Continental Baths

The Continental Baths was a gay bathhouse in the basement of The Ansonia Hotel in New York City, which was operated from 1968-1976 by Steve Ostrow. It was advertised as reminiscent of "the glory of ancient Rome".

It opened after Ostrow observed the crowds at Everard Baths and he wanted to improve on the Everard atmosphere of being "sleazy, secretive, unkempt, not to mention unfriendly." "Ostrow’s business plan in 1968 was to create a gay fantasia, a palace devoted to hedonism." Ostrow said “from the first night, there were lines around the corner.” Some patrons said they would have 150 sexual encounters in a single visit. Opened a year before the Stonewall riots the bathhouse was raided by the police about 200 times, Ostrow said.

While the baths utilized the Ansonia's lavish Gilded Age décor for a Roman style bath, it is probably best remembered as being an influential offbeat music venue. Ostrow (born September 16, 1932) was a singer for the New York City Opera. He installed a stage designed specifically for a DJ, claimed to be the first of its type in the world. Discs were spun by Frankie Knuckles and Larry Levan.

He then began showcasing live acts which were the launching points for Bette Midler, Barry Manilow, Melissa Manchester, Ellen Greene, Labelle, The Manhattan Transfer, Jane Olivor, Melba Moore, Liz Torres, Wayland Flowers, Nell Carter and Peter Allen. The act most associated with the bathhouse was Midler who was accompanied by Manilow on the piano. Midler debuted her song Friends at the bathhouse and later recorded an album entitled Bathhouse Betty. The performances were actually open to the public and not just bath patrons. The gay crowd dwindled because they didn't like the public in the bathhouse and felt they were being gawked at. Ostrow cancelled the live performances in 1974 before closing the baths in 1976.

It re-opened as the straight swingers venue Plato's Retreat in 1977.