Feb 24, 2008

Epitome: that bathhouse in Malate

Epitome logo.Epitome is the first gay bathhouse I've ever been to in the Philippines (I've visited one in Japan before) and it's a pretty decent place if you want to get your fix of naughty adventure. I've gone back here several times and most of my experiences in Epitome have been great. Epitome is located along Leon Guinto St. (that's on the other side of Taft Ave. from the Orosa-Nakpil area) near the corner with Remedios St.

If you've never been to Epitome but you have seen Sikil (which I reviewed recently) then you've already seen a good part of the interiors of Epitome, since the bathhouse is one of the major settings of the indie film. The elaborately costumed shows were staged in Epitome's lounge, the locker room scenes are also in Epitome, and the garden-air bathhouse scenes show the heart of this bathhouse (including the jacuzzi from which a nude Richard Guebar came out of). In fact, Sikil had a special advanced screening last March 2007 in Epitome. But, don't think that what you see in the film is actually what goes on in Epitome. For one thing, Epitome is usually open at night from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. except on Sundays when they open from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m., so the daylighted scenes in Sikil is not the norm. Also, there are no costumed stage plays in the lounge, but there are drag comedy shows instead.

As far as bathhouses go, Epitome is not really just a bathhouse. Its 3rd floor lounge doubles as a comedy bar where the Raging Kittens (a drag group) perform stand-up comedy and sing diva songs, from Thursdays to Saturday. You might say that the lounge forms a wholesome front for Epitome to mask the carnal goings-on happening below the lounge. Hehehe. There are several videos of their performances in YouTube, if you're curious.

The bathhouse proper of Epitome is quite complete in amenities. There's a locker room with a powder counter at the entrance. There's a video room where blue films are regularly played. There are eight cubicles in the second floor where you can have intimate privacy with your catch. On the ground floor is the gym area (with a not so-complete array of equipment), a sauna and steam room, a jacuzzi, and open-air showers as well as two shower cubicles, if you're not up to bathing in the buff. There are also two toilet cubicles near the shower area. On the other end of the ground floor is a garden bar with chairs and tables where you can enjoy your drinks or chit-chat with someone, and there is a dark almost pitch-black "maze" where you can grope around your way touching what normally isn't touched. :-p

Unlike its older cousins, Fahrenheit in Quezon City and Club Bath in Pasay, Epitome does not have its own website and so you have to be resourceful to find out any information about this place online. Guys4Men is the perennial PR site of Epitome and the proprietors often post events of Epitome in G4M's calendar and any bathhouse-related threads in G4M's forums regularly get "spammed" by weekly events listings. If you don't have a G4M account (who doesn't?), then you can learn more about Epitome over at this public thread in the Pinoy Pride forums.

So is Epitome any good? Well, it's quite decent and I have enjoyed myself over there. The crowd is quite varied and has more of the yuppie-types and are not too aggressive. I find going there an ego booster, actually, and there are some cuties and hunks that grace the venue. And unless you're a really unappealing guy, physically, it's not impossible to find some quick fun in the dark corridors of Epitome. If you've never been to a bathhouse before and want to try going to one, I would recommend Epitome as a good introductory place. :-)

I will post more about Epitome in the future. In the meantime, shown below are some shots of Epitome's interiors from Sikil.

44 comments:

Anonymous wrote on March 13, 2008 at 4:53 AM:

isn't that ernie garcia the actor in the picture?

 
Vince (Discreet Manila) wrote on March 13, 2008 at 7:43 AM:

I'm not familiar with Ernie Garcia, but I think he's the one sitting at the bar in the foreground, right? I've read somewhere that there are a few cameo roles in Sikil so you may be right.

 
Anonymous wrote on December 5, 2009 at 3:39 PM:

If this is Ernie Garcia (the actor)sitting at the bar... Well ..Hello Ernie, Its me Zaldy.'Last time I saw you was in the late 70s at cocobanana. Not sure if you still know me.
We were talking about the movie VIVIAN VOLTA with Ate Vi?

We were laughing giggling and dancing and at the same time we were drinking white wine. Its good to see you on the internet. I hope you are fine and in good health.I wish you all the best.

 
Vance wrote on July 14, 2011 at 5:48 PM:

pano kung gusto ko isang beses lng pumunta, tapos hindi na ako pupunta, need parin pa membership? thank you

 
Vince (Discreet Manila) wrote on July 15, 2011 at 2:30 AM:

@Vance, yes, you need to sign up for membership.

 
Anonymous wrote on August 2, 2011 at 1:08 PM:

bukas pa ba ito? i stopped going to bathhouse pasay and i need to go somewhere closer :)

 
Anonymous wrote on August 25, 2011 at 7:19 AM:

is this still open? i want to try it kagabi. kaso nung nagtanong sa mga bystanders kung san ang epitome. di nila alam. i was at leon guinto na by then corner malvar.

 
Vince (Discreet Manila) wrote on August 27, 2011 at 12:45 AM:

@Anon (Aug 25), yes, it seems Epitome is still open. Epitome is near Leon Guinto corner Remedios. Medyo malayo na yung Malvar. :)

 
Anonymous wrote on August 30, 2011 at 12:14 PM:

Sino pupuntavsa epitome on wednesday? Sabay tayo. 19 here.

 
Steven wrote on September 9, 2011 at 3:01 PM:

I would have to thank you(The writer of Discreet Manila),

I am white and my partner is pinoy, but from LaUnion, and lives in the states with me. So when it comes to finding our way around Manila were always getting lost. You made it so easy for us to find, and explained everything as it happened. We really appreciate all the information you have provided. We look forward to going to some more bathhouses in Manila when we return in the next few weeks.

One thing I wanted to mention;
On our 2nd night in Epitome we were having a great time, till the end of the night when we were both stuck in the orgy of men that followed us through the dark maze, someone stole my partners key. Oddly enough I thought mine would have been stolen before his, but that was not the case. Nothing was taken out of his locker or safety deposit box (Thank god, thats where both of our passports were) we just reported the missing key to the bartender, and immediately him and an army of 3 cute guys turned on the lights and started searching(it was nearly closing time anyway). The staffs attention was great as they helped us out, but a little seedy crowd that night. Just saying you should warn your readers about always keeping an eye on your key. The bartender told us to that they can watch the keys too, didnt know that! Thank again

 
Anonymous wrote on October 24, 2011 at 11:46 AM:

i wanted to try this pero wala ako kasama..sino pwede kasama..hehe..just reply a comment and leave ur contact number

 
Anonymous wrote on October 25, 2011 at 10:46 AM:

gusto ko din itry yung epitome... madami ba tao pag weekdays?

 
Anonymous wrote on October 25, 2011 at 10:41 PM:

hmmmmm gusto ko dn to puntahan ano ba kilalang landmark?

 
jdlacruz12@y.c. wrote on January 20, 2012 at 11:05 PM:

parang gusto ko itong itry.
discreet here. add me sa ym
jdlacruz12

 
Anonymous wrote on February 1, 2012 at 9:37 AM:

gusto ko din itong itry....... ask ko lang vince kung ilan ID ang dapat i present? iisa lang kc id ko ( company ID).

 
Anonymous wrote on February 2, 2012 at 9:43 AM:

nagpunta ako sa E kagabi wednesday ( feb. 1,2012) at first time kong makapsok dun at cnabi sa akin ng nasa counter na maliit na towel lang ang ibibigay at kaialangan mag hubot hubad hehehehehhe, sa totoo lang na excite ako sa cnabi nyan yun . una nagpa register ako at nagbayad ako ng 300 for the membership at isang ID lang pinakita ko ok na un. pagpasok ko sa loob totoo nga cnabi ng nasa counter na walang saplot at ang maliit na towel lang ang ipna pang cover sa private parts mo hehehehehehe.dahil ako ay bago pa naguguguluhan ako sa mga part ng building na un dfami pasikot sikot at lahat ng andun nakatau sa ibat ibang sulok at nag mimistulang nag aabang. sa paglalakad ko dami tumitingin sa akin at mat sumunod na dalawang lalaki muscled guy at nang huminto ako dumaan cila sa harapan ko at ikiniskis sa pwet ko ang malalaking burat nila at dun na nagsimula ang maganda kung exp. sa E


ang masasabi ko lang sa try nyo ang E, wla po wednesday hehehehehe.

Facility commets:

1. Ang Sauna nila malakas
2. Ang hot & cold shower? un d lang gumagana ang cold kaya sobrang init ng tubig ang lumalabas sa shower
3. sa jacuzzi may tao na
naninigarilyo ( tama ba yun)


Sana MAGAWA na ung hothot & cold shower nila hehehhehe!

I try nio pumunta guys!!!!

 
Anonymous wrote on February 2, 2012 at 9:46 AM:

Vince, ask ko lang Feb,1,2012 may nakita akong lalaki na malaki ang katawan na pumasok sa locker room na naka long sleeve, kaw ba yun or un ba manager or amo ? gwapo cia ha! gusto ko kausapin sana kya lang saglit lang cia pumasok sa locker room

 
Anonymous wrote on February 9, 2012 at 5:25 PM:

it's great there, i frequent the place specialy every wednsday,and u know why...hehehe.if u see an average looking guy who doenst use his towel to cover up and has a long hairtail,that's me

 
Anonymous wrote on February 20, 2012 at 6:53 PM:

hello there ;p. parang interested ako in this place. I went to 1 of the sauna bath houses in Singapore last year to and hindi ko alam na mayroon din pala dito sa Pinas na ganito. Anyone po who can give me direction of the exact place? Alam ko Leon Guinto and Malate kaya lang bka maligaw ako. Pls txt me po sa 09333013365 for info and kung cno gusto makasabay ko pagpunta ;p. Thanks

 
Anonymous wrote on February 25, 2012 at 5:23 AM:

I want to go today how can I go pls. Txt me the direction 09155654195 -i'm 19 years old

 
alyaspogi wrote on March 13, 2012 at 6:58 PM:

pano pumunta jan at sino ang pwede makasabay. fb search: paguntalan09@yahoo.com yun. :)
o text 09058524664 gusto ko itry.

 
taurus top wrote on March 18, 2012 at 5:36 AM:

Important Advisory:

Epitome Club Malate will have its FINAL Week of Operations at Leon Guinto St from March 18 to March 25 before we pack up and move for a better home. A Big Finale Show will be on March 24 Saturday.

Thanks for all the love, loyalty, bonding and memories we shared since 2004.

Until we meet again.

 
Anonymous wrote on March 20, 2012 at 10:00 PM:

partee_MD here, does anybody know where they are going to transfer?

 
Anonymous wrote on April 16, 2012 at 4:58 AM:

pls contact me of the address of the new site, i'm a member from the province abd will be in Manila next week.. would want to visit the place again.... pls HELP
email: dean_ang0922@yahoo.com
mobile: 09277237818 09238056169

 
Anonymous wrote on April 19, 2012 at 10:14 PM:

i am member of this club, may i know the new location of Epitome. please text with my nos. 09331957681 & 09298041057 & email address: gio.ocampo789@yahoo.com . thanking you in advance.

 
Anonymous wrote on April 25, 2012 at 11:19 AM:

hello, where is the new location of Epitome?? pls let me know. hehe, at pde ba dun ang minor??? 17 yrs old here. tnx please answer my question

 
Anonymous wrote on June 4, 2012 at 9:26 PM:

Let us know where the new location is, thanks discreet manila. we'll check on your blog every time for new updates.

 
Anonymous wrote on August 14, 2012 at 8:38 PM:

hi im a member of epitome club house,peru close n kayu,san n ang new location nyu,.contact my # 09392635338

 
Anonymous wrote on September 21, 2012 at 12:40 AM:

im interested to visit this place,kung may alam kau na bath house na same din ung offer,pls let me know also...di ko kc a try yung ganun..hehehe...message me in fb kung may update kau mackydomz@yahoo.com

 
Anonymous wrote on October 21, 2012 at 1:23 AM:

hello nagsara na pala epitome.. wheres the new place?... i was ative member of epitome, madalas ako dun every wednesday skin night, nude.. gusto ko rin may makasabay saan yung new place text me 09165410497 - Nel

 
Anonymous wrote on October 21, 2012 at 1:25 AM:

text me 09165410497 im Nel, pls tell me wheres the new location of Epitome? i want to have a buddy to go there..

 
Anonymous wrote on October 21, 2012 at 1:27 AM:

text me 09165410497 Nel, gusto kong may kasaman pumunta sa new location of Epitome

 
Mark of Pasig wrote on October 23, 2012 at 4:49 AM:

Ako din I want to try this too. Iyon nga lang wala akong pwedeng makasabay sa pagpunta sa lugar an Iyon. If may gustong sumabay just message me to this number 09058974875 I'm mark of pasig. And pls. Update me too kung saan ung new place.

 
Anonymous wrote on December 18, 2012 at 1:02 AM:

im a member of E.before, now im back and try to visit again,but i heard they change the location, need somebody to guide me where the new place.thanks 9173420370 bong

 
Anonymous wrote on December 18, 2012 at 1:05 AM:

where is the new place of E.9173420370 thanks bong

 
Anonymous wrote on December 26, 2012 at 12:32 PM:

pm me Xx926Xx712Xxx04X82 i have been to club bath and E. I like Club bath because it's cleaner...

 
Anonymous wrote on January 21, 2013 at 10:38 AM:

Paki post naman dito ung new location ng Epitome or u can email me at luk4friends85@yahoo.com. Thanks

 
Anonymous wrote on January 24, 2013 at 11:51 PM:

saan ang new location ng epitome. ..kindly text me at this number. .09158033770. .thanks po. .

 
Anonymous wrote on June 10, 2013 at 4:24 PM:

weres the new location of epitome
just txt me at 090255947099

 
Anonymous wrote on June 10, 2013 at 4:26 PM:

san ang new location ng epitome just txt me at 09055947099

 
Anonymous wrote on July 9, 2013 at 4:04 PM:

Guys please txt me the new adrres of EPITOME heres my number asap gusto ko pumunta uli kasi pumunta ako before sa taft sarado na pala sila dun e. Please txt naman sakin ang new house and place ng EPITOME
tnx po heres my number 09465433944

 
Anonymous wrote on July 21, 2013 at 3:04 AM:

pls txt new location ...gusto ma expirience kung ano ba meron sa mundo nyo..hahhaahha...30 married man 0998-401-1304 , and how to get thr im from laguna ...

 
Anonymous wrote on May 10, 2014 at 4:42 PM:

Gusto ko pumunta dyan kaso need ko ng kasama. Just text me 9397193795. Im free tonight

 
Anonymous wrote on May 10, 2014 at 4:44 PM:

Still wanna go there lets go.. lol married here too.