Good Play places in SanFran

[Arsonist]

I am going to be traveling to San Fran from the land of the frozen North. I am a hopeless submissive, and well experienced; with folks and people in Canada. Since I am in San Fran I'd love to meet up with some folks, I am wondering if there are any good "open" play places for a visiting individual. What would you recommend. I occasionally like to cross dress but that's not a requirement. I'd love to get spanked/flogged in front of a group of people. Or some other play like that, Is there anywhere a club, play space where I could meet someone for such an adventure, or another adventure? Not really looking for sex. Just some kinky fun. Thoughts ?

[Princess_HKitty]

I am going to be traveling to San Fran from the land of the frozen North. I am a hopeless submissive, and well experienced; with folks and people in Canada. Since I am in San Fran I'd love to meet up with some folks, I am wondering if there are any good "open" play places for a visiting individual. What would you recommend. I occasionally like to cross dress but that's not a requirement. I'd love to get spanked/flogged in front of a group of people. Or some other play like that, Is there anywhere a club, play space where I could meet someone for such an adventure, or another adventure? Not really looking for sex. Just some kinky fun. Thoughts ?

I have been active as a volunteer behind the scenes, a player in the scene, and a social person deeply involved with the scene in the SF Bay area for about four and a half years now... and I can tell you, we have a lot of amazing places.

Traveling for a short visit, I would say that you should not expect to get any play - this is what is called "pickup play", and is actually quite uncommon, especially in terms of femdom - unless you're paying a professional dominatrix. That said, there is plenty kinky to see, do and enjoy on a short visit, if having that hope of yours dashed isn't too much.

The SF Citadel is in many ways the center of the scene, a local dungeon space run by volunteers (me included), which hosts parties of all sorts every weekend. You can show up, crossdress, and lounge about socializing in the social area, or watch people play (respectfully and quietly) in the dungeon area. Most if not all play you'll see here is people who are friends or on pre-arranged dates, often made in advance, and often relationships built over time with socializing - i.e. not "pickup". You will not walk into the Citadel and get play just like that. That said, it is one of the most amazing places on earth in my opinion, a home away from home, and I devote a lot of time and effort to help keep it running, introduce newbies, and so on - and I would pay it a visit.

The Looking Glass is another play space, in the east bay (across from SF) - it sometimes hosts pro dommes, and is thus prettier and better appointed, though a bit smaller. Parties here are also wonderful, but like the Citadel, pickup play is a rarity. Again, worth a look, and you can come in, wear whatever you wish, and lounge about socializing or watching scenes. Both the Citadel and the Looking Glass host classes on various kink techniques which can sometimes be boring and terrible, but are often informative and fun ways to socialize casually with other kinky people.

Wicked Grounds is a kinky cafe in SF, somewhat near to the Citadel - run and staffed by Citadel people. You can bring in a submissive, and have your coffee brought to you in a mug, while theirs is brought in a dog bowl, if you request it. The decor is kinky, and there's a case of high end floggers, toys and other such things for sale - it's a popular coffee date and relaxing spot for Citadel/TLG people to meet up and get to know eachother before moving on to playing at the dungeons, and unlike any other cafe on earth - with damn good coffee. Worth your time.

The Power Exchange is a filthy sleazefest with few rules, lots of pickup play and casual sex, and if you want a quick something this is your best bet - but it probably won't be with a woman. For those into filthy sleazy sex clubs full of guys jerking off and exhibitionist couples having sex, this is your venue. Not my thing and I don't recommend it.

Mr. S Leather is a kinky toy store near Wicked Grounds with generally fairly pricy stuff - but it's very clean, well kept, classy and impressive - like walking into a kinky luxury boutique straight out of heaven, and even just browsing is an experience not to be missed. I highly recommend visiting it.

You'll notice, I've not listed any ways other than a pro domme for you to get short notice kink play - this is because there are none. Sorry, it doesn't work that way... but the things I have listed are awesome amazing fun, and you should experience what they do have to offer. For a calendar of all the classes and events at all these spaces and more in the bay area, look at the Society of Janus' aggregator here:

http://soj.org/calendar/ - this lists everything going on at the above mentioned spaces, and tons more.

If you do want to try and find buddies for events or classes, or take the super unlikely shot at some pickup play, join FetLife and find the SF Bay Area groups, the Citadel groups, etc - and the local event listings. There will be obvious places to look and plenty of info. There's a group called the SF Bay Area Meat Market which is a personals that -might- get you play, but frankly, don't count on it, and if you do, don't count on it being good. If you want a personal tour of the Citadel on your first visit from me, to be shown around and have the rules explained, I may well be able to do so - you can find me on FetLife as "hyperkinky" - I do it often as is and people are usually quite pleased with the introduction, but I am far from the only person who snags newbies and shows them around.

[mr-max]

Although I'm not associated with either of you or have any connection to the question, I simply have to say thank you to Princess_HKitty for this long and well thought answer! Seldom do you get such a detailed and supposedly helpful reply to your question.

I'll bookmark this hints. If I should ever be around SF again, those suggestion might come handy!

Thanks for your effort Princess_HKitty...

[Kendoll]

As a resident domme in the SF Bay Area, just two words for Princess_HKitty

Right On