First time in Vancouver: where to start
Whether you're new to all of this or just new to Vancouver, 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.
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 siteEncrypted EventsVancouver · says newcomers welcome
Encrypted Events is a Vancouver kink event company run by long-time organizers Sara Blaze and Scott Knight. It produces Glitch, a ticketed 19+ dungeon party at the Maritime Labour Centre with monitored BDSM play, the…
Their site ↗ (opens in a new tab)
The groups that run things here
- Cirque de Boudoir Vancouver · Annual; next 2026-11-14
- Rubbout · Annual, April; next 2027-04-15 to 2027-04-18 (Rubbout XXXV: Maskarade)
- Vancouver Fetish Weekend · Annual in late July; next 2027-07-22 to 2027-07-26
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.
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.
- Sin City Fetish Night · HEXXEDEast Vancouver / Mount Pleasant, Vancouver
Vancouver's longest-running fetish club night, celebrating 25 years in 2026, with themed balls at The Waldorf (1489 E Hastings St) and kinky warehouse raves at Skylight Warehouse (1800 Main St). A fetish dress code ap…
Their site ↗ (opens in a new tab)
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.