De-Luxe Theatre
2001 Bath Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY
11214
2001 Bath Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY
11214
5 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 74 comments
Living in Brooklyn, in the mid 70’s the Deluxe was known as the the place to go and get off. Stright or gay it didn’t matter you got what you came for. No matter what time of the day it was the place always had a nice crowd.With the computer world we live in now, that type of venue sadly will never happen again.
The description should be changed to closing in the mid-1990’s not mid-1980’s. I distinctly remember seeing an article on the closing in our local paper (The Bay News) circa 94/95 about it’s shut down. Also there was a NYC law passed in 1995 that prohibited adult businesses operating within 500 feet of a school and since PS 200 was located about a block away the writing was on the wall for the De-Luxe Theatre.
Uploaded a tax photo of the De-Luxe in the day.
I was a projectionist at a porn theatre in NJ thru most of the 1980’s. I use to get film prints from here. I knew the owner . He owned many of the porn theatres in the area. The Deluxe in Brooklyn. The Globe in the Bronx. The Polk in Queens. Cinema 9 in Sayreville NJ. The Sayrewoods in Old Bridge NJ where I worked. The Harem on 42nd St. The Montauk in Passaic NJ. The films would just move around each week from one theatre to the next.
I used to go her when I was 6 in 1940. Saturday was kids day and I saw a new western once a week. I went there for many years until we moved to California in 1948. My parents went there when second run movies were playing. I’ll never forget the Deluxe, it was only about six blocks from my home.
For informational purposes, I found mention of a New Montauk elsewhere. However it never showed movies. But the theater it was to replace has a fascinating history since it was actually moved in one piece. See elsewhere on CT
Bway, can you add that pic to the photo section?
Here’s a NYC Tax photo of the old DeLux in the final days of it’s life as an XXX movie…. Click here for photo
When I moved to Brooklyn, the only legit film I ever saw there was Cold Turkey. Shortly after that the theatre turned to porn. Being divorced, porn was a good release for me.This was the days way before computers. The theatre rapily became a home for straight, Bi and gay men.Sex acts were openly performed in the seats, back or bathrooms.It got to a point where the candy counter was removed and a mini theater was put up showing only gay porn loops. So you had straight and gay films running all the time. A table was put between where free coffee was served.I surprise the theatre stayed open for as long as it did without the cops closing it down. Somebody was being paid off.
I remember when it was a porn theatre. That was long before internet porn and during what some people call the golden age of porn. Whatever that means. A few blocks down was Toys n Things. Great toy store. I got some great WWF figures there.
Was a good porno theater where lots of older married guys would go to get taken care of when there wifes no longer gave to them. Went there a couple of times and saw my friends father there and was blown away. Its amazing that the same people who went there would be the first to knock this place in order to be polically correct. Now the same married guys have many more discreet options.
Flip-Flops, you rule!
EdSolero. From the time I discovered the Deluxe, they always showed str8 porn. At one time, they showed regular flicks on the main screen, and they had a small room with about 12 seats with a monitor showing porn. Then they just switched to str8 porn on the big screen also. No private booths. they closed before these booths were used to circumnavigate the restrictive laws. All the action was behind a 4 or 5 foot wall at the back of the balcony and in the restrooms. They were so liberal at one time, that even in the balcony and orchestra seats there was activity. I know, even the owner at one time, used to mingle with the patrons. I have first hand experience of that. Well, sorry about all the confusion.
EdSolero: You
re absolutely right. I was looking at the wrong theater when I posted that. Actually, I was posting for the Kings Highay theater. They used to own the Deluxe also. I dont know how the confusion occured. Sorry about that. As for the Fair, they have a main orchestra section that shows regular flicks, and various smaller theaters that show everything from subtitled kung-fu movies and old TV shows to really hardcore straight, gay and tranny flicks. Not to mention the “personal booths”. As for the Deluxe, I really miss it. That was a great place. Unfortunately, the Kings Highway theater is owned by the same guy, and I`m afraid, even after a so called “renovation” a couple of years ago, the place is getting trashed again, By management AND patrons. What a waste.Flip-flops… when you say “right now they show cable TV projection…” are you referring to this theater? I thought it was closed! I know you also posted on the Fair Theater page, so perhaps you’re referring to that establishment – which is still open.
Robert R.. Thank you!
EdSolero. They started by showing only straight porn. Eventually, they intorduced gay porn, but only on TV monitors and eventually made it a half and half proposition. You
re right though. Once they started showing any kind of porn, the activities began, and it didnt make much difference what was on the screen. Although, I figure there are some that need to watch a little movie action to get inspired to indulge in the “real” action. They also showed some artsy fartsy soft core porn, mostly european stuff, and then just the regular grind stuff. Right now, they show “cable TV projection in the small lobby theater. Inside, they have a straight sex theater and a gay one on the other side. The same with the "personal' booths in the rear. In the balcony, again projection stuff. Sometimes VHS or DVD, and usually very dark and muddy. And they play the same film over and over. Some with sub-titles. Oh yeah. They have surveillence cameras in the lobby theater and balcony, as well as in the basement, near the restrooms. there was, at one time, a small, dimly lit room with one small TV monitor. You could relly get personal in there, but that room is now used for storage. The staff does a half ass job of keeping the place clean, but there is a small element of destructive and filthy pigs that make it tough for the rest of us.Theaterat…I missed those 2. Think I saw AC/DC Let There Be Rock and Yessongs there but in those (good old) days were were usually pretty ‘out of it…’ So I’m not sure.
Theaterat…I missed those 2. Think I saw AC/DC Let There Be Rock and Yessongs there but in those (good old) days were were usually pretty ‘out of it…’ So I’m not sure.
Theaterat
That film was called Pink Floyd in Pompei
A pair of ads from the late ‘70’s and early '80’s:
Dutch Treat – Daily News 1/25/78
Downstairs, Upstairs – Post 3/10/82
I love how the 1978 ad plays up the $2.50 admission – but if you look carefully, that’s for “senior citizens!” Gotta love that sort of pluck!!!
Flip-flops… these ads are for straight porn. Did the cinema ever make the switch to all-male features or was the content on-screen immaterial to the activities in the bathrooms? I know in Times Square, the films didn’t even have to be pornographic and there was still a fair amount of diverse sexual activity taking place within the confines of the theater!
Sea Beacher… Almost forgot about the rock
n roll films!Did see "The Harder They Come" and a pink Floyd film here , pre porn of course. Cant remember the name of the Pink Floyd film, but if memory serves, it was filmed in ancient Roman ruins somewhere in Italy.Apology accepted!
You’re absolutely correct I had no right to apologize for you or what you said. This is America and you can say what you want I guess you’re doing the same reminiscing as we are. I’m certainly not homophobic my friends can attest to that. Please enjoy your memories and I will not verbally molest you again.
Dear “Seabeacher”, no one commented on your taking your wife or friends to the Deluxe. And where do you see any “gay” porn in my comments? You made your statement and “waxed” nostalgicly. I did the same exact thing. I was “waxing” nostalgic, too. The fact that it gives you some kind of “homophobic” reaction is definitely not my problem. And I really don
t see what youre “apologizing” for or about. Insecurity is a “bitch”!!!