Montreal gay bathhouse

There’s a spatial organization according to different activities. My partner and I made some great friends there, and that’s true for a lot of people.”

Tristan and his partner—let’s call him Iseut—didn’t have much trouble attracting attention. 

“You can change here, but no sex. I’m not sure,” Tristan says, sounding like a spy on a secret mission.

“When we got upstairs, we passed rooms with chairs arranged in a U-shape, with an old screen playing porn in the background—it was almost tempting.

Maybe it’s just for showing off? The carpet has these psychedelic green patterns that must be from the 1970s. Sauna Centre-Ville is the other popular gay sauna, located in the heart of the gay village in Montreal. Facilities include a spa, dry sauna, steam room, showers, glory holes, equipped play areas, and rooftop terrace for all the birthday suit fun!

People don’t always go there to hook up, but if the opportunity arises, it’ll happen,” explains a regular we’ll call D*. Sounds simple enough.

“It’s really a space to be free, even though the atmosphere inside is somewhat regulated. Conversations happen naturally between people who, at first glance, have nothing in common,” says D*, adding that university professors are also a notable presence at 3963 Coloniale Avenue.

“In the sauna, social barriers fade, and nudity plays a big part in that.

“It’s super ugly inside—hideous, even. It's been refurbished - obviously! There are 60 rooms over 2 levels so you'll definitely meet someone you like here.

The bar boasts beefy bartenders, but they're not the only ones that frequent this sauna. But we do know the same Jewish family has been running the place for 100 years,” says D*, who worries about the bathhouse’s future.

“A lot of Montreal institutions are disappearing,” he adds.

“Some guys got a bit excited and started following us, but we just locked ourselves in our room. Among other things, it reveals that Bain Colonial is one of the oldest Turkish baths still operating in North America.

“Initially frequented by a Jewish clientele, this century-old establishment gradually became central to Montreal’s homosexual history, all while preserving part of its original identity.

No one really knows them. It can help ease the Sunday night blues, or even seasonal depression.”

But who’s bathing there?

In the well-lit areas of Bain Colonial, the crowd is largely Russophone, Orthodox Jewish, or Arab.

“There’s a certain restraint in those spaces,” confides D*, recalling a time when there were minor altercations between Russians and gay patrons.

“But the bathhouse quickly responded by putting up signs near the benches to remind everyone that the space is shared and appropriate behaviour is expected.

“But really, it means you can go there for more than just sex!”

“But you shouldn’t go to Bain Colonial expecting sex, because you might end up disappointed! It definitely has that ‘social club’ vibe, where people are naked, talking, and often meet up again later,” says D*, who used to visit once or twice a week when he lived in Montreal. 

“In winter, the bath is wonderful.

“We didn’t even dip a toe in—it wasn’t inviting at all. They didn’t say a word, but they were definitely watching us,” Tristan and Iseult recount.

Well-lit areas aren’t as conducive to sex, but they’re great for chilling or chatting.