Dear Lemon:

I keep hearing about adult bookstores. I must admit I’m curious. I’ve been to F Street, but never in the backroom area. What’s it like? I’d check it out, but I’m afraid I’ll run into someone I know. Give me the scoop.

Sincerely,

Backroom Rookie

Dear Backroom Rookie:

Several adult bookstores in the San Diego area have video arcades or “backrooms.” These areas are rooms lined with private or semi-private booths that showcase a wide selection of adult movies – gay and straight. Most have 50 channels or more to scroll through while plugging a coin slot or dollar- bill collector. If you’re looking for an array of porn to preview, video arcades can be a hot way to burn through $5 to $10.

That’s the official answer.

Now let’s cut through the bullshit, shall we? Sex is really what most of these arcades are about. Men will cruise booth after booth looking for a quick wank with fellow movie-goers. And with a limited number of hot men making their way through these establishments, competition can be fierce.

You mentioned you didn’t want to be spotted. There’s a smattering of adult bookstores all over San Diego County. From Encinitas to Chula Vista, you can find a number of adult bookstores off the beaten path that’ll provide at least some discretion. There are the two still open downtown, several in the Sports Arena area, at least two up in Kearny Mesa and, of course, the regulars in Hillcrest and North Park, just to name a few.

Warning: Sex in these establishments is against the law. Vice has been known to bust people having sex in the “single occupancy only” video booths, so be careful! Your safest bet is to pick up a to-go order. You know, size up the goods and then take one home with you.

Another option is the Adult Depot in Sports Arena. Several of Adult Depot’s video booths are divided by fogged glass that can be de-fogged at the push of a button. No joke. If someone is in the booth next to you, just push a button and the glass clears. Of course, if there’s a total troll in the booth next to you, a second push of the button re-fogs the glass. Isn’t technology a beautiful thing?

Adult Depot and a few other adult bookstores (like Barnet Adult Superstore, for example) have small-sized movie theaters that show adult movies (often straight porn). If sitting in a room with several other guys all watching porn turns your crank, then maybe this is for you. Every now and then you may strike gold and find a hottie, but let’s be real: The guys watching porn rarely look like the guys in porn.

Word to the wise: Some guys that visit these establishments are straight, especially in the Sports Arena area and South Bay. Bonus? Depends. They are not always “friendly,” so be subtle and feel things out.

Hooking up in a bookstore, like any anonymous encounter, puts you at a greater risk for catching STDs. Use protection for any play beyond more than a few strokes. The bookstore is loaded with condoms and lube, so no excuses.

Happy hunting!

Dear Lemon:

I find your column offensive. There’s so much more to our community than just sex. This column only perpetuates the negative stereotypes often attributed to our community by the media and the religious right. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Sincerely,

Offended

Dear Offended:

Suck it!