First time in Berlin: where to start
Whether you're new to all of this or just new to Berlin, 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.
- BDSM Berlin e.V. · InternationalBerlin · says newcomers welcome
A registered nonprofit that runs Berlin's public munch circuit: an international English-language Wednesday munch, a German Wednesday munch, a Friday English munch, plus themed Stammtische (petplay, women*, D/s) and b…
Their site ↗ (opens in a new tab)
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.
- Karada House · Queer Kink CampMoabit, Berlin
A queer collective of shibari and kink educators with a rope school, masterclasses with visiting teachers and a yearly Queer Kink Camp. Classes are consent-forward and trauma-informed and open to all genders and bodie…
Their site ↗ (opens in a new tab) - Daruma – Shibari Space · WorkshopsNeukölln, Berlin · membership, orientation or vetting first
A dedicated rope studio in Neukölln with regular classes, guest-teacher workshops and performance salons. Open to all bodies, backgrounds and orientations; visits are by booking only and the exact address is sent with…
Their site ↗ (opens in a new tab) - see siteLUX Kurszentrum (smkurse.de)Tempelhof, Berlin
A BDSM education centre offering evening and full-day courses on impact play, electro play, dominance, session planning and more, taught by professional practitioners. Courses are booked online and often sell out; the…
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.
- KitKatClub · CarneBall BizarreMitte, Berlin
Berlin's best-known kink-friendly club, with the weekly CarneBall Bizarre night every Saturday and rotating nights such as Four Play, Gegen, Symbiotikka and Unity. Strict dress code (fetish, latex, leather or creative…
Their site ↗ (opens in a new tab) - see siteKlub VerbotenBerlin · membership, orientation or vetting first
A London-born BDSM and fetish club night that runs Berlin editions with dedicated playrooms, a safeguarding team and a strict dress code. Attendance is by ticket after registering on their membership system; the venue…
Their site ↗ (opens in a new tab) - see siteQuälgeist Berlin e.V.Tempelhof, Berlin
A long-running nonprofit BDSM association with its own 300 m² venue in Tempelhof. It runs a weekly public calendar of play nights, bondage evenings, socials, peer-support munches and free workshops; many nights are me…
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.
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? Fetisch Hof Berlin (Peitschenhandel).