Does anyone know of any good BDSM scene related clubs, societies and whatnot that are closer to the downtown area? I currently live in Koreatown, sans car, and find traveling long distances to be a bit of a hassle.

I know a couple in Hollywood... Hell on the last Wednesday of the month and Bar Sinister on Saturdays

Passive Arts is by LAX and they have parties every Saturdays...

As for Downtown... I don't know. I know people usually meet friends at events and then carpool. I know a couple of peeps that live in downtown... Gas is ridiculous now, so I would just try to make it out to an event, maybe with a friend, and then meet some downtowners.

Thanks a bunch. Hollywood is plenty close. At least compared to Passive Arts, which I haven't gone to yet.

The biggest events would be passive arts and then Lair is about 35 minutes away as well. Dragonsgate is 35-40 minutes back down to Orange County.

I think Hell is pretty good for ToonBat since there are other things to do... dancing, sometimes live music, fashion shows, and the like, plus playing. It's hard to find space to play, but he would have fun talking to Doms/subs and being a voyeur. It's a good place to meet and mingle and get to know who is in the scene.

I actually haven't been to Bar Sinister in a LONG while. One of my girlfriends monitors it, but I am usually at Passive Arts.

That sounds great, but I'm outlandishly busy on weekdays. Still, I walked past Bar Sinister while idling with a friend today. It was closed, sadly, but my friend still gave me a good review, so I'm interested in checking it out. But yeah, I dunno what to expect. It can be hard to get into parties when you don't dance, and are not into drinking. My ideal party is one where you can sit down in groups, and the music's soft enough for conversation. That, and lots of nekkid horny people everywhere.

Hmmm... Then you might want to stop by one of the Passive Arts Parties. There are plenty of chairs to lounge in and soak up the atmosphere...

1st Saturday of the month - Los Angeles Power Exchange has appetizers sent around by house slaves. Mistresses Feral and Eden run that with Sir Stingray. Very casual and come as you are.

2nd and 4th Saturday - DV8 is hosted by Sir Nik. It is a younger, more fashionable crowd. Fetish wear is suggested.

3rd Saturday - club Discipline is hosted by Aryn who used to promote Sin-a-matic. There are burlesque stage shows and BDSM shows on the main stage.

Threshold is also in North Hollywood near the Lair De Sade.
Both good clubs. Wish they werent so far from me.

I've gone to Threshold three times now. Lovely people, and very welcoming of newbies. I'm sure to return there again. All the same, it's a bit further away than I'd like, for one thing, specially since buses stop circulating around there pretty early. But yeah, I love the fact that it's more focused on quiet discussion and creating scenes than your regular nightclub. I just... er... wish it was easier to find people there within my age range.

I know of a few Dommes based near Chinatown, I'll be seeing them with the next couple of weeks and will ask.

I've only been heavily involved in BDSM for a little over a year and haven't been to clubs as yet. So excuse my ignorance on this.

What makes for a good club and what makes a bad club that would just be a waste of time?

I've considered going to Passive Arts but I'm not quite sure what goes on in clubs.

I plan to go next week, so I'll let you know. Still, the thought of walking the streets of Los Angeles alone at three in the morning to take a bus back home is a bit more unnerving than I like. I'm hoping to make friends with someone closer to home as soon as possible so I can carpool, or something.

I think a good club is one where you feel open and welcome. For a BDSM club, there are certain rules of conduct... No interrupting scenes, spanking others and the lack of usual the general creepiness you get at mainstream clubs.

Feel free to talk to people after they do a scene. Most will answer questions you have. If you want to participate, great! Find someone and negotiate a scene - your limits and what not. If you are not comfortable with that, then sit back and watch the decadence! It might take you a couple of times to work your way up to playing in public or even finding a partner to play with.

Thanks for the advice. I was a bit familiar with the rules of Threshold, but was not so sure about the ones for Passive Arts. They seem to be pretty much the same.

I'd like to go to one of the clubs myself, but I too am hesitant about the dancing.

I'd like to take some dance classes before I go. What kind of dancing and music is done there. I'd hate to get ready for salsa when everyone else is doing a waltz.

Salsa? Waltz? I don't they do either at these vlubs... It's more like gothic/industrial... Feel the music and the like. You don't have to dance. It is a great place to be a voyeur and mingle though.

Wow! Thanks for warning. I'd sure feel silly doing a foxtrot dressed in my waltzing get-up while everyone else is gothic/industrial.

Seriously, this helps a lot. Now I have a reference and will probably stop by.