"So what's all the hoopla about in going to a bathhouse!"
I have known Robert (one of the owners of Spa Excess and Pegasus pool-bar)
for many years, but frankly I have rarely visited Spa Excess, because I have
always considered myself to be non-bathhouse kind of guy. Whenever I went
to any bathhouse, I simply found my experience to be far too impersonal, and
as a result, I rarely returned.

The owners of Spa Excess have always been extremely generous and supportive
of TNT!MEN activities since our inception in 1997. Last year, during
TNT!MEN's volunteer appreciation dinner in February, we officially
recognized Robert's many contribution to our club, by making him a Life-long
Honorary Member of TNT!MEN.

Spa Excess has always had some special ongoing deals (discount or even free)
for our members, who enjoy visiting their bathhouse. These have always been
in addition to their numerous other special sponsorship deals for our many
special events in the past (such as the Mr.TNT Competitions), or even some
general support for our overall activities (such as selling off-site tickets
for Barn events).

A month and a half ago Spa Excess started a new special event, called Deep,
Dark & Naked parties. These are held every Friday evening from 8 pm to 4
am. Once again Robert invited our members to enjoy this weekly 'Naked
Optional' party for FREE. The only request made of our members is to remain
naked, in order to help stimulate other patrons to also stay naked within
all the areas of the business, including the fully licensed lounge.

Last Friday evening, I finally mustered up enough courage to see for myself
what the hoopla is all about. Well let me assure you, I had a totally
unexpected blast of a good time. My intention was to merely have a beer
with Robert, who had promised me a full tour of the facilities, and an
opportunity to possibly chat with some other fellow nudists. I had figured
I would be out of there in about an hour and a half. My initial thinking
turned out to be a 'Huge Mistake'!

I arrived at about ten thirty to meet Robert for a beer in the bar/lounge,
after an extremely uncomplicated and friendly check in by two very jovial
wicket attendants, followed by my quick disrobing in the locker area. Of
course I was entirely void of any kind of clothes, or towel wrap when I
entered the bar, wearing only some flip-flops and cock ring, while carrying
my towel around my neck. I must say Robert was extremely gracious. We
chatted for quite some time, exchanging some very funny personal anecdotes
and life experiences. The lounge bar turned out to be truly one of the most
relaxing experiences I have ever had in a liquor licensed establishment.
Guys weren't just cruising about, as I had expected them to do, but rather
they were actually having a great time chatting at the bar, playing some
pool, reading some magazines on the comfortable sofas, or watching some tv,
while others were even listening to some of the great musical sounds played
by DJ Paul, while their minds were clearly wondering within their own
thoughts. (That's right a DJ in a bathhouse. Well that certainly is a new
experience!) My pre-conceived notions of a bathhouse being a very
impersonal place, disappeared as fast as my sober thinking mind (and frankly
any and all of my personal inhibitions). Enjoying a great'ol time, having
some beers with my gracious host, and meeting numerous patrons and extremely
friendly staff, Robert finally gave me the promised grand tour, for which I
had come.

Robert first showed me the brand-new suntanning booth on the same floor as
the bar-lounge, which patrons can access with assistance of one of the
front-desk attendants. Next we entered the shower and spa area. After
passing the dry-sauna, the adjacent large steam room and a large bank of
glass-wall enclosed showers, we entered the luxuriously appointed
white-washed romanesque type spa/hot tub area. The four surrounding
mirrored walls, within this high humidity separate area, create the illusion
of a much larger space with many more adjacent facilities. In the
hot-tub/spa guys were leisurely enjoying the hot bubbling mineral waters.
Some of the guys were watching some very hot steamy videos on the various
viewing screens within the surrounding walls, while others were actually
chatting with each other. Not wanting to be too intrusive on the other
patrons during my tour, we quickly exited this semi-private area.

Leaving the main floor area, we made our way up the staircase, while Robert
explained that the basement is equipped with private lockable washrooms, for
those in need of personal privacy. The surroundings on the second floor
house commonly expected bathhouse facilities, including a large locker room
area, another bank of showers, and numerous personal cubicles. Here many
guys were cruisingly meandering the hallways. One of the larger cubicles
turned out to have a very special exhibitionist feature, as it is equipped
with a one-way mirrored wall, viewable from the public hallway.

Next we made our way to the third floor, where I was astonished to find some
of the newest additions to the facilities. These new areas include a
magnificently appointed video area with numerous tv screen columns and
easy-cleaning comfort viewing areas; a leather geared fantasy dungeon area;
a strategically placed, one-way mirrored, urinal trough and shower area,
with its own bleacher type of viewing area on the other side of the one-way
mirrors; as well as a labyrinth of hallways and special-interest areas.
Also the third floor has its usual hallways and cubicles areas, as well as a
surprisingly well stocked, and extremely reasonably priced adult-toy shop
with a very helpful attendant, who appears eager to exchange a friendly chat
with anyone passing by.

Subsequently we made our way to the roof top deck areas, which are a
pleasant change from the somewhat darkened interior areas, giving a sneak
peek at the spectacular surrounding Toronto skyline, yet ensuring total
privacy from the surrounding buildings. The roof-top decks are the only
areas which still allow for smoking, at least for now.

Besides the obviously well appointed facilities, and the extremely friendly
staff, it is very evident that a lot of attention is paid to the overall
cleanliness of the premises. I also found a great deal of attention being
paid to individual safety and personal hygiene issues. There are numerous
reminders of this through signage, sanitizer dispensers, and an abundance of
free personal prophylactics, readily available from wall dispensers in all
the hallways. Security/janitorial staff can be seen everywhere, yet they
are totally unobtrusive to the fun-loving surrounding patrons. The DJ's
musical sounds from the bar/lounge can be heard within all areas of the
premises, yet also this is done at a sound level to merely enhance the
overall guest experience, without being intrusive or overwhelming, creating
a marvellously cozy atmosphere.

Returning to the main floor licensed bar area, we found many more new
arrivals, who were comfortably seated in the various lounging area sofas of
the bar area, while others were simply standing around the bar or were
seated at it, whereas others were playing some pool. The bar's general
energy appeared to be quite similar to any other licensed up-beat
establishment in town. Of course most of the patrons only wore wrap around
towels, although some were actually naked, as I was. However, at this time,
there were even some fully dressed guys in the lounge, who simply had come
in for a drink at the bar. Since Robert had promised to play a game of pool
with one of the other patrons, prior to our facility tour, he subsequently
started his game. In the meantime, while seated at the bar, I ended up
having a great conversation with one of the fully dressed patrons, who had
simply come in for a drink. Frankly if I wouldn't have known any better,
this guy could have been a regular patron of any 'straight' pool-hall
establishment, yet I was very aware that I was in an all male (gay)
bathhouse. The atmosphere in the bar was indeed very lively and
interactive, all together different from what I had expected it to be,
before my arrival.

After my visit to Spa Excess during their Dark, Deep and Naked party, even I
must admit that my pre-conceived notions about going to a bathhouse,
certainly don't seem to apply to Spa Excess. This by no means, is just
another bathhouse, but rather a place to call 'home, away from home.' A
place where you can simply have a beer, or possibly where you can allow your
wildest fantasies to come true, yet always knowing that the owners,
management and staff deeply care for your personal well-being, your overall
health and your personal safety in a fun and totally uninhibited
environment, giving patrons a total sense of security. Having enjoyed a
splendid time, while meeting some wonderful patrons, I will definitely
return for some more uninhibited personal time, free of performance anxiety.
Maybe even next Friday evening between 8 pm and 4 am during the next Deep,
Dark and Naked party, when TNT!MEN members enter for free, by merely showing
their TNT!MEN membership card. (You do have to pay a five dollar key
deposit, which you get back prior to your departure.)

If there is any negative comment I could possibly make about my visit to Spa
Excess, it is that instead of my well intended hour and a half visit, I
ended up staying for almost five hours. I truly enjoyed a wonderfully
social time, which may have caused me some serious sleep depravation the
next day, but then again, I also should admit that nobody forced me to have
such a great time. I guess the biggest trick behind all the hoopla of going
to this particular bathhouse is simply to allow yourself to completely
relax, so nature can do the rest.