An Adventure in Eros

During my final days in San Francisco, I have to make sure I take care of any unfinished business and make sure that I get everything done that I came here to do. Sure, my theatrical goals are complete, but there are still parts of the city that I must visit before I fly away home. One of these places that I've had my eye on for months before I arrived here was the Eros Sex Club.

I had originally planned on bragging about how I'd finally had my first bathhouse experience, but one of the buddies I made last night and corrected me: "It's not a bathhouse. San Francisco doesn't have bathhouses. It's a sex club." Fair enough. I guess the different would be obvious (baths), but Eros met all of the other requirements: sauna, steam room, showers, play space. But I guess will still have to leave that bucket list item unticked for now.

I was nervous as hell when I walked in, as any other first-timer would, but my nerves were quickly calmed when I saw the friendly smile of the adorable boy behind the front counter. He checked me in, read me the rules (No barebacking. No alcohol or drugs. By respectful. All fine by me!) And another boy handed me my towel and locker key.

My first stop was the steam room. I had never even been in a proper, non-sex-club steam room before, but I learned quickly that it was not my bag, baby. I see the appeal, but my face felt a little overwhelmed and I quickly moved on to the sauna, where I spent several spells throughout the evening. Not even playing, just sitting and sweating. After a stressful run in the Fringe, it was immensely refreshing.

I timidly approached the play space upstairs shortly after. The space itself was nice. Spacious. Lots of little alcoves to get your groove on in. Not unlike the space at GBU, but more comfortable and far more clean. Business was not booming, which I should have expected when coming in on a Monday night. The pickings were slim, I won't lie, but considering my experience level and anxiety, I don't think I made a bad choice. As it usually works out, my top choices found each other and I was left to play with my runners up, but it was still enjoyable. I realized after meandering for about half an hour that I was wearing my key band on my right wrist (bottom) instead of my left (top) which my have caused some confusion with my first playmate, but after I corrected the error I began getting the kind of attention I was looking for.

I was a little annoyed with the communication etiquette that was practiced in the playroom. Based on the website's description, I had hoped the clientele would be more friendly and talkative, but almost everyone that I met relied heavily on non-verbal cues, which was rather frustrating for me, especially when many men insisted on using them but couldn't read them to save their lives. The circumstances may be different on other evenings, but Monday night was quiet in a variety of different ways.

I left with only a couple more notches in my bedpost than when I entered, but I still felt satisfied and very grateful that I had the experience. Part of me wishes I had gone earlier in my trip so that I could have returned a couple of times, but another part of me is really glad I didn't, because I would have blown way too much cash at that place. If you are a gay or bi man and you ever find yourself in San Francisco, I highly suggest you pay a visit to Eros. If you want a broad selection, though, don't go on a Monday night like this asshole did.

Now if only I can find a decent bathhouse....