Vintage The Continental Baths New York City, NY Poster Heavy Cotton T-Shirt

In the late 1960’s Steve Ostrow opened the Continental Baths in the basement of the landmark Ansonia Hotel, which at one time was home to such greats as Caruso, Stravinsky, and Toscanini.

Famous for its lavish accommodations, the Continental Baths was advertised as being reminiscent of “the glory of ancient Rome.” The impressive features of this bathhouse included a disco dance floor, a cabaret lounge, sauna rooms, an “Olympia blue” swimming pool, and clean, spacious facilities that could serve nearly 1,000 men, 24 hours a day. (And many patrons did!)

One gay guide from NYC in the 1970s described the Continental Baths as a place that “revolutionized the bath scene in New York.”

An extra added attraction at the Continental was the first-class entertainment provided by performers such as Melba Moore, Peter Allen, Cab Calloway, The Manhattan Transfer, John Davidson, Wayland Flowers, and Madame and Bette Midler, who began her career by performing there with Barry Manilow in 1972.

Despite Midler’s constant complaints about “that goddam waterfall,” her poolside performances were so successful that she soon gained national attention, beginning with repeat performances on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

As the popularity of the cabaret shows increased, a wide variety of entertainers were invited to “give it up” at the Continental Baths, including the soprano Eleanor Steber, who gave a “black towel” concert there in 1973.

The list of visitors to the Continental Baths read like a “who’s who” of the entertainment world, from actors, singers, artists, and producers, to the mafia and even the Metropolitan Opera.

During this period even the mainstream news talk show The Pat Collins Show broadcast live from the club. In one segment, Pat sat by the pool and interviewed proprietor Steve Ostrow while nude men, apparently indifferent to the television cameras, went splashing. WCBS-TV received only one complaint about the program.

Gilden Adult Heavy Weight Cotton T-Shirt Description

The 100% cotton men's classic tee will help you land a more structured look. It sits nicely, maintains sharp lines around the edges, and goes perfectly with layered streetwear outfits. Plus, it's extra trendy now! 

●100% cotton

●Sport Grey is 90% cotton, 10% polyester

●Ash Grey is 99% cotton, 1% polyester

●Heather colors are 50% cotton, 50% polyester

●Fabric weight: 5.3 oz/yds² (170-180 g/m²) 

●Open-end yarn

●Tubular fabric

●Taped neck and shoulders

●Double seam at sleeves and bottom hem

●Blank shirts are manufactured in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, China, Japan, Bangladesh, Honduras, Haiti, Mexico, or Nicaragua.

●No Forced Child Labor is used in the production of our product

●No Returns, No Refunds, No Exchanges, No Cancellations after payment is completed.

●Wash insie out with neutral detergents. Do not soak, expose to the sun, and bleach. Iron, steam, or tumble dry at low temperature (about 125°F)