Remembering “The Web” in NYC - Any replacement venue?

[TravelingLibra]

Do you boys remember the venue The Web in midtown Manhattan? Solid place to find younger Asian & LatinX men working/dancing/cruising. Is there a spot that’s replaced it in terms of that niche?

Here’s to hoping 2022 will bring safer opportunities to visit the city.

Thanks for the intel!

[+ The Big Guy]

Lots of great memories at the Web. Great location and mostly twinks which I liked.  The back room was exciting.  I don’t get to NYC much anymore but would love to hear about a replacement. 

[Lazarus]

1 hour ago, The Big Guy said:

Lots of great memories at the Web. Great location and mostly twinks which I liked.  The back room was exciting.  I don’t get to NYC much anymore but would love to hear about a replacement. 

I never heard of this place, but I doubt there is a replacement. 

[traxton]

I remember fondly Web, Splash and G Lounge. Awesome NYC spots in the early 2000s with hot bartenders and gogos in skimpy underwear. Those were the days. Seems like drag bars have taken over unfortunately.

Edited January 6, 2022 by traxton

[pubic_assistance]

Just click "Asian" under preferences on your Rentmen search. 😉.

[Ganymede255]

Ah, yes, THE WEB!  Gone, but not forgotten, even after ten years.  I hope that someone will open a similar venue once Covid passes.  Here's a review I wrote in March 2011:

The Web advertises as an Asian boy bar. However, as previous threads have indicated, its dancers are usually multi-ethnic and multi-racial with a good mix of smooth and buff body types. It is a treasure trove for twink lovers, a deliciously sleazy version of the long gone and much regretted Rounds, with a more intimate scene around the bar than LeBoyz or Club 20. On three visits within the past month, I've met a slim, sexy, cultured all-American boy, a hot Brazilian boy with a swimmer's build, and a very cute Russian boy. For $20 a pop, lap dances have told me all that I need to know about them, including their equipment, proclivities, degree of enthusiasm, and availability.

 

[Ichabod]

I loved the Web! Down one steep staircase to get in, with a bar and platforms for the dancers, and then there was another level below with the dance floor and stage, plus a caged dancer platform. I wonder what's there now? The layout is very unusual, and would not seem easily adaptable.

[jake1973]

On 1/5/2022 at 9:36 PM, traxton said:

Seems like drag bars have taken over unfortunately

indeed altho now Boots & Saddles seems to be gone too.  I do not find drag entertaining at all but it also is probably helping a lot of places pay their bills since it draws more straight tourists than I guess strippers would.

[brettnyc]

THE Web was one of those places that never seemed to catch on but offered a good alternative to more crowded venues - it's dancers were mostly accommodating, and some wore only bandanas in strategic ways.  

[+ sync]

Many fond(le) memories of the Web.  

[Philoxera]

Met my husband there. Who woulda thunk?!

[+ sync]

26 minutes ago, Philoxera said:

Met my husband there. Who woulda thunk?!

One of my friends met his husband there.

[pubic_assistance]

I remember going there when I was young. Not one Asian guy gave me a second glance...( At a time when I was accustomed to nearly everyone looking... ) Only the older daddies were getting the attention. Quite a culture shock for me. I had no idea how all that worked. Was so much the opposite of what I understood at that time.

[+ The Big Guy]

I was in my early 50’s when I started going there.  As you described, as an older guy, I got a great deal of attention.   I do not recall many younger customers in the place.  I miss this place!

[diehard_002]

I feel nostalgic when i remember The Web or The Gaiety - two unique establishments which made me very happy. In terms of replacement venues we have Spunk and Adonis nights which are great but the casual vibe of Web will be missed.

I heard recently that there are go-go dancers at the Q lounge and recently opened Hush bar in midtown (formerly Therapy)- anyone been there ? 

[Juicy]

3 hours ago, diehard_002 said:

I feel nostalgic when i remember The Web or The Gaiety - two unique establishments which made me very happy. In terms of replacement venues we have Spunk and Adonis nights which are great but the casual vibe of Web will be missed.

I heard recently that there are go-go dancers at the Q lounge and recently opened Hush bar in midtown (formerly Therapy)- anyone been there ? 

I think you're spot on with mentioning The Q Club.  Having been at The Web back in the day, I'm not sure anything is going to replace that place or time. However, take a look at @qclubnyc or @jd.evanium on the insta. 🙂

[pubic_assistance]

18 hours ago, The Big Guy said:

I was in my early 50’s when I started going there.  As you described, as an older guy, I got a great deal of attention.   I do not recall many younger customers in the place.  I miss this place!

I had little experience with gay culture at that point. Being a young blond ex-wrestler I was accustomed to having my pick of the litter. I was completely invisible there. Way to young to have the fat wallet these cute Asian boys were after. 😉

[+ Lucky]

13 minutes ago, pubic_assistance said:

I had little experience with gay culture at that point. Being a young blond ex-wrestler I was accustomed to having my pick of the litter. I was completely invisible there. Way to young to have the fat wallet these cute Asian boys were after. 😉

That is just pure bullshit. No doubt the guys there picked up on your superior attitude, and decided they didn't want to deal with it. It's been suggested, or outright said, in another forum that Asians are just golddiggers. but I think that is the result of a few bruised egos among white guys who didn't get their pick of Asian dick.

[pubic_assistance]

18 minutes ago, Lucky said:

No doubt the guys there picked up on your superior attitude.

Interesting theory ...and why were the Asian guys at the Web turned off by that when everyone else was chasing after it ?

I always assumed it was a hustler bar.

[JQ915]

On 1/23/2022 at 5:23 PM, pubic_assistance said:

I had little experience with gay culture at that point. Being a young blond ex-wrestler I was accustomed to having my pick of the litter. I was completely invisible there. Way to young to have the fat wallet these cute Asian boys were after. 😉

Hmmm… I think it’s completely different now. I think Asian guys were still working through their insecurities back then and probably didn’t think you would be interested… 😍

[pubic_assistance]

4 hours ago, JQ915 said:

Hmmm… I think it’s completely different now. I think Asian guys were still working through their insecurities back then and probably didn’t think you would be interested… 😍

I was passed over for men 3x my age, bald and out of shape. I'm pretty sure the attractive Asian guys were shopping for sugar daddies, not because they were insecure. I am not shy ...I make it clear when I am interested.

Edited March 12, 2022 by pubic_assistance

[+ sync]

On 1/23/2022 at 5:23 PM, pubic_assistance said:

I had little experience with gay culture at that point. Being a young blond ex-wrestler I was accustomed to having my pick of the litter. I was completely invisible there. Way to young to have the fat wallet these cute Asian boys were after. 😉

It's possible that you were mistaken for a "working boy."

[pubic_assistance]

1 hour ago, sync said:

Its possible that you were mistaken for a "working boy."

Not there. The only boys that worked the room at the Web were Asian.

Frequently offered money in most other places...and yes I had older men coming over to me....but the Asian guys ignored me completely.