First time in Washington DC & Baltimore: where to start
Whether you're new to all of this or just new to Washington DC & Baltimore, 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
- Playhouse Educational Group (PEG) · Second Wednesday monthly, 7 PM
- Black Rose · Tuesday evening classes; newcomer Gateway session the Thursday before the first Friday;…
- Centaur Motorcycle Club · Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend each January
- ONYX Mid-Atlantic · Periodic bar nights
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.
- Baltimore Playhouse · Education meeting · 7 PMSouthwest Baltimore, Baltimore · says newcomers welcome · membership, orientation or vetting first
Large alcohol-free community event space operating since 1997, hosting education nights, newcomer introductions and members' events.
Their site ↗ (opens in a new tab) - The Crucible · Dungeon 101 newcomer nightEckington, Washington · says newcomers welcome · membership, orientation or vetting first
Members-only 501(c)(7) private social club with a large event space hosting themed nights, classes and partner-group events.
Their site ↗ (opens in a new tab) - see siteKink CafeStation North / Charles North, Baltimore
Themed restaurant and event space focused on conversations about consent, which supports a nonprofit for survivors.
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? Bite the Fruit, TrickBox.