Los Angeles has an erotic pulse that subliminally bridges the need to conduct ourselves like civilized people and the urge to fuck in a park in stark daylight. When push comes to shove, sometimes we need to free our inner sexual beasts from their cages. But how and where?
Navigating the erotic playground of LA can be daunting. Not all avenues of exploration are created equal. Regardless, from strip clubs to swinger parties and old-fashioned one night stands, Los Angeles knows how to play. But what you really need is someone to show you around. Why? If you don’t know how to handle the fire, you might wake up burning … and scratching.
Enter Dr. Suzy and Bonoboville, the first place you should start when it comes to exploring sex and sex ed in LA.
What is Bonoboville you ask? The Dr. Susan Block Institute, affectionately nicknamed after the “make love not war” bonobo ape, is where husband-wife and lifelong sex educators Captain Max and Dr. Suzy call home and educate on sex in West LA.
Dr. Suzy and Captain Max help others unlock their sexuality. Image by Alex LeGolvan
After a successful show run on HBO, renowned sex therapist Dr. Susan Block and trailblazing publisher Pr. Maximillian R. Lobkowicz (responsible for early works of Charles Bukowski and Hunter S. Thompson, among others) embraced the peaceful and highly sexual lifestyle of the bonobo ape and sought to create an environment where people could be themselves through educational conversation, theater, music, comedy and of course, sexy parties. If you’re unfamiliar with the ways of the bonobo, then getting to know the chimp’s lifestyle might teach you a thing or two about how to achieve inner peace through love-making.
Currently a membership-based service, the institute will open your eyes to more than just sex and help you understand how expulsion of hate and violence are important pillars in which to promote peace. What it boils down to is this: would you rather fight or have sex? Simple choice, really.
Bonoboville images by Alex LeGolvan
But beyond Bonoboville, where else to explore?
Now, before you try sticking things where they don’t belong, make sure to keep in mind the two most important tenets of your sexual exploration: education and consent. So make sure to do your homework and see where best fits you.
Sex positions 101 with Dr. Suzy. Image by Unscene Abe
Here are some of LA’s best sex clubs, sex education resources and even a few dip-your-pinky-toe-in sexy experiences:
Mass Pleasures LA
Dubbing itself as the “World’s Premier Luxury Private Pleasure Club,” Mass Pleasures is unsurprisingly invite only and upscale. Somehow sex always seems more alluring when adorned with glamour and money. These soirees are for the bi-curious or those who already have experience in experimenting with their sexual fantasies and pleasure. It is a group where people with one foot out of the closet can seek out like-minded people and play out their curiosities. Mass Pleasures LA is both a way for you to test the waters and rock the boat.
The Pleasure Chest
Aside from being one of LA’s best sex shops, The Pleasure Chest also offers classes catered to people wanting to intensify or educate themselves on the pleasure of sex and sensuality. They offer classes on giving the best blowjobs, tantric massages and even digital sex classes (i.e sexting). The Pleasure Chest’s calendar is constantly changing, so make sure to check them out for a full list of current workshops.
Images courtesy of @pleasurechestla
SNCTM
If you’ve ever watched Eyes Wide Shut and were thoroughly captivated by Dr. Bill Harford (Tom Cruise) delving into the underground society of wealthy, pleasure seekers taking part in a ritualistic and hedonistic play of dungeon-like sex, you’ll find this venue at the top of your list. That is to say, if you’re willing to shell out the big bucks. Grandiosity and secrecy come with a hefty entrance fee ($10,0000 - $50,000 for a required membership for men). But don’t worry, you’ll be able to stay the night as this place doubles up as a hotel as well.
Image courtesy of @snctm_bunnyman
Image courtesy of @snctmofficial
Club Joi
Make sure you create a required profile before checking out this swinger club’s upcoming events. While most events are hosted on-premise, there is a verification process for you to get access to all of them, which includes an interview process. This is for safety reasons, of course. Think of it as a club peppered with sex. Club Joi is geared towards the party environment and focuses on couples and single ladies. Unfortunately, if you’re a single guy, you may find it a little difficult to get in.
Images courtesy of Club Joi
The Hollywood Men
You don’t need us to find female strip clubs in Los Angeles, but for ladies looking for the same kind of thrill, start with this place. Known for their wild and provocative choreographed show, The Hollywood Men put on risque and sexy entertainment geared for women. Located at OHM Nightclub, the shows typically run most Friday and Saturday nights.
Images courtesy of @thehollywoodmen
North Hollywood Spa
The focus here is men for men. Uninhibited and curious guys may want to start with this place rather than venturing into an unknown late night soiree. Open during the day, it’s a place for boys to be boys in the company of other boys. The North Hollywood Spa is located smack in the middle of the happening NoHo Arts District, so expect an eclectic crowd.
Skirt Club
Women only. Sorry guys, you’re simply not allowed here. With so much of the focus in LA already on men, female-centric women will be pleased to discover venues like The Skirt Club. The venue encourages freedom of expression where bisexual and bi-curious women can be themselves without the inhibition of male pressure. Originally started in the UK, the club has already expanded overseas. With Miami and New York in the rotation, Angeleno women will be pleased to know, the venue is on the horizon.
Image courtesy of @skirtclub
The Playboy Mansion
This isn’t a secret to anyone in California—or the world, really. Say what you will about this place, but the Playboy Mansion is Los Angeles history. It may not be the place it once was in its heyday, but if you’re able to figure out how to make it inside, then it’s worth a tour. On the subject of visiting ... it’s really tough getting in here (as you would expect). You either have to know someone or purchase an auctioned off ticket that reportedly goes for $5,000 to $10,000. These days it’s more of a look-don’t-touch venue when it comes to the bunnies, so that hefty price tag might not be worth it.
The Playboy Mansion. Image courtesy of WikiCommons
Fetishism in LA
If fetish is what you fancy, as in vampires, BDSM (bondage, domination and submission, sadism and masochism), fantasy role play, horror and more, here are a few places in LA to tap (or slap) into the scene:
Fetlife
Fetlife is an online social network where those with kinky leanings go to connect with their local community that have similar interests. Although the site isn’t slick, there’s a pretty good chance that whatever you’re into, there’s a group on Fetlife for it. What it isn’t is a dating site.
Studio 69
Perish Dignam, fetish model and one of the city’s most famous party promoters, hosts sexy-themed (like ‘Pink n’ Wet’ or ‘Pirates & Ninjas’) underground events via his company, Swoon Entertainment. No matter the theme of the night, expect plenty of kink: fire and spark play, spanking stations, and gyrating nymphs. Visit Swoon Entertainment's Facebook page for their next event.
Image courtesy of @swoonentertainment
Image courtesy of @perishfetish
Bar Sinister
Prefer the dark and decadent side of life? Bar Sinister is where you’ll find your family. A Hollywood institution, the Saturdays-only nightclub is welcome to all but it’s especially a denizen dedicated to goth and horror lifestyle. Head upstairs to see the master dole out pain ‘play’ on willing victims.
Image courtesy of @clubbarsinister
For more on the horror community in LA, check out: Morbid Decor Guide to LA.
Threshold
Threshold, a non-profit organization, is a BDSM club that educates those curious about alternative sexual activities. The facility includes seven themed rooms, each of which are stocked with toys and dungeon furniture. And not to worry about feeling like you haven’t a clue how to use a whip or what BDSM actually stands for—they pride themselves on being a safe, non-judgey place for beginners. Their site has calendar of classes and events, like the upcoming Carnal Carnivale.
Beginners Guide to Sex Ed
If all this talk about brazen copulation makes you want to hide under the covers snuggling George the giraffe for comfort, no worries. Take it nice and easy with just a smidge of sexy at these tamer spots:
Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School
Looking to feed the voyeur artist in you? Dr. Sketchy’s hosts regular figure drawing classes that lets both amateur and master artists feed off the human form. The models are dressed up real sexy (or as the Dr. Sketchy site says: various stages of undress), but not in the nude. Hosted by variety arts performer Bella Luna, creator of The Red Light Revue carnival spectacle for The Hollywood Fringe Festival, the classes invite professional and amateur artists a chance to hone their skills on uninhibited flesh. These drawing sessions are on the first Monday of every month at Three Clubs—but locations and events are subject to change, so sign up for e-mail updates.
Image courtesy of @drsketchysoc
Adults Only Bar
This is a bar, get that first thing straight. However with a name like Adults Only Bar, it does posit a certain way of thinking and the mind tends to wander. Perhaps that is the point. Consider this an entrypoint into getting on that buck and opening up a conversation for possibility. Now that you are all consenting adults looking to play, the only question is... what’s the game?
Image courtesy of @kateewok
Image courtesy of @supertv73
Lucha VaVoom
This is where burlesque hails as king. Located at the Mayan Theatre Theatre, Lucha VaVoom slays audiences with burlesque extravaganzas featuring seasoned professional dancers. Mixing masked Mexican wrestling, comedy, strip and “comic book violence,” we’re pretty sure Robert Rodriguez would approve of this place.
Images courtesy of @luchavavoom
So, now that you’re in the know of where to go, the only question is ... are you starting to feel like a bonobo?
Bennett Cordon is a culture digger from Los Angeles in constant orbit seeking out new distances and trajectories. Are you new here? Let him show you around. He's made of the city. Follow him on Instagram @futurememoir and Twitter @bennettcordon.
Header Image by Alex LeGolvan
