First time in Los Angeles: where to start
Whether you're new to all of this or just new to Los Angeles, 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.
The groups that run things here
- Avatar Club Los Angeles · 4th Wednesday monthly (except Nov/Dec), 8:30 PM, at a community church hall in North Ho…
- Center for Positive Sexuality · Monthly educational series; annual Positive Sexuality Day and conference
- DomCon · Annual LA convention (next: June 2-6, 2027); sister event in New Orleans
- Los Angeles Leather Coalition (LA Leather Pride) · Annual LA Leather Pride week in late March
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.
- MasterKush Kinbaku · Beginner group class advertisedCommerce / East LA (classes at a rented studio), Los Angeles · says newcomers welcome
A rope-instruction business offering private lessons and beginner group classes.
Their site ↗ (opens in a new tab) - see siteDevil Mask StudioHistoric Core, Downtown LA, Los Angeles · says newcomers welcome
A rope-arts school offering a leveled class series from beginner to advanced, guest-instructor intensives, rope jams and socials.
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.
- 910WeHo · MunchWest Hollywood (La Cienega), West Hollywood · says newcomers welcome
A large queer-inclusive community space hosting classes, socials, curated parties and private rentals.
Their site ↗ (opens in a new tab) - see siteSanctuary Studios LAXSouth Los Angeles, near LAX, Los Angeles · membership, orientation or vetting first
A commercial 5,000 sq ft themed studio operating since 1999 with memberships, classes, coaching and event rentals.
Their site ↗ (opens in a new tab) - see siteThe Threshold SocietyNorth Hollywood, North Hollywood · membership, orientation or vetting first
A pansexual nonprofit education and social membership organization founded in 1982 with its own clubhouse.
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? Rough Trade Gear, The Stockroom.