First time in Ottawa: where to start
Whether you're new to all of this or just new to Ottawa, 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.
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.
- CORE - Ottawa's School of Japanese Rope Art · ClassOttawa · says newcomers welcome
A rope education collective founded in 2017 and, since 2022, the only authorized Kanna-ryu school in North America. It runs a monthly programme of beginner and themed classes (First Steps into Shibari, boxties, arm bi…
Their site ↗ (opens in a new tab)
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.
- see siteProbe OttawaByWard Market, Ottawa · says newcomers welcome · membership, orientation or vetting first
A queer-owned members' club and play space over two floors in the ByWard Market, with a suspension frame, play areas, showers and elevator access. The calendar runs almost nightly: play parties, rope classes with resi…
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.