Midtowne Spa Los Angeles (Los Angeles Gay Bathhouse/1972-2022)

$29.75 USD

~~$25.00 USD~~ $29.75 USD

Sale Sold out

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.

Midtowne wasn’t just a place to hook up. It was a space of freedom, healing, and human connection. For generations of men, it was where they could simply exist, unfiltered and unafraid. And while the building may be gone, the spirit of Midtowne lives on in the stories, friendships, and quiet revolutions it made possible.

I use Bella + Canvas 3001 Unisex tees for all of my designs. They are a soft and light cotton. If you love another brand, please let me know and I can see if I can source it. I can also do my designs on tanks, long sleeve tees, sweatshirts, hoodies and posters. Just reach out with any custom requests and I'll gladly help you out. I do like large prints, but if you want the design scaled down, please contact me before placing an order and I can send you some mock ups.

Bella + Canvas 3001 UNISEX JERSEY SHORT SLEEVE TEE

Sizes:

Small: 18" chest/28" body length

Medium: 20" chest/29" body length

Large: 22" chest/30" body length

XL: 24" chest/31" body length

2XL: 26" chest/32" body length

3XL: 28" chest/33" body length.

Standard colors: 100% Airlume combed and ringspun cotton Fabric blends: Ash and Heather Prism colors - 99% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton, 1% polyester;

Heather colors - 52% cotton, 48% polyester;