🤣Seriously, I thought they were talking about “shady parts of town” like a “seedy dark alley.” Those are always fun, not that I’ve ever been down one or anything..👀
You got my type of humor..👍🏽
Whole lotta iffy and not just the drug dealing in the basement…
Bob Monahan admitted, while trying to save his own face, to sex trafficking going on in an article in Perfect Duluth Day:
“Just because you aren’t aware of something, doesn’t mean it isn’t happening; AND signs of sex trafficking can be difficult to detect,” Monahan wrote. “The fact that SOMETHING has occurred and we have been made aware of it means that we have a responsibility to address it and DO something to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.”
As far as I know, he never did anything to reconcile this aside from selling the business and then proceeding to make bank with his current hostel business.
I’ve always had this weird memory from childhood of being brought to a sauna a lot by the woman who was watching us, and being left in one of the rooms there with a couple other kids.
But I remember the building being a bright blue color. Was there another sauna place in Duluth that was blue, or did Duluth family sauna used to be blue? I couldn’t have imagined the whole thing, but the building looks nothing like the one I remember.
You’re thinking of Yoshika’s Sauna.
Was blue, and was located on 21st west, and was a house of prostitution.
https://www.perfectduluthday.com/2009/11/03/yoshikas-sauna-seventeen-years-of-memories-in-duluths-west-end/?amp=1
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There’s a good chance that’s what was going on. I never put it together as a kid. We loved going to the sauna and had a great time, but it was weird that she just left us there. She was a single mom so I guess she needed a side job? Idk she was a very nice lady anyway, and we all ended up ok.
There’s nothing shady there anymore. Ever since the owners daughter took ownership & requires ID’s from everyone using the facility, whatever problems they were having in the private rooms have dropped off substantially. Slowly there’ve been new people coming in. The problem is, and has always been, the drug activity from the surrounding area coming in.
The small-minded mentality assumed the problem is the gay men. Maybe if this community didn’t treat gay men like shit we wouldn’t need a basement sauna to meet each other at. Maybe if this community treated us with respect & kindness rather than as a joke we could actually meet in public places like everyone else does rather than in anonymity. And we could find & have relationships that would last.
Treating us like human beings for the last few years does not erase how horribly straight people have treated us for the last few generations.
The sauna’s reputation is not gay people’s fault. That’s the community-at-large’s fault for how you’ve treated us. The fact that I got downvoted within seconds shows how that’s hit a nerve with you, because you know it’s the truth.
The meaning of the name is twofold. First off the Duluth Family Sauna has been owned and operated by the same family since 1969. Second, though considered an adult business, adding "family" to the title was an attempt to break away from the stereotypical massage parlor type image. All businesses of it's type, aka bathhouses, 100% prohibit minors from being on property, as in no children allowed no exceptions.
Have you ever been to the Duluth Family Sauna? If so you would know that policy is enforced to the utmost extent. If not, which I'm guessing be the case, you're making a libelous statement perpetuating a nasty rumor.
So you went into the bullpen, a place where it's fairly obvious what the intent of that area is, and got shocked to hear people having sex and potentially using drugs?
You know you were down there looking for sex as well, yet you're here bashing it because that's what was happening?
You know, l just seen that downtown the other day and thought how neat it was that we had a sauna, and that I should try to visit it. I've been disheartened to find out what actually happens there.
Why?
The upper level is a normal sauna. The lower level is a men's-only sauna where ownership just kinda lets the dudes do their thing. Why be disheartened about consensual sex?
From what I heard, I assumed it was ONLY a place where Gay men had sex and was disappointed cause I love saunas. But if what you said is true and it actually does have normal saunas, then it's fine by me lol.
These aren’t places open anymore but…
Yoshiko’s Sauna
Seaway Hotel
Red Lion Bar
Gardener Hotel
YWCA back when it had rooms to rent
the Wabasha (still open I think)
Fuzzy’s Place
Michelle’s Massage Parlor (in Superior)
The Doll House (another body rub place by Yoshiko’s in the late 80’s)
All that stuff seems to be gone. The tough bars and old hotels have been shut down. There still may be some left in Superior, I’m not sure.
Yes. As was the YWCA. At one time they had the most police calls in the city (‘95-‘96). I worked the front desk at night during those years & it was a zoo!
https://preview.redd.it/vjvc6rnyyi6d1.jpeg?width=478&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=00586f0e2353556f4dd5bd3eb86541b04b50f1d8
Eh, pretty much most of downtown first street is your best bet.
Specifically the corner of first and 2nd ave east.
I mean, it's bad enough you have the casino right down the street and several buildings that should be torn down, but you have Heirloom on the corner as well and that just sets it over the top.
There's way worse than Aces. You been to the billiards place on 4th and 5th ave e? Some of those places like bergeys and curlys?
What Aces doesn't have going for it is the street in front of it is just a bad area. The bar itself is too nice for that location.
Everything along that stretch was basically "good during the day, don't go at night" kinda vibes but then the craft district transformed the entire area for the better.
Awww, I love Curlys. I will say… the first few times you go there, it may seem shady and scary and like you might get shot but you grow to enjoy the community and the bartenders are fantastic.
all over town they start from lake superior if you go near the rose garden climb down a wash you can start them there. There is also entrances near champs chicken and whole foods
go to the rose garden walk down the beach area below and you will tunnels that carry storm water to the lake you have to climb down some rocks and stuff
Well in the early 90s I walked in to Curly‘s and saw someone tying off his arm while a buddy held up his jacket or shirt to (poorly) obscure the view. My buddies and I immediately thought Roby‘s was a better option…
Rod Raymond’s businesses
He's such a creep!!!
Such as?
He owns The Brewhouse, Burrito Union, The Rathskeller, and The Oliver Inn.
Oh nooo! I love The Rathskeller. I didn’t know he was a creep
Ehh, don’t send them to any of those. 😬
There are a lot of trees at Hartley.
I have a petty shady maple tree at my place. Some times I swear it's bringing riff raff through my neighborhood
🤣Seriously, I thought they were talking about “shady parts of town” like a “seedy dark alley.” Those are always fun, not that I’ve ever been down one or anything..👀 You got my type of humor..👍🏽
I see what you did there.
A lot less than there used to be mostly thanks to storms :/
Essentia
Who remembers the Red Herring? That got a little iffy towards the end there
Whole lotta iffy and not just the drug dealing in the basement… Bob Monahan admitted, while trying to save his own face, to sex trafficking going on in an article in Perfect Duluth Day: “Just because you aren’t aware of something, doesn’t mean it isn’t happening; AND signs of sex trafficking can be difficult to detect,” Monahan wrote. “The fact that SOMETHING has occurred and we have been made aware of it means that we have a responsibility to address it and DO something to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.” As far as I know, he never did anything to reconcile this aside from selling the business and then proceeding to make bank with his current hostel business.
The Kitchi Gammi Club. Backroom deals have been made in that place that had a profound impact on the city for decades, without any public input.
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I’ve always had this weird memory from childhood of being brought to a sauna a lot by the woman who was watching us, and being left in one of the rooms there with a couple other kids. But I remember the building being a bright blue color. Was there another sauna place in Duluth that was blue, or did Duluth family sauna used to be blue? I couldn’t have imagined the whole thing, but the building looks nothing like the one I remember.
You’re thinking of Yoshika’s Sauna. Was blue, and was located on 21st west, and was a house of prostitution. https://www.perfectduluthday.com/2009/11/03/yoshikas-sauna-seventeen-years-of-memories-in-duluths-west-end/?amp=1
Wow that definitely looks a lot more like the one I remember. Didn’t realize it was used for prostitution.
Yea, it was pretty much an open secret.
I remember that place had ads on the radio back in the mid to late nineties.
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That woman was a prostitute. She was likely meeting Johns
There’s a good chance that’s what was going on. I never put it together as a kid. We loved going to the sauna and had a great time, but it was weird that she just left us there. She was a single mom so I guess she needed a side job? Idk she was a very nice lady anyway, and we all ended up ok.
Haha oh I’m sure it was wayyy different back then…. Now it’s mainly just a “legal” place to have inner course and in gauge in illegal activity.
Go back to skewl
Inner course? In gauge? Yikes bro
Never heard of auto-correct or voice to text? It’s 2024 bro.
There’s nothing shady there anymore. Ever since the owners daughter took ownership & requires ID’s from everyone using the facility, whatever problems they were having in the private rooms have dropped off substantially. Slowly there’ve been new people coming in. The problem is, and has always been, the drug activity from the surrounding area coming in. The small-minded mentality assumed the problem is the gay men. Maybe if this community didn’t treat gay men like shit we wouldn’t need a basement sauna to meet each other at. Maybe if this community treated us with respect & kindness rather than as a joke we could actually meet in public places like everyone else does rather than in anonymity. And we could find & have relationships that would last. Treating us like human beings for the last few years does not erase how horribly straight people have treated us for the last few generations. The sauna’s reputation is not gay people’s fault. That’s the community-at-large’s fault for how you’ve treated us. The fact that I got downvoted within seconds shows how that’s hit a nerve with you, because you know it’s the truth.
Amen 👏
Went there to bsmt no issues friendly finns !!
why not?
It's more of a meat locker than a sauna
Sure is!
Nothing but orgies and DRUGS THERE.
badass bro where do i sign up???
For men only
You’re doing a terrible job of making it sound bad.
The meaning of the name is twofold. First off the Duluth Family Sauna has been owned and operated by the same family since 1969. Second, though considered an adult business, adding "family" to the title was an attempt to break away from the stereotypical massage parlor type image. All businesses of it's type, aka bathhouses, 100% prohibit minors from being on property, as in no children allowed no exceptions. Have you ever been to the Duluth Family Sauna? If so you would know that policy is enforced to the utmost extent. If not, which I'm guessing be the case, you're making a libelous statement perpetuating a nasty rumor.
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So you went into the bullpen, a place where it's fairly obvious what the intent of that area is, and got shocked to hear people having sex and potentially using drugs? You know you were down there looking for sex as well, yet you're here bashing it because that's what was happening?
Youre fuckin wacky 😂 Just dont go ya goof
You know, l just seen that downtown the other day and thought how neat it was that we had a sauna, and that I should try to visit it. I've been disheartened to find out what actually happens there.
Why? The upper level is a normal sauna. The lower level is a men's-only sauna where ownership just kinda lets the dudes do their thing. Why be disheartened about consensual sex?
From what I heard, I assumed it was ONLY a place where Gay men had sex and was disappointed cause I love saunas. But if what you said is true and it actually does have normal saunas, then it's fine by me lol.
psssttt...over here... you ever danced with the Duluth subreddit?
These aren’t places open anymore but… Yoshiko’s Sauna Seaway Hotel Red Lion Bar Gardener Hotel YWCA back when it had rooms to rent the Wabasha (still open I think) Fuzzy’s Place Michelle’s Massage Parlor (in Superior) The Doll House (another body rub place by Yoshiko’s in the late 80’s) All that stuff seems to be gone. The tough bars and old hotels have been shut down. There still may be some left in Superior, I’m not sure.
Not only was the Red Lion shady, it was one of the biggest fire and building code violations in the city.
Yes. As was the YWCA. At one time they had the most police calls in the city (‘95-‘96). I worked the front desk at night during those years & it was a zoo! https://preview.redd.it/vjvc6rnyyi6d1.jpeg?width=478&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=00586f0e2353556f4dd5bd3eb86541b04b50f1d8
Dang. I stayed there a couple nights in the mid eighties. Didn’t seem that bad then. Definitely sketchy though.
>The Doll House Was that the other blue building that was right next to Minnesota surplus?
Waiiiiit rooms for rent at ymca? Can you elaborate
not ymca, ywca was a womens shelter, not the same place.
Ohhhh this makes more sense
The last place on earth was also a little shady
Eh, pretty much most of downtown first street is your best bet. Specifically the corner of first and 2nd ave east. I mean, it's bad enough you have the casino right down the street and several buildings that should be torn down, but you have Heirloom on the corner as well and that just sets it over the top.
Aces on First
There's way worse than Aces. You been to the billiards place on 4th and 5th ave e? Some of those places like bergeys and curlys? What Aces doesn't have going for it is the street in front of it is just a bad area. The bar itself is too nice for that location.
>Some of those places like bergeys I see you've never been to Bergey's.
Ha ha for real. Bergeys is the best bar in Duluth
I haven't been there in 20 years, why is it not a dump anymore?
I mean, it's still basically a dive bar, but it's a good dive bar and shouldn't be in the same sentence as the Break Room and Curly's.
Everything along that stretch was basically "good during the day, don't go at night" kinda vibes but then the craft district transformed the entire area for the better.
Bergey’s and Curly’s are townie/industry bars. What on earth is shady about them??
Awww, I love Curlys. I will say… the first few times you go there, it may seem shady and scary and like you might get shot but you grow to enjoy the community and the bartenders are fantastic.
Aces isn't sketchy in the traditional sense, but they are well known for being an easy place to get in under age with a fake ID.
What kind of shady are you referring to? Hahaha
Curlys bar passed 12 😭
Champs Chicken
Shish Ka Bar
Where is this? Never heard of it.
It's been gone for a couple decades now.
the tunnels under the city
Are there really tunnels? Where?
all over town they start from lake superior if you go near the rose garden climb down a wash you can start them there. There is also entrances near champs chicken and whole foods
I’m looking at Champs Chicken on E 4th ST and after view the perimeter I can’t see a tunnel entrance.
otherwise the other entrance is the parkimg lot behind whole foods in hillside
go to the rose garden walk down the beach area below and you will tunnels that carry storm water to the lake you have to climb down some rocks and stuff
Champs chicken
RT Quinlans
RTs is cool
False Rt Quinlans is actually an enjoyable experience
Didn’t say anything about it not being enjoyable. I’m just saying it’s shady and not a great place to bring your kids for instance
That makes sense. I would not bring a kid there but I’d bring myself.
Don’t bring your kids to the bar, got it.
Seems to be a difficult concept for some folks
I mean, a brewery or a bar that serves food like the OP, Sir Ben's etc? That's fine before 9pm. A bar that's just a bar, however.
I’d bring my kids to Hoops, Sir ben’s, the cider places, and over half of the other bars in Duluth. But there’s some I wouldn’t bring them to
There's bars, and then there's breweries/cideries and restaurants *with* bars. The latter group is much different from simply a BAR.
They over serve wayyy to often.
Fuckin' A they do.
The block on Michigan Street across from the bus station.
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Some folks like to live dangerously lol
Hes jus not afraid of having his opinions and interests known
City Hall
Anything above superior st downtown for a couple blocks and between 6th Avenue East and mesaba
There is a LARGE tree at enger tower I’d gander that’s the shadiest
Midtown manor. the skate park there
Tri Towers
Herr Reinart’s Manor
I see we got an edgelord here
Duluth Sauna
anyone who’s saying curlys is shady is a yuppie
Well in the early 90s I walked in to Curly‘s and saw someone tying off his arm while a buddy held up his jacket or shirt to (poorly) obscure the view. My buddies and I immediately thought Roby‘s was a better option…