Rounds Memoir

[+ Lucky]

A former owner of rounds has written a memoir about the legendary hustler spot. Here is more information:

 

http://bitterqueen.typepad.com/friends_of_ours/2010/05/camelot-lost-a-memoir-about-new-york-citys-famous-gay-cruising-bar-rounds.html

[edjames]

Thanks for posting that link. I just ordered my copy of the book.

 

I went to Rounds so many times, I was considered a regular. When Rounds first opened, it was an upscale gay restaurant/bar. It was indeed in the middle of the loop and was surrounded by young men walking up and down 53rd Street and hopping between two other hustler bars on the other side of Second Avenue. The clientele were always new faces. In the days before the internet, young men would come into NYC and stay at one of the many SRO's in midtown and work Rounds. They disappeared as quickly as they arrived soon learning that it was a not an easy career, and sugar daddies were not always readily available.

 

About a year ago I saw the former doorman/bouncer on a downtown bus. It'll be interesting to read the owners recollections.

 

ED

[+ glutes]

Is Rounds still in business?

If so, is it worth going to?

[tazmanian5230]

Rounds

 

Its over Glutes,

It was a great place. The boys were hot. On a most nights there were 20 or 30 working boys around. There was also another bar located on the next block.

The east side club was within walking distance which made things very easy.

[edjames]

Wasn't that other bar called Cowboys? It didn't have as long a life as Rounds and morphed into a restaurant/piano bar called East 53.

 

ED

[+ Lucky]

I've been to Rounds and Cowboys, which I thought was called Cowboys & Cowgirls, at least at one point. Cowboys seems an odd name for a bar in New York.

[tonyb]

You’re correct Lucky it was actually called Cowboys and Cowgirls. It was on the other side of 2nd Ave either 53 or 54th St. and they also served food but much more of a quick food menu (with a Brunch on Sundays) as I recall.

 

Ahhhh yes Rounds lots of memories from there. My best friend (who worked there toward the end for a short time – but only behind the bar!) and I used to go there for the torch songs and show tunes with drag queen or older women piano players, before heading out to the clubs or ending an early night. Sometimes, he would ask one of the boys "if they were interested in taking the night off" and being the hottie that he is often succeeded. I can recall later when I could afford it, my first hired from there although I admit not his name. I remember quit a few porn stars working there on occasion: Eric Houston, Cole Carpenter, Joe Kent, Joey Stefano, Kevin Williams and Scott Randsome to name a few. Sometime I went there alone but before or during dinner I would find myself in the company of one or more of the boys.

 

If I remember correctly there was a third hustler bar in the area for a while (also on the other side of 2nd Ave) that had a pool table in the back (I think Rounds did at one point too) but it is was a real street crowd and it quit dangerous to hang out there. - T

[BaronArtz]

The Townhouse bar, which is still in operation, has hustlers. But the hustler scene there is extremely subdued and low-key. Yet, it's there