www.peterboots.com

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Peter Boots' Gay SM Leather Fetish Guide
to New York City

Bondagezine
Drubskin

Last updated June, 2010

Welcome to my NYC kink resource list. I try to keep this page as up-to-date as possible, but life in the Big Apple moves at a fast pace -- so please e-mail me if you find inaccuracies, if your favorite place is missing or if you have other suggestions.

Please note that I list everything leather/SM/fetish related I know of. If you can't find something on my page then either I don't know about it or have been asked not to list it -- so asking me won't help! If you plan to travel far for a specific group or event listed here it would be a good idea to call ahead to confirm that it is taking place. All addresses are in Manhattan, unless otherwise noted.


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A Note on Safety

Updated September 2006:   While crime in the city has dropped to quite low levels, reported anti-gay violence keeps increasing, with reports of incidents even during busy early evening hours and in seemingly safe areas like the West Village, Chelsea and Hell's Kitchen (Clinton).

There are also disturbing reports from outside cruising and sex areas. The AVP, the New York City Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence Project, has a 24 hour hotline on 212-714-1141, plus counselling and other resources for victims of antigay violence, domestic abuse and other crime, as well as terrific tips for dating online and off. The number of arrests for 'lewd activity' has tripled over the last three years, all but a handful were men. There is police activity in most outdoor cruising areas and reports of arrests on 20th and 21st Street in Manhattan near the former Spike/Eagle. Where a heterosexual couple making out in a car might get a rap on the steamed-up windows two guys are much more likely to face arrest: according to the NY Times gay men are 400 times more likely to be arrested than heterosexuals. The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) site has a printable 'bust card' for carrying in the wallet in case of arrest by the police.

New York Disneyfied

A lot has changed over the last few years. All the gay movie houses were shut down. Some of the fun gay bars were closed by a city administration that didn't like fun. Backrooms -- there hadn't been any for many years. But there are signs that things are changing again. Grope areas are emerging in some bars, there are more private sex parties; yet while the city administration is relaxing the Health Department is pouncing on offening venues.

I don't list backrooms and parties here because mostly I've been asked not to: nobody wants too much attention. When you arrive in New York pick up HX or Next magazine and check out what action there is -- please do not email me, I don't keep up with that part of the scene. The Disneyfication of New York is still going strong though, turning Manhattan into a vertical version of suburban and homogenized middle America. The latest and maybe last remaining areas in Manhattan to be gentrified and tidied up are the meat packing district and the far west side of Chelsea near the Joe DiMaggio (formerly Westside) Highway. Art galleries and pricey restaurants are gobbling up every available space and driving up rents to ludicrous levels.

New York's twin old leather bars, the Eagle and the Spike, closed after 30 and 20 years respectively; the Eagle eventually reopened under new management in a new location after a two year hiatus. J's Hangout and Hellfire/Manhole were forced out by their landlord to make place for a restaurant; the Lure closed in April 2003.

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2010

Leather Pride Weekend

Thursday, June 17

  • Code/Fight Night -- 10pm at the Eagle, 554 West 28 Street. Check out the dress code on the Eagle calendar page.


Friday, June 18

  • BULLY – The Official Opening Party of FSE Weekend -- 10pm at View Bar, 232 8th Avenue.


Saturday, June 19


Sunday, June 20

 

 

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Bars and Meeting Places
Since the closure of the Spike and the Lure the new Eagle is NYC's only remaining leather bar.

9th Avenue Saloon -- 656 9th Avenue at 46th Street. Leather friendly Hells Kitchen neighborhood bar.

Boots & Saddle -- 76 Christopher Street west of Sheridan Square. Old-established Western style bar.

Candle Bar -- 309 Amsterdam Ave at 74th Street. Cruisy neighbourhood bar with a sprinkling of leather.

Dugout -- now called The Ramrod

Eagle -- much missed after closing in March 2000, the Eagle has risen from the ashes in a new location: 554 West 28th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenue, just a few blocks up from its old home. It's a good looking bar, quite a mixed and friendly crowd. Strict dress code enforced on upper floor Thursdays and special events. Keep an eye on their web site for weekly events, specials and club nights. Closed Mondays.

Hellfire Club -- closed.

J's Hangout -- closed.

Lesbian & Gay Community Services Center -- finally back at 208 West 13th Street, 212-620-7310. The Center is the meeting place for many groups -- your support helps keep this vital institution thriving. Excellent WWW site with lots of gay and other NYC resources. The Community Health Project now has separate premises.

Lure -- closed April 2003.

Manhole -- closed.

Paddles -- 250 West 26th Street, Friday and Saturday 10pm - 4am. Mostly heterosexual but panfriendly SM play party.

Pork -- closed.

Rawhide -- 212 8th Avenue at 21st Street, Monday - Saturday 8am (yes, that is eight o'clock in the morning) - 4am, Sunday noon - 4am. Several millenia ago this was one of NYC's leading leather bars. Now it is the kind of neighbourhood bar you don't expect in Manhattan: it's relaxed, people talk to each other, there is a friendly crowd and best of all there still is some leather. Red Hanky Social Tuesday 9pm-midnight -- be sure to wear your red hanky!

Ramrod (formerly Dugout) -- 185 Christopher St/Weehawken St. Reincarbation of the famous 1970's leather/levis bar.

Spike -- closed after 20 years.

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Groups and Organizations

Bear Café -- Leather-friendly, alcohol-free social gatherings for bears, cubs, and their admirers. Sunday afternoons in an 18th century brownstone. Conversation, refreshments, card and board games (bear TWISTER), occasional entertainment.

Bergenfield Bears Lodge -- have disbanded.

Bisexual SM Discussion Group -- info line 212-459-4784. Meets first Sunday of the month (third Sunday in June, second Sunday in July) at the Center from 6pm - 7.15pm.

Brothers In Leather -- defunct.

Darrell's Dungeon Play Parties -- occasional leather play parties for men of color, their friends and admirers. For info and reservations email DarrellBlackandBlue@yahoo.com or call the BBPP hotline 212-330-7691.

Defenders -- PO Box 1146, Old Chelsea Station, New York NY10011.Mainly Catholic, Dignity affiliated gay Christian leather/motorcycle group.

DomSubFriends -- a members only pan-sexual group for people from NY, LI, NJ, CT, PA, MASS, RI, MD, and East Coast area who share interests in the S&M, BDSM, D/s, and B/D scene.

Dyke Uniform Corps -- A private association of women with an interest in uniforms.

Empire City Motorcycle Club -- GPO Box 7951, New York NY 10116-4634. Gay male bikers group open to active bikers who own a motorcycle. Social events twice monthly. Founded in 1964, ECMC is the oldest ongoing gay organization east of the Rockies. 

Excelsior Motorcycle Club -- PO Box 1386, Bowling Green Station, New York NY 10274-1130.

Folsom Street East -- Annual street party organized by GMSMA to raise funds for local organizations.

Foot Friends -- friendly group of foot fetishists meets some Mondays at the Eagle. Check their web site for schedules.


GMSMA - Gay Male S/M Activists -- write to GMSMA, 332 Bleecker Street, Suite D23, New York NY 10014, 212-727-9878. Social, educational and political organization for gay men interested in SM. Public meetings second Wednesday, except July and August, at the Center. Seminars, workshops, special interest groups from novice to advanced. 

Golden Shower Association -- write to GSA, 332 Bleecker, # K-95, New York 10014. Join their mailing list for info on their parties.

Hot Ash -- (I can't get them to tell me if they consider themselves defunct or not. Their web page has gone; the mailing address may still work. PO Box 20147, London Terrace Station, New York 10011.) Cigar fetishists group.

Iron Guard -- PO Box 291, Village Station, New York NY 10014.

Lesbian Sex Mafia -- write to LSM, PMB 404, 70A Greenwich Avenue, New York NY 10011, e-mail LSMnyc@hotmail.com. Support and information group for women interested in fantasy and role playing, bondage, discipline, SM, fetishes, costumes, alternate gender identities and more. Monthly meetings. Newsletter. Strictly women only.

MAsT: Masters And slaves Together -- Socializing, discussion and education group for men involved in or interested in gay Master/slave relationships. Meets 3pm - 6pm fourth Sunday of every month at the Center.

Men of Discipline -- the NYC chapter has disbanded.

MetroBears New York -- PO Box 1802, New York NY 10185-1802, 212-978-5080. Social organization for 'gay men who consider themselves bears or bear admirers'. Wide range of activities including Bear Busts every Friday and Saturday at Dugout and membership meeting/social first Wednesday of every month at the Center, 8pm - 9pm.

NFN - National Foot Network -- write NFN, PO Box 150790, Brooklyn NY 11215. A correspondence club for men into feet, footwear and related scenes. Occasional social events. Newsletter.

NLA - National Leather Association -- Metro NY Chapter has decided to dissolve.

New York Panthers Leatherclub -- a social, educational and support group, formed by and for African-American and other men of color for the purpose of creating a safe space for bonding and information exchange. Meets third Saturday of every month at Center, 9pm.

NY Renegades -- Men's leather S/M group with occasional bar meets and annual Camp Renegade play party weekend.

NYBC - New York Bondage Club -- Men only bondage group now meets every Sunday (no longer on Fridays) for play parties. Please check their website or call 212-620-ROPE (7673) for up-to-date info.

NYPT -- P.O. Box 783, New York NY 10025. Men only private water sports club. Weekly parties for members and their guests.

New York Boys and Dads -- 3323 Bleecker, #F4, New York 10014.

New York boys of Leather -- social organization for leather (and other fetish) bottom boys with monthly parties.

New York S/M Activists -- informal monthly meeting of members of the SM community interested in activism and specific projects. More info fom kbeaton919@aol.com

New York Strap & Paddle Association -- write NYSPA, 332 Bleecker Street, Suite F4, New York NY 10014. Men only. Their goal is 'to promote corporal punishment for pain, pleasure and fantasy'.

Onyx NY MC -- an organization formed and operated by People of Color who enjoy the leather and fetish lifestyles.

Pocono Warriors -- PO Box 338, Rahway NJ 07065. Men's levi/leather fraternal club celebrating 30th anniversary in 2008. The Warriors are a diverse group from the NYC/Philadelphia/DC area, hosting barnight functions and the annual "100 Men in the Woods" at Valinor Farms each August.

Promethean Guard -- PO Box 1144, Asbury Park NJ 07712. "A fraternal order of gay men living the leather lifestyle in New Jersey"; monthly meetings and socials.

Sirens Motorcycle Club -- meets third Tuesday of the month at the Center. For women with motorcycles, emphatically not a 'leather' organization.

Sober Miracles -- a pansexual Alcoholics Anonymous special interest group for people with a Leather/SM/Fetish lifestyle. Saturdays 9.30pm at the Center.

S.O.S. Society Of Spankers -- at Paddles, every Thursday 8pm - 2am. For men and bad boys.


TES — The Eulenspiegel Society -- PO Box 2783, Grand Central Station, New York NY 10163, 212-388-7022 for current events and updates. Pansexual (though mostly straight/bi) SM group. Open meetings Tuesday and Wednesday at 75 Bleecker Street (right on the corner of Broadway and Bleecker Street). Also special interest groups and occasional events. Newsletter $5 by mail.


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Hotels and Guest Houses

The Center web site has information on general hotels and guest houses.

 
Please note that I am not able to help you find accommodation. I list the resources I know of on this page. If for any reason you have problems finding a place please consult your travel agent or one of the big travel sites on the web.  


Chelsea Mews Guest House -- 344 West 15th Street, 212-255-9174. Small gay guest house in 1840's building close to the Lure, West Village and Chelsea. Men only; no smoking.

 

Chelsea Pines Inn -- 317 West 14th Street, 212-929-1023. Located on busy 14th Street (some rooms face the gardens in the back), close to the Lure, West Village and Chelsea. Good value, book early.

 

Colonial House Inn -- 318 West 22nd Street, 212-243-9669. Located in a quiet side street off 8th Avenue in the heart of gay Chelsea. Continental breakfast, weekly rates. For security guests' visitors need photo id to be allowed up to guest rooms. The Colonial House Inn is very popular, early reservation advised.

 

Incentra Village House -- 32 8th Avenue, 212-206-0007. Located on busy 8th Avenue, close to the Lure, West Village and Chelsea. Very popular, good reports. Book early.

 


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Publications

Black Leather In Color -- BLIC Collective, GPO Box 1035, New York NY 10116. Quarterly magazine by and for People of Color into Leather/SM and their friends. Single issue $5, annual subscription $16 (checks payable to BLIC, enquire for rates outside the US).

Prometheus -- Eulenspiegel Society's quarterly magazine, free with membership, $5 from stores.

 


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Stores and Services

Body Modifications

Venus Modern Body Arts -- 199 East 4th Street, 212-473-1954. Bustling East Village piercing place, often has a long line of college kids waiting to have their navel pierced. Great range of jewelry at good prices.

 

Bookstores

Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop -- Located on the corner of Christopher and Gay Streets the oldest gay bookstore in the US closed in March 2009.

 

Leather and Toys Stores

    When I was dating a vegetarian leather lover we cooked up the idea of creating a line of leather boots and jackets, all with a little certificate guaranteeing that the poor cow this hide came from had died of natural causes.

    Moo Shoes has gone one step further: fake leather boots and jackets that look quite the real thing. Founded in a former meat market they are now at 78 Orchard Street, 212-254-6512. Monday - Saturday 11.30am - 7.30pm, Sunday 12 noon - 6pm.

DeMask -- 144 Orchard Street, 212-466 0814. NYC branch of the famous European fetish house.

DV8 -- is now Purple Passion. 211 West 20th Street. Big range of fetish and S/M gear, clothing, for men and women.

LeatherMan -- 111 Christopher Street, 212-243-5339. Famous for its' imaginative window displays this long-established store has managed to cram a wide range of clothes (mostly for men), toys and videos into a surprisingly small space.

London -- 84 Christopher Street (second store across the street), 212-647 9195. Clothing toys and accessories.

Noose -- closed.

Purple Passion -- now at 211 West 20th Street. Big range of fetish and S/M gear, clothing, for men and women.

Toys in Babeland -- 94 Rivington St, 212-375-1701. Monday - Saturday noon - 10pm, Sunday noon - 8pm. Lesbian owned, women operated sex toy shop in the Lower East Side. Check site for info on their series of workshops.

Leather Clothing and Equipment Makers

Adam's Sensual Whips and Gillian's Toys -- (516) 842-1711 and 212-686 5248, PO Box 1146, New York NY 10156. 

David Samuel Menkes Custom Leatherwear -- by appointment only, 144 Fifth Avenue #3, 212-989-3706. Well known and respected craftsman offers a wide range of extraordinary and sometimes whimsical clothing and bondage equipment for the quality conscious and those with theatrical flair. Mostly made-to-measure.


Photographic

Memory Keepers One Hour Photo -- 147 West 14th Street, 212-691-9047. Not a gay place, but they have developed quite a few of my pictures without smirking. Good service, pleasant.

 


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WWW Links and Other References

Michael Callen - Audre Lorde Community Health Center -- 356 West 18th Street, 212-271 7200. New York's only medical facility dedicated to meeting the myriad health care needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and people living with HIV/AIDS -- regardless of any patient's ability to pay.

GLBT National Help Center -- 1-888-843-4564. Information, advice and referrals.

HX and Next magazine -- online versions of the free weekly magazines. Good listing of events and 'private' parties.

Lesbian & Gay Community Services Center -- Excellent WWW site with huge list of gay and other NYC resources.

Lesbian Switchboard -- 212-741-2610, Monday - Friday 6pm - 10pm.Information, referrals, counselling.

New York Times -- home town newspaper with the famed slogan "All the News That's Fit to Print". Which means that in a review of the British stage success "Shopping and Fucking" the title was rendered as "Shopping and ******* ".


Current NYC Weather and 10 Day Forecast
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