Steamworks Baths Chicago

The facilities by far are the nicest of any bathhouse I’ve been to. 3 levels, 3 different darkrooms, a huge steam room and the most wonderful hot tub filled with nooks and hideaways. We visited over 2 days on Friday and Saturday night. Friday night the line was down the sidewalk, Sat maybe half the length but much slower. I do wish there was a more discreet entrance. Instead we had to stand on the sidewalk and listen to the occasional snide comment from passersby. Highly recommend getting a larger room if it’s available. The bed in a standard is too cramped, especially if you’re with a partner. Not the cleaning crew’s fault as I saw them constantly working, but some of the guys here need to learn better hygiene. The bathroom stalls and toilets were usually covered in unsanitary water, and my time in the hot tub was ruined on the second night when someone crapped in it. Housekeeping was on top of it when I informed them. Get it together guys! My biggest recommendation would be to give some special entrance for VIP members. It’s got to be awkward shoving your way past all the guys in the standard line and having to explain why you are cutting. I look forward to becoming a member when I move to Chicago soon!

Went for a quick night here for the first time was rejected at the door because of my bag. What made it bad was I had just spent over 5 hours on a train to go to steamworks for the first time. Had to leave and wait outside of union station for 4 to get back on the train to head home. The question is this place even worth making the trip again? So $180.00, 14 hours of my life wasted. I also see that they have nothing to say about negative reviews. Maybe they can say something, like sorry about your experience, anything would be good, but I am sure they are a bunch of witches that work there.

Been here a couple times and never had a problem. Im not sure what people expect when drug users make things tough for businesses like these. Leave your shit at home or your hotel, come in, pay, be patient and say hi - works every time. Staff have always been decent and check in relatively quick. I cant imagine all the shit they have to put up with from entitled, drunk/high men in the middle of the night. Ive never had a problem and always got off at least twice. The vending machines need to take cards because getting poppers inside is unreliable. Otherwise, glad these relics of the past are still around to enjoy.

For what it is, this place is amazing. It is a gay bathhouse, so this review assumes you have been to more than one of these types of facilities and understand what is required for these to exist in the modern era... The facility is huge; the wet area is expansive, including the craziest steam room and hot tub you will ever see, as well as a giant open shower with great views; there are also "group showers" on each floor and a dry sauna up near the gym. Much of the facility is various sized "private" rooms, but you can plan to just get a locker and still have a great time. Either way you get a key to lock your stuff up while you cruise around in a towel (or whatever you want), and you can leave valuables in a lockbox when you check in. You can swap your towel for another near the front desk at any time. There are many common areas you can hang out in, and the entire facility is clothing optional (except the gym, shoes and bottoms required). The only serious rule seems to be don't be an asshole/don't press anyone; there's lots of "implied consent" in situations like this, but you can plan to see some fun shows and do some fun stuff no matter who you are or what you look like. We went on a Tuesday and a Thursday around a holiday, and the crowd was great both nights. It gets bigger the later it gets, more so on weekends, and from what we have heard it is insane during events, so plan accordingly. The building is unassuming and our check-in took like two minutes, but I imagine it is a process on a busy night. Went with my partner and we had a glorious time. There is a certain tinge of disappointment when you realize a lot of the crowd is sort of endlessly moving in circles waiting for their prince charming (who shares their seven obscure kinks), but if you let go of pretenses about who you "should" be interacting with in a place like this, you end up having a great time. Lots of folks are exhibitionists here, and many folks are willing to participate in anything with no exceptions. That being said, if you come here with your mind set on some specific thing, you're probably going to have a crappy time. THEY HAVE VERY CLEAR POLICIES ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT BRING ON THEIR SITE. Stop with your messy moaning that they didn't let you bring your chest of drawers, or asked you to reveal what was hiding under your six coats as you check in, they're doing it for everyone's safety. When we visited, we literally brought flipflops, our ID, our phone, and cash. There are free condoms everywhere, and vending machines with (overpriced) stuff you might need. Their costs are also clearly posted, and their capacity is limited... If you're going to be put out by spending $40-50 on an "adult night out" this place isn't for you. If you're going to have qualms about grown men acting like heathens in a place like this, again, not for you. If you're going to complain about an underpaid staff, trying their best with a bunch of adult man pigs going at it - at a place like this - then again, not for you. The staff were great and they had guys on every floor hustling to keep things clean. That being said, the facility is NOT accessible in any modern way, and it's often quite gross in some areas and "unsafe" in many parts (poor lighting, random floor elevation changes, unmopped greasy puddles, sloppy bottoms shitting in the hot tub, etc.) Like all fun things in life, you have to be careful and watch your own ass. The other guests are absolutely the worst part, but that's also why you are there.

I came here a few times and always had to deal with some kind of inconvenience. There’s rarely more than one person checking people in, so you’re standing in line forever when there’s only two or three people checking in. I sometimes come hoping to use the gym, but half the time, it’s closed for some random reason. Third floor has some cool spots, but it’s also closed half the time. Even after calling and asking them about accessibility, they assure me those areas would be open, only to find out they’re not once I’m inside. One more issue; this isn’t necessarily their fault, but they need to be on top of things like cleanliness. The steam room always stinks and I’m always watching my step when I get into the showers because, guess what, you might step on something. I will now only come here occasionally when I used to go in every other weekend.