# What is a "Men's Spa" in the Context of an Adult Bookstore? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 5, 2011, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-mens-spa-in-the-context-of-an-adult-bookstore/595330 "2011-09-05T23:50:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BobArrgh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobarrgh/32/2881_2.png) [@BobArrgh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobArrgh)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2011, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-mens-spa-in-the-context-of-an-adult-bookstore/595330/1 "2011-09-05T23:50:39Z")
My wife, her parents, and I were driving today and saw an adult bookstore that also had a sign that said, “Men’s Spa”. None of us had ever heard the phrase before and we got to wondering what such a place might be, especially in the context of an adult bookstore. Is it a steam room or sauna? Is it a Happy Ending Massage Parlor? ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2011, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-mens-spa-in-the-context-of-an-adult-bookstore/595330/2 "2011-09-05T23:55:07Z")
I’m guessing that it’s just a big room with partitions or stalls where men can have “encounters” with each other. I doubt there are any actual “spa” features there. But this is just guessing. It could be a luxurious, well-appointed steam room and sauna for all I know. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2011, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-mens-spa-in-the-context-of-an-adult-bookstore/595330/3 "2011-09-05T23:55:22Z")
It seems to blatant for prostitution, so I’m guessing gay hookup area ---
**Author:** ![Huerta88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/82dd89/32.png) [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-mens-spa-in-the-context-of-an-adult-bookstore/595330/4 "2011-09-06T00:12:25Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > It seems to blatant for prostitution, so I’m guessing gay hookup area I know some people are old school, but I came to the conclusion a while back that most remaining “adult bookstores” would almost have to have this market in mind because really, who buys porno mags anymore (or who can’t get them at the neighborhood newsstand without encountering a bunch of other perverts – unless that’s the very goal?)? ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-mens-spa-in-the-context-of-an-adult-bookstore/595330/5 "2011-09-06T00:24:59Z")
Where is it located? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-mens-spa-in-the-context-of-an-adult-bookstore/595330/6 "2011-09-06T00:30:47Z")
> [@Huerta88](#): > > I know some people are old school, but I came to the conclusion a while back that most remaining “adult bookstores” would almost have to have this market in mind because really, who buys porno mags anymore (or who can’t get them at the neighborhood newsstand without encountering a bunch of other perverts – unless that’s the very goal?)? I believe the main income source for adult “bookstores” is actually the sale of movies and sexual paraphenalia. Sales of actual books and magazines are a minor sideline. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-mens-spa-in-the-context-of-an-adult-bookstore/595330/7 "2011-09-06T00:34:10Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > Where is it located? And what are their hours? (j/k) ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-mens-spa-in-the-context-of-an-adult-bookstore/595330/8 "2011-09-06T00:38:38Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > And what are their hours? > > (j/k) Well, sure, that to. However, I just thought some local/regional context might help. Search as I may, I’ve never seen any place that I recall advertised as a “Men’s Spa”. ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-mens-spa-in-the-context-of-an-adult-bookstore/595330/9 "2011-09-06T00:39:28Z")
NWSF… A factual answer to your query. http: // midtowne . com / ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-mens-spa-in-the-context-of-an-adult-bookstore/595330/10 "2011-09-06T00:44:13Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I believe the main income source for adult “bookstores” is actually the sale of movies and sexual paraphenalia. Sales of actual books and magazines are a minor sideline. You can buy all the porn and sex toys you want from the privacy of your own home (granted you can’t pay in cash and have to give your address). ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-mens-spa-in-the-context-of-an-adult-bookstore/595330/11 "2011-09-06T02:17:42Z")
Huge chunks of the population don’t use e-commerce. Not everyone has a credit card. Lots of people don’t have bank accounts. And there are many people who do not have or know how to use a computer. Everyone needs to get off, not just the middle class. Plus, adult bookstores offer instant gratification when inspiration strikes. You don’t want to wait a week when you have the urge to finally try a fleshlight. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-mens-spa-in-the-context-of-an-adult-bookstore/595330/12 "2011-09-06T03:18:24Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > Huge chunks of the population don’t use e-commerce. Not everyone has a credit card. Lots of people don’t have bank accounts. And there are many people who do not have or know how to use a computer. Everyone needs to get off, not just the middle class. Plus there’s probably a lot of people who would prefer to make their porn purchases on an anonymous cash-only basis rather than leaving a paper trail. ---
**Author:** ![Toucanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Toucanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toucanna)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-mens-spa-in-the-context-of-an-adult-bookstore/595330/13 "2011-09-06T16:58:11Z")
> [@Cabin\_Fever](#): > > …midtowne… Oh, I get it. I grew up calling that a “[gay bathhouse](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gay_bathhouse).” (Wiki article–SFW, but possibly PG-13) ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-mens-spa-in-the-context-of-an-adult-bookstore/595330/14 "2011-09-06T17:19:32Z")
> [@Cabin\_Fever](#): > > NWSF… > A factual answer to your query. > > http: // midtowne . com / Why not offer a short summary rather than just a mystery link? ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-mens-spa-in-the-context-of-an-adult-bookstore/595330/15 "2011-09-06T17:23:14Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > I’m guessing that it’s just a big room with partitions or stalls where men can have “encounters” with each other. I doubt there are any actual “spa” features there. But this is just guessing. It could be a luxurious, well-appointed steam room and sauna for all I know. The genius is that you _don’t know_ if it’s a man or a woman on the other side. True, it’s a “Men’s Spa” but you just _don’t know_. [/Always Sunny] ---
**Author:** ![BobArrgh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobarrgh/32/2881_2.png) [@BobArrgh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobArrgh)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2011, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-mens-spa-in-the-context-of-an-adult-bookstore/595330/16 "2011-09-10T01:20:25Z")
Thanks for the answers, folks. This particular establishment was just east of Joplin, Missouri, on I-44. And, since I didn’t stop there, I have no idea what the hours are. Thanks again for the answers. You confirmed what I thought it was. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2011, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-mens-spa-in-the-context-of-an-adult-bookstore/595330/17 "2011-09-10T06:39:41Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > The genius is that you _don’t know_ if it’s a man or a woman on the other side. True, it’s a “Men’s Spa” but you just _don’t know_. > > [/Always Sunny] What you’re describing is a glory hole. The back rooms of book stores usually have little booths, though there would probably be a glory hole in the bathroom. Aside from that, you know exactly who you’re playing with . . . and it would not be a woman. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2011, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-mens-spa-in-the-context-of-an-adult-bookstore/595330/18 "2011-09-10T13:37:23Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > What you’re describing is a glory hole. The back rooms of book stores usually have little booths, though there would probably be a glory hole in the bathroom. Aside from that, you know exactly who you’re playing with . . . and it would not be a woman. Thanks, I know what a glory hole is. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2011, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-mens-spa-in-the-context-of-an-adult-bookstore/595330/19 "2011-09-10T14:12:44Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > Thanks, I know what a glory hole is. I was recently made aware of the phrase "[Put down the chocolate covered banana and step away from the European currency systems](http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jonathan.deboynepollard/FGA/put-down-the-chocolate-covered-banana.html) which is to be used when someone asks a question in such a way that they are likely to get wrong answers because instead of explaining what they are trying to do, they ask for something they clearly don’t understand. (In that thread they asked for the ICQ number for firefox). I feel that “Thanks, I know what a glory hole is” in these cases. Cases where someone makes a joke and the other person doesn’t seem to understand it was a joke (or tv/movie reference) and explains to them why they are wrong. Example: OP)I’m having problems getting my kids to tell me when we’re out of things that I need to pick up from the store like milk or bread. Can anyone help me come up with some ideas…etc First Poster)Next time you run out of milk because they didn’t let you know they were running low, throw them all in the car and on the way to the store hit someone with your car and then say “And _this_ is why we always leave notes\*.” Next Poster)WTF? Why would you suggest something like that, what a terrible idea. First poster)Thanks, I know what a glory hole is. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2011, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-mens-spa-in-the-context-of-an-adult-bookstore/595330/20 "2011-09-10T14:30:05Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > Thanks, I know what a glory hole is. It’s good to describe it, because not everyone does. I had to read about it in _Stars and Stripes_ in Germany in 1992. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-mens-spa-in-the-context-of-an-adult-bookstore/595330.md?page=2)