Photo via DNAinfo
Currently occupied by Blo Dry Bar, the storefront at 287 Amsterdam Avenue, between 73rd and 74th streets, was not too long ago home to an adult video, lingerie and toy store.
Amsterdam Video shut down in 2011, the now-defunct DNAinfo announced at the time.
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“Amsterdam Video’s hot pink neon sign and scantily clad mannequins didn’t quite fit in with the rest of the block,” the author noted, as did several area residents interviewed for the piece.
There was one interviewee disappointed to see them go. The Upper West Sider saw the store’s closure as “another sign that the Upper West Side [was] losing its neighborhood character.”
Neighboring business owners said Amsterdam Video’s presence never caused problems. The manager of Salumeria Rosi, located on the same block at 283 Amsterdam Avenue, told DNAinfo she was indifferent to the porn shop’s existence, and that some staff members even made some purchases as Christmas gag gifts.
DNAinfo noted that upon Amsterdam Video’s closure, there was no public outcry as there had been for other recently shuttered businesses (like H & H Bagels). Then again, the closing of a porn store isn’t the kind of thing you want to publicly rally against.
Locals mentioned never seeing much foot traffic in the small porn spot. Combining this with steadily increasing commercial rents (the listing broker mentioned seeking over $8,000 per month) makes the store’s 2011 demise unsurprising.
Amsterdam Video had a 20 year run, and upon closing, was “believed to be the last hardcore pornography shop on the Upper West Side.”
Which naturally leads us to wonder where the other ones were. And when they existed. Feel free to help us out in the comments section. You can use a fake name.
Not sure if they are still open since Covid hit, but there’s another place on West 80th street called Les Hommes. Not as stand out of a place as Amsterdam Video, looks more like a very discreet place with just a small sign on it’s door. Been awhile since I walked past it, so not sure if they are still in business.
Les Hommes is still in existence on 80th street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, though not a shop front just a green door entrance catering for Males as indicated by the name, with Reading material and Visuals and video booths all with an Entrance fee.
Used to go there with my wife in the late 90s. Was very small and at the time, it did not seem out of place. Probably a lot of couples stopped in there after going to the P&G.
Not that I would publicly “rally” for it’s existence, but to each his own. As long as the store wasn’t allowing kids inside, who cares. That was someone’s business for 20 years. There was obviously a customer base in the neighborhood (not that anyone would admit it! Lol!).
Now that everything in porn shops can be found on the internet and delivered more discreetly, I’m sure most will go out of business,