As a single guy you can only go to VA on a Friday and you will have to contact them ahead of time first.
JayDees has a few single men in on a Saturday, but limited numbers, and again you will have to contact them ahead first.
VA is the superior venue, in terms of what it has to offer, but JayDees isn't bad either and has lovely owners.
We can't comment what the club is like in terms of numbers etc on a Friday, because we only have been to both on a Saturday.
You absolutely should go to FATA MORGANA one of the best clubs in Holland, its on the Eastern edge of the city, from the centre it will cost you about 25 Euros by taxi.
Don't eat before you go, there is restaurant on site and the food is excellent. All food and beverages are included in the price and its a really nice place, very laid back. Saturday is the best day to go.
Take your ID when you go there.
The club had a dip after and during several changes in mangement.
We believe it is now well back on track. It is one of the best clubs in the UK.
You must go and check out SPICE,
Its a swingers and nudist resort with lots of facilities and it is open to outside visitors on certain days and times, check with the venue, but it is a great club.
A and A x
There aren't any clubs in or near Reading.
The nearest is Adfabs on a Friday, Heathrow.
Any club that has a 'water feature' (Pool, Jacuzzi) is always like to have to charge more on the door than one that does not, depending on many other factors of course.
VA and LIBS offer a bit of everything, but that's why they are two of the best clubs in the country, CHAMS has been going longer and constantly added and re-invested.
Of course different people like different clubs for different reasons and will gravitate towards the one that is nearest to them that offers the right things at the price for them.
Clubs are always limited by space and budget, but even the tinyest club can be a great sucess as Ourplace4fun in London has proven (Its about twice the size of my flat in London)
It's not just the size, but what you do with it that counts too, as they say.
We have to say, we hear nothing but good reports about Altantis, so its certainly got its fans!
For a young couple in their twenties, we would have recommended either
Atlantis Evolution, good young crowd, very popular since the new owners took over
Xtasia - Good crowd, especially on SDC nights, can be fun, it needs a bit of a re-think, but it still a good club.
We know Adam and Eves and Cupids have their fans, but can't agree that these are good first choices for a young couple, unless they are confident around large numbers of single men.
We just think you will have a better time at a club which has somewhere you can actually dance as well as chat, and play if you get around to that, and which will have a higher proportion of people you're own age or nearer to it, as well as more couples than singles and neither of those clubs can claim to be ticking those boxes in any realistic fashion when compared to the others that have been suggested including the two we mentioned here.
It is worth going the extra mile or 50 miles for a good club, than popping round the corner to go to one that won't be to you're liking. Give it some thought about what you want from the evening before you go, but you kind of spelled it out above already so we're pointing you to clubs that will certainly give you what you want.
Being an ex smoker, one can certainly sympathise with this and we too noticed a drop in the numbers. I think I was more of a social smoker and the social areas where people smoked were always great fun to hang out in and chat.
Several clubs were quick to provide outside or courtyard areas to combat this, Chams set up an especially good one, while places like Liberty Elite and VA didn't need to try very hard as the layout of their clubs was pretty easy to add a decent smoking area.
Some where you had to go in a 'van' near the club, was less than ideal.
The mainland Europeans were quick to combat this, most of the clubs got around the law by setting up a dedicated private room which is used by the smokers inside with an extractor fan and airlock style door. Essentially it side steps the legal issue, all be it in a very tenuous way.
I am glad the smoking ban came in personally because I know it helped me to stop smoking, even though I am very sympathetic towards smokers and definately think clubs should provide for them.
On PRICING -
As we have been checking clubs overseas we have noticed the price drops and special offers have increased and we hope the UK venues follow suite.
We fully appreciate going to a club can be quite expensive, as stated, the best club isn't always on you're doorstep, and even when it is, you still might have to budget £80 or so, if you're staying late, drinking and need a taxi home or whatever it can all soon add up. Typically when we are going to Liberty Elite or VA, we have to budget £200 because it takes half the day to get there, we need to book a room, and then there is entrance fee, drinks and of course dinner at some point. Doing La Chambre is £300 because of the train fares, even when we booked in advance, and that's mainly because we only go once every other year so we have to pay the membership fee every time.
That's why a club like Vanilla Alternative's pricing policy makes sense, one cheaper price for paid members and a higher price for irregular visitors.
By the same token running a club isn't cheap and in fact for best clubs its a really hard business that needs constant attention. But the main thing a club can always do to bring in the numbers is run their venue well and set a price that's in accordance with what they have to offer.
ClubLick in London is a good example of this, its one of the cheapest, they play good music, but it isn't the best club to play in - but you can still dance, have a laugh and they will keep it open until you want to leave. The club isn't able to offer much beyond good music, a place to socialise and a small play area or two, but the club knows this and sets its prices accordingly.
If you're setting you're price around the £40 mark these days, then you had really better be the best club in you're area, and be able to offer a lot for that price because you need to be getting at least 40 couples in on you're weekend days (Minimum)ideally more.
Quite a few clubs actually have free entry nights in Europe and they make their money on the bar, by getting the extra numbers on the drinks till, obviously CHAMS can't really do that, but you could always do a once a month crazy thursday everyone in for a fiver. (limit single men obviously) A club that already does good business can probably get a good response to any promo it has a stab at, if its good value for money.
Liberty Elite does a free Friday a couple of times a year which are very popular, and helps get membership and attendance up on other nights, so its worth doing for sure.
We certainly wouldn't mind the price coming down especially as we have about 80 clubs to visit in the next two to three years!
We would definately recommend VA or Liberty Elite on Saturdays as ideal for first timers.
We are the authors of the book that Jed kindly mentioned and have been to all the clubs mentioned thus far above.
Its a superb club and one of the best in the country.
People of all shapes and sizes attend clubs, so you should be fine.
Obviously some people gravitate towards certain venues which have a more relaxed attitude towards people of a larger shape.
Chamelons is probably the most relaxed in this regard which is probably a hike for you, but you can book a room there and stay over night.
I largely agree with what Jed says.
It's not that the lack of interest is there, nor is there the lack of demand, it's more that we are facing one of the worst economic struggles in the country of all time, and after Xmas and New Year is always quiet on the club scene, the next busy night normally being Valentines day themed parties.
Just to look at how the scene has grown / changed since I was first on it, there were 58 Clubs / Regular Advertised parties back in 2003, the scene probably peaked around 2004 / 2005 with a very healthy attendance pretty much at any club or party we went to regardless of when it was.
In 2012 at the time of writing there are over 80 permanent clubs or parties in the UK, but to put that into perspective, even though that's more than back in 2004, almost double when you take into account the addition of groups such as Killing Kittens and so on, you also should note that over that time over 30 Clubs have shut for various reasons. Some of them quite frankly should never have been opened in the first place (A smelly dark room below a Kebab shop does not a great club make!)
We want to see the scene grow and prosper as much as everyone else does I am sure, but we are surprised to see some new clubs open in direction competition of existing venues and although at times competition can be a healthy thing, right now that's probably not doing either club any favours.
The scene has expanded in Europe to a huge degree. When we started compiling the German list of clubs for example, which we began two years ago, there was about 130 clubs at that time, at the time of writing there are some 255 in Germany and almost 200 in France, and even though some clubs have come and gone, its no where near many as have opened and closed in the UK or Spain (Some opened by ex-pats)
If anything those that have experienced clubs on the continent and see the amazing standards that they set, will have impacted and improved the standard of what we offer over, that is no bad thing.
A club must constantly re-invent and improve itself to survive, and it should embrace constructive critcism and not be afraid of it. Any different attitude to that will only hurt it in the end.
Under the current climate those clubs that are always improving and setting standards will no doubt survive. VA might have had a quiet club in January, but its membership and attendance is increasing all the time, as is Liberty Elite now that they have pulled their socks up a bit. This is no bad thing, pressure to succeed is a good thing.
It is true that people will gravitate towards the club where they think they will find the right people, HOWEVER, the right club will attract the right people in the first place.
Good facilities
Great Atmosphere
Good hosts and friendly staff
Clean facilities
Good music
Decor and lighting that is conducive to playing.
Get all those right and set your prices accordingly and your half way there.
I think you really need to go further than Manchester to find a club that fits the bill.
Some of those that are great for a younger crowd are Tease II, Xtasia, Atlantis Evolution to name only a few.
What Jed and Sasha said sums it up for us...
The definition has expanded to include a whole range of things that the scene itself now embraces.
We have said this before, the only person who really defines what the word means to you, is you.
If your a couple who only plays with other couples and that's the way you see it fine and good, though we doubt few couples will turn down a bisexual single female for a night.
If anything The Scene now is more diverse than it ever was and that can only be a good thing in the long run.
That was just for New Years, its normally cheaper £35 for couples on a regular Saturday, you don't have to pay membership on a first visit, the rooms were £40 or £45.
When we went Jed it was £50, but that was back in 2008.
It is a great club.
Wish we were there Jed, but look foward to seeing you guys in March all being well.
A and A xxx
You will not be short of people to play with or speak to.
There will be at least 300 couples there from all over the world.
We will certainly be reviewing it next year and that review will be in the second edition of the book.
I have to admit, I am with Jed here a little bit in the sense that I am surprised that the original owners of Atlantis went and opened another club, after they had sold their previous one, down the road from the old venue.
It seems a little odd? Surely they could have actually just re-invested in their original club and re-vamped it in the same way the new owners did, or alternatively opened a club in a different area altogether.
The good news is that both clubs are getting good reviews. We have friends who travel all the way up to Atlantis from London on a fairly regular basis, so its clearly hitting the right note for people.
Wish both clubs and can only hope that people come from far and wide to visit them and they don't just have to depend on local business, which as Jed suggests probably isn't enough to sustain them both.
Thanks to all those who came over to say hi from here, especially those who bought a book.
Was nice to meet Paul and Flirt too even though I met Paul once and then totally forgot who he was later on, yes it was that tiring working there!
Sore Feety right now!
We will be there every day with the team, and some of the girls, so come and say hi..
Our Stall is B40 in the main hall downstairs.
See you guys there...
Clubs come in all shapes and sizes just like swingers.
Essentially just like when meeting people, you tend to have a check list, its a good idea to have them with clubs as well.
Do you want to dance and does music get you in the mood or is that not important?
Are you going to want to shower? Do want a pool or a jacuzzi?
Does it serve alcohol or do you need to bring your own? What kind of company do you want?
If its couples only then make sure you go on a couples only night, and if you cannot then try and go to a venue that has a couples only room at least.
If its your very first clubbing experience, you may wish to go on a couples night for your first experience anyways, as you may find it somewhat overwhelming otherwise.
Alex, Editor of sex in the cities UK, the swingers guide to adult clubs.
You have the busiest club in the country in Darlaston a short journey from Birmingham city,
its open 7 days a week and is the busiest in the country. Its not too everyones taste, but its in our top 5 clubs in the UK in our swingers handbook, and its not in the top 5 for nothing.
Alex
Hope this helps you mate
CLUBS AT A GLANCE IN LONDON AND GREATER LONDON
Class 1 – Purpose Built, Class 2 – Saunas Spas, Class 3 – Nightclubs, Class 4 – Hotels, Class 5 – House Parties
Adfab Parties / Kestral Hyro – Hatton Cross, Heathrow – Class 1
Baloo’s – Romford, Essex – Class 3
Club Lick – Walthamstow, East London – Class 3
Domina – Stoke Newington. North East London – Class 3
F-Club – Wandsworth, South West London – Class 3
Funtime Swingers – Stratford, East London
Hellfire Club – Sunbury, Middlesex – Class 3
Legs 800 Club – Walthamstow, East London – Class 1
Ourplace4fun – Alexandra Palace, North Central London – Class 3
Paradise Spa – Dagenham, Essex – Class 2
Real Fun In Essex - Barking, Greater East London – Class 5
Rios – Kentish Town, North Central London – Class 2
South London Swingers - Crystal Palace, South London – Class 5
Stunners – East Central – Class 5
From Alex, authour of the ultimate swingers handbook
Hi guys,
this is the list on that part of the country, taken from our book which is available to pre-order from next week. Hope it helps you find what your looking for:
SOUTHWEST ENGLAND
(Cornwall, Somerset, Devon, Dorset, Wiltshire)
The South West of England has a good number of clubs and the first (That we are aware of) Swing friendly campsite in the region. In the last few years a small number of house parties have come and gone in the South West but Secrets and Club Libertine are still going strong and are currently holding regular monthly parties. Some of the larger towns in the South West also do have City Spas which normally will attract a small proportion of swingers through its doors but again we must stress these are not normally specifically swinging or adult clubbing venues. As with other areas that do not have such a high number of clubs or regular parties to choose from there is a strong social scene with regular social ‘Munches’ taking place such as Bristol, that normally have around 100 or so attending. These events are normally advertised through the swinging web sites. When visiting clubs in the southwest try and aim to go on a theme night or to one of the typically busy seasonal parties which will normally be very well attended.
CLUBS IN THE SOUTHWEST AT A GLANCE
Class 1 – Purpose Built, Class 2 – Saunas Spas, Class 3 – Nightclubs, Class 4 – Hotels, Class 5 – House Parties
Bath Swingers Club – Bath – Class 2
Cornwall Kink – Cornwall – Class 5 (Specialises in Fetish events, but also swinging)
Club Libertine – Bournemouth, Dorset – Class 2 – runs part time only
Club O (Formerly known as Club Orgasm) – Bristol – Class 1
Decadence – Burnham on Sea – Class 5
Gems Campsite – Yeovil, Somerset – Unclassable
Junction 2 – Southamption – Class 5
Romeo’s – Bristol – Class ?
Secrets – Totnes, Devon – Class 5
The Office – Bristol – Class 3
The Paradise Club – Bath – Class 2
Alex -
The above response is exactly correct.
The best was Skinnydippers but that shut down at the end of 2006.
There are a few clubs in the South East.
This is the info on that from our book for you...
CLUBS AT A GLANCE IN THE SOUTH EAST AND SOUTHERN HOME COUNTIES
Class 1 – Purpose Built, Class 2 – Saunas Spas, Class 3 – Nightclubs, Class 4 – Hotels, Class 5 – House Parties
Adfab Parties / Kestral Hyro – Hatton Cross, Heathrow – Class 1 (SEE GREATER LONDON)
Bristol Gardens Health Spa – Brighton, Sussex – Class 2
Eurekas – Fawkham, Kent – Class 2
Kent Swinging Sensations, Kent – Class 3
Pleasures – Wateringbury, Kent – Class 5
Silverleigh Naturist Spa – West Kingsdown, Kent – Class 2
Bristol Gardens Health Spa – Brighton, Sussex – Class 2 ***
Web site:
Address: 24/26 Bristol Gardens, Brighton, BN2 5JR
Contact details: Email – / Tel –
Opening times & Admission price:
Party Days Opening Times Couples Single Guys Single Ladies
Monday – £28 £18 £18
Tuesday – £28 £18 £18
Wednesday – £28 £18 £18
Thursday – £28 £18 £18
Friday – £28 £18 £18
Saturday – £28 £18 £18
Sunday – £28 £18 £18
Admission Policy: Saturdays and Sundays from are for mixed couples only.
Club Review: A strictly naturist Spa venue, this Brighton sea front club is very popular with Naturists. Although not strictly a ‘Swingers’ venue, like any spa it attracts its fair share of individuals from the swinging adult crowd and the venue has taken this into account with its play areas upstairs and couples only nights on Fridays and Saturdays. The club is clean and has nice spotless facilities but it is strictly naturist, so if you’re body shy it won’t be the venue for you. This is a nice venue to come, take a chill out session and use its facilities which include a very nice sauna, Jacuzzi and plunge pool. The rules are very strict about where you can actually play even with your own partner which is in the dedicated big room upstairs or the private rooms. The venue is not always consistent with the pool and Jacuzzi being cold on some visits and warm on others, costing them a star on our review. There are lockers and showers in the changing area and food and soft drinks are sold on the premises however no alcohol is allowed. If you don’t mind the naturist aspect to the venue then this can be a good venue to dip your toe into the swinging scene as this is not the main focus of the venue but more experienced swingers will find the upstairs rooms a little clinical. Just be aware that most of the clientele during the week are single men though on the whole they are well behaved.
Hope that helps
Alex -
