Steamworks 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.

This bathhouse exceeded my expectations. I was honestly hesitant about going in at first since it was my first time at a large bathhouse, but I’m really glad I did. It has everything in one place, jacuzzi, sauna, and a steam room that was hot and relaxing. There are also multiple areas, including private spaces and open areas, so you can choose whatever kind of experience you want. Some people prefer to socialize, while others just relax on the sidelines, so it really depends on you. The facilities were great overall, clean, well-maintained, and with useful amenities like a mouthwash station and a good gym. At first, I wasn’t sure about the staff, but they were completely professional and welcoming. There was one staff member (night shift, around 2:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27th) who was especially kind and friendly, even though I never got his name. If you’re reading this, thank you you really made the experience better. One thing I appreciated was how clean everything was. I even thought I might need to keep shoes on the whole time, but that wasn’t necessary at all. Overall, it was a great experience and I would definitely come back next time.

This venue was awefull. In the past it was good but as of 2026 it has seriously deteriorated in service and cleanliness. Here for IML and there was basically no one there the entire weekend. Definitely not worth the buying the VIP pass. No lines. Barely the the attendance of an average weekend during IML. Don't waste your money. Staff if is mice but management horrible.

I've been to some of the greatest bathhouses around the world, and I can safely say this is one of the best. If I could I'd be there once a week and love it! The sauna is amazing! The facilities are clean and top notch. The staff is friendly and ready to help.

I’m 26 feel a little like a Karen right now butThe staff’s attitudes are such a vibe kill sometimes. They act annoyed at the very fact you are coming to be a customer and others have shared similar experiences with me. Today the steam room and hotub was closed when I came in and I asked to upgrade to a room as there’s no place to relax if u just have a locker and half the facility is down. He said “is this your first time” in a condescending way that implied I should know when the steam room gets cleaned. Just ask if it’s closed when u check in if it’s during the day even on a weekend and don’t let the staffs terrible attitudes get u down and you’ll have a good time Maybe they could let people know when checking into STEAM works that the STEAM room is closed haha seems kinda like a scam to only let people know after they’ve paid