I agree with the bad reviews for this place. I had a small, 2 oz. bottle of coconut oil with me. It was in a plastic bottle. A worker was absolutely militant in insisting that I couldn't have it on premises. That this "was their policy". Really? A no-coconut-oil policy? Never have I been attacked by management for such stupidity. I simply left and will never go back. Clientele was not friendly. But this could be cultural. Really hoping this was not a reflection on London. read more

I was there at the end og January. The place is very dirty. None was cleaning the resting rooms. I tried to use the gents and the toilets were blocked and very dirty in all the cubicles. Very slyppery. The bar can offer just crisps and some cans of cocacola. Even if you pay for a 24 hours pass, after eight hours you need to leave for two hours. Rude receptionist. I will not come back read more

The facilities are clean and there's plenty of options - all types for all tastes. The problem lies in the ultra complicated entry system and the military type regime you must follow once inside. The Indian manager is utterly rude. He has an attitude towards the clientele. I presenced how he shouted aggressively to a lost/non aware of the system Asian costumer. He was rude to me when I asked him for my belongings box. And didn't take well that I actually spoke up and confronted him. He even threatened to cancel my weekly membership just because I made him aware of his poor manners. The rest of the staff is actually super nice and seem to understand that thz clientele is not just native English speaking. It's concerning thought to feel agressed and looked under by tje manager in a place that should be a safe place for the gay community. read more

I waited in line, one guy ahead of me. Another guy came out of the sauna and could hardly stand. The clearly inebriated man through his key on the counter, cutting in line. The door man ignored me and served the drunk man. The door man immediately turns to me and said "are you under the influence". I responded politely no I'm sober. The rude door man further told me I was lying and I was being refused entry. I tried to explain I have 6.5 years sober, and he was mistaken. He was rude, aggressive and dismissive. He didn't talk to me to make the judgement. I'm visiting from Canada, and have to say I will not recommend this place to anyone. read more

When I walked in the receptionist asked if I had been drinking, and I said I had a beer. Literally one beer before going there. He told me to walk up the stairs then said I was too drunk to enter. Again, literally one beer. Either 1 you must be cold sober to enter, 2 the receptionist was on some power trip, or 3 this place is so trashy that they need to perform sobriety tests regularly. Either way this place sucks. read more

would not go bk . I had a 48 pass . I Got to the sauna at 9 sometime. The guy at the door told me I had 45 mins left. I stayed untill about 5:30 wen I was getting ready to leave the manager said my pass has expired and he said I have to pay 21 pounds . Not Once did any of the Staff come up to me to let me know I have gone pass my time . I am very upset because they should of came up to me and let me know my time is up. Instead they wait right till then end wen u r leaving to tell u . You have to pay the extra hours you stayed for . What if I did not have any money in my account?now they only take Contactless payments. I did not have any money in my account to pay the 21 pound . And now I think I am band. This is very Unprofessional. The music is very low and shit. The TV was off wen I was sitting upstairs at like 4 5 in the morning. There is no way to charge your phone. I also have a fucking cold from being in there. They don't really clean as much as they should . I would never go bk. They gym does not have that much Equipment. They do not have a bar for Alcohol we have just come out of a Pandemic that place should be getting cleaned 24/7 they also don't sell food if you get hungry you have to go out then wait 2 hours b4 u can come bk. You are not allowed to wear hats. 2 weeks ago they had the music on rRepeat. The Jacuzzi water was cold . If you want my Opinion do not go there . Even if I am not band I would not go bk again. I send my cv 3 weeks ago because one of the managers said they was desperate for new staff. I have not heard bk from them. 2 weeks ago I looked on line it said 35 for a weekly pass.wen I got to the door they said it was 45 pound . Imagine if I only had 35 pound on me ? I would of had to go all the way home. read more

Sweatbox - This is a lie - Adult Entertainment Near Me - London, XGL

As fas as London Gay Saunas, this is the one to make your priority. Staff are helpful. Sure they may come across as abrupt sometimes, but they do work long shifts and work their arses off. The facilities are top notch. A fully equipped gym that is probably better kitted out than a few of the chain gyms. Steam room which is massive, plus the more intimate steam meander(Trades Description Act stops me from calling it a maze). Good sized dry sauna, with a smaller even hotter sauna. Decent amount of cabins, cinema room (wish they'd update the porn though), comfortable chill out lounge, good drink and snack selection. Oh, and free towels! Not to mention themed days. The Foam Party is worth a try. And the passes end up being great value. I'd recommended this place without hesitation. If you want to hook up with hot men of all ages? Get here quick. read more

Are you gay? Do you live in London? Do you love working out? How about having sex? How about having sex like some sort of locker room porno? Well, then Sweatbox may be for you! London's newest gay gym and sauna is open. I won't say I'll be joining any time soon, but it's nice to know that even in today's whorish gay world there is some sense of propriety: the gym area is strictly clothes-on. The other areas... not so much. But that's what you're there for anyway. So, make your pecs look good for a bit and then go get your nipples played with. If you're in to that sort of thing... You dirty gay. read more

Rude receptionitst. Wanted to enquire when best to come. They informed me it was very busy. Got thee and it was empty and dirty

Went there last Saturday (18th July) WOW!! I Never had such a good time in a sauna (apart from the green house in Birmingham), the staff treat you like you are in a private members club and for the guys THERE WERE HOT!! and i was Cruised so many times ( and im 42 and not so gym fit) , there also had a foam party there not sure if it was a one off,it was so easy chatting to guys as its such a frendly space, its more of a club then some of the dirty sauna i have been into in London I going back on the 1st Aug as there are having there 1st birthday party and i have been told there will be a bar there and a DJ ps . check out the qx mag as you can get in cheaper, forgot how much sorry read more

I visited just a week ago and, sad as it is to admit it, I am very new to the gay sauna lifestyle being an older, overweight and not very hip! I previously visited Chariots in Shoreditch (the week before) which I found to be a very intimidating, seedy and generally 'grubby' venue. In contrast I found the Sweetbox to be a very stylish, friendly place; The staff were very friendly - from the outset. The layout - although a bit quirky spread over two sub-basement floors - was, after a bit of exploring, OK. But, signage could be improved; A map of the layout posted at strategic places would be nice. The showers (although adjustable) could provide cooler temperatures for ultimate comfort! Standard towels would a better idea rather than little rags with a logo embroider on them but, they are readily exchanged for fresh, dry ones.The clientèle were of all ages and generally quiet friendly but, the younger 'Adonis' types could be more friendlier but, you would find that anywhere... Update: I will trying out the well-equipped Gym! In summary: Facilities - 10/10 (the painted concrete floors in the hot rooms were basic but functional and, the previously reported problems with the glass doors were no-more) Signage between floors & layout diagram - 4/10 (This floor X, Up to Y, Down to Z would suffice on the landings) Staff - 9.5/10 Cleanness - 9.5/10 General atmosphere (excluding Adonis types) - 9.5/10 7/08/10 Update Well, I tried out the gym; it was quiet but well equipped - Excellent. But, there is a piece of detail that has resulted in me cutting the Sweatbox overall star rating from 5 stars to 2; The Sweatbox advertise an all-in price £39 per month standard membership (no contract or joining fee) for gym & sauna use. But, when I enquired it turns out to be 'slightly' different; you have to sign-up to direct debit and give one month's notice if you wish to terminate. Come on - this is little beyond The Pale! Other than this slight of hand, my otherwise glowing comments stand. read more

The substantial renovation is worth acknowledging as it presents an improvement upon the previous. Much is geared towards the non -taking of drugs so security is strict. Newcomers will undoubtedly be confused by the format whereby the locker key is exchanged for a magnetic wristband in the bar area. The lockers themselves are a novelty :more like a small cage and for this Sweatbox score 10/10 for innovation. The Bar area now encompasses a jacuzzi. This is a canny move as it also involves swathes of people queuing to exchange their locker key for wrist band. At this point there are numerous cruising and conversation opportunities. The steam and sauna area is a slight improvement....more of a wandering maze (tight corridors) for the steam and an adjacent sauna. Pools of water in evidence which give a rather downbeat feel all of a sudden. The cold bucket was lukewarm whereas it ought to be bitterly cold. Downstairs cubicles often had a rather work-in-progress vibe. Staff were uncommonly personable. This is very important in a gay sauna. The young guy who got rather impatient with me for misunderstanding the new locker system was also very friendly when offering me a new towel. His initials were PL. Possibly non UK he's a reminder about how much this country is enriched by overseas and EU workers. read more

The place was busy but nobody having a good time. The guys had a lot of attttiitudddeee!!! The locker rooms were very dirty.

Wot a waste of £16 ! Though I would give it a try but never again, it gets busy But full of non English all they do is walk around its a look don't touch place I tried to talk to two black men both where ingorant,total waste of time and money Avoid avoid avoid read more

Awesome bathhouse with tons of hot English guys! Mostly a young crowd, 20s and 30s. They did not have private rooms, so you could use any room you wanted. There were showers, hot tub, steam maze, and a sauna. I talked to some local guys and they said this was their favorite bathhouse in London. One night there were well over 40 guys, and the best time was 7-10pm. Highly recommend !! read more

Hi guys, I have to start by saying that I have never been to sweatbox before and reading through the comments I am not sure whether I should give it a try I read that on Mondays under-25s get in for free, so I was thinking of trying it next Monday which would also come after a five exams session! I was wondering if anyone could suggest what is the best time to go to sweatbox on Monday ? When does it get crowded? Also, having lived in London for 5 years and travelled extensively across the world, I have to say that London gay clubs, especially Soho's are hugely overrated. What really strikes me is how they can smell so bad, be so unstylish and generally do not have a nice luxurious atmosphere. Even Communist China as much better gay clubs which I took full advantage of during summer Whenever I get out with my straight friends I seem to find plenty of posh, nice places. However when it gets to gay places immediately they get cheap and smelly! I think that gay men in London as a category are hugely undeserved! By the way, if anyone does know nice, stylish places you are welcomed to suggest them: I haven't come across them in 5 years! Having said this, see you all next Monday at sweatbox! dan. read more

mmm! Chariots Shoreditch offers a gym of sorts so not sure that Sweatbox is such a unique concept. But the gym seems OK . As for the sauna - think its a case of spoiling the ship for a ha'porth of tar. Initial impressions are quite smart and glitzy, but on closer inspection serious quality comprises seem to have been made. Four months on, these are becoming all too apparent. First big problem is the sauna area floors - should be tiled or some other suitable finish - where as in fact, its just painted, non too well finished concrete - looking decidedly grubby and slippery. The glass doors to the saunas and steam rooms are binding with the frames. And the Jacuzzi was not working when I went.full of tepid water but no bubbles. Also there is a bar/refreshment area in the 'chill-out' area but that was unmanned and devoid of refreshment. So overall as a sauna experience - nowhere near as good as the better Chariots - so unless Sweatbox buck their ideas up, I can't see it being viable - borne out by the decidedly low number of punters - on a late Saturday afternoon. read more

This is not the best sauna as proclaimed on their website! I have never been and thought I will give it a try. I went on 3rd Monday (Bank Holiday) night from about 8 to 12. Most of the guys there just walk around and not really interested in engaging or get down to it. It's all about look at me, and my hours spent in the gym body. I am into bears and you don't get many of that there. Mostly young slim/camp twinks. The floors are filty with condom wrappers everywhere and sticky floors. In my 6 hours there I have not seen a cleaner!. The sauna is always quiet, the 2 steam room are big not no action. Mostly people just walk around the cruising rooms downstairs.. One final thing, the staff are rude. I much prefer the sauna near Waterloo. Won't be coming back to this... read more

12/3/12 Went last night to this sauna and felt it was filthy, and I'm talking hygiene. The jacuzzi felt like it had sand underfoot and I felt a rubber too, disgusting. The public areas need painting, the carpet in the cafe area was covered in what looked like chewing gum marks. The foam room had used condoms on the floor. What is the problem with clients putting condoms/wrappers in a bin after doing their business rather than dumping them on the floor for others to tread on in bare feet.? The toilets were disgusting, smelly, not clean, no paper, only one sit down toilet and the floor all could have done with hosing and disinfecting. All in all a grotty experience. The place needs a major overhaul and some staff who actually care about a pleasant customer experience, enticing then to want to return. read more

Overall, the sauna itself is a great place in the heart of Soho. Especially nice on a cold day. But the front door staff let the standard drop. I was treated with disdain and cold suspicion ''read the sign no open bottles.'' Fair enough, but arrogance is not the right way to deal with customers in this way. ''We'll keep your water bottle for you, THIS TIME.'' For someone who goes to a sauna once in a while (cf. once a week) the individual policies aren't well known/remembered. When leaving to collect my water bottle, i waited quietly and patiently at the ''wrong'' window only to be told sarcastically ''OTHER window'', eyes rolling.To sum up, I won't be going somewhere again where I don't feel welcome. read more

I don't have to mention that Sweatbox is a place for men admiring men. If you're after something different, steer clear. I visited Sweatbox on two occasions and I must say, although I'm not very much a sauna goer, I quite enjoyed Sweatbox. When I first went there, I was wondering where all those guys disappear. I was sweating in a steam room, trying to see something (or someone) on the other side of the room. The place is very dark. Then I discovered, that there's another level where all the action takes place. If you're there for the men not boiling in the steam, simply skip the 'spa' area, you can go back there to relax after you 'relax' downstairs, and after a shower head straight one level down. It's a maze of different locations, cabins, dark or illuminated, some with mirrors, glory holes, swings... something for everyone. Guys just strolling up and down, doors opening and closing, soft (or loud) moans can be heard from behind them, somethimes you can be tricked by video screens located in various places, as well as a small 'cinema'. There's also soft sitting area. I must say, in busy times the place is hiving with sexy guys. Of course, some of them will think they are too god for you, look but don't touch sort of Adonises, but in general, everyone will probably find someone to have a good time with. You can encounter all sorts of guys there. BUT guys, just don't wait. Talk to someone you fancy. Do something. Approach... Otherwise we will just be walking around like stupid, wasting time. It's better to go to a park for this. Sweatbox is for sex. What you see is waht you get. (But in some areas you can't see, if you prefer). I personally like to tickle all my senses. A bit of advise. Towels. The one issued are just 'loin cloths' not really towels. You can pay extra quid for a proper towel or bring your own for drying yourself at the end of your time there. And bring your flip-flops if you don't feel like treading in.... you know what. Cleanliness, I'd say on a scale 1-10 it's about 6 or 7. Understandable, since the place is open 24/7 and cleaning can be a challenge. But we can help. Just bin empty sachets after lube and condoms, clean the place after you enjoy it. Wipes soaked in alcohol are provided and nothing stops us from using it. All in all, it's a great place if you're after releasing some steam, some NSA fun. And it's just minutes from Oxford Circus Tube Station, so the clientele can be a buffet of guys just visiting London. Very diverse and exciting. Don't be prude, go and enjoy. Everyone want's to do it, but not everyone admits it.If you don't like it, simply don't go back there. Everything is for people. If you don't experience something, how can you tell if you like it. read more

in decided to try sweatbox out after reading the mostly great reviews on the net, i was a bit disappointed, i couldnt find any private rooms for a start, also the steam room was too dark as i couldnt see any guys faces and nearly sat in the wrong place and injured myselfi did explain to the guy on reception i didnt have a chance to look as had a bus back home 6 hours away due at 4.30 and asked what was down the other set of stairs i noticed on the way out but he had a (dutch??) accent and couldnt understand fully if there was anything down the other stairs that i didnt see in the other bit, regards the private rooms maybe they were down there but if they werent how can you have a gay sauna without private rooms and if they were well thats another negative, i like a sauna where it isnt hard to find things, it has to be all open and self explanatoryid recommend another one i went to the night before in covent garden but dont want to mention the name in case im not allowednot outstanding but worth the £15 i paidi really dont think ill be visiting here again sadly read more