From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Adult Theater is a cinema where XXX (usually R-18) films are shown to an adult audience. Rules are generally less strict regarding partial- or full-nudity and public masturbation or sex, and such behaviour may be condoned explicitly or otherwise by the management. Certain theaters may also include a strip- or sex-show between films.

Most commonly, an adult movie theater shows heterosexual XXX films but attacts straight, bi and gay male patrons, most of whom are not there for the film but are instead looking for casual and anonymous sex with other patrons. Although women do go to adult theaters, their presence remains a rare occurrence. The over-whelming majority (in many theaters, that can be upwards of 99%) of theater-goers is male.

Before the VCR and, later, the Internet, a movie theater or cinema house was often the only location where the average person could see a hardcore adult film. The two primary activities within any adult theater have always been to view a XXX film and to engage in sex with other movie-goers whether in the seats, balcony, aisles, behind the screen or in the men's rooms.

There is a famously cliche line which is, "Straight flicks, gay licks", referring to adult movie theaters. Its meaning, that the films shown on screen may be heterosexual pornography but the activity among the men in the theater is almost guaranteed to be decidely of a homosexual nature, especially oral sex.

Today, as always, men of any sexual orientation go to an adult theater primarily to have sexual encounters. Heterosexual men go knowing they will receive oral sex if they so desire. Gay men go for the same reason, or more usually to provide oral sex to other men.

As a protection against prostitution being plied on premises, most adult movie theaters do not permit single or solo females to enter. Women are allowed to enter most usually only with a male escort.

Most commonly, one sits in the back rows if one is interested in sexual encounters with other patrons, although this can vary depending upon the design of the specific movie theater. Often, one may enter an adult theater and no matter how many seats are available throughout the space, the back rows will be packed with a crowd.

No discussion is necessary in an adult theater. If one is interested in receiving oral sex, one sits in a seat, spreads one's legs and makes one's crotch available. Shortly, someone, a stranger will sit beside you. If interested, show your interest.

The films shown in an adult theater are not always of first rate quality but they are no longer the main draw for men going to such places.

An adult theater is typically considered to be a public venue as any other legitimate movie theater. It is therefore subject to police raids on the grounds of public indecency when sexual activity occurs on premises between and among patrons.

An adult theater which designates itself as a private or membership club is not subject to those same laws. An adult theater which charges an admission fee along with an additional membership fee (as little as $1 US more) is a private membership club. The activities on premises regarding sex therefore are not subject to raid due to sex. Police can still raid a private membership adult theater on the grounds of looking for drugs, illegal alcohol sales, suspected prostitution and other crimes relative to any other business.

• Sunset Cinema, London
• Taboo Cinema, Birmingham
• Legal definitions for adult theaters from The General Laws of the State of Massachusetts
• www.sodomylaws.org
• A view inside of an adult theater catering to men which is also a membership "private" sex club
• Tea Room Theater, San Francisco, CA, USA
• www.bijouworld.com
• The Jefferson Theater, Portland, OR, USA