First time in San Antonio: where to start
Whether you're new to all of this or just new to San Antonio, 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
- San Antonio Leathermen · First Saturday themed night at a local club; third Thursday leather and gear social 7-9…
- Alamo City Leather Association (ACLA) · Annual weekend in February; other events on site calendar
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.
- Eagle SA · Theme night · 9pm-2amTobin Hill / Main Avenue Strip, San Antonio
Leather-and-gear-friendly bar on the Main Avenue Strip that hosts the local leather club's monthly gear night.
Their site ↗ (opens in a new tab) - see siteMunches (private educational play space and social club)Northeast San Antonio, San Antonio · membership, orientation or vetting first
Membership social club and educational space of over 5,000 sq ft hosting classes, meetups and weekend open socials.
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? Love Shack Boutique, Sir Rat Leather & Gear (San Antonio).