Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
`illin: The Gothamist Health Buzz
By
Kapil Desai
Published Sep 12, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Kapil Desai
Published Sep 12, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Love Shacks
Who says that love doesn’t came easy? Reuters reports that for a mere $21, you can still rent a small room at one of New York’s remaining gay bathhouses for a little anonymous romance. For gay men who find the internet dating scene just too impersonal, these establishments provide a safe place to meet the like-minded, skip the chit-chat, and get right down to business in safe surroundings. The houses are actually inspected by City officials but, because selling sex remains illegal in these parts, they’re not quite allowed to peruse the rented rooms. The two described bathhouses, the West Side Club and the East Side Club, are nondescript buildings hidden amongst busy business areas where patrons can come and go in peace. Reuters describes the houses as “[smelling] of chlorine” with “loud techno [bouncing] off the ceiling.” While the number of houses dwindled as part of a city effort to stem the spread of AIDS in the mid 80s, a few have remained in operation - obviously many more than we know about. Volunteers for Gay Men’s Health Crisis visit the clubs twice a month to hand out condoms and safe-sex brochures.
For some reason this reminds us of the Times piece about how women don’t like being hit on at the gym. We know, we know: we’re as shocked as you are.
+ As we’ve known all along, doctors don’t want kids to have fun on really cool ATVs.
+ Newsflash: Cheeseburgers more fattening than fish and kimchi. Plus vegetables still good for you.
+ College freshmen, listen up: Your dormitory shower is a breeding ground for foot fungus and drunken sex. Check out these tips on keeping your feet clean. The drunken sex you can figure out on your own.
Tagged
aids
As
city
club
clubs
college
dating
east side
fashion
fun
gay
gay men
health
Health Crisis
internet
kids
love
new york
sex
the like
west side
Kapil Desai
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 17, 2026 at 1:16 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 17, 2026 at 2:04 p.m. ET
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .