Seadog’s Sauna and Spa (2199 Gottingen Street) is all washed up. The doors are locked, the voicemail is full, the Facebook page has disappeared and the website reads: “SeaDogs is closed until further notice. Thank you for your patronage over the years.”
The bathhouse maintains an unassuming storefront and is identifiable only to those in the know by the anchors prominently positioned on its front doors. Inside, the venue features private rooms, a dry sauna, a hot tub, showers, bathrooms, a sex sling, a labyrinth, a licensed lounge area and scores of free condoms. A fixture of Halifax’s cruising community since 2003, the bathhouse has a reputation for being a clean and safe space to hook up with potential sex partners. Patrons frequented the bathhouse to use the amenities and enjoy their sexuality in the company of like-minded individuals. Although the bathhouse functioned primarily as a venue for gay males to meet and greet each other, it sometimes wore other hats. Seadog’s hosted a variety of events that aimed to provide sex-positive spaces for women and transfolks as well as the occasional gender-inclusive private party. The sudden and as-yet unexplained closure of Halifax’s only bathhouse has left various communities without a play place to call home.
Doug Melanson, former co-owner of Menz & Mollyz Bar (2182 Gottingen Street), sold the bathhouse to married couple Kevin and John Warren this past spring. The new owners were redecorating the space shortly before the closure. The Warrens did not respond to requests for comment.
UPDATE:
Hey! Look what happened:
We've heard word that Menz Bar's owner David Landry has re-opened Seadogs (or as the commenter below suggests Currently Nameless Sauna & Spa) but we haven't been able to reach him for a comment. Regardless, until we get more deets, bathe on!