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Friction
68commentscruiser update 3/16/2009:this location is currently under renovation, having been purchased by the chain of bathhouses operated by steamworks - opening sometime in May, 2009 Facilities: Steam room, showers, dark room, s, sling, TV, room, Gym
- Best time
- 24 hours
- Crowd
- update 5/28/2008: The clientele is not only 50+...
- Last verified
- Not yet · updated 2009
123 West Pender, Street, Vancvouer BC, Vancouver 604.684.0314 Wheelchair: Yes / Handicap access with a handicap washroom
The guide
Where exactly
Located one block down Beatty Street from the Stadium, SkyTrain Station. Cross street: Abbott Street
When to go
24 hours. Best times: cruiser update 10/20/2008: riction is no longer holding 'co-ed' nights after Oct 17, 2008. cruiser adds 9/23/2008: There are no more blackout nights at Friction. cruiser adds 9/16/2008: Monday nights Friction are now "Co-Ed, " meaning that women and men are welcome. Being open to "many variations" is a good idea. On the opening night this summer the first couple met there and entertained 8 or 9 men with much fun. At the same time the usual man-to-man encounters continue to happen. See you Monday nights for whatever you have in mind. cruiser adds 5/12/2008: I'd recommend adding their Blackout Nights, usually the second and fourth thursday of the month, from 6 p.m to 2 a.m. A few more details on the website, under "events." Lunch time, along with weeknights and weekends
Etiquette
Lunch times get busy by about 1pm.*br**br*previous comment: Steamroom.
Nudity: Yes
Comments
68 comments · last one · ·
Visitor ·
when they took over the Spa on Maitland in Toronto it took several months before they opened. They open when everything is working. Friction opened without being ready, everyone complained. When they open it will be the best. No one has paid for 4 full pages in Xtra if they are not opening.
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Visitor ·
Why do we not stop this thread called Friction and start a fresh one called "Steamworks" and let Friction pass away into the distance? With all the silly comments and bull that goes with it!
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Visitor ·
Cheers!
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Visitor ·
Thanks for the insight, Trojan. You see, none of us were able to know whether there really was a new bath house opening. Your constant, non-stop input is so valuable to this thread.
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Visitor ·
hmm, the xtrawest ad says 'opening soon'. I guess they are 'opening soon'. construction? really? no kidding. its like snoopy queens or old ladies. I would say judging from the ads in xtrawest a bathhouse is opening what are you girls getting your panties in a knot for? its amusing. yes a bathhouse is opening. cool.
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Visitor ·
There is definitely work going on; I saw workmen and drywall dust at the entrance on Thur.
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Visitor ·
I was looking at office space in that building and walked by when the front door was opened. Bare metal studs with some drywall - sure looked like they wiped out whatever was there.
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Visitor ·
I agree. Its hotnodickhole whom seems particular about what he's not getting. lol
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Visitor ·
I really hope we are not going to have all the bullshit comments on here like we did with Friction. Give the place a chance and if it doesn't meet all your nit picky expectations then go somewhere else and let others enjoy it. I was really tired of all the back and forth about what Friction did or didn't do. Let it go and enjoy the new place.
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Visitor ·
But Hotdickhole, you complained Friction had steps and steps affect your hard on as you posted in the M2M listing. What are you going to do if Steamworks kept the steps? Guess no one will get to see you there. Yay!
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Visitor ·
it would b a sound magagement decision to have the place up and running shortly b4 pride...this way all the kinks associated with running a place can b worked out bi the time it counts...
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Visitor ·
They have had the front inside page of the last 3 Xtra's which says under construction opening soon. Seems clear to me.
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Visitor ·
i phoned the berkeley steamworks, and they said vancouver was open. clearly the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing.
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Visitor ·
Hey guys, I've been looking for more information about this place and whether it is reopening but I'm not having any luck. If you have info please post. Ed
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Visitor ·
I was in the nieghbourhood and I checked it out. The place is still under renovation/construction. I was told that the place will look completely different and they are aiming to open it on July 1st.
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Visitor ·
is it open yet and when does any1 know
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Visitor ·
hey are they opening a new one?? this was a great location........ hope something cums up ;p
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Visitor ·
Going to be a Steamworks
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Visitor ·
!!!!!!IT'S CLOOOOOOSSSSSSEDDDD!!!!!!!!
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Visitor ·
Word is the main investor ex-boyfriend of the owner have screwed over many. I guess if it was a business, trying its best then it would be a different story but I would assume with these two, enemies were made from the start, which then came a quick finish. I sincerely feel bad for those co-workers and others owed funds.
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Visitor ·
Maybe converting this place to a Bingo parlour would have been a way for y'all to have stopped complaining about this facility. I have never seen as much negativity towards one place as I have read about this bath over the past 5 months! If we thought back to the days of Dino's and some of the other scuzzholes that used to attract crowds 30 years ago, we would be kissing the feet of anyone who opened such a nice looking facility as this was the only time I visited. To those of you who have never invested your life savings to open a business, you will never understand how hard it is to please everyone. Back to the drawing boards guyz. I opened a retaurant thirty years ago and I remember all the people who thought they could do it better. The people of this city have a real hard time supporting gay businesses. No wonder so many of us run off to places like Seattle and Toronto to have some fun. Oh well, that's my rant for today. Have a nice day!
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Visitor ·
Does anybody know when it will be open again?
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Visitor ·
any young guys want to meet this afternoon at Friction? Message me.
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Visitor ·
Hopefully someone with management sense will take it over. it would be nice if Steamworks would take it. They know what makes a bathhouse work. The Toronto location formerly Spa on Maitland is so much better now.
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Visitor ·
Its not shut down for renos as their website suggests. Spoke with the landlord yesterday. Its done.
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Visitor ·
Oh yeah, ... and why are Victory Square and Carnegie Center listed? I have reported these dangerous areas - not cruising sites. Nothing Changed. Crack is Whack doncha know
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Visitor ·
cruise still has Venus Theater in its current listings, Why so quick to close this one down? I'd be very interested in knowing. Friction web site says they are down for renos - opening soon. I hope so.
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Visitor ·
Hey guys, as mentioned below this location is now closed and no longer good for cruising. Ed, cruise Editor.
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Visitor ·
When did they closed for business? Just this week? That's too bad.
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Visitor ·
Friction is now closed for business. Rent wayyyy past due.
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Visitor ·
The ditzy asian girl is actually a dirty part-time hastings street prositute.
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Visitor ·
I was ther a week and a half ago on a tuesday night I had a great time with two young asian men it was great thisplace is impressive ,it was my first experience at a bath house ummmmmmm goood Hugs Barb .
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Visitor ·
when I've gone you never see that happening. just men around it seems.
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jacksonxxx...thanks! I LOVE to hear feedback on how I looked! You should have come up...how come you didn't? Anyone else see me?
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I was thinking of cruising M2M/Friction late night when I am in town next week (Friday,Oct31-Saturday,Nov1). Which night is generally better? What time is best? Ciao zboy
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hotelcrossdresser, I saw you there, you looked HOT! I was the older guy hanging around the glory holes.
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Visitor ·
heading down for a nooner today any1 want to meet and play with a virgin bum
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Visitor ·
in town on business and have a few hours to spare on Friday Oct-17 afternoon (12pm to 2pm). Any OLDER guys want to hook up at this place?
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Visitor ·
I'ld like to tyr this place out sometime
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Visitor ·
Visitor from Ottawa get there maybe Thursday afternoon or later in evening and Friday for sure from around 11am to enjoy fun
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Visitor ·
I was one of the crossdressers there last Monday nite! I was in pink lingerie with black stockings and heels (blonde guy with glasses). Anyone see me? How'd I look?
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Visitor ·
Well, dang.
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Visitor ·
I really enjoy myself, but occasionally I have trouble with one of the front desk staff. At one point, he told me that all the rooms were booked except for the uber-expensive one. Once I got in though, it was pretty dead. The guy was nowhere to be found. Another time the guy kept my change, said he'd give it back to me when I left, but didn't leave it in my slot. I gave the manager my phone number, but never got a call. Am I the only one who has had experiences like this?
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Visitor ·
I'm going to go tonite (very soon actually) and dress there....don't know what i'm into doing, but i'm really curious....
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Visitor ·
Hi all! Just curious if crossdressers are accepted here?
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Visitor ·
I'll be there tomorrow Oct5th around noon...Looking for a gang bang maybe even downstairs at the sling. I'll try and get a double room so there will be lots of room for anyone who wants to join in...bring some toys ...see you there
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Visitor ·
Hey Boys! Interesting debate you are having about the Co-ed night. I thought I would add some insight from a community that has had to share their cruising site for at least 3 years now. From the perspective of Wpg. We have two bathhouses. Both have Co-ed Nights, They both started Co-ed Nights as a way fo generating more income on what were percieved as slow Mens Only nights. In both cases the nights were expanded from one night to more as their success brought in greater demand. Aquarious has the spit as Co-ed Tues/Thurs/Sat/Sun and Mens Only Mon/Weds/Friday. Adonis has the split as Co-ed Mon/Weds and Mens Only Tues/Thurs/Fri/Sat. Sunday I can not recall which one it is? Probably it is Co-ed. The action on any night of the week, as all cruising in my experiance, is hit and miss though weekends in general are the best nights. From my perspective it has not really mattered if it was Co-ed or Men's Only, the number of customers simply vary day to day and weekend to weekend. CD's/Transexuals were welcome to Co-ed nights only. The thing that the Aquarious owners here probably wish is that they did not go Co-ed for both Sat/Sun. The differance being that for many of the straight attendees The Club becomes a destination for all night fun and they are in general a higher maintenance form of customer. Also there tends to be a lot more drunkeness on site and the need to intervene to avoid violence, and more calls to the police to come and take some rowdy away to dry out. For Men Only Nights the customers in general were much more likely to show up and have some fun and leave. ie Not treating it as the destination but part of an over all night out. The slower turn around in rooms on the weekend Co-ed night leads to less income. Too Bad my stay at the end of the month is only for the weekend I would have liked to see how their Co-ed Night worked. Maybe on another trip put to Vancouver. I visited Friction on Thanksgiving Longweekend and it was somewhat busy. I found some hot men to play with and left very satisfied. But what I did notice was that it was somewhat far from the main drag. I guess one could make the same arguement about some of the Baths in Toronto. Cheers All Happy Cruising zboy
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Visitor ·
Do any crossdressers ever go here? Was thnking of going the evening of Oct. 6th. Any other crossdressers wanna join me? What would the other people here think of a crossdresser in lingerie walking around here?
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Visitor ·
Had a work thing to go to in that area today, so thought I would check it out just after lunch. Yep, turns out it was just me and two others there. Thought with all the empty space on the main floor we should have turned the place into our own squash court. What a joke.
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Visitor ·
nice place when i come down i chech it out
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Visitor ·
What does that have to do with Friction?
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Visitor ·
The cops busted both peep shows on Granville to-day for the glory holes be carefull.
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Visitor ·
The last post got me curious, so I just phoned Friction and asked (it's now 7 p.m., Sept. 23). Was told by the staffer who answered that blackout nights are still on -- the second and fourth Thursday of the month (just like the website said, when I checked it AGAIN).
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Visitor ·
I think I'm heading down there at some point today/tonight. When's the best time?
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Visitor ·
I was there this morning - was pretty quiet until about 1pm and then it got really busy. Blew twice and left. Also two hot new aussie guys working at front counter. One dark with beard and the other blonde. Very hot! Place is picking up. Might go back tomorrow.
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Visitor ·
I will have to give it a try next monday.
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Visitor ·
Maybe they have found their niche.
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Visitor ·
Right On. Talk about a snitch from within. Thanks for clearing that up for us. Another twisted sort.
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Visitor ·
Hey Vaninfo Check with Curtis Robinson at VPD, see if it's BS
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Visitor ·
Yeah...who wants to go to a gay bathouse to see topless butch lesbians ...no thanks! No women ..period.....It's GAY bathouse!!!
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Visitor ·
Thats bullshit.
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Visitor ·
really a shame the afterhours thingy isn't working out. went for their first wednesday promo through celebrities and loved it. big potential just need to keep at it. the only other options in this city are pretty lame.
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Visitor ·
Has anyone ever been there for "bi night"? What's it like?
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Visitor ·
The owners probably figure since those nights are dead for bathhouses in general, why not open it up to others.
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Visitor ·
i think u may have had a nitemare about me...try not to b so infatuated lol...
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Visitor ·
Hotdickhole. You went on and on before when this place first opened and you claimed you went there. How come the need to describe what the basement looks like again? You really like to bullshit alot don't you? Oh wait, scratch that. I think people are tired of seeing another 80 paragraphs long description of what you claim did and didn't happen to you. lol Please go back to Calgary.
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Visitor ·
You flatter yourself too much.
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Visitor ·
I just got back from Montreal which has 13 steam baths doing well. One alone has 240 rooms. I have to admit I think a big part of the problem in Vancouver, is the provincial law stopping guys smoking there. But bath houses elsewhere do different things. 1 in Montreal has a complete real peepshow with glryholes, movies in them but no money required. others have cars etc. in them turning them into more fantasy clubs. We have good dance clubs, We don't need them at the baths. Some people like to relax at the tubs not have music bouncing of the walls. I have to say I will continue going to Steam 1, as I like to go to the tubs for men.
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