Charles Ellicott Commentary Genesis 19:2

"and he said, Behold now, my lords, turn aside, I pray you, into your servant`s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your way. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night." — Genesis 19:2 (ASV)

In the street. —That is, the broad open space of the city. (Judges 19:20) In a warm climate there is little hardship in passing the night in the open air; and as at this early date there were no caravanserais, travellers had to lodge in this way unless they found some hospitable host.