Bathhouse closuresSan Francisco's bathhouse restrictions stemmed from a city lawsuit against the venues. In October 1984 a San Francisco Superior Court judge issued a temporary restraining order that shuttered nine gay bathhouses and sex clubs.In late November of that year another judge lifted the restraining order but imposed new rules on how the bathhouses and sex clubs could operate.
No longer could they rent private rooms, unless they secured a hotel license, and employees had to monitor the sexual behavior of patrons.Bathhouse owners, however, refused to open their doors as the court heard challenges to the new rules.