Blackpool sauna guide

Blackpool has two gay saunas, both a short walk from Blackpool North station: Acqua Sauna on Springfield Road and W3 Complex on Charles Street. Both are for men aged 18 and over. Both welcome gay, bisexual and curious men, and both are used by locals and visitors alike. Plenty of men visit simply to relax in the heat, chat and unwind after a long journey. Others come for the social and sexual side. Either is fine.

Acqua or W3?

	Acqua Sauna	W3 Complex
Where	25 to 27 Springfield Road, about 2 minutes from the station	1 to 3 Charles Street, south-east of the station
Standard entry	about £15, with cheaper rates for members	about £13, no membership needed
Late opening	until 6am on Fridays and Saturdays	Saturdays until about 10pm
Heat	dry sauna, steam, large hot tub	dry sauna, Turkish steam room, outdoor hot tub and garden
Themes	late nights, members' Wednesdays, a monthly fetish night, bear socials	Naked Thursdays, Underwear Fridays, Wednesday offer
Health	free condoms and lube	monthly testing clinic on the last Friday

Before you go

• Bring ID. Both venues are strictly 18+. Acqua uses Challenge 25, so if you might look under 25, bring a passport, driving licence or PASS card.
• Bring cash or a card for entry. Lockers, towels and basics are provided.
• Check the calendar. A Thursday at W3 is a naked day, and a Friday is underwear-only, so pick a day that suits you. At Acqua, some sessions are aimed at particular groups, such as bears, trans-masc men or fetish fans.
• Eat lightly and hydrate. Heat and alcohol don't mix. Avoid going straight from a heavy drinking session into the steam room.

Arriving for the first time

1. Ring the bell and say it's your first visit. Reception will explain how lockers, towels and pass-outs work.
2. Pay and take your towel and key. Change at your locker, and lock away your phone, wallet and clothes.
3. Wrap up. A towel is standard. Shorts or underwear are fine at Acqua, and at W3 on Fridays. Full nudity is expected only on designated naked days.
4. Shower first, then try the heat, the steam room or the hot tub. Have a tea in the café or lounge between sessions.
5. Take your time. Weekday afternoons are quieter. Evenings, weekends and late nights are busiest.

Same-day pass-outs are included at Acqua, so you can leave for food and come back. W3 sells day and weekend passes if you plan several visits.

Etiquette

• Consent is everything. Nobody is obliged to do anything. A head shake, a step back or a "no thanks" is a complete answer, so accept it and move on.
• Respect everyone's identity and body. Acqua's code of conduct bans misgendering and comments about bodies, race, age or disability. W3 expects the same courtesy.
• No photos or filming. Keep your phone in your locker.
• Keep shared areas pleasant. Shower before the hot tub, sit on your towel and keep your voice down in relaxation areas.
• Don't stare at or follow people who have shown they aren't interested.
• If anything makes you uncomfortable, tell staff rather than confronting anyone yourself.

Health and safer sex

• Use condoms and lube. Acqua provides them free throughout.
• Consider PrEP. If you are HIV-negative and sexually active, PrEP is a highly effective way to prevent HIV. Ask a sexual-health clinic about it.
• Get tested regularly. W3 hosts a monthly sexual-health outreach clinic on the last Friday of each month, with rapid HIV and syphilis tests, a full STI screen and PrEP advice.
• Drink water and cool off between heat sessions. Leave the steam room or sauna straight away if you feel faint.
• Avoid mixing drugs, alcohol and heat. If you or someone else feels unwell, tell staff straight away. Acqua says it will give a private space and help.

Getting there and staying nearby

Acqua is about two minutes' walk from Blackpool North. W3 is a short walk south-east of the station. Lawrence House, Chaps and the B and B Blackpool are on the same side of the quarter. Pride Lodge also has its own small sauna for guests, if you would rather sweat in private.