First time in Cleveland: where to start
Whether you're new to all of this or just new to Cleveland, 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 siteOhioSMARTCleveland · membership, orientation or vetting first
Founded in 1995, a long-running social and educational BDSM organisation serving greater Cleveland. It runs orientations and volunteer training, restaurant munches, special interest groups and ticketed play events at…
Their site ↗ (opens in a new tab)
The groups that run things here
- LEAP Cleveland · Roughly bimonthly themed events, typically Saturdays noon to 5pm
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.
- see siteLeather Stallion SaloonSt. Clair-Superior, Cleveland
A leather and alternative bar open since 1970 and one of the oldest continuously running leather bars in the Midwest. It hosts gear nights, pup and kennel club events and other fetish-themed nights alongside regular b…
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.