Since the gays are so very fond of sex it is no surprise that nearly every major city has a bathhouse that seriously rakes in cash. The concept of the bathhouse is by no means new—public baths have existed for most of human history. However, as with most things eventually conquered by the gays, they were gentrified. As indoor plumbing appeared increasingly often in urban areas, the need for public baths drastically declined. Soon there were large, essentially abandoned buildings which required men to get naked in groups. Then poof! The bathhouse was born.
Basing modern businesses on nineteenth century needs is certainly curious, but their staying power indicates the amount to be made by them. For example, look to Peter Karlovich and Stephen Herforth. They own a bathhouse and act as fundraising party kings in Pittsburgh. They throw monster bashes on a regular basis with past guests including the mayor of Pittsburgh, Howard Dean, and loads of gays.
If being a political kingmaker in your city is not part of your master plan, consider becoming an entertainer. Although it’s not nearly as common as it once was, some seriously important singers got their start at the baths. Hell, that’s how Bette “Bathouse Betty” Midler got her start and her middle name. Indeed, Barry Manilow got his start then too, accompanying her on the piano. Miss M certainly was divine.
If you’re sitting in a towel waiting the fifteen or twenty minutes until you cruise for another round of play, think about how many other people are there and how much they paid to get in. Add the extra cash for water bottles and more unseemly accessories and the dollar signs will start backflipping in your brain.
