Hedonist.

First time in Sydney: where to start

Whether you're new to all of this or just new to Sydney, the order is the same: a munch, then a class, then a party when you're ready. Here is each step with the real places and their next dates.

1

Go to a munch. Nothing needed.

A clothes-on social in a public place. Turn up, buy a drink, say it's your first time. This is where you find out what's actually on, and who runs it well.

  • see site
    Sydney Kink Festival
    Darlinghurst / Annandale, Sydney

    An annual community-run kink festival over the June long weekend, with an opening munch (Eat Me), a market and workshops at the Rex Centre in Darlinghurst, the S1NFUL fetish club night and a cabaret finale at the Burd…

    Their site ↗

The groups that run things here

2

Take a class. Drop-ins are normal.

Rope and skills studios are used to strangers and sell single-class tickets online. A beginners' class is the easiest first evening, and the people in it are at your stage.

  • Shibari Sydney · Intro 1A
    Inner West, Sydney · says newcomers welcome

    A dedicated shibari and rope venue in Sydney's Inner West, near two train lines, with suspension points, mats and showers. It runs the Intro to Shibari 1A and 1B courses monthly, weeknight Level 2 classes, weekly rope…

    Their site ↗
3

A party, when you're ready. Start this early.

Most parties want a membership, an orientation or a vetting chat booked days or weeks ahead, and many sell out. Read each one's rules on their own site, and go to your first with no plan to play.

  • Studio Kink · Introduction to BDSM
    St Peters (Inner West), Sydney · says newcomers welcome

    A non-profit kink education space in St Peters with a full calendar of classes, from Introduction to BDSM and Shibari to impact intensives, and a monthly all-genders play party, DVNT. It also hosts the Syd-PAH pup com…

    Their site ↗
  • see site
    Haus of Savvy (Animal Farm, Meat Rack)
    Sydney

    A queer fetish play-party organiser whose events run at a multi-level Sydney venue with dungeon rooms, wet areas and social spaces. Animal Farm is a pet-play themed party for all genders; Meat Rack is men-only. Ticket…

    Their site ↗

Before you go

Munches need nothing
A munch is a clothes-on social in a public place. Turn up, buy a drink, say you're visiting. It is the fastest way to find out what's actually on that week.
Parties need lead time
Most play parties want a membership, an orientation or a vetting chat booked days or weeks ahead, and many sell out. Start that before you travel, not after you land.
Dress codes are real
Fetish club nights turn people away at the door for ordinary clothes. Read the code on the event page and pack for it.
Classes welcome drop-ins
Rope and skills studios are used to visitors and usually sell single-class tickets online. A beginners' class is the easiest first night in a new city.

What is a munch?

What happens at one, the ground rules, and why it is where reputations live.

What is a play party?

How you get in, what a dungeon monitor does, and how to spend your first one.

Staying private

Keeping this separate from work and family.

Need gear or a dress-code outfit before a night out? Sax Fetish.

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