Acqua Sauna

What it is and who it welcomes

Acqua is a gay and bi men's sauna at 25 to 27 Springfield Road, just behind the Metropole on North Shore and about two minutes' walk from Blackpool North station. It has long claimed to be the longest-running gay sauna in the North West. It is part of a group that also runs venues in Manchester and Huddersfield.

Adult men aged 18 and over are welcome, whatever their orientation: gay, bi, bi-curious, questioning, or no label at all. Trans men are welcome. Men of all body types, ages, ethnicities and backgrounds are explicitly welcomed. Cross-dressers who identify as male are welcome too. Normal sessions are men only. Mixed sessions, such as occasional bisexual events, run only on advertised dates, and each event sets out its own admission terms. Women cannot join male partners in men-only hours.

Coming alone is completely normal. There is no pressure to do anything. Plenty of men come just for the heat, the hot tub and a cup of tea.

Facilities

The sauna now spreads over three floors, with a third floor added recently. Entry includes use of:

• a dry sauna and a steam room
• a large hot tub
• showers, with shower gel provided
• lockers, with a fresh towel and towel changes
• a lounge and café area with tea, coffee, soft drinks and light bites
• private rooms and cabins, video rooms, and adult play areas
• a secluded outdoor smoking area
• free WiFi
• free condoms and lube throughout

Hours and prices

Last entry is one hour before closing.

Standard entry is about £15. Optional membership costs a few pounds for six or twelve months and brings lower prices:

• Early bird: £12 in the first hour
• Daytime: £14
• Sunday to Thursday evening saver: £10 from 6pm to 8pm
• Late nights from 6pm on Fridays and Saturdays: £12
• Wednesday members' day: £10 all day

Multi-day passes for consecutive days, and a monthly unlimited pass, are also available. A Sunday On Us offer has given men who visit on a Monday or Tuesday a free return the following Sunday. Same-day pass-outs are included, so you can pop out for food and come back. You can pay in cash or by card.

Theme nights and events

• Late nights every Friday and Saturday until 6am. They are relaxed and social, with no club-style pressure, and draw locals, weekenders and men on their way home from the bars.
• Bear socials: afternoon events for bears, cubs, chasers and admirers have run on some Saturdays.
• A monthly fetish event aimed at both experienced and curious men, run on a strictly consent-led basis.
• Partner nights for older men, naturists and bisexual crowds appear on the events page from time to time.

Some sessions are aimed at particular communities, such as trans-masc men, bears, fetish or social evenings. If one isn't for you, pick another day. Don't challenge the guests who are there.

Entry rules and etiquette

• 18+ only, with a Challenge 25 policy. Bring a passport, driving licence or PASS card if you might look under 25.
• Ring the bell, and reception will explain lockers, towels and membership. Tell them it's your first visit and they'll give you a quick, discreet run-through.
• Towels are the norm. Shorts or underwear are fine too. Full nudity is only expected at designated nude sessions.
• Consent first. A simple "no thanks" ends any approach, and that must be respected.
• Respect is enforced. Misgendering, questioning someone's identity, or comments about bodies, race, age or disability are not tolerated. Staff can warn, remove or ban.
• If something goes wrong, tell staff straight away rather than handling it yourself. If you feel unwell or unsafe, they can give you a private space.

Health and safer sex

Free condoms and lube are on hand throughout, so use them. Drink plenty of water, especially after the sauna or steam room, and go easy on alcohol before a hot session. If you use PrEP, keep taking it as prescribed, and get tested regularly. W3 across town hosts a monthly testing clinic. Weekday afternoons are quieter if you'd rather ease in gently.