GAIETY THEATER - GONE 20 YEARS...... RIP

[BSR]

On 3/17/2025 at 8:09 PM, JckBNimble said:

Gosh what a trip down memory lane. It's almost like I can still smell the inside of those walls! 

My first real job was in 2000 in Times Square and lord knows I would take many a lunch break at the Gaiety. I was a young, hung, 21 year old with an obsession for male dancers. I was way too shy and naive to ever talk to any of them, let alone hire one, but boy did it make the work day fly by.  Thank you @Buffdaddyfor keeping that spirit alive all these years later! 

Wow, I’m impressed that you could go back to work with any sort of focus.  I worked in Midtown during the Gaiety era.  Had I gone there for lunch, I would have returned to work so distracted & unproductive they’da sh*tcanned me for sure.

When I lived in NYC part time (90s & early aughts), I went to the Gaiety dozens of times.  I loved the big finale on weekends, when they had all dozen dancers come out on stage sporting hard-ons … the most beautiful spectacle I’ve ever witnessed.

[pubic_assistance]

On 3/20/2025 at 11:25 PM, TheBossBabyback said:

apparently this was shot there in the 90s.

This was indeed shot there...but this is a Madonna video that had little to do with how things normally went down at the Gaitey.

There was a meet n' greet area but no private booths. Sometimes the guys would give blowjobs (or receive blow jobs) in a dark area backstage.

[Ali Gator]

So many happy memories from there when I went on business two or three weekends a year, and stayed at the Millennium in Times Square (1996 - 2005). I loved going in January more than going in the spring or summer, with the cold air and snow falling outside, trekking across the street. I'd first stop at the HoJos downstairs for their 'Clam Roll' (I used to love them as a kid, but all the HoJo's in my state closed) and a  Coke. It was fun spotting the young hunky guys sitting in there and eating, knowing in an hour or so I'd see them naked and erect in front of me. Once they'd get up from the counter or booth and walk by the windows to the entrance next door, I knew it would be 'show time' in 20 - 30 minutes, so I would plan accordingly. You could separate the newbies from the pros on stage by the way the newbies walked out nervously with their cocks bobbing up and down,  trying to stay hard, while the 'pros' walked out quite assuredly and their cocks were practically touching their nipples. 

Rarely did I not find someone attractive enough to go back to my room with. We'd walk back to the hotel in the snowfall, and for me there was something quite erotic and sexy about the experience - walking alongside a tall, strikingly good looking, hunky guy wrapped in his winter coat, bustling through the crowds, and then getting him upstairs to unbutton his coat and see his naked chest underneath, and huge bulge in his sweatpants (if only the crowd of passerby knew). A pleasant visit to my room, indeed, which went by too quick. If I could turn back time...

[LD19847]

I visited New York twice before The Gaitey closed and I’m annoyed at myself for knowing of its existence.

That said I did have some fun times in the city in that era.  I remember Food Bar, Nickel Spa and Rainbows and Triangles on 8th Avenue - all long closed. 

I know locals dismissed Splash Bar as bridge and tunnel but one Saturday night they did have dancers offering lap dances, albeit not private and not fully nude.

[Poppie]

I am getting a flashback in a really good way. I think it was our first trip. Chatting with a hot stud as we stood around the punch bowl. Ended up with him at his hotel which was just a few blocks away. My partner and I had our first 3 way with that hot young man. A memory that will live in my mind forever.

[+ Gar1eth]

I only made it to the Gaiety once. It was probably 2004-so not too long before it closed. By chance my hotel wasn't  too far from there. I was staying fairly close to  the TGIFridays in Times Square. So I think I probably walked to the Gaiety.
 

 I remember talking to one of the dancers. I think he gave me a card with his number on it. I ended up not meeting with him as my dance card was already full. I'm sorry that was my only chance before it closed. 

Edited March 24 by Gar1eth

[Minneapolis Guy]

I went to New York in the mid 90s (I think it was 1996) right out of college. Was my first "real" job, and I had never been to the city before. I found the Gaiety by chance, and it was life changing. Never knew something like that existed. As a kid trying to figure out his sexuality, it was a huge awakening. Some really nice and good looking guys. Lots of fun. I wish there were still places like it around.

[+ sync]

On 3/21/2025 at 10:05 PM, hungry4darkmeat said:

Agreed! The Prince theatre on the west side highway was amazing too 

I'm probably pre-dating most of the posters here, but the Tom Kat theater, way West 42nd Street, and the Eros theater on Eighth Avenue were also a lot of fun.

[Buff Daddy]

Yes you are correct.  Let's not forget  Show Palace  on 42 and 8 Ave. And the Famous Adonis Theater.  Oh boy many of a afternoon in there.  That was on 50St and 8. That neck of the woods looked like  Berlin after WW2. 

A lot of good memories before  cell phones, Computers. The days of phone booths to make a call. 

[+ Lucky]

It was almost exactly 22 years ago that @Coopertook over as moderator for the Gaiety reviews.  Previously @NY Observer had written them. Cooper was soon joined by @foxy in writing the weekly reviews, detailing who was new and who stood out...or up!

It was nice in that if you missed some time at the Gaiety you could at least read about it.

(@ValleyDwellerNorth announced Cooper's appointment as moderator on April 2d, 2003. That's my source.)

Edited March 25 by Lucky
add source

[+ Lucky]

More clarification...Hooboy himself announced it!

HooBoy

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• RIP
• • 2k

Posted April 2, 2003

I am pleased to tell you that Cooper has accepted our invitation to be the new main moderator of this forum.

 

He is a regular at the Gaiety, understands the sensitivities of that sort of environment as well as New York politics and will be perfect in quietly making sure this forum works.

 

I want to emphasize he is not acting as a policeman or, as someone put it, a "hall monitor" and most likely will just be behind the scenes like all of the moderators here to advice us if thing get off kilter.

 

Every particpant here is a guardian of this site! If you see something you think is wrong, please hit the ALERT button, explain why you think someone is out of line. Cooper and the moderators will instantly receive a flagged email message and will respond in a manner he thinks is appropriate.

 

Cooper is free to express his own opinions. Please understand his opinions are his own and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of me or anyone associated with the site. If he has to reiterate a policy of the board, that of course is just that.

 

By the way, I told Cooper that, unlike the security guy at the Gaiety, he should allow you all to jerk off here if you feel like it.

 

Again, my thanks to all the moderators and a big welcome to Cooper.

 

--HooBoy

 

Damn, I edited for HORRIBLE spelling and grammar errors. Sometimes I jes fel so dum.

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ValleyDwellerNorth

• 
• Members
• • 3k

Posted April 2, 2003

RE: New Gaiety & Strip Club Forum Moderator

 

COOPER!

 

http://www.americannudist.com/greetingcardpro/images/guys.gif

 

Congratulations on being crowned moderator! I know you will hold a fair and equatable court. Now that your briefs are bulging may I say this is wonderful news. You make people feel welcome on the board you are always willing to help with information and advice. Now, let the fun begin.

 

}(

 

VDN

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Cooper

• 
• Administrators
• • 8.6k

Posted April 2, 2003

RE: New Gaiety & Strip Club Forum Moderator

 

VDN, Thank you for the very kind words. It's people like you who make this site enjoyable. BTW, wonderful picture, do you think we could get that lineup in at the G-spot? :9

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[sutherland]

Yes, I have fond memories of the Gaiety. I never drank from the punch bowl because I wasn't sure how clean the water was, or how clean were the hands of the person who prepared it.  Can anybody send me private messages about "Big Frank" a French-Canadian dancer there who was a huge bodybuilder? Thanks

[Luv2play]

I found out about the Gaiety in the 1990’s when I moved to the Gay Village in Montreal and the dancers there told me about it. I also met some new American neighbours in my condo complex who frequented it when they were in NY. 
I went twice, once by myself, and once with my sister (I kid you not). On the latter occasion we were spending the week in NYC and each night looked for something different to do. This was in 2001, just after 9/11. At the time my sister was playing it straight but 7 years later came out as a lesbian. 
Anyway I never picked up a dancer there but often did at Campus in Montreal where I could take them home which was a block away. 

[+ BOZO T CLOWN]

1 hour ago, sutherland said:

Yes, I have fond memories of the Gaiety. I never drank from the punch bowl because I wasn't sure how clean the water was, or how clean were the hands of the person who prepared it.  Can anybody send me private messages about "Big Frank" a French-Canadian dancer there who was a huge bodybuilder? Thanks

The video is Age Restricted. Bozo doesn't know how to post an age-restricted video (if anyone knows, send Bozo a PM, and he will fix the link), but it plays for Bozo when he clicks on the "Watch on YouTube" link. 
The video is grainy (Is that even a word?), but it is Big Frank from Montreal. Big Frank stripped at the Gaiety for a few years during the early-to-mid 90's. During that time, Frank was the only true bodybuilder working at the "G". Word spread quickly in the Great White North about all of the tax-free US $$$ to be made working at the Gaiety. Pretty soon, half of the dancers on any given week were uncircumcised Canadian imports.

BTC
🤡

Edited March 26 by BOZO T CLOWN

[+ sniper]

I remember thinking Dave "Angel Wings" was the most gorgeous guy I'd ever seen, then heading to the lounge to talk to him about a private... and his cigarette breath was so overpowering from three feet that I just mumbled something and walked away.

[+ Letmeworshipit]

I never missed a chance to stop by for a visit in my 20's and 30's. Had some seriously sensuous, sordid, sleazy and salacious times there. LOADS of guys who valued by skills. Miss those venues SO much.

[coriolis888]

On 3/17/2025 at 6:54 AM, BOZO T CLOWN said:

Today is St. Patrick's Day. Normally a day to drink and celebrate.  For the former patrons of the Gaiety Theatre, comme moi, March 17th is a sad day ☹️.
The Gaiety Theatre closed its doors for the final time on March 17th, 2005. Twenty years ago. And yes, it really does seem like yesterday.
"The G" as it was known to regular patrons like Bozo, was a victim of: the Disneyfication of Times Square, Giuliani zoning laws, and the advent of new technology which brought about sites like Grindr, Rentboy, etc. which, for many, made a trip to Times Square obsolete.
From a personal standpoint, Bozo spent his formative years as a young clown - a good deal of his adolescence - at the famed strip club on West 46th street and Broadway, between the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre and Howard Johnson's Restaurant (the best clam strips in town!).
When the G was shut down by NYC authorities, never to return... Bozo shed a few tears. There will never be anything like it again.
Thanks so much to Denise and her sisters for providing us with so much joy and entertainment, and thanks to all of the boys (especially the Canadians) who danced there for the 27 years of the Gaiety's existence, and gave Bozo and others so much pleasure.
The theater may have closed, but the memories will remain forever.

BTC
🤡

 

        

Ja Wohl!

[pubic_assistance]

6 hours ago, coriolis888 said:

The Gaiety Theatre closed its doors for the final time on March 17th, 2005.

Wow. I cant believe it was that long ago !...I remember my first time, I was with a group of gay friends during a romp-around-town birthday celebration.

Some of the guys on stage were like today's Instagram models. Absolutely gorgeous and the idea that you need only pull out your wallet instead of chasing him around a bar, trying to get his attention, buying him drinks and praying he would agree to go home with you...THAT seemed like a dream come true. (Not that I HAD any money those days)...but I DID appreciate the opportunity for convenience.