The History of Glory Holes

So, where did glory holes come from? Who was the first horny genius to say, “You know what this public toilet needs?” Welcome to the wild ride that is the history of glory holes… part crime, part kink, all climax. Strap in. Lube up. Let’s go.

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.

In twenty twenty-five, the concept of the glory hole has re-emerged in queer discourse; part nostalgia, part practicality. Whether it’s Covid-era resurgence or the rise of sexual fluidity, anonymous sex isn’t going anywhere. What is a Glory Hole, Really?

What is a Glory Hole, Really?

If this history has you curious (or turned on), you’ll probably enjoy my book The Hole in the Door. It’s a filthy little tribute to the glory hole culture… and yeah, it’s done well. You can grab it on Amazon or read more here.

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.

A hole in the wall. An eager mouth on the other side. No names, no faces, just lust. That’s the magic, and the danger, of the glory hole. And for centuries, men risked everything for that one perfect moment.

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.

Glory Holes Go Global: A Very Oral History

The first glory holes 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.

You’ve heard about London. You’ve maybe even pictured the infamous Lincoln Inn Bog House in all its 1692 glory. But if you think glory holes are a one-country kink, think again. These anonymous thrill tunnels have had a passport longer than most of us, and we’re about to take a filthy world tour.

United States – NYC & San Francisco

By the 1920s, the US had bathhouses, speakeasies, and gay bars doubling as sex havens. In New York, Everard Baths hosted more than just steam. And in 1970s San Francisco, places like Blow Buddies and The Catacombs turned the architecture into an orgy of anonymity.

By the time the 1970s hit San Francisco, glory holes weren’t just tolerated. They were practically part of the floor plan.

Germany – Weimar Berlin’s Sex Rebellion

The queer liberation of Berlin during the Weimar Republic (1919 to 1933) was next level. Police tolerated gay bars, fetish clubs, and cabarets. And yes, private booths weren’t just for smoking.

If you were gay in 1930s Berlin, you could grab a beer, a cigarette, and a blowjob through a hole in the wall, all under one roof. Efficiency. It’s very German.

Japan – Shinjuku’s Ni-chōme District

Tokyo’s Ni-chōme is the gay heartbeat of Japan. While more discreet, love hotels and underground bars in Japan have had their share of holes in the wall, sometimes literally.

In Tokyo’s queer labyrinth, you’re more likely to find a vending machine offering underwear than a neon sign saying glory hole here, but trust me, they exist.

Australia – Sydney’s Toilet Beat Scene

Aussies know how to cruise. Sydney’s Oxford Street saw decades of public toilet meets, also known as beats. It wasn’t just Mardi Gras that lit things up. Sometimes it was a tap on a stall.

Sydney’s Mardi Gras didn’t just parade through the streets. For some, it also ended with a discreet tap on a toilet stall wall.

The Digital Age – Glory Holes Go Online

Today, sites like Squirt.org, Sniffies, and the ghost of Craigslist Casual Encounters keep the hole alive. With GPS-enabled hookup maps and stall ratings, anonymous sex never left, it evolved.

You no longer need to linger around train stations hoping for a sign. Now your phone buzzes with one.

Glory Hole Timeline – A Quick and Dirty History

• 1692 – Lincoln Inn Bog House opens. Just toilets, until they weren’t.

• 1700s – First glory holes appear between stalls. Privacy meets oral ambition.

• 1861 – Sodomy becomes officially illegal in the UK. Thank you, Victorian repression.

• 1920s to 1960s – Molly Houses give way to public toilets as secret hookup spots.

• 1970s to 1990s – Porn culture embraces the hole. Literally.

• 2020s – Covid makes us reappreciate no eye contact sex. Glory holes trend again.

And if you’re wondering how this connects to today’s bromance-turned-blowjob culture, I wrote that 👉 From Glory Holes to Grey Zones: The Curious Case of Bromance and Sexuality.

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? “The history of glory holes” is surprisingly rich and criminally underdocumented.

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.

I’m doing something different now. Opening up this site to other writers who write great sex, gritty, dark, deep shit.

Also, there’s a new book. Check that project out here. Trust me; your jaw will drop with this one. Check out Good Luck Getting Rid of Me here.

And for those of you who want to read short erotic stories, I’m posting them separately in my store.

💡 Curious how glory holes went from taboo to tangled-up bromance fantasies? Read From Glory Holes to Grey Zones: The Curious Case of Bromance and Sexuality.
It’s less history lesson, more what happens when two mates cross a line.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Glory Holes

• What is a glory hole used for?
  A glory hole is a hole between stalls or walls that allows for anonymous sexual contact, typically oral or penetrative sex.

• Where did glory holes originate?
  Some of the earliest recorded glory hole activity occurred in London’s public toilets in the 1700s.

• Are glory holes still used today?
  Yes. While they’ve mostly disappeared from public toilets, you’ll find them in sex clubs, swingers communities, and some private homes. Some sites, like squirt.org list local cruising, on-premise sex and public sex locations, which can include glory holes.

• What are holes of glory?
  A cheeky nickname (or typo) for glory holes. Either way, we’re here for it.
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