Street and Bar Scene in the Washington/Baltimore Metro Areas

[Ganymede255]

Many years ago, escorts could be found in certain bars and on streets in the DC and Baltimore Metro areas.  In DC, I still remember the Naples Cafe, Chesapeake House, Lone Star, and Rascals to name a few bars,  New York Avenue NW at the Greyhound/Trailways stations and P Street beyond Dupont Circle were favorite strolls.  Meeting face-to-face was part of the thrill, far superior to Facetime or other similar current "venues."  Has all this disappeared in the Internet age, or do any bars or streets still offer such retro oportunities?

[wsc]

On 4/26/2024 at 8:36 PM, Ganymede255 said:

Many years ago, escorts could be found in certain bars and on streets in the DC and Baltimore Metro areas.  In DC, I still remember the Naples Cafe, Chesapeake House, Lone Star, and Rascals to name a few bars,  New York Avenue NW at the Greyhound/Trailways stations and P Street beyond Dupont Circle were favorite strolls.  Meeting face-to-face was part of the thrill, far superior to Facetime or other similar current "venues."  Has all this disappeared in the Internet age, or do any bars or streets still offer such retro oportunities?

Yes, I remember these places fondly and the good "fishing" that could sometimes be had. It was always advantageous to be able to see and converse in real time before sealing the deal, and to have a chance to gauge the "vibe" of those to choose from. Sadly, however, all that seems a thing of the past, not just in DC but practically everywhere. It's all on-line now, which has its own advantages, but I still miss "pressing the flesh" before you actually got down to "press the flesh."

DC also appears to have lost its previous scene of having numerous stripper bars to choose from for an evening's entertainment, and this, too, is sorely missed.

[Keenan]

On 4/26/2024 at 8:36 PM, Ganymede255 said:

Many years ago, escorts could be found in certain bars and on streets in the DC and Baltimore Metro areas.  In DC, I still remember the Naples Cafe, Chesapeake House, Lone Star, and Rascals to name a few bars,  New York Avenue NW at the Greyhound/Trailways stations and P Street beyond Dupont Circle were favorite strolls.  Meeting face-to-face was part of the thrill, far superior to Facetime or other similar current "venues."  Has all this disappeared in the Internet age, or do any bars or streets still offer such retro oportunities?

There is still a street scene in Baltimore though it's dwindling.  Mainly trans escorts near the Charles Village area and off the beaten path.  Though some gay escorts including myself are out from time to time.  It's much easier and safer doing the work online though,

[GHart]

When I was a young and somewhat innocent gayling, there was an interesting and often unpredictable street scene on a street I’m reasonably sure no longer even exists. 
 

I haven’t lived in DC in pretty close to half a century (Yikes. I’m fucking old.) but the street I’m talking about is (was!) Half Street SE. It was home to one of my favorite dance clubs at the time, The Other Side. If I’m not mistaken, The Follies was across the street. (Some of you sharper men might confirm that or correct me as the case may be.)

 

But to the point of another poster on this thread, I don’t believe it’s solely due to my age that I miss the socializing that use to happen on the streets of so many cities. The apps will never replace that. Well, not successfully, at any rate. 

[wsc]

On 3/11/2025 at 9:21 PM, GHart said:

When I was a young and somewhat innocent gayling, there was an interesting and often unpredictable street scene on a street I’m reasonably sure no longer even exists. 
 

I haven’t lived in DC in pretty close to half a century (Yikes. I’m fucking old.) but the street I’m talking about is (was!) Half Street SE. It was home to one of my favorite dance clubs at the time, The Other Side. If I’m not mistaken, The Follies was across the street. (Some of you sharper men might confirm that or correct me as the case may be.)

 

But to the point of another poster on this thread, I don’t believe it’s solely due to my age that I miss the socializing that use to happen on the streets of so many cities. The apps will never replace that. Well, not successfully, at any rate. 

Half Street SE still exists in a truncated form, its flow having been broken up by the new Nationals Stadium. In its heyday, the section from L Street SE to O Street SE was active, although I don't remember much street trade there. There were, however, several very active bars. 56 L Street SE (just east of Half Street) was the home of Lost & Found, a disco dance club with flashing lights above and under the dance floor. Upstairs was a quieter space with a huge bar, pool tables, and a more leatheresque air to it. Lost & Found was where I spent Bicentennial night (July 4, 1976 - talk about old!). This space later became a great stripper bar called Wet; really gorgeous naked men fresh from a shower show! To the right after exiting L&F and halfway down the next block and on the other side of L Street was the original Follies Theater which showed full length all-male porn flicks and had a dark and very cruisy back room. They also had occasional porn stars for a stripper show on stage. I spent that bicentennial night on their roof, watching fireworks going off on the Mall at the Washington Monument.

Moving south down Half Street you came to O Street SE. From that corner and stretching west over to the side road for South Capitol Street you found -in order- Zeigfields/Secrets (drag shows/male strippers), The Glory Hole (peep shows and mag & video sales; use your imagination for the rest), a larger relocated Follies Theater, The Club Baths DC, then La Cage Aux Follies (owned by the theater and featuring more naked boys working the bar tops and a small stage.)

A little research revealed that The Other Side occupied the same space as Zeigfields/Secrets. It was apparently a Lesbian bar before transitioning to drag and go-go boys.

God, but I do miss all of that. It was as close to Gay Heaven as I've ever found!