Opened in 1972, Midtowne Spa wasn’t just a bathhouse—it was a cornerstone of queer life in Los Angeles for over five decades. Tucked away on Kohler Street in downtown LA, it offered more than saunas and steam rooms. It was a space where gay and bisexual men could exist freely, find connection, and experience community at a time when few other places offered that kind of sanctuary.
Inside, the spa featured a heated pool, sauna, whirlpool, sun deck, private rooms, and lounge areas. But what made Midtowne truly special wasn’t the amenities—it was the atmosphere. It balanced erotic freedom with a strong sense of care and community. Regulars came not just to unwind, but to socialize, support one another, and often to receive critical health services like HIV and STD testing, offered discreetly and without judgment.
Midtowne was one of the last of its kind, part of a lineage of gay bathhouses that flourished in the 1970s and beyond. It survived the AIDS crisis, waves of gentrification, and shifting attitudes around sexuality, always adapting while maintaining its core identity. When it closed in December 2022, it marked the end of an era—not just for LA, but for queer spaces everywhere.
