PLAY CLUB FAQ'S @ MANCHESTER CHAMBERS (UPDATE APRIL 2021)
Please note: This FAQ update does not include additional procedures we may have in place relating to COVID-19. These additional procedures for COVID-19 will be released nearer the time of our event.
If you have any questions not covered below just message the Play Club profile and one of us will answer you whenever we can.
Q: WHAT IS PLAY CLUB?
Play Club is a BDSM play event suited to both the experienced player and those new to the scene. We aim to make it a warm and welcoming event where you can socialise and play.
Play Club came about from our desire to create a space for players to indulge in BDSM scenes, share ideas, demo skills, and enjoy each other’s company. We aim to make the space a safe place to play and mix with other individuals whether you are new or experienced in the scene.
Now in its 7th year and over two years at Manchester Chambers.
It is a great venue with 4 play rooms, 2 public and 2 private. As well as a social area and bar. All the rooms are well equipped with multiple items of kit, so plenty of options to choose from.
We have a selection of kit you may borrow and try. There is a range of floggers and other impact toys provided by @WhipandSticks, some rope, safety scissors, cuffs, wipes, and electrics using tens pads (feel free to bring your own internal electrodes). Please speak to the DM's if you would like to use any of the kit so they can explain how to use it safely.
Q: WHO ARE THE PLAY CLUB TEAM?
We currently have two people who organise and run everything to do with Play Club. @NoiseUK & @nastyboots - who will both be on the door to meet and greet you and to ensure you are enjoying yourselves throughout the night.
We want you to behave responsibly and respect other people and the venue. Please do come and ask one of the Play Club team if you have any problems, would like advice on how to use any of the equipment, if you would like a spotter for any of your scenes or if you have any concerns during your time at the event. We will be more than happy to help.
Q: WHEN DOES PLAY CLUB RUN?
Play Club will run bi-monthly, either on the 1st or 2nd Saturday of the month.
Q: WHAT ARE THE PLAY CLUB TIMINGS?
Play Club is open from 7pm- 2am.
Last admission to the club is at 9:30pm, unless prearranged with one of the Play Club team.
Q: WHO CAN ATTEND?
Play Club is an 18+ event but besides that, there is no other criteria for attending - Play Club is and has always been open to all genders, sexualities, roles, beginners, seasoned kinksters and everyone in-between. There is a maximum capacity at Play Club, for everyone's comfort and enjoyment. Once this capacity is met, we will run a waiting list. We also ask that if you have never attended a Play Club event before, that before you purchase a ticket, please contact us directly so we know to expect you and we can make sure you're well informed about the event before attending. If you show up and we’re not expecting you, you will be refused entry.
Q: HOW DO I GET TO PLAY CLUB?
Address:
Lord Street
Ashton-under-Lyne
Manchester
OL6 8LS
Located opposite "The International Gym"
By Car
The best postcode to use is OL6 8LS, If that hasn't got you there try OL6 8LB
There is on street parking on Turner St. and the surrounding roads.
By Tram
The venue is a 5 minute walk from Ashton-under-Lyne tram stop
Last tram from Ashton Tram stop to Piccadilly is at 00:16
Trams run every 12 minutes and only 28 minutes to the Ashton from Piccadilly Station
By Train
The venue is 4 minutes walk from Ashton-under-Lyne rail station
Trains run every hour direct from Manchester Victoria. The last direct train back to Manchester Piccadilly is at 23:39
By Bus
The venue is 5 minutes walk from Ashton bus station
Q: HOW DOES THE TICKETING/GUESTLIST WORK?
For now, we will be running *ticket only* events. If you don't have a ticket you cannot just show up. If you haven't attended Play Club before, send us a message so we can advise you about the event and what to expect you on the night.
Tickets are not refundable. However, if you are no longer able to attend the event you purchased the ticket for, please message us prior to the event to discuss either transferred your ticket to someone else attending the event or using it at a future event. Please note: any transfers are at Play Clubs discretion.
Q: I HAVE BEEN BANNED FROM ANOTHER EVENT. CAN I STILL ATTEND PLAY CLUB?
You should message us first before attempting to purchase a ticket.
Q: WHAT SHOULD I WEAR AND WHY?
You can be flamboyant and kinky with regards to your dress. You can wear rubber, latex, leather, lycra, pvc, corsets, underwear, burlesque, fancy dress... If that isn't your bag, then we do still ask you to make an effort. Making an effort might look like wearing a nice dress, a smart suit, combats and boots or swimwear. If that is even too much for you, then black trousers or skirt and black shoes, with a dark coloured top, will do.
We have a 'no jeans, no jogging bottoms and no trainers' rule. This is because we are not a munch - we're a BDSM play and fetish event and we know how important it is for some people to feel confident enough to wear high fetish clothing. If guests are in jeans/t-shirts/trainers, it can put people off from wearing their kinky clothes and we don't want people to feel like they can't engage in that.
There is some space to change at the venue, so you don't need to arrive in your outfit. We would ask that once you have paid your entry you change into your outfit if you've arrived in jeans or trainers. There are no lockers at Manchester Chambers, but valuables can be kept behind the bar.
Q: HAVE YOU GOT ANY ADVICE FOR PEOPLE NEW TO EVENTS LIKE THIS?
Be aware that there will be people who know each other and those that don't. Spend a bit of time having a look round the venue either by yourself or we can give you a tour. Feel free to go up to people and introduce yourself - everyone is new at some point and most people are friendly and will be happy to chat.
Ask; don't assume sexual preferences or gender. Pronouns are one of the ways we portray our identity. Try to introduce yourself with your own pronouns. Ask for someone’s pronouns politely when being introduced. Please respect everyone and how she/he/they would like to be addressed. It is okay to make mistakes, we're all human and we're all learning.
For more information on pronouns, click here
Be aware of people who may have just finished playing, these people might not be ready to chat, and may need time to wind down. These people may seem a bit 'floaty' or 'distant' and will probably appreciate space rather than conversation.
If you would like to do some BDSM play yourself, just see what furniture takes your fancy and play for as long or as short as you would like to. Obviously if someone else is playing on it, then wait, but without hovering etc.
If you want to approach anyone else to join you in play, just be up front and ask. People often expect it at events like this. Even if the answer is no, if you ask nicely no one should be offended or weirded out or anything. If someone asks you to play, you can say 'yes' or 'no' and should not be pressured into changing your mind. If anyone is particularly persistent and doesn’t understand that no means no, please let the Play Club team know.
If you have any specific concerns or questions, no matter how big or small, please just let us know and we will be happy to help. Feel free to message us on here or Instagram @PlayClub
You can find some general advice here
Q: “I’M A BIT NERVOUS ABOUT COMING. I DON’T KNOW MANY PEOPLE/I’VE NOT BEEN TO MANY/ANY EVENTS LIKE THIS.”
We are open and welcoming and hope that the other guests will be too. We suggest you arrange any play partners before you come. We cannot guarantee you will get to play if you come without having prearranged something. That said, if you see someone you would like to play with, be respectful and ask nicely. There is no requirement to play however and if you’d like to come and soak up the atmosphere, watch a demo and chat in the chill out and social areas, then that’s fine too. We’ll give you a tour of the venue and the equipment if you’d like one but do also feel free to explore the place yourself if you’d prefer. We cannot guarantee full tours if you arrive late as rooms become occupied so if you want one in full then please arrive on time. Times will be specified on the event listing.
Q: WHAT CAN I DO THERE?
You can chat to people, do bondage and Sm, watch other people (if there is room and if you’re not causing any disturbance to the scene). We are all about the BDSM and if sexual play is part of your BDSM, that’s fine too.
Q: WHAT EQUIPMENT WILL THERE BE?
At Manchester Chambers, there are 4 fully equipped rooms with various types of kit. Two of the rooms are private and two are more public. More specific details are provided on the event listing.
Q: WHAT KIND OF PLAY CAN I DO THERE?
What would you like to do? Do that. Do it with consent. Do it with regard for your surroundings. Play heavy, play light. play with giggles, screams, yelps, tears or in silence. We currently do not have the facilities for very messy play, such as sploshing, etc.
Q: CAN I DO BLOOD PLAY?
Sure. We ask that blood play is done in a private room and that you use a sharps box, so please bring one with you. If you would like to do either of these things elsewhere, please ask one of the Play Club team prior to the scene.
Q: CAN I DO FISTING? STRAP-ON PLAY? CAN I HAVE ORGASMS?
Yes. We’re all about the BDSM and if sexual play is part of your BDSM, that’s fine too. No hanging around people's scenes having a wank though. Clean up after yourselves and keep it out of the social and bar areas please.
Q: DO I NEED ID TO GET IN? DO I HAVE TO BE A MEMBER?
You will only need ID to prove you are over 18. Other than that, there is no need for ID and no need to become a member of Play Club or the venue.
Q: CAN I SMOKE THERE?
There is a covered outside smoking area.
Q: WILL THERE BE MUSIC AND DANCING?
There will be background music and whilst no one is going to stop you bobbing your head or even tapping your feet along to it, there is no dance floor, and we are not aiming to be a nightclub. The music chosen has been picked because it has good beats to it, for people who like to play along to music. It won’t be so loud you cannot play or talk easily, but hopefully will provide a good background for those that like it. If you have any issues with the background music at any point or would like it turned off for the duration of your scene, please let the Play Club team know.
Q: IS THE VENUE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?
Unfortunately, Manchester Chambers is not a wheelchair accessible venue. The venue is split over two floors with most of the playrooms upstairs. There is a public playroom downstairs, however the steps down are not ramped. If you would like any further info on accessibility at the venue, please get in touch.
Q: WHAT'S PARKING LIKE? HOW CAN I GET THERE?
This thread has got information about how to get there via public transport:
It's a 5 minute walk from Ashton Station and 6 minute walk from the tram stop.
If you're travelling by car, there is some on street parking which is free.
Q: CAN I PAY BY CARD?
For now, we will be running *ticket only* events. So you will not be able to purchase a ticket on the door. However, if this changes in the future the following applies:
A: If it is your first time attending Play Club and you have let us know that you're coming we ask that you must purchase an advanced ticket online before you attend. If you have been before then you can mark your attendance as going on the Fetlife event listing and send us a message. You can also purchase an advanced ticket, alternatively you can pay upon arrival via cash or card.
Please note: Just being marked as going does not guarantee entry. Pre-purchasing a ticket will guarantee entry.
Q: IS THERE SOMEWHERE I CAN GET READY?
A: Yes there's some space to get changes and valuables can be kept behind the bar or locked upstairs. There is no problem in arriving dressed for the event, however please be aware that the venue has neighbours so please be courteous when arriving and leaving Play Club.
Q: HOW LONG ARE YOU ALLOWED ON THE EQUIPMENT OR IN THE ROOMS?
A: As long as you want! Some clubs have time limits and that works for them. We don't want time limits, and this works for us. However, if you think your scene may last longer than 1 hour, please try and let us know beforehand. This way we can monitor private room usage and inform those that may be waiting. We want couples and groups to be able to play for as long as their scene lasts.
Rule 7 (of 8) says:
Scenes go on as long as they have to. Don’t interrupt, obstruct or hinder other people’s enjoyment.
This might mean that a particular piece of furniture or a particular room you want to use is unavailable to you during the event - but we pride ourselves on having a range of furniture and spaces so there will be somewhere for you to play. We open from 7pm and advise people to arrive promptly if they have their heart set on a particular play space at Play Club.
This said, it's not ok to use furniture to sit on or put your bags and jackets on. That's just not good etiquette! In our larger rooms we have 2-3 pieces of equipment, with room for 2-3 couples (or small groups) to play there. Please make sure you are playing with regard to others and not hogging space or furniture that is not needed as part of your scene. Likewise, if a room already has more than one couple playing in there, please use your judgement as to whether there is room for another.
If you see people using furniture as seating or as benches for their stuff, please either approach them yourself politely, or grab a member of the Play Club team and we'll ask them to move.
Q: ARE WE ALLOWED TO USE POWER SOCKETS IN THE ROOMS IF THEY HAVE THEM?
A: As long as what you're plugging in is safe to use in UK electric sockets and is in good working order, that's fine. Please let one of us know on the day if you need to unplug something already plugged in or if you have any questions about it.
I’VE GOT ANOTHER QUESTION YOU’VE NOT ANSWERED HERE.
Just message the Play Club profile and one of us will answer you whenever we can.
Play Club have a zero-tolerance policy to harassment of any kind. If you witness harassment or somebody makes you feel uncomfortable in any way, please let one of the team know, and they will be deal with it accordingly. The team will be wearing Play Club badges and are all super wonderful and approachable.