competition.

[@WayneGray-m6e]

Nope! Plus there's private parties

[@Meyerc-yv2bi]

ESC is not a bath house. There are a total of zero bath houses in NYC.

[@ricktompson9453]

Typical NY landlords. Charge as much as they can. Run away when it falls apart.

[@Meyerc-yv2bi]

@@ricktompson9453 It's called capitalism and NYC is the epicenter of it. Besides, NYC has evolved passed bath houses and has a plethora of other options that don't require paying $20 plus to take off your clothes, wear a towel, wonder aimlessly among halls and burn your skin in a sauna.

[@jamesmcnally1253]

There aren't any " bathhouses" left.there are alot of underground parties like inferno that are wild and really good.But as a rule I don't go out and do anything " gay" during pride.Theres price gauging and it is a good time for hustlers because there's a bunch of tourists in town

[@naseerlee7728]

Where's the inferno underground party in NYC how do I get information on this

[@jppurple98]

Patrick love hearing about your bathhouse stories! 😁 Come to Florida our bathhouses are great! Orlando is my local one and it’s packed. Very clean, great pool and hottub. Club Fort Lauderdale is also really nice and it’s bigger. I have never been to NY and don’t want to go there lol 😂 When I lived in PA we used to go to Toronto. So beautiful 🤩

[@periscope7731]

Boston is a much safer and cleaner city to visit IMO. There’s an interesting historical aspect to discover, great art galleries to visit, amazing shopping, and the food scene is stellar!

[@jppurple98]

@@periscope7731 Boston is nice in the Summer. Have been there. But it’s cold in the Winter. Our weather is much nicer in Florida and the bathhouses are thriving here. Much safer than using the apps and on the weekends and holidays there’s a huge line of guys of all ages waiting to get in from all over the country, World because it’s a tourist destination 😎👍

[@PatrickMarano]

Toronto is really great. And I''m planning a FL trip for sure

[@periscope7731]

@@jppurple98 Oh that sounds fun. I must check it out. I would probably prefer visiting Ft. Lauderdale over Miami.

[@jppurple98]

@@periscope7731 South Beach Miami is beautiful if you’re in Lauderdale it’s only about 30 minutes South. Love them both 😎

[@j96993]

NYC is a sex party city as opposed to Toronto which is primarily a bath house city with 2 main ones (Steamworks & Spa Excess)

[@PatrickMarano]

I wish I knew that before going lol... I woulda looked into the scene

[@Hal10034]

My invitation must have gotten lost in the mail. 😊

[@markmh835]

Thank you for this "review," Patrick. I too would love an explanation why there are no decent bathhouses in NYC, especially since the city had many historic and infamous ones in the 1970s. Perhaps some local NYC guys who have lived there for decades can provide an explanation.

[@ovh992]

I have lived here since the 90s. During AIDS, Giuliani tried to shut everything down. I remember in sex clubs, one was required to wear condoms and they actually had monitors with 🔦 to confirm it. Then the internet came along and everyone just decided to invite guys to their apartments. Then meth came along and bathhouses became places to go pnp. Nyc never had comfortable bathhouses. The rent was too expensive. The rooms were therfore tiny. Who wants to have wild sex in a twin bed? Sex in hallways/ public areas was never allowed. And they were crazy expensive. Membership was $40 + entrance was $25!

[@aname.5439]

I was waiting for this one 😂

[@PatrickMarano]

lol

[@scott1971h]

NYC was chockers with bathhouses until The Dreaded. There was a concerted effort to close them down.

[@PatrickMarano]

"The Dreaded"

[@scott1971h]

@@PatrickMarano Had a friend of mine die. Days B4 protease inhibitors.

[@donald6787]

What is the name of your cologne?

[@PatrickMarano]

haha I was wearing Le Labo Santal

[@smh-smh-smh]

I feel so vindicated having left a comment in the past about this very issue. The reasons you gave are msotly why its basically impossible to sustain a bathhouse here as a business, combined with the need for physical space that needs to be able to pass whichever commercial inspections are necessary. What you see instead, along with the sexy bar life that can be fun for sure and make room for just about anyone, is a pretty decent set of publicly available recurring sex parties and events that supplement private parties as well. A lot of these occur in spaces that rent our for events, other parties, bodywork appointments and classes, and other non-sexually related uses at times. The cost for these as a result is low enough that they're easier to sustain than a bathhouse model. The downside being, theyre not guaranteed to be busy, and there aren't going to be amenities beyond what is actually used like slings etc. I'd much rather pay a $30 cover for a six hour block of playing for a night, though, or an intense two hours with more men than I can count and four slings rattling during the middle of the day, then I'd ever pay $41 for a locker. The ESC prices have kept me from making it half as far as you. That said, after 13 years here I still crave a bathhouse. There's something about the idea of low-key common spaces, cruising at my own rate, quality amenities, at my schedule, and the idea that the whole experience is going to relax me deeply, not just a dicking down and waiting at whatever nearby bodega probably gets a dozen horny guys who forgot cash each night. Thanks again for this one!

[@PatrickMarano]

hmm thanks for the perspective... I think I agree with you. I rather have the cruising areas, relaxation areas and the ability for down time and not just a "dicking down" as you said

[@chipc125]

Wow...I really used to like this place. During the day, it was an older crowd and very friendly. I specifically went during the day, tried to get there around 11 Am. I was young then and always had a great time. The steamroom was different then, sauna seems the same. I really enjoyed the place because it attracted older men during the day. I went many times there was a line. The elevator opening to the window was a bit awkward. The biggest issue I ever had was the "membership" fee they charged. This place and Northern Men's Sauna I really enjoyed as a much younger guy. Both had a large population of older men. I loved the attention then and happily enjoy the company of the same today.

[@PatrickMarano]

oh thanks for that perspective on the place. It's the first positive thing I've heard about it

[@claudiogenson]

THE VIDEO IS SUPER NICE I LOVE IT

[@dmnddog7417]

When I lived in NY, I used to go to the West Side Club in Chelsea close to The Limelight. It was alright, not great. It was very popular, though, so you could play with hot guys there. I never went to the East Side Club.

[@rw7668]

I used to have a bit of business in NYC a few years ago and reading reviews on-line were all I needed to stay away from what an out-of-towner might otherwise think are his options

[@1NYCHombre]

Ditto on everything you said! Sadly, it’s the new NYC.

[@davidmessner9610]

Who was there once about 10 years ago very unfriendly staff and clientele I left after about an hour

[@francoisbouchard9488]

I live in the Bay Area, and as far as I know, we have only one bath house left, which is a Steamworks in Berkeley. That’s pretty sad for the so called “gay bay”.

[@dmnddog7417]

Yeah, I thought it was pathetic that there was none in the city. I lived in the Outer Richmond District in SF for a couple of years (2006-2008), so going to Berkeley to Steamworks was too far. I never went. I moved to Chicago after that, and I'm glad we have Steamworks, and for a while we also had Man's Country, which really needed an update. It's gone now, but Steamies is still here.

[@briandbenson]

Bulldog Baths on Turk is back. But it’s limited.

[@josephsmith5410]

I used to go to the East Side Club in my late 20's, I'm 59 now. It was seedy back then, but also kind of fun. It was never A+.

[@BenjaminNelson-q7j]

New Yorkers are judgmental. And I absolutely love it. Living there helped positively sculpt who I am today. But with that judgement comes an air of piety. While we were always up to get down and dirty, we liked to do it cleanly, as in, doing nothing that might f up our professional reputation, be seen as degrading, or be considered participating in high-risk activity (even in my then line-of-work as a gogo dancer). Due to NYC’s dark history, bathhouses checked the high-risk box for us back in the 2000s. By the time I left in 2011, people had become even more prudent, but now stemming less from fear than from a desire to live the tidy drama they’d been fed by ‘Gossip Girl’. Boutique lounges and ultra-elitist clubs erased any trace of old New York, save a select few staples. With that, bathhouses were officially out-of-style, and unfortunately for many, they’ll likely never make a comeback in NYC. There’s not enough demand.

[@PatrickMarano]

Thank you for sharing your story

[@williammcghee863]

When I went there in July of 2007, the attitude of the attendant was a red flag for me, and I turned around and left. The entire impression that I would be wasting my time and money, so I left. I'm still curious how bad it is inside ....

[@PatrickMarano]

I'm curious too, but not enough to spend my money to find out LOL

[@Firetemp]

I loved this review... As a New Yorker we aren't paying $41 when the bars, subways, parks, gyms and apps are full of hot men.! Also, people are big on hosting hotel sexy event parties. The best looking men are rarely in the gay clubs in NYC.

[@edwardcone6860]

I would take your rec of a bath house any day. If you say it's a bad deal, we won't go there! (Who should know better than Mr. Ab Fab You?)

[@pj-fx7gx]

“If you’re in NYC…check out Spunk” - total Stefon (from SNL) vibe there. It made me laugh after hearing about the experience at the bathhouse, which sounded traumatizing

[@PatrickMarano]

LOL

[@PaddyEdwardC]

Patrick, I am happy shared this negative review on a very bad steam bath house

[@nightwind67]

Ok a few things to consider. There are only three bathhouses in NY (four if you count a Russian one that has a men's only night) ALL others were closed down in the 80's due tp AIDS and never came back. So what you walked into into with most BH in America is a dying carcass. The US government has gone out of it's way to get rid of them. Those that are still around and been around since the 70's should be commended and helped out. Instead of a bad review why not contact the owner tell him of the experience AND get his side of what's going on? It would make for great content. Because I tell you this: The crazy fetishes that have been tic tocking are going to bring a storm upon everyone in the community when Cheeto Head comes back into power. Unite, don't divide.

[@hiway51biker]

Your ideas sound great but are so unrealistic because the owner/owners of this establishment will never make themselves available to any member of the public in any form (in person, email, phone, etc.) for commenting on their business. Never going to happen. They keep things under wraps & what you see is what you get. That is not a Hilton they are running.

[@stache1954]

Do you think the owner cares?

[@PatrickMarano]

I don't think the owner cares TBH... and this is really a one off. The other establishments I've visited around the country are really putting in an effort to make great spaces and I support them totally.

[@DesertFrontiersman]

That is absolute BULL*#@%. First of all there is only 1 'real' gay bathhouse left in Manhattan as well as the greater NYC metro area including Brkln/Brnx/Qns. Second of all. No! Not all of the rest of the bathhouse in Nrth America are 'dying carcasses'. For example, Steamworks in Berkeley is and has been pretty busy since its inception. GI Joe in Montreal can be 'off the hook' rock'n depending on certain nights as well as the 'twink' BH in MTL. the Steamworks in Toronto is almost packed every Saturday night or at least it was when I was there a few years ago. There are even 'mini' bathhouses that are quite small when compared to the the larger cities that do damn well for the populations they serve like the one in Akron, OH or the one in Reno, NV. Hell, there is even a tiny one in a very rural area of SW Missouri that is almost 'isolated' off Interstate 44 that every few weeks can see a lot of 'action' depending of the trucker traffic. That said, with the advent of online hook-up phenomenon it very unlikely that we will ever see bathhouses or even bars to the the level that we had before mid or late nineties of the 'full or packed house' that often spilled out into the street ever again. Gay Pride events seem to come close but it is still is not the same with many either glued to their phones or many now seemingly socially inept or socially handicapped by the endless hours spent on online interactions that seem to make many perversely dysfunctional carrying over into their real life interactions/conversations. Regardless, for whatever reason NYC at least for me is just a 'shell' of its former glory years in terms of its sexually wildness and spontaneous fun. In fact, all of New England and Mid Atlantic metro areas to me sucked big time with the exception of maybe Wshngtn DC or maybe Philly. Toronto and Montreal blew NYC and Boston out of the water in terms of bar 'sociability', sexual 'fun' and 'gay ghetto' amiability & friendliness. Boston bars and clubs are now straight up attitude and BORING. NYC Greenwich can be fun at times but it is a 'tough crowd' that can be quite judge-y compared to how how it was pre-internet or at least pre-Grindr era. That being the case might as well move to an area that has a better climate but possibly less urban/cosmopolitan like the South or the West coast. Sorry, didn't mean to write book or to be too condescending ... ; - )

[@stache1954]

@@PatrickMarano I agree.

[@MonalisaOjeda-kd8cf]

I think your theory about the apps is absolutely right!!!! Also it is a lot pnp thing is not allowed at East side club...so yes...apps are giving us what we looking for...and for free

[@yolielin4143]

There used to be glorious gay bathhouses in NY, like The St. Mark's Bath and Wall St. Sauna. Then came AIDS, and those places were all shut down and demolished. There were other theaters, saunas and video stores throughout Queens and Brooklyn, too. But with the advent of the apps, these places gradually closed. And COVID just put the final nail on those establishments. Your theory about the apps are very correct. There are so many guys online all the time in NY. You can get hit just buying eggs in the supermarket. In addition, I don't think it's possible to open a gay sauna legally in NY anymore. The homophobic Giuliani created some laws to prevent this. That's why The Eastside Club operates as a "private club" now. And with fewer and fewer customers (all gone to the apps), that's why they are in this decrepit state.

[@PatrickMarano]

Thanks for the clarification!

[@rogermusser7268]

In your latest newsletter you asked who we would like to see you interview on Queerly us. I would say Tom Daley, preferably shirtless and in speedos! I'm sure you know who he is. Very active in Gay Life and would probably have some interesting things to say. Also a fellow member of the Commonwealth!

[@PatrickMarano]

Great suggestion!

[@raymondgalang983]

Can you recommend any bathhouse to go here in NY?

[@PatrickMarano]

I cannot. They don't exist

[@Meyerc-yv2bi]

There are no bath houses in NYC. ESC is not a bath house.

[@bobhanuman65]

It’s NYC what do you expect. Amazing these places have survived. Best is Wall street right after work.

[@AintScaredGarage]

WOW, what a let down, and thank you for giving these reviews.

[@PatrickMarano]

My pleasure!

[@James-mg5zy]

Wow! Just looking at those pictures you can see the vibes are NOT there..

[@stephanest-laurent266]

I’ve been in nyc many times. I’m a Montrealer, saunas here are slowly closing. They renovated (sic) the GIJOE which you did a review. All my friends in nyc told me not to go to that sauna. Why would you? Bars in nyc have backrooms. I’m surprised you didn’t go to the Eagle, people have sex there, it’s full BUT it will never be like a sauna or an app. Saunas are more fun if you want sex with different partners or if the one you met is boring. NYC needs a good sauna.

[@PatrickMarano]

It does need at least one good one I agree, thanks for the comment!

[@zacklogan4986]

Wow. I am a native new yorker and unfortunately that is the only game in town, However do not feel bad that you didnt go in and review, you pretty much got it, complete with the miserable desk clerks and the ATM that has never worked

[@roguerodriguez8215]

Born and raised in NYC. So quick history bath houses, sex theaters. Sex clubs, etc where everywhere in the city in the 70s and early 80s. But WHEN AIDS happened alot of those places shut down for good. In the 90s mayor Gilluanni cleaned up nyc further to make nyc more family friendly and shut down alot of gay hook up areas and clubs. To make NYC more disney they got rid of alot of adult especially gay adult spots that were known to be sexual that weren't already closed from the AIDS crisis.

[@PatrickMarano]

Ya, all of that sucks lol

[@roguerodriguez8215]

@@PatrickMarano yup the price we pay for you tourist 😂 jk

[@mathisbailey794]

The prices at Steamworks were also expensive on Pride...it was 46 dollars for a locker. ..and barely no one in there because capacity control.

[@Meyerc-yv2bi]

These are the normal prices for ESC. They did not raise them for Pride. It's always been an overpriced dump and New Yorkers avoid it.

[@PatrickMarano]

They must have been in their rooms.. Steamworks is always jammed packed at Pride

[@ricktompson9453]

Typical N.Y. slum real-estate people. Over charge as much as possible. Run away when it falls apart.

[@markmh835]

Speaking of sketchy bathhouses, Patrick, did you ever visit "The Barracks" in downtown Toronto when it was open? I first started traveling to Toronto in the 1990s when I was a young thing, and the city had like 8-9 bathhouses. Most were clustered in the Gay Village/Church Street area. On one week-long vacation, I decided to visit every single one of them. (I had money and stamina at that time.) The Barracks was the only one located in an old building downtown. Grimy .... but certainly memorable! I still have the black T-shirt I bought there with their logo on it. Collector's item? 😁👍

[@PatrickMarano]

I had never been to that one, and when I got back from living in LA, is was gone. I heard it attracted a specific crowd

[@JJ_PTCANL]

I liked The Barracks. Wouldn’t describe it as ‘sketchy’, more ‘kinky’.

[@montegene]

In the late 90’s up mid 2000 there was also THE WESTSIDE CLUB (-resided in Chelsea-20’st.) which was far better. It was even a gym. Over the years during that time others popped up around town (& this was before the apps). But nothing stuck. It’s been several years since I was at ESC. But you NAILED IT in your depiction. “My” experience was exactly THAT; & far worse upon entry. The pics are obviously “cleaned” up. But going to the site AFTER experiencing each area, I COULD almost “smell” the room thru the web pic. Now not All smells bad. Just staunchly, old, & visibly outdated. And the staff are unamused by your presence & could care less you’re there. The owners clearly could take or leave your patronage. I live here and don’t have a need to go back. The night I went it was a low turnout and not very attractive. And the few that guys that were “active” were in some way or another either a hot mess (drunk, high &/or both); or so stalker-y aggressive I numerous times had to go in my room to hide. I’ve had friends who swear by the place. I just didn’t see the appeal. It’s sad because I feel “old” relishing in the “glory-days” when we had our pick of places to go; even deciding whether to go to EASTSIDE or WESTSIDE. No more. 😢

[@PatrickMarano]

sheesh, thanks for confirming what I experienced

[@YaelNoriega-z9z]

What is the age requirement? I’m eighteen.

[@PatrickMarano]

Not sure. Prob 21

[@jshonert]

Thank you for this reminder Patrick. Years ago this place was filthy and yucky. It’s just gotten worse. By the way, I love the beard and youve still got it! ❤

[@PatrickMarano]

Cheers!

[@deannjersey1378]

I have to agree, East Side Club was the worst of the two, compared to West Side Club on W 20th St. (Which has closed down) but we always managed to make the best of it and have a good time. However like you I did compare them to clubs in other cities, and they were not even close. But as my hometown clubs we went sometimes anyway. You should come to Fort Lauderdale FL and review my new hometown club, Club Fort Lauderdale. It's definitely better than NYC bathhouse offerings, but has room for improvement.

[@PatrickMarano]

I 100% will review Club Ft. Lauderdale at some point

[@WayneGray-m6e]

Patrick is totally right!! East Side Club horrible guys

[@deaya777]

I really enjoy your videos, they are informative and at times, entertaining. IMO you have an ideal Gay Male physique, just right and balanced. Be well...Enrique

[@PatrickMarano]

Thanks for watching Enrique!

[@MarlonYonge]

Am glad you didn’t go in it’s actually bad! Am from Toronto 🇨🇦 and our worst of the 3 BH here is still better than New York 😂

[@aplmak1]

It’s probably a front for something…

[@sailingsam3815]

Maybe high real estate prices, strict health code regulations?😮

[@PatrickMarano]

All of that

[@Meyerc-yv2bi]

The East Side Club, sister club to the recently closed West Side Club, is a horrid over priced dump with employees who treat customers like garbage. It's always been that way and it never was a true bath house. There hasn't been any bath houses in NYC since Koch shut them down in the 1980's, citing health concerns. Unfortunately the cost of real estate makes it prohibitive to open a new club, let alone navigating the complex maze of laws, permits and regulations required for such business. You would first have to change the city's health ordinances and there is no political will to do so. As a result, NYC has been without a proper bathhouse for decades, which is unusual and a shame for a city of its size and gay population. New Yorkers avoid this place and you didn't miss anything by not going in. Go to the Rambles in Central Park any night. It's loaded with guys and its free!

[@PatrickMarano]

Thx for the tip! I also heard about all the private sex parties going on all the time, so I guess that's the replacement

[@dmnddog7417]

I used to go to West Side Club in late 90's to early 2000's. Not great, but decent. The clientele was good since it was Chelsea. It would get very busy after office hours 6 pm to 8 or 9 pm. I had some good fun there.

[@Meyerc-yv2bi]

@@PatrickMarano NYC has not had a real bath house since the 1980's. What they do have are many underground sex clubs in Manhattan and Brooklyn with revolving parties like GBU, Hacienda (a private bi club in a gorgeous 4 story brownstone) and Tool Box, to name a few. There are also two bars where sex is allowed, The Cock and The Eagle, but other bars also have back rooms. And NYC is notorious for the Rambles in Central Park, even in the dead of winter. Tons of guys cruising there every night. NYC simply doesn't have a need for baths with everything else it has going for it.

[@edgardogonzalez1461]

You are right: it’s an awful place. Their attitude stinks

[@thomasalton1220]

$41 in CASH? Ludicrous. That place would be out of business just on that!

[@JimmiAlli]

Hi Patrick, I am not sure if you saw InsideRob’s video recently on the Deutsche Eiche sauna, but it’s really lovely. He does similar videos to you in a way. 😊

[@PatrickMarano]

I did! I reached out to him to chat about doing something together

[@JimmiAlli]

@@PatrickMarano ooh lovely. I look forward to that!

[@mike4space]

I found one in New York City and it’s not the East Side Club. It’s called Vishan’s video lounge it’s in Hell’s Kitchen. It looks like a sex shop on the outside but when you walk in there’s a private section for men upstairs and downstairs.

[@PatrickMarano]

ah yes, we have those here too. It's not a bathhouse though right? It's more like video rooms. You keep your clothes on for the most part and there's no wet areas

[@brklyn345]

THE MONSTER. That's a throwback!

[@smh-smh-smh]

I used to go to Monster literally to read after work and listen to piano tunes. It took me *years* to go downstairs, and it was for drag shows instead!

[@stephen-wahl]

OMG first bar I ever went to in New York and lived around the corner from it. Would go there regularly for the largest free pour of a snifter of Remy Martin imaginable.

[@suninmymouth78]

The Cock in the East Village is open Thursday- Sunday. 😉 I always wondered about East Side Club 😂 Had a hunch it was trash. Btw I’ve been to GI Joes in Montreal.

[@PatrickMarano]

Oh sweet, how did you like it?

[@brinthorne]

I'm still waiting for you to start working your way through all those Montreal bathhouses ;)

[@PatrickMarano]

haha... I'm going at the end of the month

[@brinthorne]

DAMMIT! I missed you. I was just there this past weekend… lol.

[@markhagen1329]

The Monster is the best...THE BEST!

[@edwardcone6860]

Oh, and I looooooooooooooove your "plethora" -- who but YOU would use THAT word for such situations? Cool and literary🤩

[@PatrickMarano]

haha thank you

[@philparisi9175]

41 is pricey but its NY. I'm surprised you aren't recognized! There is nuthin' in Boston like a bathhouse or even a gay bar anymore.

[@PatrickMarano]

oh my

[@valeo6820]

Perfect commentary .

[@PatrickMarano]

Thank you kindly

[@periscope7731]

ESC is in an odd office zone block. Too far away from the action in downtown NYC. Ugly, uncomfortable layout. Only busy at peak times, when other outlets close. The now defunct Wall Street Sauna had a better looking clientele and was always busy during lunchtime. European gay bathhouses are much better, like the ones in Paris, Barcelona and Sitges.

[@brandonmick6564]

Haha visit Club Pittsburgh once, I would love to see your review.

[@PatrickMarano]

I would love to

[@GravelRacer1]

I hope you do a Montreal review

[@PatrickMarano]

I'm going to Montreal next week

[@johnmaxwell8655]

Another theory I have: is The gays are competing to be image/ A-List!!! It is so exponentially expensive to live in NYC (Manhattan ) If you can't be on the DL (no baths) then you are taking a run to Queens where there is a clandestine playspace upstairs. Not open every night, but serves the local population. I went there too, like I did at the East Side club. my sense being in NYC in 2022. If you can't maintain a gentrified/ preppy image on the streets-- to continue forging ahead in life, good luck with getting laid. NYC mayors do not like gay cruising! I remember living in NYC from 1995-1997. they were just starting the trend of outside conventional baths with dial up hook-up lines. It's only continued, and here we are!!!

[@Meyerc-yv2bi]

It's all about money. It's cost prohibitive to open a bath house in NYC and the laws don't allow it. If you have at least 50 million laying around, try it yourself.

[@mikef8846]

Crew Club in DC is far worse than those pictures.

[@eurotop40]

Barcelona is the place to be.

[@MrDEWaters]

Most of the yelp reviews are very unfavorable.

[@bajanboinoho5378]

Was there in the 90’s and it was a total letdown. Absolutely nasty on every level!

[@PatrickMarano]

Welp, things haven't changed lol

[@harlemhomme]

The Monster isn't a classic "strip club" but, yes, has a night.

[@florenciomendoza1212]

Noted. Thank you 🙏😜❤️🇨🇦

[@Kaëlanii]

SIDE NOTE: THE ONE AND ONLY REASON THERE iS ONLY ONE BATH HOUSE -LEFT- in NYC is : LICENSING AND PERMITS. While your reasoning is creative it does fit the brain capacity of an amoeba.

[@PatrickMarano]

An amoeba... LOL

[@bodyloverz30]

Patrick, the worst one I've ever been to was in Tampa. It too, was from the 70's, dark, dirty, & decrepit.

[@Meyerc-yv2bi]

Club Tampa was great! Loved the warehouse vibe neighborhood.

[@georgesanchez1952]

It was bad in the 1970s! It was slways kind of a dump.

[@mikef8846]

United States is so lame.

[@sailingsam3815]

He looks like 😅Ben Affleck's younger cousin.

[@connorjust-connor3560]

Welcome to our world. And if you enter you will have given - eggplants. Is either empty or is empty. The people there is not desirable. The place is boring. Doesn’t have a steam or dry sauna and it has been like that since forever. Even before the Apps boom. And Monster is not even close to what one will find in Montreal. How do I miss Montreal; their wonderful strip clubs and bathhouses. But the plane tickets are so unbelievably high that I don’t go as often as I wish. :(

[@PatrickMarano]

Montreal is a gem

[@cedricksamaniego9146]

Hookup spot because many can't host 😂

[@incoglido]

Funny, because this is the only bathhouse I've ever been to and that was back in the 2000s. Probably haven't gone to any others in part because I figured they were all more or less like this one. Good to know that this actually is a "BAD" one. I know there are lots of sex parties though, and i know there's a kind of poshe spa in Brooklyn that has sexy parties sporadically. I imagine its much better. Its become a new thing for bars in NY to have themed nights like underwear parties, which tend to be more or less "anything goes" spaces. Or any night at the Eagle Bar or The Cock. But traditional bathhouses are definitely not a thing.

[@PatrickMarano]

It's nice to hear that there are spaces for that. If it's in backrooms of bars and clubs so be it!

[@ricktompson9453]

Why aren't there any females on your Patrions list? 😅

[@PatrickMarano]

haha

[@bettermost]

I agree I would have walked also.

[@danielreiss-cy4zr]

Spunky and his Gang.

[@essuu855]

ESC is terrible but Rainbow Playground in Queens is decent though

[@johnmaxwell8655]

Wow Patrick!!! It must have gone down hill rather fast! I was there for my birthday Fall of 2022!!! Yes, the Elevator was a "little WHIFFY!" I got a small room. However, at that point I was able to use my card. I do have to concede though, I wasn't there for Pride weekend! And yes, it was primarily frequented by ethnic men, and those visiting from out of town.... NOT LOCALS!!! But to wax personal being born a male who still outwardly looks like an intact man, but has undergone bottom-surgery with depth, I still ended up feeling safe!!! What you are describing is a horrifying about face!!!

[@MatteBlack2024]

What men aren’t “ethnic?”? What’s the point? Are you meaning to suggest a link between lower quality and men of color?

[@PatrickMarano]

ekk thx for sharing

[@nabaconference]

😮😮😮

[@ericfreshcorn3590]

Hey Fellas From Ohio I,m sorry for thinking this is a Dating site i,m A Sad And Lonely Gay fella i want a top

[@PatrickMarano]

Try Grindr Eric