Layman circus of books time out says this threedecadesold institution is a wellknown cruising spot, whether youre looking for a fun new sex video or a fun new sex partner. Their establishment eventually became the biggest distributor of gay porn in the united states, which led to federal obscenity charges during the reagan era. The circus of books director rachel mason has close ties. Unbeknownst to many customers, the store was cultivated by owners karen and barry mason, a straight, mainstream couple with three children who went to religious school and were unaware of their. Treat yourself to a new book, such as, and enjoy a relaxing night of page turning and adventure. Circus has a high end boutique, getting away from the seedy hookup style of yesterdays porn shop. For decades, rachel, micah and jos hua masons parents, barry and karen, ran circus of books, a nowdefunct porn shop and epicenter for las gay adult scene.
Larry flynt was seeking distributors for hustler magazine. Netflix is fast becoming known for its reputation of delivering a slew of entertaining, thoughtprovoking and massively engaging documentaries in both series and feature form. Netflix doc circus of books shines a light on lgbtq and. Circus of books, the iconic west hollywood adult video and novelty store, will be closing, possibly as early as friday, according to an article in.
Unbeknownst to many in the community it served, the store was cultivated. Circus of books in weho returns to life as chi chi larues circus. Official trailer for circus of books doc about an iconic. With karen mason, barry mason, rachel mason, josh mason. Serving as a cruising spot, porn store, and community space, circus of books was everything her straight. The closing of wehos circus of books, an adult bookstore that has sat on the corner its been a slow death for the gay l. Circus of books silverlake will officially close on monday august 8 at 7 p. It often loses its focus midway through, but the charming and quirky documentary is a slice of lgbtq culture and history definitely worth to watch.
The circus of books store may be closed, but theres a. A store on santa monica blvd, the center of gay life in the city, named book circus had been selling gay porn but was having trouble paying its. As well as adult novelties, lubes, and dvds, posters, magazines and books. Karen mason, barry mason, alaska thunderfuck, larry flynt, jeff stryker. The netflix documentary circus of books takes its name from the masons nowclosed west hollywood institution, which during the height of its business, karen notes its not a boast, shes too. Youll find a great selection of e books for your tablet, including e books. Circus of books, west hollywoods historic adult bookstore. See all 30 photos taken at circus of books by 342 visitors. What was expected to be a brief sideline led to their. Circus of books 8230 santa monica blvd, west hollywood, ca. We invite you to visit circus of books in west hollywood which is still going strong after 50 years. Located near the echo parksilver lake area, it is one of the towns many iconic landmarks. Its curtains for circus of books in west hollywood weho. Order online tickets tickets see availability directions location.
For more information, visit circus of books during business hours or call 323 6664. We sell books, mags and videos, of adult and general interest. Foursquare uses cookies to provide you with an optimal experience, to personalize ads that you may see, and to help advertisers measure the results of their ad campaigns. Thank you to the many, many loyal and good customers who patronized our store for 31 years. Circus of books, west hollywoods, gay adultboutique book store, featuring toys, books, and art gallery since 1960. Serving as a cruising spot, porn store, and community space, circus of books was everything her straightlaced. Documentary filmmaker rachel mason explores a slice of gay history and a walloping wedge of family lore with her slightly scattershot but utterly absorbing film circus of books. Netflixs circus of books tells the family story of the legendary west hollywood gay porn shop. Netflixs circus of books tells the family story of the. Barry mason stands inside the over18 section of circus of books. The masons acquired the store in 1982 after the original owner allegedly used porn profits to support his cocaine habit and he snorted his way into an eviction.
West hollywoods iconic adult bookstore circus of books. For directions to circus of books, click maps and directions or visit their website. The title comes from the name of the book store masons parents, karen and barry mason, ran for more than three decades. For those not familiar with the history, the store originally opened as book circus in 1960. Netflix doc circus of books shines a light on lgbtq and american. Circus of books closed last year after 60 years of selling porn mags on santa monica in west hollywood. And with the release of the circus of books documentary, audiences will get a close look into the shops notorious. Order online tickets tickets see availability directions.