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The Boilerhouse

Google (185) 3.5
Tripadvisor (138) 4.1
What reviewers say

Visitors praise The Boilerhouse for its wonderful selection of homemade cakes, pastries, and fresh sandwiches, with many noting the friendly service. However, some reviewers found the food disappointing, with one mentioning a greasy carpet and another complaining about unhappy staff and below-average food.

76
/ 100
GayOut Score
G3.5 🦉4.1
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Address
12 Crane Ln, Temple Bar, Dublin, D02 DR72, Ireland
📞
Phone
(01) 677 3130
🌐
Website
www.the-boilerhouse.com
🟢
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About this place The Boilerhouse

The Boilerhouse on Crane Lane is the last gay sauna standing in the Republic of Ireland, and it wears the title comfortably. It opened in 1997 in a converted boiler works a minute from Temple Bar, taking over from The Gym, the sauna that had served Dublin since 1979, and it has been the after-dark engine room of the city's scene ever since. Inside it is bigger than the narrow laneway entrance suggests: five floors holding a dry sauna, steam rooms, a jacuzzi, dark areas, private cabins and a cafe bar where the pace slows down between rounds. The crowd is genuinely mixed - twinks fresh out of The George, bears, older regulars, and a heavy tourist rotation on weekends, since every gay guide to Dublin points here. Timing matters. Weekdays run from midday until the small hours, but the house special is the weekend marathon: from Friday noon the doors do not close again until Monday at 3am, which makes it the natural landing strip when the bars empty at half past midnight - Dublin closes early, the Boilerhouse does not. It is men-only and strictly 18+, towels and lockers included in entry. Crane Lane itself is a cobbled alley off Dame Street, so you are two minutes on foot from The George, Street 66 and the Temple Bar spillover - do the bars first, then follow the crowd.

Features

Gay Food served Safe space Walk-ins welcome

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Community Reviews

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Google Reviews

Verified by Google
3.5
185 reviews

Based on 185 Google reviews.

Michael Duffy
Michael Duffy Jun 2026

Very nice time lol the boilerhouse

FogHorn LegHorn
FogHorn LegHorn Jun 2026
Diego López
Diego López May 2026

This is definitely the worst sauna I’ve ever visited in my life. Actually it’s a very good reflection of Dublin itself: it’s old, boring, small, not well maintained, smelly, pricey, and of course not worthy. The jacuzzi is not working and there’s no sign of it. You just discover it when you’re there. The locker rooms are tiny as well as the private cubicles. I was very surprised that the steamed room wasn’t even warm. Nowhere is warm of course. Apparently energy is so expensive in this city that nothing works properly. I can’t even understand how can you pay 25 euros for this. The walls have signs of not having been painted in a long time. And no one cleaned any area while I was there. It’s disgusting. The distribution of the whole place is weird. You need to walk up the stairs up and down. And no one was having fun at all. Ok, I understand I was there on a Thursday afternoon until 8pm but it was empty and the crowd… I won’t say anything about it. Everyone knows what it’s like. Again, not worthy. The staff is not rude but they’re not nice at all. Or even friendly. Again, I’m not surprised . Dublin being Dublin. I don’t think I’ll come back here ever again. And trust me, if you’re curious about it like “oh I need to check this out” like I was. Save yourself time and money, and just don’t. This place should be closed. (Oh and the music was so annoying, who chose the playlist?) Horrid place. PLEASE AVOID AT ALL COST

Igor Windsor
Igor Windsor May 2026

Nice place , despite most of the public is third age , the facilities are cool, there's a brand new hot poll, lot's of cabins , STAFF is nice specially the two Peters they are amazing,,, it's a place to chill a lot, I just recommend them to give discounts for young people to attract them like other cruising spots across Europe

Seweryn Mosz
Seweryn Mosz May 2026

A very interesting place for a weekend evening. It's best to go on a Saturday around 7:00 PM or on a Sunday around 6:00 PM. Friendly service from the entrance. The place is clean and spacious. Four floors connected by stairs. The price is quite high at €25. I recommend it!

Murray
Murray Apr 2026

Came back here recently for the first time since the works were completed, and have to say management have done a great job. Sadly, for me, this is ruined by the behaviour of Filip, which is as bad as ever. He seems to think he's paid to hookup with barely legal boys rather than do his job, and goes out of his way to be actively rude to every customer he's not attracted to. I've been to a lot of saunas around Europe and never come across a member of staff like him anywhere. It's unprofessional and changes the vibe of this establishment. I used to be a very regular customer of the Boilerhouse, but honestly predicting whether he is on duty or not is more trouble than it's worth, so I will just avoid from now on.

Blackwolf 28
Blackwolf 28 Apr 2026

Went to the BH yesterday - and its all better off now. 2 years, and, 1/2 mil - worth it all, the wait & every cent, for the new jacuzzi, big and deep enough to actually cover a few breaststroke lengths. Great, soothing atmosphere too. At the time i went, it was quiet, but i was looking for it. Weekends will surely get wild. Given the time, still got a little lucky too, so thats a bonus there. Guys, seems like the boilerhouse is making a comeback, the sauna and jacuzzi itself is worth the trip..finally. i hope to visit there again sometime soon, and next time, I might try on a weekend. In short, boilerhouse...definitely recommend, and worth the visit.

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Last updated on 31 July 2026

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