Roger-Luc Chayer (Image : Meta AI / Gay Globe)
Men’s saunas, whether gay, bisexual, or heterosexual, have always existed throughout history, regardless of culture. They were already present among the Romans of Antiquity, the Greeks, and later in the Ottoman Empire, and they remain widespread today in many countries. Whether called saunas or hammams, they serve essentially the same functions: relaxation, purification, male well-being, and sociability.
A Brief History of Men’s Saunas Around the World
Since Antiquity, men have gathered to sweat together in places where heat serves as much to purify as to create social bonds. The Greeks and Romans had already understood the social power of public baths and men’s saunas, true hubs for conversation, business, and sometimes seduction. After them, each culture adapted the tradition in its own way: the Finnish sauna, a refuge of wood and silence, became a symbol of purity and relaxation, while the Russian banya and Japanese onsen perpetuated the idea of collective well-being through steam.
20th-Century Evolution of Gay Men’s Saunas
In the 20th century, in the West, gay men’s saunas took on a new dimension. In large cities, they became essential social spaces, particularly within gay communities. These long-discreet venues offered a framework for freedom and connection at a time when intimacy between men had to remain hidden.
Modern Arab Hammams: Purification, Socialization, and Male Community
Modern Arab hammams primarily retain their traditional function of purification and relaxation, but their social dimension remains just as important. In many countries across the Maghreb and the Middle East, the hammam continues to be a place for gathering, discussion, and collective ritual, often shaped by a strong sense of male community. For men, it is a space to meet peers, where conversations range from daily matters to politics, in an atmosphere of trust and respect for cultural codes.
Men’s Saunas in Quebec: Anonymous Inspections and Facility Quality
In Quebec, men’s saunas have undergone anonymous visits to evaluate the quality of facilities and the experience offered. The Facebook group GayQuébec2025 decided, two years ago, to send a team of anonymous inspectors to assess all gay saunas in Quebec.
Currently, there are six establishments for gay, bisexual, or curious heterosexual men, and the inspectors from GayQuébec2025 visited them all.
Evaluation Criteria for Men’s Saunas
Evaluations were based on several criteria: the quality of the experience, the modernity of facilities, their cleanliness, and respect for basic rules. When a ranking such as the one by GayQuébec2025 evaluates saunas, each criterion reflects a specific dimension of the experience offered.
Quality encompasses both reception, overall atmosphere, space comfort, and visitor satisfaction, in other words, the sense of male well-being associated with a well-maintained and pleasant venue.
Modernity concerns the state of facilities and their adaptation to today’s expectations: a renovated sauna, well-lit, with safe equipment and spaces designed for comfort, reflects a concern for evolution and respect for the client.
Cleanliness is essential; it reflects not only the hygiene of the premises but also staff rigor and respect among visitors.
Finally, respecting basic rules refers to friendliness and safety: maintaining respectful behavior, discretion, consent, and proper use of common areas.
2025 Ranking of Men’s Saunas in Quebec
In 2025, the group published its results, with the ranking by establishment as follows:
- 1st: Sauna Carpediem (Saint-Hubert) with a score of 9/10.
- 2nd: Sauna Back Boy’s (Quebec City) with a score of 8.5/10.
- 3rd: Sauna G.I. Joe (Montreal) with a score of 8/10.
- 4th: Bain Colonial Bath (Plateau Mont-Royal) with a score of 7.5/10.
- 5th: Sauna Centre-Ville (Montreal) with a score of 6/10.
- 6th: Sauna Oasis (Montreal) with a score of 5.5/10.
These results are important because they highlight the establishments that place the greatest emphasis on the quality of facilities and can also help other gay saunas in Quebec better understand public opinion in order to improve their services.
It is noteworthy that, for two consecutive years, Sauna Carpediem and Backboys in Quebec placed first and second respectively, almost tied. Congratulations to them!
Feel free to comment courteously in the comments section below.
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