Brighton Beach Bath and Racquet Club (site of)

About this listing

An early 20th century resort and health club, now demolished

Place Details

Place Matters Profile

In 1907 the Brighton Beach Baths opened on the site of a former amusement park. The bath's activities included swimming, tennis and entertainment. Yiddish vaudeville theater dominated the stage, and a carousel provided an additional attraction. The baths were demolished to make way for housing in the mid 1990s.

In 1907 the Brighton Beach Baths opened on the site of a former amusement park. The bath's activities included swimming, tennis and entertainment. Yiddish vaudeville theater dominated the stage, and a carousel provided an additional attraction. The baths were demolished to make way for housing in the mid 1990s.

Nominations

The Brighton Beach Baths (BBB) in Brooklyn was a brightly colored turn-of-the-century bathhouse which had photos documenting every event lining the entrance. One time my Aunt Ruth met me at the entrance with her friends and their son, Herbie, for a surprise blind date. I feel lucky to have one of the red Adirondack chairs on my balcony that I rescued when they demolished the baths. Today in there place stand several tall, institutional looking condominiums.

With more than 13,000 members in the 1960s, this resort featured knish-eating contests, mahjong and card-playing areas, miniature golf, pools, steam rooms and a bandshell. Along with Mrs. Stahl's Knishes, the Baths have been here forever.