A well-known gay bathhouse in London prompted much comment over the weekend after announcing its plans to mark the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Today’s funeral has been made a public holiday in the UK. Many businesses have faced the decision of whether to open or not.
Many gyms and major grocery stores are closing, even if only for four hours while the funeral takes place.
Pleasuredrome Spa Bar in Waterloo, central London, prides itself on being the only gay venue in the country that stays open 24 hours, 365 days of the year.
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So how should it mark the funeral of the world’s longest-serving monarch? A notice on its website announced that it would pay its respects by not showing any “films” or playing music for four hours.
The “films” it typically plays are of the adult variety. It has its own, small cinema area.
Gay bathhouse Pleasuredrome to screen Queen’s funeral
Instead, management said Pleasuredrome would be screening the funeral.
“As a mark of respect to her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, no music will be played within the spa and no films will be shown,” the notice said.
“The cinema and the main screen will show live events around Her Late Majesty’s funeral throughout the day.
“Guests at the venue are invited to join us in a toast to His Majesty King Charles III.
“Drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, including champagne, will be provided at the cost of the management of Pleasuredrome Spa for the loyal toast.”
The state-of-the-art Pleasuredrome is the biggest gay sauna in London. It offers saunas, steam rooms, a pool and a whole floor of “relaxation cabins”.
Related: Now open: Gay bathhouses that have stood the test of time
Many online expressed bemusement at the venue’s plans.
I am HOWLING. Gay sauna Pleasuredrome will be open on Monday but as a mark of respect WON’T be playing any music or showing porn, but WILL be screening the funeral. So you can get buggered in mournful silence, then watch HLMTQ go off to her reward. #ItsWhatSheWouldHaveWanted pic.twitter.com/HW7NzrHmfB
— Hugh Smithson-Wright (@HRWright) September 17, 2022
If you fancy seeing her off before getting off, you can watch the funeral at London’s biggest gay sauna, Pleasuredrome. pic.twitter.com/s91eYOFWym
— Nick Levine (@mrnicklevine) September 17, 2022
Pleasuredrome doing the absolute most for the funeral – I can’t! pic.twitter.com/2dDp3LOo5s
— Martin Bailey (@MrBaileyM) September 17, 2022
Everywhere is closed tomorrow, even the university library.
The only place that is guaranteed to be open is pleasuredrome in Waterloo. 🤣— Jamie Murphy (@Microbedoc2) September 18, 2022
Getting respectfully fucked at the Pleasuredrome Spa while watching the Queen go into the ground on the big screen pic.twitter.com/Q3Jp1qc3Dy
— Lily Simpson has blue hair + pronouns (@LilySimpson1312) September 17, 2022
For one, it prompted nostalgic memories.
Fun fact. I was in Pleasuredrome the night they announced Diana’s death.
Club music cut, crackly voice on the intercom, shocked steam room gays.
Then the music cranks back up again…..
I may go on Monday for a nostalgia trip. #grievewatch
— Will Parry (@WillParry5) September 17, 2022
Related: San Francisco expected to open golden gates for bathhouses after three decades
Karlis
I watched the funeral today. There was a lot of hotness in the soldiers who were marching around in tempo and particularly in the sailors who were given the job of pulling the cart with the queen’s coffin on it. RIP to Her Majesty, but if someone was looking for some nookie in the proceedings, there it was.
abfab
Yes indeed!
In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on people, fall an’ make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can’t you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come on, protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on people and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy, oh
Herman75
The pallbearers were impeccable and amazing!!
dbmcvey
This seems like as good a way to honor this as any.
I am confused why people keep claiming she was some kind of LGBTQ+ supporter. What do they think she did? She was in office through the entire Thatcher years and that was terrible for gays.
inbama
I hope these guys have had their monkey pox shots
England had over 3,000 cases in mid September.
Velvetalex
Luckily no one wants to touch you, so you’re safe.
dbmcvey
I’m sure that’s what you’re concerned about.
inbama
@Velvetalex
I don’t know what provoked your trashy comment, but I lost enough friends to HIV to hope this generation has learned something from my own’s recklessness.
But please, don’t take my comment seriously. You are welcome to head right for a crowded bathhouse or maybe some bar’s dark backroom. If you get monkey pox, you’ll be your own walking and talking “Portrait of Dorian Gray.”
LilOralYankee
RIP Queen!
No not you, the actual queen!
At least England has an attractive looking bathhouse unlike in these surrounding pitiful parts ha!
Joshooeerr
I’m interested, Queerty: exactly why is this bathhouse “infamous”. It’s just a gay business; why do you need a descriptor that a Murdoch newspaper might choose?
Kangol2
Queerty can’t help but indulge in a bit of homophobic discourse now and then. It’s a famous gay business, but hardly “infamous.”
mailliw110
It always fascinates me that out of the entire article, this is the part you want to point out! What’s the deal with this?
bumblebum
I’m human and would like see the towel drop! But Why is this important to anyone? Famous or infamous? This is just a stoopid ploy for some gay news. Don’t jump on me qah-weens, I’m gay and this is just gay “reductive” behavior to make it about sex, be better folks
mailliw110
I have the same thoughts about the thirst trap photos. So I don’t click on those. Maybe that will help?