Steamworks celebrates 50 years

By Tom Olah

Steamworks Baths is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026. Steamworks was born when

Rick Stokes and David Clayton, part owners of the Rich Street Baths in San Francisco since 1965, sold their interest there, and with some investors bought Berkeley’s Mayan Baths and after a remodel opened the first “The Steam Works Baths” in 1976. Eventually changing to simply Steamworks Baths, they expanded to locations in Sacramento, Fresno, Honolulu, San Juan Puerto Rico, Chicago, Toronto, Seattle and Vancouver. The chain continues in its original location in Berkeley, Chicago and Vancouver, with affiliated locations in Seattle and Toronto. Over their 50-year history, one of the achievements that Steamworks is proudest of is its leadership in being an active participant in the sexual health and wellness of their customers. Their mission is to provide a social and safe space for MSM, trans, queer and questioning people to explore their sexuality and identity. Their vision is to foster a community of body and sex positivity through education, holistic prevention programming as well as

wellness initiatives. Founder Rick Stokes often told a story about a customer experience

he had that changed what he believed the bathhouse industry was into what Steamworks believes is

our responsibility. Almost 30 years ago, a member once came to him troubled and frustrated at trying to

get treatment for an STI from his doctors at Kaiser hospital in California. He says the customer

told him the providers treated him badly when he was honest about having gay sex. Stokes realized how

important it would be for Steamworks to be a resource for its members when it came to their sexual health and wellness. He developed partnerships with the Berkeley Free Clinic and their Gay

Men’s Health Collective to provide a judgement free, safe, in-club space for members to receive harm

reduction information, be tested and get treatment for STIs. He further directed his team to collaborate with university health and wellness initiatives and research studies to determine the best kind of

prevention and advocacy programs that could happen inside all Steamworks locations. That led to

Steamworks and the Center for AIDS Prevention (CAPS) publishing case studies proving the effectiveness of HIV prevention done in a bathhouse setting could actually lower the

transmission and spread of HIV/ STIs. This became even more critical during the 1980s and the AIDS

crisis. Local governments were starting to focus on bathhouses as a source of HIV transmission and

many, like San Francisco were simply choosing to close down bathhouses rather than leverage

their captive audience and a resource for HIV prevention. Working closely with public health agencies, Steamworks helped spread the word about the new idea of “Safe Sex” and when testing became available and practical invited health agencies to “Outreach Rooms” to provide testing and counseling for HIV and other STIs.Counseling programs like “Mr Sexx” provided mental health sessions built around sexual health and harm reduction where members could have one-on-one sessions with a

mental health professional. Steamworks made condoms and lube freely available throughout their

clubs. More recently, Steamworks worked with UIC research partners on wellness initiatives and

surveys to ascertain our community’s anxieties around the recent MPOX outbreak to how

the current political climate affects the LGBTQ+ community’s mental health. During the

MPOX outbreak Steamworks locations stepped up and worked closely with city department of

public health persons and providers from UIC and Rush, Berkeley Free clinic and more to help vaccinate

thousands of our community members on site. Some of their more recent proud accomplishments are the raising of tens of thousands for the ACLU Drag Defense Fund, chapters of PFLAG across the country and this summer they’re raising money for Pineapple Support; which provides mental health services for adult industry performers and content creators. As they celebrate 50 years in business, they want to thank their customers by throwing a customer appreciation party on Wednesday April 22. All day Wednesday 4/22, lockers will be $19.76 and they’ll be giving away free 50-day memberships. Steamworks Chicago is hosting its customer appreciation event Wednesday, April 22, from

6pm-midnight. Special guest Moose, the DJ, will be spinning, and they’ve got prizes and giveaways from their partners at 2Bears Tavern, Jackhammer, SOFO Tap, The Meeting House Tavern & Marty’s.

Look on their socials for more surprise party announcements. For more information on Steamworks community health partnerships, and ongoing 50th Anniversary events, specials and celebrations

visit steamworksbaths.com/