The Beginners meet & greet is held in German. If you are not proficient enough, just drop us an e-mail so we know to organize an English event.
The beginners' meeting usually takes place on the 1st Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Sonntags-Club; the next date is in the calendar. The Sonntags-Club is at Greifenhagener Str. 28 (city map) and is easy to reach by S-Bahn and U-Bahn (Schönhauser Allee).
Attention, risk of confusion: Opposite from the Sonntags-Club is a café called "Sonntags nie" (Never on Sundays). Anyone looking for us there will look in vain.
What is the difference to a Munch?
The group is smaller and moderated. All participants are new themselves. In a small group it is easier to calmly answer your questions. The munch is a casual meeting and is more for getting to know each other; there is less (or not exclusively) talk about specific questions about BDSM. At the beginners' meeting we are undisturbed in a separate room; the munch, on the other hand, takes place in a normal café.
How many people do you meet there?
Varies, but usually between 5 and 10.
How does such a meeting for beginners work?
After a short round of introductions, during which nobody has to say anything, but everyone can say something (which, by the way, always applies to our meetings ) we give some information about safety (code words, drugs, safer sex, doctors, covers ...), rules (party behavior, personal ads, legal situation ...), media, parties, shops, coming out ...
Whatever you want to know, we will do our best to answer your questions or at least to name a contact person. We also have samples of some books and magazines and a few brochures for you to take away.
What can't we do?
The beginners' meeting is, like the Munch, no facility for relationship search. It serves solely to establish contact with like-minded people and get rid of the most burning questions. We make sure that no one is hit on against their will or questioned about their preferences. Anything that can be dealt with theoretically, we can discuss. We do not offer practical demonstrations there.
Is there a "dress code"?
No.
Does it cost anything?
No.
Do I have to register?
No – just drop by. For those who don't like the idea of turning up there alone, we also offer the opportunity to meet one of us for a cup of coffee in advance (e-mail to info@(this domain) is sufficient).
How do I find you?
In the Sonntags-Club there are always some kind of discussion groups and information events; the people behind the bar are used to it and will send you to us if you make a searching face.
Is it important to show up on time?
Yes. Anyone who shows up more than a quarter of an hour late will not be admitted and will have to wait until the next beginners' meeting. We're serious. If you can't or don't want to show up on time, you're of course welcome at the Munch - that's not an issue there.
This Sonntags-Club is a nice facility, but its website explicitly states that they appeal to homo-, trans- etc. -sexuals. There was nothing to be found of BDSM there.
The problem is that there is simply no such thing as a Sonntags-Club for BDSMers. The Sonntags-Club is bright, spacious, easy to get to, with a quiet back room and we are welcomed with open arms. We do not only address heterosexual BDSMers, but also gays and lesbians. Since our other meetings take place in "normal" pubs, we believe that there should be something for all sexual preferences.
