Venue: A large warehouse located in an industrial area. The interior, quite spacious overall, has undergone significant remodeling and now feels more polished and lively while maintaining a certain simplicity in the decor. From the reception (where there is also an ATM), you access the changing rooms with their respective lockers (the safes are located in a dedicated area next to the dining area). The spaces are large and livable, and the main hall also includes the bar with its inevitable stools, sofas, armchairs, and tables scattered around. From here, you can access all other areas of the facility, such as the saunas, steam room, solarium, showers, and other services, as well as the dining room and a “relaxation room.” Along the corridors, there are the rooms, which are small and basic (a bed, a small nightstand, a mirror, and little more), but they are overall pleasant and fit for purpose. A fun touch is the green or red light that indicates whether the room is occupied or free. In general, the spaces are well distributed and functional, without unnecessary embellishments. There’s also a rooftop terrace.
Girls: About 15. The level of aesthetics varies as the girls take turns at other clubs on the same property(Acapulco and Penelope Sauna Club), but it tends to be low in proportion to the average age, which is well over 30. Although it is no longer an AO club (where sex is done all uncovered, i.e., without protection), some operators also offer this service upon request, greatly increasing the half-hour rate.
Prices: Admission 30€ (Fridays, Saturdays and Pre-holidays, after 19:00 the admission fee increases to 35 Euro) – Opening hours: Daily from 10:00 to 03:00 (Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 to 05:00). – Standard half-hour 50 Euro (120 Euro for the service AO “all uncovered”, only with some operators).
Restaurant/Bar: Included in the price are breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a buffet style, as well as “basic” non-alcoholic beverages (for example, coffee is free, but cappuccino costs extra). Alcohol and all other drinks are charged separately.
Note: The city of Bochum, in addition to being one of the most important university towns in Germany, is also known for its considerable number of brothels, party-treff, and establishments dedicated to prostitution. The Freude39 has always been one of the most well-known venues in the city’s “punter” scene. Formerly known as Club AO until 2020, it closed its doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic, primarily because of the nature of the venue that featured unprotected sex as a key offering. However, it reopened on June 6, 2024, as a Sauna Club after a complete renovation and a shift in the services it provides.
Where it once was a very basic place with barely edible food and a subpar wellness area, albeit with a solid lineup of girls offering “excellent services at affordable prices” (CIM and Anal included in the base price, along with the “full exposure” option, which were the main draws of the original Freude39), it is now a modern sauna club with a much more polished environment. The services and prices for the girls are in line with the competition, although the aesthetic quality of the girls often leaves much to be desired.
Positive points include better food quality, a modern and welcoming environment, and a base price of 50 Euros for 30 minutes with a girl, which is still among the cheapest in the area (although there is a noticeable tendency for prices to rise).
In short, it’s still too early to call it a “flop,” but as it stands, the revived Freude39 lacks the most crucial element of any successful “trombodromo” — a solid lineup of girls who can attract customers and encourage repeat visits.
