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’s 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 FRI 3 SEPTEMBER 2021. Backstreet has a strict dresscode 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)
DRESSCODE: Backstreet has a strict 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 closure (March 16) 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's 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 BEFORE LOCKDOWN:
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. (http://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 FRI 20 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. Pre-covid this included S.O.P. (Streams of Pleasure) on Tuesdays and Sundays; SPANKZ (CP club) on Thursdays; CITY BOYS (suit and tie club) on the 1st Friday - RETURNED 3 SEPT; FETISH BOUND (bondage club) on the 2nd Friday; FEET ON FRIDAY on the 3rd Friday - NEXT ON FRI 17 SEPT; and CLUB SHOOT (football kit & sports gear, no jeans) - NEXT ON 18 SEPT. SOME EVENTS AT THE UNDERGROUND CLUB HAVE RESTARTED, 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. NEXT ON SAT 13 NOV 2021 from 9pm to 3am in Walthamstow, E17. (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. REOPENING DELAYED DUE TO BUILDING WORK. (www.facebook.com/EagleLDN/)
*RECOMMENDED* FETISH WEEK ... LONDON is normally held in July with parties and events around the capital. Hoping to return in 2022. (www.fetishweek.com)
GEARFREAXXX used to run from 7pm until midnight on the 1st Saturday of each month at the Underground Club, Central Station, Kings Cross. Entry £8 - which includes coat check. The dress code is "any kind of gear, as long as you've made an effort. Just wearing a harness or jockstrap is not enough." (http://www.feetonfriday.com/gearfreaxxx/)
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 SAT 21 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 The Mr Hoist 2017 contest at Protocol in Vauxhall.)
THE LEATHER SOCIAL - is a London meet-up for men into leather. RETURNED SUN 1 AUG 2021.Held on the 1st Sunday of each month from 5pm to 10.30pm at upstairs at Comptons, 51-53 Old Compton Street, Soho, London, W1. There is no cover charge and no membership. (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 SUN 1 AUGUST 2021. (www.londonalternativemarket.com)
LONDON FETISH WEEKEND (mixed sex) (www.londonfetishweekend.com)
LONDON FETISHMEN launched January 2020 with a fundraising weekend. Check website for further events (www.londonfetishmen.com/)
DRESSCODE: Backstreet has a strict 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 closure (March 16) 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's 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 BEFORE LOCKDOWN:
- 1st Tuesday of each month: GENTLEMEN - From 6pm to 11pm. Strict dresscode 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)
- 2nd Saturday of each month: MEAT RACK - From 10pm to 3am DJ Rob C presents a strict dress code night "set against a soundtrack of London’s hottest play beats."
OCCASIONAL EVENTS:
- BLUF - for BLUF (breeches and leather uniform fan club) members and their guests from 9pm with strict dresscode, open to all Backstreet customers from 10pm. Free entry to BLUF members before 10pm, otherwise regular prices apply. (www.bluf.com)
- IGNITE - for men who smoke and those who admire them. Regular Backstreet entry prices/ dresscode apply. (www.igniteuk.org)
- MASTERY - for fans of "Old Guard"/ high-protocol, Leather, SMoke and Submission. Dresscode leather and rubber only. No sports wear, trainers, baseball caps. Bleached jeans permissible if worn with leather or rubber. Entry £10 members/ £15 guests (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. (http://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 FRI 20 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. Pre-covid this included S.O.P. (Streams of Pleasure) on Tuesdays and Sundays; SPANKZ (CP club) on Thursdays; CITY BOYS (suit and tie club) on the 1st Friday - RETURNED 3 SEPT; FETISH BOUND (bondage club) on the 2nd Friday; FEET ON FRIDAY on the 3rd Friday - NEXT ON FRI 17 SEPT; and CLUB SHOOT (football kit & sports gear, no jeans) - NEXT ON 18 SEPT. SOME EVENTS AT THE UNDERGROUND CLUB HAVE RESTARTED, 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. NEXT ON SAT 13 NOV 2021 from 9pm to 3am in Walthamstow, E17. (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. REOPENING DELAYED DUE TO BUILDING WORK. (www.facebook.com/EagleLDN/)
*RECOMMENDED* FETISH WEEK ... LONDON is normally held in July with parties and events around the capital. Hoping to return in 2022. (www.fetishweek.com)
GEARFREAXXX used to run from 7pm until midnight on the 1st Saturday of each month at the Underground Club, Central Station, Kings Cross. Entry £8 - which includes coat check. The dress code is "any kind of gear, as long as you've made an effort. Just wearing a harness or jockstrap is not enough." (http://www.feetonfriday.com/gearfreaxxx/)
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 SAT 21 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 The Mr Hoist 2017 contest at Protocol in Vauxhall.)
THE LEATHER SOCIAL - is a London meet-up for men into leather. RETURNED SUN 1 AUG 2021.Held on the 1st Sunday of each month from 5pm to 10.30pm at upstairs at Comptons, 51-53 Old Compton Street, Soho, London, W1. There is no cover charge and no membership. (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 SUN 1 AUGUST 2021. (www.londonalternativemarket.com)
LONDON FETISH WEEKEND (mixed sex) (www.londonfetishweekend.com)
LONDON FETISHMEN launched January 2020 with a fundraising weekend. Check website for further events (www.londonfetishmen.com/)
LONDON LEATHERMEN (londonleathermen.wordpress.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.
RECON hosts FULL FETISH parties in London several times a year. All fetish dress codes welcome, with the exception of just "jeans and trainers". RECON FETISH CABARET RETURNS TO THE ROYAL VAUXHALL TAVERN THURS 14 OCT 2021. (www.recon.com/en/events)
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 11 SEPT 2021. (www.torturegarden.com)
TROUGH LONDON holds fetish parties every other month at various locations around London. NEXT ON SAT 25 SEPTEMBER 2021. (https://www.troughlondon.com)
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."
RECON hosts FULL FETISH parties in London several times a year. All fetish dress codes welcome, with the exception of just "jeans and trainers". RECON FETISH CABARET RETURNS TO THE ROYAL VAUXHALL TAVERN THURS 14 OCT 2021. (www.recon.com/en/events)
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 11 SEPT 2021. (www.torturegarden.com)
TROUGH LONDON holds fetish parties every other month at various locations around London. NEXT ON SAT 25 SEPTEMBER 2021. (https://www.troughlondon.com)
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 SAT 24 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 (http://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 dresscode. RETURNED TUES 20 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. NEXT EVENTS SAT 11 AND 25 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 dresscode. Club for guys into feet, socks and footwear. RETURNS FRI 17 SEPT 2021. (www.feetonfriday.com)
- FETISH BOUND - club for men into bondage. They used to meet on the 2nd Friday of each month from 7pm to 11.30pm at the Underground Club in the basement of Central Station, Kings Cross. Entry £10 (www.fetishbound.co.uk)
- PEER ROPE LONDON (mixed sex) - rope practise workshops, now looking for a new home as their venue will not be reopening after lockdown. (www.facebook.com/PeerRopeLondon)
- 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. (https://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. They used to meet at the Underground Club below Central Station in Kings Cross every Tuesday from 6pm to midnight and on Sundays from 1pm to 11pm. Entry is £10. No dress code. Some people wear jeans and t-shirts, some wear footy kit, jogging bottoms and trainers, underwear or speedos, or leather or rubber. (https://twitter.com/clubsop)
- *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 coatcheck and first drink included. No dresscode. 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. OPEN FROM 19 AUGUST. (www.smgays.org and twitter.com/sm_gays)
- SPANKZ is a CP club that used to meet every Thursday from 6pm to 10pm at the Underground Club below Central Station in Kings Cross. Nearest tube Kings Cross. Entry £7. No dresscode. (http://klubspankz.com)
The Terrence Higgins Trust have a website offering sexual health information for guys into rougher sex, at www.hardcell.org.uk
Page updated 13 September 2021
All text on this website copyright © John Pendal 1999-2021 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 1999-2021 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.
