Difference between reality and expectations at first club visit

[MrsBliss]

In most clubs in the Netherlands you can wear your clothes until a certain time and then you have to change to lingerie. Totally naked is nowhere asked for.

[WA_Cple]

Well it sounds like the best rule is to contact the club ahead of time regarding expectations - I thought that I had done that by checking their website, etc. - but obviously not enough. We are heading to New Orleans next month and it looks like Collette's allows patrons to keep their clothes on, etc. but I will take lingerie just in case... I definitely know that the 'towel' thing is NOT for me... I may be a horny girl but I do have a bit of modesty in me!

Mrs. B - I think I will have to visit the Netherlands!!

[remox]

Then I am guessing that you went to European style clubs.

From your response I would say that you find the "towel thing" to be a bit odd. I assure you that I didn't just make it up. It is one of those things where the truth is stranger than fiction (at least to my mind, I run a european style club). Ask around a bit, I think you'll find a great many people who have heard of this.

[Couple_N_Ark]

This "story" is not about our first club experience, but it is about a visit to a club that caught us a "bit off guard".

We were vacationing in Florida in the Spring of 2001, and planned on visiting a few different clubs while there. One night's visit was to the (I think now defunct) Taboo club in Tampa.

Taboo was a sister club of Colette's in New Orleans, and Venus in Atlanta.

Anyhow we go into the lobby area where we are greeted by a nice looking young lady. We fill out the paperwork and such, and pay the fees, and she then gets out a hand held metal detector. This is all well and good, and actually makes us feel a bit more secure.

Another couple has come in by now and are waiting behind us. After going over us a time or two with the metal detector, (and getting no beeps), she then asks us to raise our shirts/tops, and our slacks/skirt....Still ok I guess...but then she makes us drop our underwear.

Having to do this really didn't bother us in the sense of being naked in front of anyone, but we did find this just a tad intrusive, and unreasonable.

We've been to at least a dozen on premise clubs in the Southeastern U.S., and we've never encountered anything even close.

[WA_Cple]

Mrs here

Couple_N_Ark

Wow - now I think that would really freak me out - I get really weirded out by authority figures/situations and I would have walked out and never returned.

remox

Is there a way of knowing whether a club is European or American style? Should I assume that most American clubs do the towel thing? I really don't want to do another club unless I know for sure!!

[MrsBliss]

Originally posted by WA_Cple

Mrs. B - I think I will have to visit the Netherlands!!

You are very Welcome to visit the Netherlands!!!

[remox]

WA_Cple.....

The only way to tell is to do your homework. The information might be listed in their website or other advertising materials, but I doubt it. You will probably need to call or e-mail and ask specifically. While you are at it consider asking the following 3 questions.

Is there a tour or orientation we can attend? (this should ensure there are no additional suprises concerning rules)

When are your doors open? (some clubs have limited arrival hours)

Are you zoned to operate a business and if so what licensing was required/obtained? (swinging is generally not illegal, but the way the club is operated might be)

A question that won't do you much good......
How many people will be there? (this cannot be accurately answered for a host of reasons too long to go into here, but suffice to say any club can have a good or a bad night for reasons beyond their control)

Questions that may be important to you based on interests should be asked as well, such as...

Are singles allowed or is this a couples only party? Are the number of singles admitted, limited/restricted/monitored in anyway?

Is bisexuality allowed for women? for men?

Are other alternative lifestyles allowed (such as BDSM or crossdressing)?

What is the smoking policy? Alcohol policy? Is there any sort of refreshment provided? Are condoms or other latex barriers (gloves, dams) is lube provided?

What provisions, if any, have been made for bathing? If bathing facilities are available, will you need to bring soap/shampoo, towels etc.....

Have any provisions been made to store personal belongings (like lockers)?

Are there overnight accomodations nearby? Where? Have special rates been negotiated?

What measures have been taken to ensure my personal safety? what about the safety of my identity?

I cannot express strongly enough the need to research the club you wish to attend in advance. Best of luck to you. If I can be of any further assistance let me know.

[2lutz]

There is no question for us we prefer the clubs that insist on lingerie for women and either simple boxers or nude for the guys. It gets things going so much quicker. The fully clothed parties are not as sexually charged it seems and seem to take for ever to heat up. Hey if we are going to a club...we are going their to enjoy a high sex atmosphere, not a cocktail party. If we wanted cocktails we would go to a night club elsewhere in town that. Our first experience was at a club that allowed women to wear lingerie and men had to go nude. Makes for a so much more open atmosphere!

[reeltime69]

Hi I'm fairly new to this site and have been a swinger for 7 years. We actually decided to take the lifestyle up a year after we got married. I'm 29. This is the first time though I have heard about the American European difference in swinging clubs in this thread and am very surprised to hear American style is more open. Me and my husband are in the military and have been to Europe. We found Europe to be very much more open to swinging. In fact we have been to several clubs over there were all was required was underwear and more sooner than later that piece of clothing was removed as well. We found out where these clubs were at the gas stations around Europe where clubs openly advertised for couples. Since I have been back to the states I have not been to one American club where they have been so adament about taking off clothing as they did in Europe. In fact I have wanted to go back to Europe recently because of the fact it is so much more open about sex. Granted I have only been to clubs in Texas and Arkansas.. all these clubs were off premise. ... in Europe almost all of them are on premise with hotels attached to them. Am I missing a part of America that is not as prudish as where me and my husband have been ?

[NJDixieDarlin]

I have no idea about more open clubs in the other parts, but you are now in the most uptight state in the US. LOL. We moved to New Jersey from Arkansas. Unfortunately it looks that we are more than likely moving back there soon.

[Sonja&Brett]

Well, we've been to two clubs in California, Freedom Acres and the now closed Four Palms. Never heard of the towel thing. At Freedom Acres in the nightclub area people are 99 percent clothed. Afew women will get bare on occasion but have never seen a totally naked man in the nightclub area. Now, when you go to the spa or playrooms, you get naked or may wear a towel. There is absolutely no pressure to do anything and everyone is super polite.

[sweetmelissa]

I have a question about the "towel thing"as well... I am also planning a first on premise club experience for me and my husband. I am looking at Trapeze in Fort Lauderdale, and have seen on other websites that they might require towel wear in the play rooms. Is this true and how does it work if so? They aren''t going to make me drop my panties at the door for the metal detector I hope. Has anyone been to Trapeze, what was the experience like? Please tell me what to expect as I really want this to be a positive experience for both of us! thanks!

[remox]

Trapeze is an american style club. So in answer to your question:
YES, you will be required to disrobe in the areas of the club that allow intimacy (there are parts of the club where you may remain clothed) and a towel can/will be provided for you if you wish not to be naked in the "play areas".

I have heard wonderful things about Trapeze, I hope you have a great time.