That stigma and shame intensified as the AIDS epidemic grew, forcing many bathhouses to close their doors. Bathhouses were a source of contention-to some they were integral to gay culture for others they were dangerous. As long as gay bathhouses have been around, they have been filled with gay and bisexual men looking to get laid and fueled the stigma that surrounds gay sex. He then began noticing some regular customers, and even staff members, selling drugs out of certain rooms. “We had two people who had completely moved in,” he said. Right from the beginning, Clarke noticed some things that needed to be changed. In the late 90s, when Clarke first started working, Midtowne was one of three bathhouses in Denver alongside the now-closed Triple C and still-standing Denver Swim Club. “A lot of time and energy has gone into making Midtowne what it is today.” It’s through leadership and eye for detail that Midtowne Spa has outlasted most of its brethren. Although his workforce changes came to a halt in 1996, Clarke was now in charge of something bigger-changing with the always-evolving culture that exists within the LGBTQ community. Again, after sleeping on the decision, he decided it was too good of money to pass up. After decades of operation and nine locations around the country, Midtowne Spa has only three locations still in business: Denver Los Angeles and Wilmington, California.Īfter Denver Midtowne’s general manager left the chain, Clarke was offered the position. That was 22 years ago.”ĭenver’s Midtowne Spa is one of the few gay bathhouses left that share the same name. That day, he hired me as assistant manager. “When he told me to meet him at Midtowne Spa on Monday, I had to do a lot of soul searching before walking through those front doors. “I had no idea what this man did, and I told him I’d come in for an interview one Sunday,” Clarke said. His time bartending there was short, and it wasn’t long before a regular customer offered him a job outside of the bar. Not long after moving here, he made a career jump from the food industry to LGBTQ nightlife, landing a job at the now-closed gay bar The Fox Hole Lounge. After his time in the Army, he transitioned to the food industry, which eventually forced him into the Mile High City.