Midtowne Spa in Dallas that had an incredible view of the Downtown Dallas Skyline has recently closed. You probably have not heard about it because you are too busy on Grindr or social media to notice. The sad thing is it truly is an end of an era and you can bet that it doesn’t end with one of the last bathhouses in the country.
While Midtowne Spa is perfectly located near the Deep Ellum area and close to Lizard Lounge and Club Dallas. While it is not walking distance to the gayborhood it was a place to go after having a fun night out at the bars or a place to retreat with one of the best hot tubs in town. The spa closed it’s doors forever because they plan to bulldoze the area for another high rise apt building. All we need is just another high rise apartment in Dallas because that all that will be is corporate and basic concreted buildings. It’s only a matter of time before Club Dallas and The Legendary 
Lizard Lounge close their doors.
Midtowne Spa had a going away party this month to say goodbye to their employees and fans. “They say everything is changing and everything has an end after 34 years all employees gather to eat our last lunch at the midtowne spa. it’s been a pleasure and a nice adventure, thank you Dallas. And Good bye.”
The Spa has recently had a setback in being thrown off the national Midtowne Spa website for an unknown reason and has had some negative reviews such as this one:
“I came in tuesday around 2 or 3 the guy that was working at the front desk was very rude so rude i almost wanted to leave that second i have been trying to contact the manager/ owner since tuesday everytime i call oh the manager is not there like there trying to hide him. Again im trying to contact the manager to resolve this issue so i can come in again spend money and everything is ok. If i can get a hold of the manager you will loose a customer i have great potenial for this place the customer service needs an attitude adjustment asap.”
There were also positive reviews of the gay bathhouse:
“The facilities are classic, clean and well-maintained, and the rooftop is undoubtably the absolute greatest spot with the best view of the city in ALL of Dallas, where a man can revel in the beauty of the fabulous city of Dallas, comfortably and safely. The men are always great, the crowd is diverse, and there is always a welcoming sense of community.”
Gabe D. wrote on Facebook how he was feeling heartbroken at Midtowne Spa Dallas:
It’s the morning after the Farewell Party for Midtowne Spa-Dallas, and I’m at a loss for words. I’ve witnessed first hand now the end of an age for gay men. No longer are the days when we need to go to a bath house to meet other gay men. Everyone has access nowadays to things like Growlr or Grindr (plus a thousand other apps) to find hookups or dates. We live in an amazing time when we have equal opportunities to get married and to fall in love. And that’s a beautiful thing.
But you guys, I’ve also witnessed us fighting amongst ourselves, even at Midtowne. Racism, body image being trashed, our elders being treated with disrespect… We’ve come such a long way. But yet, we are still retreating back into that mean nature that should only be seen by the hunters. WE ARE THE HUNTED. Why are we snarling and showing teeth to each other when all that does is separate us further? We should be a wolf pack, not a long stray trying to make it in the world. First off, masturbation isn’t near as fun as group sex… am I right or am I right?
Midtowne, I will miss you and I’m so happy that I got to be a part of your legacy… even if only for a short time. I’m going home with stories and memories I will cherish forever. I’ll never forget the smell of bleach that somehow lingers on my skin for hours even after showering. I’ll never forget the laughs that we had at the stalkers wanting a piece of this ass (this was a daily occurrence and I still chuckle at it). I’ll also never forget the fear of seeing addicts overdosing and writhing on the floor moaning… that image will always haunt me.
I know most people will think back on the bathhouse era of gay culture and not understand why it existed to begin with. Young people, much younger than even me, don’t understand what it means to have a safe haven like Midtowne to call a second home. It’s a history that isn’t taught in grade school or most colleges. It’s a history that must be taught from generation to generation. It’s an oral history that many won’t have the chance of hearing, mostly because they don’t ask.
With the closing of this House of Bad, I have one last thing to say: I want to learn our history. I want to also help WRITE our history. Midtowne, you won’t be forgotten. If your doors ever open back up, I’ll be there. If they never swing open again, I’ll still be there… because your idea of sanctuary is still thriving in my soul and it will never be lost, nor forgotten…
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