Leather & Fetish Clubs
“You know when you’re in a sex club and you look in an alcove … and there are six men playing a very adult game of twister … and you really want to join in but one of them is wearing the same harness as you?” - John Pendal
THE BACKSTREET is a men only club which opened in 1985 at Wentworth Mews, off Burdett Road. Nearest tube Mile End. REOPENED SEPT 2021. Open Wednesday and Sundays 6pm-11pm, Fridays and Saturdays 10pm-3am. Backstreet has a strict dress code of full leather or rubber and a private open-air smoking area. Popular with guys who own Langlitz jackets, breeches or are members of BLUF. (www.facebook.com/TheBackstreet and thebackstreet.com)
DRESS CODE: Unless the event details state otherwise, you'll need to be in leather or rubber. If you're in leather, you'll need boots. Trainers are fine with rubber.
MEMBERSHIP: Annual membership costs £25. To update membership, please bring your card with you on your first visit. Valid in date memberships at the time of closure will be adjusted to reflect the period the club was closed. If your card expired before lockdown please bring £25 with you if you’d like to renew.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Either proof of double vaccination or proof of negative COVID test no more than 24 hours before your visit. Rapid antigen tests are acceptable. Masks are voluntary but if you wish to wear one it should be black. Please ask a member of staff if you need a black mask. Social distancing is not required. Entry fees and bar remains cash only.
One of our friends says: "Backstreet runs a STRICT DRESS CODE of Leather or Rubber only so there are no fluffies or trainers to be seen. The atmosphere is laid back and the decor is horny. Note though that boots hanging from the ceiling make an obstacle course for anyone over 6'2". There are two distinct areas. The first is around the bar for talking and chilling out. The other is down 'the back' where oil drums and half walls segregate off a darkened cruising area. There are also changing facilities available." You can order a taxi home from the club before you leave, and staff will wait until your taxi has arrived.
REGULAR NIGHTS AT BACKSTREET:
OCCASIONAL EVENTS:
BLOC SOUTH was a great fetish club in Vauxhall. Sadly it closed at the end of May 2019. Many of the club nights it hosted have now moved to The Bunker Bar (see below).
THE BUNKER BAR at 217 City Road, Shoreditch, London, EC1V 1JN hosts a variety of fetish nights including Boys & Sirs, Buff and SM Gays. VENUE IS OPEN AND THEY PREFER ALL VISITORS TO HAVE HAD AT LEAST ONE COVID JAB. (bunkerbar.co.uk)
Other Leather/ Fetish Events in London
BiZarre Events (mixed sex) run monthly pan-sexual/ bisexual kink parties with kinky/ fetish themes. Everyone is welcome: straight, bi, lesbian, gay, male, female, Trans, gender-fluid, queer, a crossdresser, singles (M & F), couples of any gender/combination) or poly-groups. Parties are play events, not just dressing up, but you don't have to participate in anything you're not comfortable with. RETURNED AUGUST 2021. (www.bizarre-events.com)
CENTRAL STATION at 37 Wharfdale Road, Kings Cross, N1 hosts different fetish nights throughout the week in its basement bar called THE UNDERGROUND CLUB. Includes CITY BOYS (suit and tie club) on the 1st Friday - RETURNED SEPT 2021; FEET ON FRIDAY on the 3rd Friday - RETURNED SEPT 2021; CLUB SHOOT (football kit & sports gear, no jeans) - RETURNED SEPT 2021; and S.O.P. every Sunday - RETURNED JAN 2022. CHECK INDIVIDUAL CLUB WEBSITES FOR DETAILS. Nearest tube/ overground train station is Kings Cross.
CLUB LABRYS (for women) - a sex positive/ body positive/ trans-inclusive club night run by women for those who sincerely identify as female. Held from 9pm to 3am in Walthamstow, E17 - check website for next date. (www.bizarre-events.com/club-labrys)
THE EAGLE LONDON at 349 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall has been leather pub and a bear venue. They suffered flooding during lockdown and is being refitted as an LGBTQI+ bar and creative arts venue. Nearest tube Vauxhall. RETURNED NOVEMBER 2021. (www.facebook.com/EagleLDN/)
*RECOMMENDED* FETISH WEEK ... LONDON is held in July with parties and events around the capital. FETISH WEEK WILL RUN FROM 9 TO 17 JULY 2022. (www.fetishweek.com)
HARD ON (mostly gay men, some lesbians) is a monthly fetish dance and cruise club run by Suzie Krueger at Union Club in Vauxhall. RETURNED AUGUST 2021. Dress code of rubber, leather, uniform, skin gear, sports kit, or just your boots. No plain jeans or trackies. Trainers are permitted with sportswear. Entry £15 for members, £20 for guests. Suzie also runs Hard On events elsewhere, including Gran Canaria, Manchester and Antwerp - check website for details. (www.hardonclub.co.uk)
THE HOIST opened in 1996 and ran for over 20 years in Vauxhall, closing in December 2016. (It returned for one night in Oct 2017 to hold the Mr Hoist 2017 contest at Protocol in Vauxhall.)
THE LEATHER SOCIAL - is a London social meet-up for men into leather. RETURNED AUGUST 2021. Held on the 1st Sunday of each month from 5pm to 10.30pm over two floors upstairs at Comptons, 51-53 Old Compton Street, Soho, London, W1. There is no cover charge and no membership. Upstairs capacity is only 60 people, on a first come first served basis. (twitter.com/leathersocial and www.facebook.com/leathersocial)
LONDON ALTERNATIVE MARKET AFTER PARTY (mixed sex) is on the 1st Sunday of the month from 7pm at Revolution Bar, 140-144 Leadenhall, London, EC3V 4QT. Entry £10 for just the party or £5 if you've been to the market in the afternoon as well. RETURNED AUGUST 2021. (www.londonalternativemarket.com)
LONDON FETISH WEEKEND (mixed sex) (www.londonfetishweekend.com)
DRESS CODE: Unless the event details state otherwise, you'll need to be in leather or rubber. If you're in leather, you'll need boots. Trainers are fine with rubber.
MEMBERSHIP: Annual membership costs £25. To update membership, please bring your card with you on your first visit. Valid in date memberships at the time of closure will be adjusted to reflect the period the club was closed. If your card expired before lockdown please bring £25 with you if you’d like to renew.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Either proof of double vaccination or proof of negative COVID test no more than 24 hours before your visit. Rapid antigen tests are acceptable. Masks are voluntary but if you wish to wear one it should be black. Please ask a member of staff if you need a black mask. Social distancing is not required. Entry fees and bar remains cash only.
One of our friends says: "Backstreet runs a STRICT DRESS CODE of Leather or Rubber only so there are no fluffies or trainers to be seen. The atmosphere is laid back and the decor is horny. Note though that boots hanging from the ceiling make an obstacle course for anyone over 6'2". There are two distinct areas. The first is around the bar for talking and chilling out. The other is down 'the back' where oil drums and half walls segregate off a darkened cruising area. There are also changing facilities available." You can order a taxi home from the club before you leave, and staff will wait until your taxi has arrived.
REGULAR NIGHTS AT BACKSTREET:
- 1st Tuesday of each month: GENTLEMEN - From 6pm to 11pm. Strict dress code of suit & tie. Entry £5
- 1st Thursday of each month: CLUB LINGER - From 6pm to 11pm. For masculine men who want to wear lingerie and their admirers. (www.lingerlondon.co.uk)
- 1st Friday of each month: RUBBERMEN OF LONDON - NEXT ON FRI 3 JUNE 2022 (www.facebook.com/groups/487524064944536)
- For other nights check out their events calendar: (thebackstreet.com/events/)
OCCASIONAL EVENTS:
- BLUF - for BLUF (breeches and leather uniform fan club) members and their guests from 9pm with strict dress code, open to all Backstreet customers from 10pm. Free entry to BLUF members before 10pm, otherwise regular prices apply. (www.bluf.com)
- MASTERY - for fans of "Old Guard"/ high-protocol, Leather, SMoke and Submission. Dress code leather and rubber only. No sportswear, trainers, baseball caps. Bleached jeans permissible if worn with leather or rubber. NEXT ON SAT 28 MAY 2022 (www.masteryonline.co.uk)
BLOC SOUTH was a great fetish club in Vauxhall. Sadly it closed at the end of May 2019. Many of the club nights it hosted have now moved to The Bunker Bar (see below).
THE BUNKER BAR at 217 City Road, Shoreditch, London, EC1V 1JN hosts a variety of fetish nights including Boys & Sirs, Buff and SM Gays. VENUE IS OPEN AND THEY PREFER ALL VISITORS TO HAVE HAD AT LEAST ONE COVID JAB. (bunkerbar.co.uk)
Other Leather/ Fetish Events in London
BiZarre Events (mixed sex) run monthly pan-sexual/ bisexual kink parties with kinky/ fetish themes. Everyone is welcome: straight, bi, lesbian, gay, male, female, Trans, gender-fluid, queer, a crossdresser, singles (M & F), couples of any gender/combination) or poly-groups. Parties are play events, not just dressing up, but you don't have to participate in anything you're not comfortable with. RETURNED AUGUST 2021. (www.bizarre-events.com)
CENTRAL STATION at 37 Wharfdale Road, Kings Cross, N1 hosts different fetish nights throughout the week in its basement bar called THE UNDERGROUND CLUB. Includes CITY BOYS (suit and tie club) on the 1st Friday - RETURNED SEPT 2021; FEET ON FRIDAY on the 3rd Friday - RETURNED SEPT 2021; CLUB SHOOT (football kit & sports gear, no jeans) - RETURNED SEPT 2021; and S.O.P. every Sunday - RETURNED JAN 2022. CHECK INDIVIDUAL CLUB WEBSITES FOR DETAILS. Nearest tube/ overground train station is Kings Cross.
CLUB LABRYS (for women) - a sex positive/ body positive/ trans-inclusive club night run by women for those who sincerely identify as female. Held from 9pm to 3am in Walthamstow, E17 - check website for next date. (www.bizarre-events.com/club-labrys)
THE EAGLE LONDON at 349 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall has been leather pub and a bear venue. They suffered flooding during lockdown and is being refitted as an LGBTQI+ bar and creative arts venue. Nearest tube Vauxhall. RETURNED NOVEMBER 2021. (www.facebook.com/EagleLDN/)
*RECOMMENDED* FETISH WEEK ... LONDON is held in July with parties and events around the capital. FETISH WEEK WILL RUN FROM 9 TO 17 JULY 2022. (www.fetishweek.com)
HARD ON (mostly gay men, some lesbians) is a monthly fetish dance and cruise club run by Suzie Krueger at Union Club in Vauxhall. RETURNED AUGUST 2021. Dress code of rubber, leather, uniform, skin gear, sports kit, or just your boots. No plain jeans or trackies. Trainers are permitted with sportswear. Entry £15 for members, £20 for guests. Suzie also runs Hard On events elsewhere, including Gran Canaria, Manchester and Antwerp - check website for details. (www.hardonclub.co.uk)
THE HOIST opened in 1996 and ran for over 20 years in Vauxhall, closing in December 2016. (It returned for one night in Oct 2017 to hold the Mr Hoist 2017 contest at Protocol in Vauxhall.)
THE LEATHER SOCIAL - is a London social meet-up for men into leather. RETURNED AUGUST 2021. Held on the 1st Sunday of each month from 5pm to 10.30pm over two floors upstairs at Comptons, 51-53 Old Compton Street, Soho, London, W1. There is no cover charge and no membership. Upstairs capacity is only 60 people, on a first come first served basis. (twitter.com/leathersocial and www.facebook.com/leathersocial)
LONDON ALTERNATIVE MARKET AFTER PARTY (mixed sex) is on the 1st Sunday of the month from 7pm at Revolution Bar, 140-144 Leadenhall, London, EC3V 4QT. Entry £10 for just the party or £5 if you've been to the market in the afternoon as well. RETURNED AUGUST 2021. (www.londonalternativemarket.com)
LONDON FETISH WEEKEND (mixed sex) (www.londonfetishweekend.com)
LONDON LEATHERMEN (londonleathermen.com) is a social group for men who wear leather, rubber, uniform or skinhead gear and is part of the European network of ECMC clubs. Other UK clubs in the ECMC network are Birmingham Fetish Men, Leathermen South in Brighton and Manchester Leathermen. From March 2022 London Leathermen host a GEAR SOCIAL on the 3rd Sunday in each month from 6pm, upstairs at the Duke of Wellington pub, 77 Wardour St, London, W1D 6QB. Dress code is lax, but they ask they you wear at least one piece of gear (leather, rubber, neoprene, lycra and uniforms).
The MEET UP app has a couple of fetish groups that have sent in their info:
RECON hosts FULL FETISH parties in London several times a year. All fetish dress codes welcome, with the exception of just "jeans and trainers". (www.recon.com/en/events)
RUBBERMEN OF LONDON - Meet on the 1st Friday of each month at The Backstreet in Mile End. (www.facebook.com/groups/487524064944536)
TORTURE GARDEN (mixed sex) is a mixed gay/ bi/ straight, male/ female fetish club night. Their aim is "to create an environment which accepts and encourages individualism, diversity and free self-expression." To this end they utilise different London venues, including The Ministry of Sound, The Complex, Mass, The Scala and The Imperial gardens. RETURNED SEPT 2021. (www.torturegarden.com)
TROUGH LONDON holds fetish parties every other month at various locations around London. I haven't been, but someone wrote in to say it's possibly more of a dance club aimed at guys wearing harnesses. (www.troughlondon.com)
The MEET UP app has a couple of fetish groups that have sent in their info:
- MEN'S KINK SOCIAL group meets in London on the second Tuesday of each month from 7pm. It is catered more towards just meeting and getting to know each other. The group welcomes those who are new and those who have experience. (www.meetup.com/Mens-BDSM-Kink-Dom-Sub-Social/)
- GAY ART GROUP runs fetish-themed drawing classes in London, both online and in person. (www.meetup.com/gay-art-and-sip-guys/)
RECON hosts FULL FETISH parties in London several times a year. All fetish dress codes welcome, with the exception of just "jeans and trainers". (www.recon.com/en/events)
RUBBERMEN OF LONDON - Meet on the 1st Friday of each month at The Backstreet in Mile End. (www.facebook.com/groups/487524064944536)
TORTURE GARDEN (mixed sex) is a mixed gay/ bi/ straight, male/ female fetish club night. Their aim is "to create an environment which accepts and encourages individualism, diversity and free self-expression." To this end they utilise different London venues, including The Ministry of Sound, The Complex, Mass, The Scala and The Imperial gardens. RETURNED SEPT 2021. (www.torturegarden.com)
TROUGH LONDON holds fetish parties every other month at various locations around London. I haven't been, but someone wrote in to say it's possibly more of a dance club aimed at guys wearing harnesses. (www.troughlondon.com)
Outdoors
If you like to meet leathermen outdoors you might want to go to HAMPSTEAD HEATH. A reader of this page emailed in June 2003 to say: "The Heath is a couple of miles from the centre of London and you get a few leather bikers riding through the area, more at night. They tend to be in the Lower Heath area rather than up by Jack Straws Castle. There are some risks: the occasional pickpocket, an odd gang of bored bashers, perhaps even a police patrol from time to time. Most people get to the Heath (and home) by foot, by taxi (lots of cabbies call in during their shifts; a trip from central London should cost no more than £10), by tube (Hampstead on the Northern Line is closest, then follow the traffic up the hill; last tube leaves Hampstead around 12:30am), by bus (the all-night bus stops right by Jack Straws Castle), or by car. Don't worry too much about wearing your leathers in public: most locals are well used to seeing leathermen wandering in the area. I always prefer go to the Heath by motorcycle, and lots of other leathermen do the same. The Heath is large, so be sure you check where to go on a map before you head out."
Another leatherman emailed in May 2006 to add "If you come by car you can either park in Templewood Avenue or Reddington Rd at the junction with West Heath Rd. You can also park along the kerb in West Heath Road and step straight onto the Heath. JACK STRAWS is not the car park or entry point anymore. If you come by train note that Hampstead Heath Station is not near the Heath. Don't worry if you get stuck on the Heath without transport, because there is a NIGHT BUS stop at Whitestone Pond, which has been transporting guys through the night from Hampstead Heath for many a year, and is well accustomed to taking on guys in full kit."
If you like to meet leathermen outdoors you might want to go to HAMPSTEAD HEATH. A reader of this page emailed in June 2003 to say: "The Heath is a couple of miles from the centre of London and you get a few leather bikers riding through the area, more at night. They tend to be in the Lower Heath area rather than up by Jack Straws Castle. There are some risks: the occasional pickpocket, an odd gang of bored bashers, perhaps even a police patrol from time to time. Most people get to the Heath (and home) by foot, by taxi (lots of cabbies call in during their shifts; a trip from central London should cost no more than £10), by tube (Hampstead on the Northern Line is closest, then follow the traffic up the hill; last tube leaves Hampstead around 12:30am), by bus (the all-night bus stops right by Jack Straws Castle), or by car. Don't worry too much about wearing your leathers in public: most locals are well used to seeing leathermen wandering in the area. I always prefer go to the Heath by motorcycle, and lots of other leathermen do the same. The Heath is large, so be sure you check where to go on a map before you head out."
Another leatherman emailed in May 2006 to add "If you come by car you can either park in Templewood Avenue or Reddington Rd at the junction with West Heath Rd. You can also park along the kerb in West Heath Road and step straight onto the Heath. JACK STRAWS is not the car park or entry point anymore. If you come by train note that Hampstead Heath Station is not near the Heath. Don't worry if you get stuck on the Heath without transport, because there is a NIGHT BUS stop at Whitestone Pond, which has been transporting guys through the night from Hampstead Heath for many a year, and is well accustomed to taking on guys in full kit."
Special Interest Groups
It is illegal in the U.K. to engage in any activities for sexual pleasure which result in injuries more than "transient or trifling". Even a lovebite (hickey) is technically illegal. THE SPANNER TRUST is campaigning to change the law. Please click here to visit their website.
It is illegal in the U.K. to engage in any activities for sexual pleasure which result in injuries more than "transient or trifling". Even a lovebite (hickey) is technically illegal. THE SPANNER TRUST is campaigning to change the law. Please click here to visit their website.
A ban on possessing 'extreme pornographic' images in England and Wales came into effect on 26th January 2009. Read this newsletter from the Spanner Trust to find out more.
The following clubs are MEN ONLY unless otherwise stated:
The Terrence Higgins Trust have a website offering sexual health information for guys into rougher sex, at www.hardcell.org.uk
The following clubs are MEN ONLY unless otherwise stated:
- ANATOMIE STUDIO (mixed sex) - is the UK’s first and only full-time Shibari studio. OPEN AND RUNNING EVENTS. The space is inside an artistic complex in Peckham and has wooden suspension beams and mats throughout. They hold regular rope practise sessions and workshops for complete beginners through to advanced. The studio is also available for hire for photography, art exhibitions and Shibari events. It is not a dungeon or BDSM club. (www.anatomiestudio.com)
- BOYZ AND SIRS is a CP club which meets every Saturday from 2pm to 7pm at the Bunker Bar, 217 City Road, Shoreditch, London, EC1V 1JN. Membership £12. Entry £8. RETURNED JULY 2021. (www.boyzandsirs.co.uk)
- THE BUNKER LONDON (not to be confused with the Bunker Bar) - underground location in central London, zone 1. Available for private hire and photographic sessions (thebunker.london)
- CLUB CP meets every Tuesday except for the 1st Tuesday of the month from 7pm to 11pm at The Bunker Bar, 217 City Road, Shoreditch, London, EC1V 1JN. Nearest tube station Old Street. Entry £7 members/ £8 non-members. No dress code. RETURNED JULY 2021. (www.sewellandmarbury.co.uk/clubcphome.html)
- COLLARED meets at Central Station, King Cross on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month from 7pm to midnight. Entry £5 members/ £10 non-members. RETURNED SEPT 2021. (www.clubcollared.com)
- FEET ON FRIDAY meets on the 3rd Friday of each month from 7pm to midnight at the Underground Club below Central Station in Kings Cross. Nearest tube Kings Cross. Entry £8. No dress code. Club for guys into feet, socks and footwear. RETURNED SEPT 2021. (www.feetonfriday.com)
- PUP OUT LONDON - monthly events in London for pups and handlers, including a coffee shop social, board games night and full on puppy club night with ball pit. PUPPY BOARD GAMES RETURNED AUGUST 2021. (puppypride.social/m/pup-out-london)
- PUPPY PRIDE - great website for human pups and their handlers. Check out their website for pup events in London and around the UK. (www.puppypride.social/events)
- S.O.P. (Streams of Pleasure) is a club for yellow enthusiasts. RETURNED JANUARY 2022. Open every Sunday from 1pm to 10pm at the Underground Club in Kings Cross. Entry is £12. No dress code. (twitter.com/clubsop and clubsop.co.uk)
- *RECOMMENDED* SM GAYS run discovery nights on the third Thursday of each month from 7-11pm at The Bunker Bar, 217 City Road, Shoreditch, London, EC1V 1JN. Entry £10 with free coat check and first drink included. No dress code. This is a very social night and a great way for newcomers to explore the scene. Includes an educational workshop from 9-10pm on a different theme each month to one side for those that are interested. RETURNED AUGUST 2021. (www.smgays.org and twitter.com/sm_gays)
The Terrence Higgins Trust have a website offering sexual health information for guys into rougher sex, at www.hardcell.org.uk
Page updated 19 May 2022
All text on this website copyright © John Pendal 1999-2022 unless otherwise stated. All Rights Reserved.
You are welcome to link to any page of this site but text must not be reprinted without permission from the author.
All text on this website copyright © John Pendal 1999-2022 unless otherwise stated. All Rights Reserved.
You are welcome to link to any page of this site but text must not be reprinted without permission from the author.
