In this guide · 7 sections
Gay Saunas in Oslo
Here's the honest answer: Oslo does not currently have a dedicated gay sauna. The city's last gay bathhouse, Saunahuset Hercules, closed at the end of 2022 after decades in operation, and nothing has replaced it. If you've seen "Club Hercules" still listed on some directories, that information is out of date.
What This Means for Visitors
Unlike Berlin, Cologne or Amsterdam, Oslo's gay scene is built around bars rather than saunas. That reflects both the city's small size and a wider Nordic shift away from bathhouse culture. Don't be misled by the many photogenic floating saunas along the Oslofjord - places like KOK, SALT and Oslo Badstuforening are mainstream, mixed-gender wellness saunas, not gay venues. They're a lovely, very Norwegian experience (sweat, then plunge into the cold fjord), but they are not cruising spaces.
The Closest Alternatives
SLM Oslo (Scandinavian Leather Men)
The nearest thing to a men-only sex-on-site venue is Scandinavian Leather Men (SLM), the city's leather and fetish members' club in the centre. It has a bar, a darkroom and cruising areas, and hosts regular fetish nights. It is a club rather than a sauna, with dress codes and set opening hours - check ahead.
Queer Sauna Sessions
Since 2023, occasional LGBTQ+ "Queer Sauna Sessions" pop-up events have been hosted at mainstream Oslo saunas, giving queer guests a night of their own. These are one-off events rather than a permanent venue - follow the organisers on social media for dates.
Outdoor Cruising
In the warmer months, some of Oslo's outdoor spaces have a long (if now much quieter) history as gay cruising areas, including Stensparken - home to the heritage-listed 1937 "Love Carousel" urinal - Frognerparken and the Svartkulp forest lake near Sognsvann. Activity has declined sharply in the app era; be discreet and respectful of others using these public spaces.
Practical Tips
If sauna culture is what you're after, book a session at one of the fjord saunas for the scenery and the cold plunge, then head to the bars around C.J. Hambros plass in the evening for the gay scene. Oslo is extremely safe and welcoming, so you'll have no trouble meeting people even without a bathhouse.