Fixin' For A Spanking: Revisiting Paddles NYC
Located at 250 West 26th Street between 7th & 8th Avenues in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, Paddles NYC was an underground, after-hours sex club housed in a discreet, industrial-style building with no overt signage. Over the years, it hosted many regular LGBTQ nights for those interested in exploring kink & fetish, including a weekly men’s-only play party. While Paddles NYC was operational, it was one of the longest-running and most well-known BDSM clubs in the city.
Paddles first opened in the early 1990s and was owned and operated by Michael Aulito. The club featured a variety of play spaces & paraphernalia designed to cater to different sexual interests & desires. It had a dungeon-like atmosphere, with dark lighting and a variety of BDSM equipment to offer, such as St. Andrew's crosses, cages, spanking benches, and suspension rigs, as well as a social area where guests could mingle and relax before or after play sessions.
Paddles quickly became a safe haven for people looking to explore flogging, spanking, bondage, suspension, domination and various other kinks. It held events for all kinds of people, many of which were LGBTQ-themed or focused, including frequent bear parties and workshops and demonstrations to help educate newcomers on safe and consensual BDSM practices.
A 2013 NYTimes article opens with a vivid description of a visit to a Paddles’ men’s night: "At around four on a Saturday morning, a time when most of the gay bars in NY have closed and locked their doors, a steady stream of young and middle-aged men, almost all shirtless and some stripped down to their boxer briefs, have found their way down a dark stairwell and into a maze of basement rooms, where the décor can best be described as fallout-shelter chic. They have come to Paddles, an after-hours sex club in Chelsea, not yet ready to end their evening. They prowl the long cinder-block hallway, exchanging knowing glances. A husky, bearded man in his 40s lounges on a corrugated black rubber bench, admiring a chorus line of smooth-chested 20-somethings, their flesh glowing under a pink neon sign and black lights. A man in a metal-studded black leather chest harness strides toward a back room, the hookup room, where a circle of men, skin glistening with sweat, hover around a swing, watching."
In his own personal review, Max R., a patron of Paddles, described his experience there in great detail: “I can't speak for the hetero-themed nights, as I went to a men's only event at Paddles on a Wednesday night, but I certainly enjoyed myself. For the uninitiated, the facility is a sexually themed 'dungeon'—an appropriately decorated basement in the Chelsea area of NYC. There are all [sorts of] variet[ies] of S&M paraphernalia scattered throughout many dark corners. There is also a bar that serves snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. Friday and Saturday evenings seem to be reserved for their mixed parties (men and women), and throughout the week they have events for men only. It wasn't particularly crowded when I was there, but there was still a fair amount of activity—as most men there were in the middle of various, uh, acts. The dress code is underwear or less, and the crowd seemed very low attitude and down to earth. People were either participating or watching, but everyone seemed to be having a good time. And the staff was pleasant and friendly. Definitely worth a visit.”
Other patron reviews of Paddles mention its unique environment of inclusivity and overall welcoming aura.
Brett K. wrote: “By far the best S&M club in NYC...owned and operated by Michael, a really cool guy who makes everyone feel welcome at this house of debauchery...lots of couples playing and playing hard!! A must visit for you out-of-towners…”
James F. agreed: “Paddles is a great place especially for beginners. I have seen attractive people attend the events. Let me say this, the fetish community is probably the least shallow community. It's about experience and having fun. They are the most accepting and least superficial people. The decor is cool, the people are friendly. It's worth checking out. If you want to ensure attractiveness than bring your own play partners. Arrive with no expectations and you will be fine.”
Tara M. beamed about Paddles: “Come now kitten! Paddles, oh Paddles. What to say about Paddles? Are ya kidding!? What can I not say about a BDSM dungeon in good old New York City where dreams are made! Haha! Okay so first let me open on a very positive note saying that this club is so very a judgement free zone…It's a great accepting safe place with people who are all flying their freak flag!!”
Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic hit places like Paddles hard and the space closed down indefinitely in 2020. In July 2022, Paddles shuttered for good after 'servicing' the community for over 30 years.
Roberto Ordonez (roberto.ordonez.hoyo), who served as ‘Mr. Paddles 2013’, eulogized his love for the space: “This place was a blast! Great memories going into the vault. Thankful for all the parties and nice people I met there! 😍❤️🔥.” He also mentioned: “I remember when I became Mr Paddles 2013 that Michael Musto was one of the judges. I was and am honored to have been the 1st Mr. Paddles ever. That place [Paddles] will always be in my heart and part of my life.”
Hunter Vreeland (hunteur.vreeland), Paddles’ club promoter for decades, lamented: “NYC is a poorer place without Paddles. I have so many great stories as host for 20 plus years. It was a pleasure and a privilege to be a part of the fun and to be [there the] very last night on Gay Pride Sunday to wrap up an era. Thank you everyone and we are still looking for a new location. More good times to be had.”
Perhaps, Paddles will get to live on elsewhere, and the spanking and flogging can carry on once more, hidden within another dungeon somewhere else in this City of Many Pleasures.
Explore more queer spaces of NYC here: Queer_Happened_Here