Steam Over the Liffey: Dublin's Gay Saunas Amid the Pride Roar

You step off the Luas at Jervis, the faint drizzle slicking the pavements, and Dublin unfolds with that familiar mix—Guinness haze drifting from Temple Bar doorways, the Spire glinting like it's in on the joke. For queer travelers dodging the jet lag, the city's got this understated pull: rainbow flags peeking from Georgian windows in the Southside, folks queuing for coffee with easy nods. The saunas? They're these tucked-in spots off the main drag, where the heat cuts through the chill after a day weaving past buskers or nursing a flat white in the Village. Not a dense pack like Berlin's, more a couple of holdouts that hum when festivals crank up, steam rooms filling with parade stragglers trading laughs about a float that snagged on the Ha'penny Bridge. I've ducked in during June's frenzy, towel loose around my waist, catching snippets of accents from Cork to Canada, everyone riding that post-march glow.

The Boilerhouse hits first, down Crane Lane in the thick of Temple Bar, that five-floor sprawl that's been the anchor since '97—replacing some old spot called The Gym, now packing dry sauna that bites steady, steam room fogging your edges with eucalyptus kick. Jacuzzi bubbles lazy on the upper level, sling room tucked away for the bolder moods, private cabins lining the quieter halls, and a lounge with a bar slinging cans that go down cold after hours on your feet. Rooftop solarium catches the rare sun, dark maze twisting just enough to surprise, entry around 20 euros keeping it open to all. Last June, during Dublin Pride's 2024 50th bash, it was a spillover from the Merrion Square village—guys in half-shed rainbow tees piling in post-parade, glitter flaking into the whirlpool as they unpacked the Mother Block Party's drag hosts owning the Collins Barracks stage. I remember leaning against the tiled wall in the steam, a fella from Galway next to me chuckling about the dykes on bikes revving past O'Connell Street, his laugh clipping short when the heat hit full. It's mixed—twinks eyeing bears over the TV porn loop, but weekends peak with that unhurried crowd, locals mixing with tourists fresh off the DART. Themed nights like leather Sundays pull a rougher edge, but Pride week? Doors stay flung till dawn, the bar's beats echoing from nearby Pulse.

A short stagger over to Capel Street brings Gym Plus, the hybrid spot that's half sweat, half unwind—sauna pumping dry heat that leaves you glowing, steam room clinging wet and warm, jacuzzi jets pounding out the ache from Phoenix Park's Pride Run. Gym area's got weights clanking like a pulse, showers spotless, lounge for those post-pump chats with a protein shake in hand. It's open early, till late on weekends, entry 18 euros with trainer sessions if you're building for the beach. In October 2024, it caught the Iris Prize Festival's tail—folks filtering over from the Sherman Theatre's queer shorts, bodies loose from panels on trans Irish lives, the infrared glow matching the screen's raw pull. Slipped in there once midweek, still buzzing from a drag brunch at The George, and the steam turned easy—strangers swapping nods over the eucalyptus fog, the faint hum of the city filtering down like distant cheers. It skews fitter, thirties and up mostly, but chill; staff point out the free weights without a sales pitch, and discount Tuesdays draw out-of-towners testing the waters.

Then there's The Dock, up on Upper Leeson Street in Ballsbridge, that upscale lean with a steam room that wraps you soft, dry sauna for the straightforward flush, private cabins off the lounge where the bar slings craft pours. Darkroom's dim but welcoming, jacuzzi big enough for a loose circle, entry 15 euros making it a steal for the polish. During the 2025 Queer Spectrum Film Fest at the IFI, it became a hushed pivot—viewers mulling immigrant queer tales from the shorts, the haze loosening debates over iced gins. Hit it after a quiet night at Street 66's pop sets, and it felt like slipping into a neighbor's flat—easy talk in the warmth, the canal's glint visible through the frosted glass.

These saunas weave into Dublin's queer calendar like threads in a Aran sweater, especially when Pride month floods the streets. The Dublin Pride Festival sprawled June 20-28 in 2025, marking a decade since the marriage vote with that "Taking Liberties" vibe—kicking off with SHINE at the Bord Gáis, RTE orchestra swelling through Gaga tributes and reflections on the '74 march. Workshops dotted the days: art jams at Outhouse unpacking two-spirit nods, coffee houses where voices cracked on rural coming-outs, the Trans March rolling Broadway at noon on the 27th. Parade hit O'Connell Street Saturday the 28th, thousands snaking the quays to Merrion Square—floats blasting Eurovision remixes, dykes on bikes leading the roar past gawkers, ending in a crush of hugs and signs for global solidarity. Pride Village sprawled the lawns with bara brith stalls next to zine hawkers, stages thumping: Niamh Kavanagh belting anthems, kids' zones run by pint-sized drag like Olivia Limehart Sky. The Mother Block Party capped it at Collins Barracks, DJs spinning till 11 with neon paint and body shots, energy spilling wild.

October's Iris Prize keeps the fire, that 2024 edition unspooling 57 films at the Vue—Q&As turning personal on valley trans stories, after-parties at The George bleeding into Gym Plus's lounge. Glitter Cymru's monthly pop-ups weave exhibitions of queer BIPOC art, hangs at The Dock turning foggy with Rahim El Habachi's dance vibes lingering. Even the Profile Circuit Fest in May 2025 pulled international DJs to Soho, house till dawn funneling sweat to Boilerhouse's maze.

Nightlife stitches it seamless, the Village the loose vein—Pulse for Friday house that leaves you hoarse, The George spilling cabaret crowds to saunas, Street 66's guest sets pivoting to Dock's bar for the comedown. Dragon's upstairs drag brunches start bubbly, leading to Capel Street for the reveal. For visitors, sync with Pride—book Boilerhouse early for parade lines, or dip Gym Plus midweek for the hush. One drizzly June night in '24, post-village at The Dock, I shared the jacuzzi with a crew from Limerick, dissecting the SHINE orchestra's swells over splashes—the water hot, chat tumbling loose, Dublin's spires feeling a bit less sharp. These saunas don't dazzle; they hold the warmth, folding into the bashes like mist off the Liffey, leaving you damp and hooked.

Here are some popular gay saunas in Dublin that you might want to check out;

1. The Boilerhouse; Located at 12 Crane Lane, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 D02 VX65, Ireland. You can reach them at +353 1 677 3130. Visit their website at http;//www.boilerhouse.ie/. The Boilerhouse is a known spot in Dublins lively Temple Bar area offering amenities like a steam room, sauna, private rooms, darkrooms and a cozy lounge area. Its known for its welcoming atmosphere. Themed nights catering to various interests.

2. The Dock Sauna; Found at 117 119 Upper Leeson St, Dublin 4 D04 VX65, Ireland. Contact them at +353 1 668 8017. Check their website http;//www.thedock.ie/. Situated centrally near tourist spots in the city center The Dock Sauna boasts facilities such, as a steam room, sauna, private cabins, darkrooms and a lounge area. Its praised for its staff and inclusive environment that attracts both locals and visitors.

	The Boilerhouse	The Dock Sauna	Gym Plus
Location	Phibsborough	Christchurch	Capel Street
Facilities	Sauna, Steam room, Jacuzzi, Dark rooms	Sauna, Steam room, Jacuzzi, Dark rooms	Sauna, Steam room, Jacuzzi, Gym
Google Rating	4.6/5	4.4/5	4.2/5
Facebook Rating	4.5/5	4.3/5	4.1/5
Gayout Rating	8.5/10	8.2/10	7.8/10
Price Range (per visit)	€20 - €35	€15 - €30	€18 - €30
Special Features	Themed events, private cabins	Themed events, dark rooms	Gym facilities, personal training
Hours of Operation	Mon-Sun: 24 hours	Mon-Sun: 24 hours	Mon-Fri: 6am-10pm, Sat: 8am-8pm, Sun: 10am-8pm
Address	12 Crane Lane, Phibsborough, Dublin	5 Essex Street East, Christchurch, Dublin	86 Capel Street, Dublin 1, Dublin
Contact Number	+353 1 830 8215	+353 1 671 4625	+353 1 872 8858
Reviews Summary	"Great atmosphere, friendly staff."	"Relaxing environment, good music."	"Nice sauna with a welcoming atmosphere."

Last Updated: 17 November 2025

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