Chicago has a solid gay sauna scene that has remained stable over the years. The venues are established, have regular clientele, and are concentrated in and around the Boystown area. This is not a city where you will struggle to find what you are looking for.

What to expect

The standard format applies: you pay entry at the front desk and get a towel and either a locker or a private cabin. Lockers are cheaper and give you access to all communal areas. A cabin gives you a private room with a basic bed and a lock on the door. Most venues have steam room, dry sauna, showers, communal areas, and some form of darker or more private space.

Entry runs roughly $20-35 for a locker and $35-50 for a cabin depending on the venue and time of visit. Weekday afternoons draw a regular crowd. Weekend evenings are busier. No time limit on sessions at most venues.

Boystown area

The saunas operating in Chicago are concentrated near Boystown rather than scattered across the city. This means you can fit a sauna visit into an evening that also includes Halsted's bars, or visit in the afternoon before the bars get going. The proximity to the main gay strip makes logistics simple.

The saunas

    • Man's Country — Midwest's largest steam room The Man's Country has a JO video room, dance floor, juice bar, and TV lounge. Regularly features male film stars, and live nude strippers on stage every Friday & Saturday.
    • Steamworks — Best bathhouse in Chicago Where else can you go 24 hours a day, seven days a week and walk around with nothing more than a towel? Get into the huge hot tub, take a steam, watch porn, jump into a sling or get lost in the maze.
    • Steamworks Baths Chicago — STEAMWORKS Chicago is a private men's gym, sauna, bathhouse for men 18 years and older... you know, men looking for other men!

Practical notes

Bring a valid ID. Towels and basic amenities are included in the entry fee. Condoms are available at most venues. Leave phones in the locker if the venue has a no-phone policy in communal areas, which some do. Staff at the front desk can answer questions about the facilities and any current events or themed nights.

For the full Chicago picture: Gay Chicago Guide.