Bathhouse Babylon Delves Into a Less Examined Aspect of Gay Culture
Drawing from personal diaries and over 13 years of experience in the bathhouse industry across North America, Bathhouse Babylon: Full Release by Jameson Farn offers a true, unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at this unique world.
The book charts his journey from a regular customer to managing three gay sauna establishments, providing an insider’s perspective that is as candid as it is captivating. Bathhouse Babylon reveals the intricate subculture of bathhouses, a realm often hidden from the public eye. Through vivid storytelling, it shares the unusual and shocking sex stories that are an integral part of this environment.
Yet, the narrative also delves into the sociological aspects, exploring the dynamics at play in a venue teeming with half-naked men in party mode. Topics such as drug use, money-driven owners, escorts, celebrities, diversity challenges, business competition, and sex addiction are examined in depth.
Originally released several years ago, Farn decided to dig deeper and rewrote Bathhouse Babylon, adding several chapters and more salacious stories to give readers more bang for their buck. We recently spoke with him to get some details on the book and have an exclusive excerpt for you to read below.
BWM: Of the thousands of men that came through your bathhouses – what percentage about would you say were bears/ daddies/ or chubs? And how did those men fare in your opinion? Were they embraced or shunned?
Jameson Farn (JF): I would say bears/ daddies/ and chubs easily made up 50% of the bathhouse population at most any given time. They were embraced, they definitely had their admirers, they usually had the best attitude and sense of humor, and they were usually one of the first groups to work with us to put on events focused on community and charity.
BWM: Where were these bathhouses you managed?
JF: Although names and descriptions were changed of specific individuals in the book, I also purposely kept the main location of the bathhouses I managed a secret. But I will say I have also touched base at many of the venues throughout North America. Some of these places are still around, some are long gone.
BWM: Without giving too much away, what did you learn about gay sexuality during your time managing the houses?
JF: For myself, and others I got to know as regular patrons at the bathhouses, you would notice how one’s sexuality can evolve.
You might think you are into one type of man, perhaps only into doing specific sexual acts, but you can also meet someone you would never expect to hook up with and end up having a mind blowing experience that leaves you pleasantly surprised and usually wanting more.
Anyone in these establishments I spoke to about it mentioned it felt natural, like growth as a human.
BWM: What would you say is the most common misconception about men who frequent these places?
JF: People who have asked me about bathhouses have assumed they are only for ugly, old men who can’t find someone to have sex with. That was my assumption as well until I went to my first bathhouse.
In my experience, everyone of every nationality, body type, financial background and education level has gone or frequently goes to a bathhouse. There is a whole different level of sociology in these venues I find fascinating. Also, opposites attract more often than one would imagine.
Bathhouses are like their own cultural hubs, it’s highly likely you will find more than one individual that you will be attracted to.
BWM: What is one of the more scandalous things you witnessed? Are there any heartwarming stories in the book?
JF: I’ve included numerous scandalous stories in the book. Scandal seems to sometimes be part of what makes these places tick and would be an almost weekly occurrence on some level. It could come from an owner, one of his lovers, upper management or part-time employees, and many times the patrons – which would make it entertaining, depending on who they might have met or what they have done in the establishment. It could be stressful, but it was also just sometimes part of the job, and it kept things interesting.
As for heartwarming, there are some ideas out in the public sphere that love can’t be found at a bathhouse. Myself and other employees have witnessed many times where men would arrive, not coming in with some unrealistic fantasy of how their night will go, were simply themself, only to find a man they have seemingly instantly bonded with, you could just sense it. And it would go beyond sex, as though they finally found someone they “clicked” with on everything they were ultimately seeking.
Sometimes they would keep frequenting the bathhouse as a couple enjoying the ambiance of where they first met. Or sometimes that would be the last you see of them, but you would find out later on how strong of a relationship they have formed.
Excerpt from Bathhouse Babylon by Jameson Farn
Five-Finger Charlie would frequent the bathhouse, typically arriving early on Friday evenings or Sunday afternoons. Standing at around 6’1” and likely in his mid-forties, his seasoned appearance made him appear closer to 55 years old. Sporting an average body, he exuded a Daddy/Leatherman vibe, often adorned with inexpensive, colorful bracelets. He had a receding hairline, pulling what hair he had left into a thin ponytail and a long, dark gray goatee that completed his distinctive look, and he garnered a following of men who admired him.
On initial observation, one might assume he projected a tough and gruff demeanor, evident even in the way he walked. But, the moment he spoke, his voice revealed a surprising contrast—a light, high-pitched, and airy tone, almost as if butterflies were fluttering out of his mouth.
He consistently displayed politeness and familiarity, taking the time to have frequent conversations with staff members at the snack counter. While enjoying a cup of coffee, like many conversations in a bathhouse, the topics inevitably circled back to discussions about sex.
Five-Finger Charlie considered himself a fisting expert and, for some reason, often felt compelled to either verbally impart a fisting lesson of sorts using his hands or share fisting stories, regardless of whether we wanted to hear about it or not.
The moniker “Five-Finger Charlie” stuck because every time he engaged in his version of a fisting lesson, he would demonstrate it by raising his arm in the air and explaining the process of slowly opening a man up with the help of lube, emphasizing the importance of love and gentle intention at the beginning stages.
Five-Finger Charlie insisted that to master fisting, one must attune to the man’s sensations, moving in harmony with his body. He advocated a gradual approach, starting with one finger, and then progressing to two as the dilation continues. He recommended incorporating subtle twirling movements to increase the circumference until the entire hand, including the thumb, is tucked towards the palm. According to him, achieving this intricate technique would provide the participant with the ultimate in orgasmic pleasures.
Both startling and entertaining, how he narrated his stories had a captivating effect, leaving you simultaneously intrigued and amused. Even as you instinctively placed your hand over your mouth, there was an undeniable curiosity that made you want to hear more, all while wondering… what the fuck.
If you were starting your shift, it was easy to discern whether Five-Finger Charlie was present because, inevitably, you would hear him issuing commands from his preferred Room 118 to his current fuckbuddy. Amid the music in the club, his unmistakable high-pitched screams, punctuated with demands, added a unique flair to the atmosphere.
Bathhouse Babylon is available for download in eBook format on Amazon.
