Video Arcade Primer

Inside the staggering number of adult shops in town are variety of faith-in-humanity-crushing sexual diversions: fake phalluses, butt plugs, handcuffs, lube, videos, condoms—all of which are par for the course. Simply reading these terms may be a tad icky for you, but they are nevertheless novelty staples of the sex supply industry.

One amenity, however, is not offered by all shops, and that is the elusive video arcade.

Known to the uninitiated as “the booths,” the arcade is often the dodgiest-looking part of the shop. Walking through the catacomb-like tunnels, you’ll hear the moans and groans of love (or something like it) echoing through the chamber.

Now, this all sounds very H.R. Giger, but what is the arcade exactly? Well, the arcade is a series of booths separated by thin walls and arranged in a cluster. Each room is equipped with a television and some sort of control hardwired to the set. The user inserts currency, selects a video and then, well, whatever happens in the booth stays in the booth.

Some booths even offer “glory holes,” a term meaning a hole in the wall between booths, where the wall is thin enough to insert a penis or other object. What happens on the other side? Only you and your neighbor will know.

Another more exclusive feature is “buddy glass.” A select few arcades offer this. Essentially, buddy glass is a pane of frosted glass sandwiched between two clear panes, comprising a large section of wall between any two booths. Each of the adjacent booths has a “consent” button. If both occupants press the button, the frosted glass slides out and the occupants can watch each other do whatever.

You might be wondering, “Why even have an arcade?” That’s an excellent question. The simple reason: You know why you are there and why everyone else is there—there’s little guesswork.

To make things a little more complicated, video arcades and glory holes offer excellent opportunities for those unsure of their sexuality to explore that side of themselves in a controlled environment. Couples can occupy the booths and do something a little “taboo”—to act out a fantasy or whatever else. Kept clean, the arcade can provide a valuable mental health service.

As you can probably tell, this has the potential to be an awkward situation, as unclothed body parts are involved. Remember the following, and your experiences in the booths can be as worthwhile as possible:

Lurkers exist. They’re called “cruisers.” They’re regulars, and they know you’re not a regular. When you enter a booth, they’ll jiggle the knob or give a light knock. Let them know, clearly and politely, if you are not interested. They will know to leave you alone.

Similarly, take “no” for an answer if you see an attractive person enter a booth and they reject your knob jiggling.

Be safe. It seems like a no-brainer, but if you’re a man, wear a condom every time, even for oral sex. Women, do not accept an unsheathed penis through a glory hole ever, for any reason. Every place with an arcade sells single flavored condoms. Do not use the unpleasant latex flavor as an excuse to perform oral sex on a bare penis.

Spend money or get out. Many stores have a specific policy for this situation. There are many cameras patrolling the hallways at all times. Furthermore, there’s a light above each booth that lets the staff know if you’re spending. If the staff sees you ain’t spending, they will kick you out post-haste. And getting thrown out of a porn store is just about the lowest point a person can reach.

SHOPS WITH ARCADES
Fantasy on Sandy 3137 NE Sandy Blvd.

Taboo Video
2330 Se 82Nd Ave.
237 Se Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
311 Nw Broadway

Fat Cobra
5940 N Interstate Ave.

Mr. Peeps
709 SE 122nd Ave.
20625 SW Tualatin Valley Hwy.

Paradise Video
14712 SE Stark St.