No More Baths in NYC....Oh, Oh, What to do!

[LookingAround]

Steven, please. I am a doctor and deal with drug addicts. I really don't need you to educate me. But you see "evil" everywhere there is group sex, it seems. I'm merely pointing out to the readership (not to you, as you seem wedded to your belief)--as has another member who has also attended these events--that they are not the drug infested foci scenes that you think they are.

 

Drug abuse can occur anywhere. I have had escorts come over who have been using, and I sent them home. Of course it exists, but your portrayal--and strange fixation that it occurs always in these group sex scenes and is pandemic to them (you asserted the same about Steamworks)--is not the reality I and at least another poster has observed. Sure, it can occur there, just as it can occur at The Eagle in NYC, G lounge, the old Roxy, XL--pick a venue. But just because it can occur at any venue doesn't mean a group scene is dominated by it. Its as if, in your mind, sex behind a closed door isn't plagued by drug abuse but let it be in a 'public' (club) venue, and its got to be drug pandemic orgy. Sure, that may be the case some places, but if we're talking Steamworks or Paddles, that's just not what I have observed or experienced.

 

That's where you have your head in a very strange place.

 

Maybe life in Brussels is different. If so, you should DEFINITELY avoid these venues.

[Steven_Draker]

Your fear is not strange because i know that some posters in this thread live life to the edge.

 

I had some doubts, but thank you for confirming it.

[Phil_musc]

Amazingly, we still have such venues here in the provinces (well I guess that's what the New Yorkers would call those of us who choose to live west of the Hudson) and I have even been known to go to these dens of iniquity from time to time (Gasp, no - not you! Yes, even me;-) ) My experience has been mixed - sometimes there is some kind of "party" going on and other times not. Sometimes there are guys who are advocating/engaging in unprotected sex. It really can happen any where. It's a matter of the chemistry of the evening and the attendees/patrons. It really is up to the individual to determine whether or not he wishes to indulge and take a walk on the wild side. I suspect the same situation exists in Steamworks and other such venues.

[LookingAround]

I had some doubts, but thank you for confirming it.

 

What does this mean? That some posters use drugs or practice unsafe sex? You needed a poster to tell you that?

[Zapped]

There are two bath houses in Indianapolis, The Works and Club Indy. I used to frequent both but got to a point where I no longer found that scene stimulating. So it's been a few years, I think, since I've been. Club Indy, which is downtown, used to have some younger/hot guys about 15/20 years ago, and if they kept demographic data, I'm quite sure the median age has increased a good bit since then. The Works has always been mostly middle-aged and older guys.

 

I think the decline in bath houses and their customer base has to do not only with hookup apps like Grindr, but also a decrease in the number of closeted guys looking for easy relief, and a more relationship-focused sexual culture in many young gay men. Not that aren't a lot of out guys into recreational sex; I just think there is a smaller percentage into anonymous quasi-public sex than 30/40 years ago.

[Steven_Draker]

Just the other day I was contacted by someone who claimed to be a doctor on GayRomeo and who was looking to be barebacked. He explained to me that it's FINE as long they're no fluids exchanged. I saved the conversation for future reference. I said "Thanks, but no thanks". I certainly don't need a "doctor" like this in my life.

 

I agree that there's group sex and group sex.

 

I have nothing against group sex as long it's safe and sane. I have something against dealers pushing drugs at group parties.

 

I have nothing against people who choose to bareback. I have something against people who practice unsafe sex and try to initiate newbies under influence and push them to have unsafe sex.

 

I have something against people who claim something they're not and create profiles just to stalk other members and create trouble.

[LookingAround]

J

I have something against people who claim something they're not and create profiles just to stalk other members and create trouble.

 

Not sure what this is about or to whom you are referring???