Steamworks Baths Chicago

Chicago Steamworks is hands-down the best gay bathhouse in North America—period, 10/10. (For context, Toronto’s SW takes second place, and Montreal’s G.I. Joe takes third). Among all the bathhouses I’ve visited across the continent, its overall quality, spatial design, and atmosphere are truly top-tier. The first floor houses the locker rooms and wet areas, featuring a large pool, steam room, and dry sauna that are exceptionally comfortable to use. The second and third floors are dedicated to private rooms and play areas, with a layout that perfectly balances privacy and social interaction. My personal favorite detail is the decoration at the landing of the staircase between the first and second floors. The staff changes the theme based on the holiday, season, or specific events. I’ve never seen another club put so much heart into its decor; it’s truly impressive. The best times to visit are Friday and Saturday nights, as well as Boyz Night. Sunday evenings tend to be quiet since most people have work on Monday, so it’s not the ideal time if you’re looking for a crowd. SW-Chi offers lockers and a variety of private room sizes to suit your needs. The crowd is incredibly diverse—covering all ages, body types, and ethnicities—and generally, everyone is friendly and respectful. A pro-tip: bring a pair of clean flip-flops and take care of your personal grooming at home beforehand for a more comfortable experience . If you’re a regular, I highly recommend following their social media for updates on special events. Also, be sure to keep their ID and bag policies in mind before you head out.

Please don't support this business. Horrible customer service. Very racist. Very unprofessional.. I had one carry bag with me . I was turned away. I was cold 20 below zero. I was trying to sleep for six hours. All the staff was very unprofessional. Very rude. Very racist. Mean n awful .. please don't support this business. They are racist n very rude n mean. Awful tacky n disgusting attitudes. All the staff treat black people Horrible. I travel from Missouri..they refuse to let me stay. I had one carry on bag. I was order by the chicago police to leave. BLACK GAY DON'T SUPPORT THIS ESTABLISHMENT. THANK YOU.

This was hands down one of the most frustrating experiences I’ve ever had at a gay sauna. After standing in a long line, I finally reached the front desk, where a bald staff member moved painfully slow and acted as if helping customers was a burden. From the start, his attitude was cold, condescending, and unwelcoming. never once has a VERY SMALL BAG this small been an issue. The way he spoke to me and looked at me was rude and dismissive, as if I wasn’t worth his time. Completely unhelpful. In addition, posting the threatening tone about 911 something was not helpful at all It was a total killjoy. Any excitement I had about being there was instantly gone. After reading previous reviews, I realized others had complained about the same kind of treatment, which now makes perfect sense. Overall, I walked away feeling unwelcome and disrespected. Looking back, it may have been for the best . I’m grateful I didn’t have to go through that place anymore.

This sauna is fantastic! It’s very clean, well-maintained, and the facilities are top-notch. The staff are friendly, professional, and always ready to help, which makes the experience even better. I love that it’s open 24 hours, so you can visit anytime that suits your schedule. Whether you’re looking to relax after a long day or just enjoy some quiet time, this sauna is the perfect choice. Highly recommended!

I went to check in around 8:30 pm on October 8th. I'm waiting in line and the guy asked if I'm good to come in. Mind you I visit this place very often and out of all the time I have visited I have never been asked am I good to come in and asked if I have been out drinking and doing other activities. First off I don't drink. Second if I did. He don't need to be asking and simply just turn me away. I put my stuff in my locker and got undressed then I got dressed and checked out 15 minutes later because those comments he made. I have never had a problem with anyone there I spent money just to walk into your establishment just to leave. How disappointing is that. When I'm visiting from Texas doing work in Chicago. How would you or him feel if I asked of have you been drinking or saying are you sure you're good to come into this establishment.

I've been coming here for years and recently stopped in on and had one of the best customer service experiences I've ever had. The staff member was Mark and he must be newer because I haven't seen him but 2 or 3 times. He was very friendly and professional at check in. When I usually go to checkout I'm usually just given my stuff or yelled at to give them my name, but luckily Mark was there to check me out on my last visit and he greeted me and asked if I enjoyed my time! I hope to see him more! Def a keeper there and one of the most polite I've experienced. Thank you!

This place is honestly ableist. They wouldn’t even let me in because of my stutter like, they really thought I was drunk just because my words weren’t coming out perfectly. I kept trying to explain myself, and the more I tried to talk, the worse my stutter got, and the more they looked at me like I was lying. It was embarrassing and frustrating because they weren’t listening to what I was actually saying, just judging how I said it. I’ve dealt with people misunderstanding my stutter before, but this was different. It felt like they made up their mind the second I opened my mouth. Instead of treating me like a person, they treated me like a problem. That’s the part that really gets to me they acted like my disability was something suspicious instead of something real. Honestly, it just shows how quick people are to assume the worst without even giving you a chance. It shouldn’t be this hard to exist in public when you don’t speak perfectly. I’m not drunk I just stutter. And I shouldn’t have to defend that to anyone. I won’t be going here ever again!