Where Did Glory Holes Come From? Who Invented Them? What Is the History of Glory Holes?

Nobody knows exactly where the world’s first glory hole appeared, but let’s be honest, it probably happened as soon as public toilets did, and for fairly obvious reasons. Let’s look at what we do know and connect the dots.

Before 1861, the law considered sex between men a crime if it involved buggery or sodomy. Meeting other men for sex before the 1960s wasn’t easy. Finding them was one challenge. Actually having sex with them was even harder. Sure, there were subtle signals, a lingering glance, a nod, a smile held just a bit too long. But there were no neon signs pointing to a gay bar, no secret maps to a cruising spot, no online forums offering directions.

In the late 1800s, ‘Molly Bars’ started appearing around central London. These weren’t just bars. They were secret, carefully run spaces, private rooms, tea rooms, cottages, cafés, hotels, all organised by and for men. They provided a safe place to meet, away from society’s disapproving eyes.

That didn’t stop police raids. Blackmailers also saw an opportunity and took full advantage.

For some men, the risk of entering a Molly Bar was too great. A fleeting glance at another man heading into a public toilet felt like a safer bet.

The First Recorded Glory Holes

The earliest recorded accounts of sexual activity in London glory holes come from the Lincoln Inn toilets, once known as the Lincoln Inn Bog House. After builders finished it in 1692, locals and patrons made full use of the space. The area already had a strong presence of Molly Bars and Molly Houses, so it makes sense that public toilets became hotspots for men looking for quick and discreet encounters.

Historical accounts mention arrests and prosecutions. Authorities often caught men mid-sexual contact at the Lincoln Inn Bog House.

The law at the time required proof of both penetration and ejaculation to secure a conviction. Prosecutors also needed two witnesses to confirm the offense. Courts could find both parties guilty, but proving penetration and ejaculation was difficult. Because of this, most men were charged with sodomitical intent, a much less severe offense that carried a lighter sentence.

The Rise of Glory Holes

Glory holes allegedly started appearing between toilet stalls in the early 1700s. They quickly became popular, offering men a level of discretion that made getting caught nearly impossible.

A hole in the wall between cubicles allowed men to suck dick or fuck arse without worrying about exposure. It let them stay anonymous. Many left the toilets without ever knowing who they had just had sex with.

Over time, glory holes mostly disappeared from public spaces, but they didn’t vanish completely. Some sex clubs still feature them, and private citizens have installed them for those who enjoy the subculture. Swingers groups, bisexual men and women, and even straight couples have adopted them as a niche fetish.

Glory Holes in Modern Culture

There is no shortage of porn featuring women using glory holes, sometimes servicing multiple men in small cubicles. Imagine an old-fashioned telephone operator, except instead of switching calls, she’s switching… well, you get the idea.

The history of glory holes is fascinating. How did men even find sex, especially when society viewed it as illegal and antisocial?

As I wrote The Hole in the Door, I fell down the fascinating rabbit-warren of clandestine meetings between men as I researched the real-life history of the donated Western Australian Museum’s toilet door.

Fans of my work will be excited to know I’m halfway through a new book, and they may or may not feature glory holes, and they may or may not feature 17th /18th century London. This research into the history of glory holes may or may not be relevant to such a hypothetical book.

I guess we’ll find out soon.

Fox