First time in Portland, Oregon: where to start
Whether you're new to all of this or just new to Portland, Oregon, 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.
- Bad Girls · MunchPortland · membership, orientation or vetting first
A long-running leather social and educational group for women and gender-expansive adults 18+.
Their site ↗ (opens in a new tab)
The groups that run things here
- Oregon Leather Pride · Annual Oregon Leather Pride Week in early August
- Oregon State Leather Contest · Annual contest weekend in August
- Portland Leather Alliance · Annual KinkFest convention each spring at the Portland Expo Center
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.
- see sitePortland Shibari SalonPortland · says newcomers welcome
A rope-arts studio offering Japanese-style rope lessons, workshops, photo sessions and performances.
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 siteCatalyst Art & Culture SpaceFoster-Powell (SE Foster Road), Portland
A multi-use community space that rents to and hosts sex-positive cultural, educational and social gatherings.
Their site ↗ (opens in a new tab) - see siteSanctuary ClubPearl District, Portland · membership, orientation or vetting first
A 21+ membership event space hosting alternative-lifestyle and LGBTQ+ social nights, dances and themed parties.
Their site ↗ (opens in a new tab) - see siteSub Rosa PDXNear downtown Portland (address not published), Portland
A boutique rental studio offering hourly and overnight bookings, photography use, coaching and small classes.
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.