bFlay

Fading Star with Ridiculous Rules...

I've been to bath houses all over the eastern U.S. This one is a moderate size and has a great indoor pool (thus can be used regardless of weather). Hot tub is somewhat small, but hot and functional as is the steam room. Wet area was fairly clean...all good points I found. HOWEVER. .. The no-nudity rules in common, "public" areas is absolutely absurd! They only permit nudity in the wet area and on the sun deck. You must wear something in the club hallways, locker area, etc. So...you check in, remove your clothes and wrap a towel around your waist to walk to sun deck. Take off the towel and get some sun. Put the towel on to walk back inside and go down to the pool. Take off the towel to swim, steam, hot tub. Put it back on to leave wet area. Ridiculous! Why? The crowd is mixed ages and types...a fair mix of guys on a weekday afternoon, which was surprising and nice. Rooms are very minimalist, but whole place is fairly clean and comfortable. Obviously an older building and facilities, several closed areas, raggedy carpets, chipped paint, poor lighting, etc. This can be interpreted as character though. For the cost (inexpensive compared to other places), this place is o.k. Annoying rules though and no place to just sit nude and relax or socialize except the sun deck...that's that ought when it's raining and the indoor pool draws you in, but then is the only place to be nude! I wouldn't do much to renovate the place, it's kitschy and pleasingly old-school (just continue to keep it clean), but everyone can see naked bodies in certain areas, why require cover-up in other areas?

Ain't what it used to be!

This bar is kinda crummy, boring, very much a desperation and depression joint. Used to be Liberty Avenue Saloon with a lively neighborhood vibe and clientele. Now it's just sad. Staff are disaffected. Drinks are overpriced. Just a "blah" place all around these days.