Santa Monica Boulevard

[+ Truereview]

Do you Los Angeles old-timers also remember Studio One on Santa Monica and Robertson? (The Abbey is now directly across the street from where Studio One used to be). That was my hang-out of choice. I was in my 20s when I moved to L.A. in 1977 and stayed until 1985, and was at Studio One nearly every Saturday night. If you arrived before 10 PM, there was no cover charge and drinks were 50 cents until midnight, so I'd get there right before 10 and then hang out in bar at the very back or in the Backlot room, which sometimes had live entertainment, nursing a glass of wine and waiting for the crowd to get going. Oh the boys were beautiful then! If the DJ put on Sister Sledge or Donna Summer, the floor filled up with gorgeous men with their t-shirts tucked in their back pockets and depending on your mood, you could dive in among them and dance your heart out or stand on the sidelines awestruck with admiration.

 

I used to go to Numbers during the week as I had a friend who bartended/waited tables there and he'd sneak me free drinks and meals. Often sitting at the bar, I'd see Paul Lynd, Richard Deacon or Alan Carr, usually chatting up some striking hustler. Lynd was generally very drunk and very nasty. Alan Carr usually took a table in the dining section and stayed there for the evening lingering over a lengthy meal with various boys coming and going. Deacon could be sweet but he was rather shy and aloof.

 

I lived on Larrabee and the Blue Parrot was on the corner. It was the first bar that showed music videos and I thought it was so cutting edge. If I was really poor - and I often was in those days - then I just walked up and down Santa Monica Boulevard between Crescent Heights and Robertson. You could smoke in the bars in those days, so there weren't people hanging out on the sidewalks having a cigarette as they do now, but there were often lines of men waiting to get into the more crowded places and it was fun to see friends, stop and chat, and then move on. There were a couple of after hours places that were "private" where people went when Studio One and the bars closed at 2 but I usually pooped out and went home to sleep - unless I got lucky.

 

I never cruised Santa Monica Boulevard for trade; I was too scared and bashful to talk to the hustlers lining the street. I was young and insecure and they were so cute that they intimidated me. Plus, coming up with $35 for a good time in those days would have been really difficult.

 

I returned to L.A. for work in 1999 and everything had changed. The city has become a huge dirty, pretentious, stupid mess and I left for good in 2014. But oh lord it was fun in the 1970s and 1980s.

Awesome post, Actor61. Although I didn't have an opportunity to enjoy this time period, I felt transported there. I live part time in LA and I do share some of your perspectives about pretense and such. Same has happened in NYC. I miss the grit, pulse and edge our mega cities used to have, I can only imagine how cool they were before. Again, thanks for sharing!

[tbinsocal]

I spent all of the 1980's and early 1990's cruising SM and Western. I generally dated and serviced transvestites with the occasional twink thrown in. Fortunately, tranny chasers had numerous pick up bars, most notably Peanuts and the legendary Blacklite on Western. Many of the transsexual and transvestite porn stars would walk Santa Monica Boulevard. I could go out with the biggest celebrity for $100. I doubt if a heterosexual can make the same claim for Jennifer Lawrence.

 

It certainly isn't the same nowadays. Backpage, eros and craigslists escorts charge $400 to $500 and the experience is pedestrian at best. Now, 90% of my dates are smooth Asians boys. I wish I could find them walking in Hollywood and West Hollywood but it is over. In the 1970's I frequented Times Square porn arcades but that is another story.

[bigvalboy]

I spent all of the 1980's and early 1990's cruising SM and Western. I generally dated and serviced transvestites with the occasional twink thrown in. Fortunately, tranny chasers had numerous pick up bars, most notably Peanuts and the legendary Blacklite on Western. Many of the transsexual and transvestite porn stars would walk Santa Monica Boulevard. I could go out with the biggest celebrity for $100. I doubt if a heterosexual can make the same claim for Jennifer Lawrence.

 

It certainly isn't the same nowadays. Backpage, eros and craigslists escorts charge $400 to $500 and the experience is pedestrian at best. Now, 90% of my dates are smooth Asians boys. I wish I could find them walking in Hollywood and West Hollywood but it is over. In the 1970's I frequented Times Square porn arcades but that is another story.

 

Barney's Beanery...Peanuts, Hunter's, the Astro Burger...and then The Spotlight (On the way home).

[tbinsocal]

The Spotlight is sorely missed. There certainly was some rough trade in there and lots of old queens (that was before I got old.) It was nice how the place opened at 6am. I met a Filipino boy there once in the early morning when it was still dark outside and we had a very romantic car date for about 20 minutes. I just don't see how things are better nowadays than 30 years ago. Gay kids today don't know what they missed.

[bigvalboy]

The Spotlight is sorely missed. There certainly was some rough trade in there and lots of old queens

 

 

"Excuse me"...

[geminibear]

BVB 's car parked at the Spotlight back in the day.

 

http://roadsiderambler.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/P5111543.jpg

[AdamSmith]

 

"Excuse me"...

LMT*O!

 

*tiara

[geminibear]

Surely that was an upgraded from what you went to your Senior Prom in?

 

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/03/01/article-0-11FB8AFB000005DC-323_634x408.jpg

[+ quoththeraven]

In the 1970's I frequented Times Square porn arcades but that is another story.

 

Science fiction writer Samuel Delany wrote an entire book about his experience in Times Square porn arcades prior to the sanitization of the area under Mayor Giuliani, Times Square Red, Times Square Blue. It's heavily relied upon in the last section of Tim Dean's study of barebacking prior to FDA approval for PrEP, Unlimited Intimacy.

[+ José Soplanucas]

Adorable thread. You are making me nostalgic, guys. Is there any significant street cruising left after the globalization of Internet? I remember Santa Fe Ave in Buenos Aires in the 80s and 90s, and the West Village in Manhattan in the 90 y se me pianta un lagrimón (a Rio de la Plata expression that cannot be properly translated, but that expresses a deep sadness). So many hook ups, the hunt was so abundant! I wonder whether it is that the streets have changed or it is that now that I am in my 50s and gained weight I'm not so attractive anymore.

[tbinsocal]

Science fiction writer Samuel Delany wrote an entire book about his experience in Times Square porn arcades prior to the sanitization of the area under Mayor Giuliani, Times Square Red, Times Square Blue. It's heavily relied upon in the last section of Tim Dean's study of barebacking prior to FDA approval for PrEP, Unlimited Intimacy.

 

Thank you. I am looking forward to reading the book. I went back to New York in 2008 after 35 years. When I got to Times Square I got sick to my stomach. The most magical place in the world was destroyed. In addition to meeting every crossdresser I could, I used to go to the Terminal Bar across from the Port Authority. I guess I was fearless back then. A great documentary of the place used to be on youtube.

[Zman]

I used to go to the Terminal Bar across from the Port Authority. I guess I was fearless back then. A great documentary of the place used to be on youtube.

 

[Irtwo]

I remember Santa Fe Ave in Buenos Aires in the 80s and 90s, .....

 

That street is still pretty active, at least one section of it is.

[+ José Soplanucas]

I checked it last July. Yes, there is still activity and it is still the gayest neighborhood, but it is nothing compared to 20 years ago. Maybe we should explore Palermo.

[+ Charlie]

In today's Desert Sun, the local newspaper in Palm Springs, there is a long obituary for Don Cook, whom the obit identifies as the founder of Numbers in 1976. He was 84.

[bigvalboy]

In today's Desert Sun, the local newspaper in Palm Springs, there is a long obituary for Don Cook, whom the obit identifies as the founder of Numbers in 1976. He was 84.

 

Thanks for the information Charlie. Very sad. He was a fine gentlemen. The old Numbers was a site to behold, there was nothing like it. It was absolutely legendary. Sadly life goes on, and everything changes I suppose. They say you can't go home again, but sometimes I rather wish I could...

[+ Charlie]

The same obituary also appears in today's Los Angeles Times.

[tbinsocal]

I feel so sorry for the young gays today. Im sorry they dont have places like Numbers to truly experience being a homosexual out on the prowl for young hustlers.

[Edward]

I read the post carefully. I only saw one bar "eleven" that you may score a boy at. There has to be more hustlers than that in LA. Where do they hang.

[tbinsocal]

20 years ago, I would drive Santa Monica Boulevard on a rainy Sunday morning and I would service two or three young men in an hour. Over the last few years I relied on a young Garden Grove Viet boy who was an absolute total top. Sadly, he has now moved to San Francisco. He was a heavy, heavy shooter and believe it or not, he only charged me $40. Moreover, he was good a giving massages.

 

I wish the desire to be with male prostitutes would go away, but it won't. Nowadays I just have the memories of a far better world, that has been destroyed beyond recognition.

[mbFucker]

Found nobody on Sunset or SMB.

[East2West]

mbF:

 

You probably have to dig a little deeper than just Sunset Blvd. or SMB. There is a street called Lexington one block north of SMB and it runs parallel to it. Lexington starts on the east side of LaBrea and goes as far as Western. The meat of this lobster claw is probably going to be around Vine and Lexington. There's a Dollar Tree and Taco Bell. Taco Bell (it's open 24hrs.) and surrounding block might have what you're looking for. I have amassed a huge collection of travel size Mennen Speed Stick and Colgate toothpaste as I sometimes just happen to be driving by Dollar Tree heading home. It also has a varied customer base.

 

Bear in mind this is 2016 and the area is not crawling with James Dean look-a-likes but Taco Bell, depending on what you like, won't disappoint in the people watching department. Just don't sit down in there.

[JayCeeKy]

I wish the desire to be with male prostitutes would go away,

 

It will... about 30 minutes after the soul leaves the body.

 

I, too, remember "The Boulevard" back in the '80s when you could find hot hot boys up-and-down a three mile stretch - wearing tight Lycra, tank tops, muscle glistening - giving you the nod and rubbing their crotches. If you didn't find what you wanted you could check out the merchandise at Hunter's bar. I returned in the mid-90's and the place was almost dead.

There was a hustler bar named Numbers up on Sunset but it was a little too snooty for my liking.

I loved Rounds in NYC - that was hustler/john heaven with the hottest boys packed into two small rooms. Alas, a world-class d-bag named Giuliani ruined that venue as well as every other "point of interest" in the Big Apple. I remember David Letterman saying at the time: "Hey Giuliani, America has the whole rest of the USA for the family and kids, leave New York City for the adults."

 

Now I know how Archie Bunker felt when he and Edith opened the show singing"Those Were the Days..."

[+ Gar1eth]

It will... about 30 minutes after the soul leaves the body.

 

I, too, remember "The Boulevard" back in the '80s when you could find hot hot boys up-and-down a three mile stretch - wearing tight Lycra, tank tops, muscle glistening - giving you the nod and rubbing their crotches. If you didn't find what you wanted you could check out the merchandise at Hunter's bar. I returned in the mid-90's and the place was almost dead.

 

I can see how that might have been interesting. On the other hand in my mind it's conflating with scenes from war movies set in Asia where the lady of the moment tells the GI, 'You have $20 dollar? Me love you for long time' which is totally off putting-not to mention the possibility of picking up an undercover cop. So I don't know if I ever would have cruised Saint Monica's BLVD.

 

Gman

[Despardo]

It will... about 30 minutes after the soul leaves the body.

 

I, too, remember "The Boulevard" back in the '80s when you could find hot hot boys up-and-down a three mile stretch - wearing tight Lycra, tank tops, muscle glistening - giving you the nod and rubbing their crotches. If you didn't find what you wanted you could check out the merchandise at Hunter's bar. I returned in the mid-90's and the place was almost dead.

There was a hustler bar named Numbers up on Sunset but it was a little too snooty for my liking.

I loved Rounds in NYC - that was hustler/john heaven with the hottest boys packed into two small rooms. Alas, a world-class d-bag named Giuliani ruined that venue as well as every other "point of interest" in the Big Apple. I remember David Letterman saying at the time: "Hey Giuliani, America has the whole rest of the USA for the family and kids, leave New York City for the adults."

 

Now I know how Archie Bunker felt when he and Edith opened the show singing"Those Were the Days..."

I met 2 guys at Numbers in 1991 when I first moved from NYC to LA. One guy was incredibly hot, muscular, handsome and hung--and bat shit crazy. The sex was great, but getting rid of him turned out to be a hassle. I visited Rounds in NYC only once. Agree with you about Giuliani.

 

Santa Monica Blvd. in the early 1990s did have quite a lot of street action, but I wisely chose not to partake.