Sex Shops: first times and experiences

What was your first visit to a sex/porn shop like? How old were you? Can you give a description of where it was located?

Some members describe the shops located in seedy areas, but I've not always found that to be the case. I think that the presence of a sex shop gives the impression that the neighborhood must perse be seedy or run-down, even when it is not.

That is the case with many a sex shop back in the 1970s-80s in the Netherlands. Many, if not most sex shops were then located in areas nearby or in what would be called red light districts, though that is something of a polite misnomer in general. The Amsterdam red light district also features many other types of shops, cafés, eateries and buildings where people live and brothels can be found in many districts. Antwerp and gent in Belgium on the other hand does have a real red light district where all brothels are concentrated in three/five streets. Back until the 1990s, many Dutch border villages (not towns) had quite a large number of sex shops located in the main street, alongside supermarkets, banks and the usual, everyday type of retail shops. Nothing seedy about them at all.

I've been to a few sex shops in Granada in Spain, all located in the historic old center of the city, run by quite friendly (gay?) people, all ready for a quick chat. Quite reminiscent in fact of the atmosphere portrayed in the sex shop scenes in the movie ‘Amelie Poulain’.

My first visit to one was in Amsterdam in 1970, back during the heyday of the Counter Culture. They were located here and there all over the old city. I have a few photos from then and know I regret not purchasing more items (mags/books) that are now sort of collectors items. Even up north in staid and boring Groningen, there were sex shops in the main shopping streets.

In any case, how about recounting some experiences or giving some descriptions.

1983, on the Highway north of Evansville, IN. I was traveling in my job and spending two or three nights a week in hotel rooms. Things were quite stale sexually at home and some old feelings from my youth kept coming to mind and my groin.

the ABS was in a rural area, housed in a run down Quonset hut, and I was very nervous stopping at such a seedy place. I parked and entered, and a rough looking lady was behind the counter. She said not a word to me.I walked around the narrow aisles looking at the assorted toys and equipment, and spotted what I was interested in for my introduction into this naughty world-a small, flesh colored butt plug. Compared to my toys today it appeared minuscule. Hands shaking, I took it to the counter and paid $3.95 for it. The clerk never uttered a word.

back in the car, I ripped the package open as fast as I could so I could see, feel and smell of it. I believe I even sucked on it. Horny as hell, I was still fifteen minutes from my hotel, which seemed an eternity. When I arrived I checked in and hurried with my luggage to my Holiday Inn privacy, clutching my new toy in one hand.

in the room, I undressed quickly and stretched out on the bed. With cock already hard, I immediately started touching my bottom, increasing my need. I could wait no longer. I did remember to bring a small tube of KY, which i worked into my hole and coated the plug. I was surprised when it slipped in so easily! The sensations were beyond description, and a whole new chapter in my sexuality began.

I think I used the plug three times that night, and of course that led to bigger more satisfying toys in later months.

My first porn shop I guess would have been San Diego when I was 18 and in the service no real good stories to tell masterbation in a booth. To seeing live sex shows when I was in San Francisco and Seattle. A eye opening experience for a 18 year old kid from the Midwest.The red light district in San Francisco and Seattle can be a very educational experience.

My first sex shop visit was when i was late 20's early 30's (around the millennium). It was (still is) a shop at the end of an ordinary parade of shops. It does look a bit "odd" as instead of a normal glass shopfront, it looks more like a converted house, with grills over the windows. There was a security camera above the door & when you entered, you went into a corridor to another door. At the end of the corridor was an opaque glass etching (I assume a one-way mirror to let you be seen entering) and another camera. On entering the main shop, it looked like a "normal" shop, but full of sex items.

I wasn't really sure what I was wanting & was browsing out of curiosity. I felt very self-conscious looking at all the toys (and being shocked at what was available 😮) - of course the owner knew what I was there for, they only had sex equipment!!!. After having been looking for a while, the owner approached me and asked if I needed any help - I felt as if my face was on fire 😳😳. I admitted I wasn't sure, but was intrigued by what I'd heard about prostate stimulation being very satisfying. I ended up getting an adjustable cock ring and prostate massager.

I’ve only ever been to one and it tended to be very upscale and had staff members who were willing to explain how the toys worked. I think I was in my mid twenties.

First time was around 1970/71, first year in college, age 18. Yes, it was on 42nd street in NYC, I was scared as all heck, it was quite a seedy area at the time (long gone now), with many dirty book stores and arcades plus a number of XXX rated movie theatres. I lived in the neighboring suburbs, and was terrified I might see someone I knew from my home neighborhood there.

The first time I went to an adult book store was shortly after I turned 18. I was very nervous, not knowing what to expect. I walked in and hurried to try to slip in as unnoticeable as possible and as I made my way in, the cashier yelled at me to stop! I was mortified and scared as could be but all he wanted was a $.50 cover charge refundable if I made a purchase. I felt like the whole store was looking at me. I didn't have a lot of money but I did buy a cheap magazine from the "bargain" rack. I couldn't believe the variety of sex toys and dildos of every shape and size behind the counter. All I ever saw before this was the ivory colored "personal massagers" available in Spencer Gifts stores or the back of ladies magazines. I wanted to leave as discreet as I could after I paid for the cheap picture book I bought, that was no more than soft-core Playboy type material, hoping I wouldn't meet anyone I knew on my way out. Actually, I did go back a few times much later on. It got easier because I knew what to expect!

@KennyT First time was around 1970/71 ..... it was on 42nd street in NYC, I was scared as all heck, it was quite a seedy area at the time (long gone now)

Small world - I went there the same time. Wonder if we ever passed each other, ha. I would drive in on a Sunday morning before noon figuring most of the perverts were still asleep. I'd look for magazines that showed women wearing full-cut panties and girdles (rare to see), also some spankings...

In my early 20's I went to one in London. Two things were memorable. On my way out, one of the other customers deliberately bumped into me presumably to feel the erection I was sporting. Second, after I got back to my hotel, I found that a number of the pictures in the magazine I purchased had been cut out. Don't know if it was censorship or if a previous owner of the magazine had kept his favorites.

Second, after I got back to my hotel, I found that a number of the pictures in the magazine I purchased had been cut out. Don't know if it was censorship or if a previous owner of the magazine had kept his favorites.

In what year would that have been? In the 1970s I think that cutting out some pictures would probably have been censorship. Better to remove a few pictures from a magazine than loose the whole stock.

I know that in the 1970's in Belgium, offending parts or images in magazines like Playboy were blacked-out with magic markers. When I read about this my mind boggled at the tediousness of fixing up a stock of several tens of thousands of issues. Really mean-spirited and petty of the authorities.