L.A.'s Most Infamous Bathhouse Reopens After Sudden Closure

Flex Spa, in east Hollywood, kicked off its reopening with a cook-out this weekend.

“We greatly appreciate all the support from our patrons as we continue working through issues with the city,” Flex Spa’s management said via a Facebook post. “Due to these ongoing permitting matters some temporary restrictions are in place. But they won’t interfere with your having a good time.”

Flex Spa was forced to shut its doors shortly after the February closing of Hollywood Spa across town. Peter Sykes, owner of Hollywood Spa, told WEHOville that the diminishing number of gay bathhouses can be attributed to a culture shift.

“You don’t have to be in the closet as a gay man,” Sykes said. “You can go to the supermarket and play with bananas and get a date.”

Flex Spa operates four locations: Los Angeles, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Phoenix. Charles Fleck, the founder of the Flex chain, died in 2012, but not before making Flex Cleveland the world’s largest bathhouse, with indoor and outdoor pools, a bar and hotel rooms.

Flex Spa is located at 4424 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90029.