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Immediately when Alvie and I enter, I spot a tall goddess of a woman across the room.
“Ivy!” I squeal at the sight of her. “The club looks great, chica!” I say, looking around at the refreshed space.
Ivy matches my energy as she comes out from behind the check-in desk to give me a hug.
“Girl. Just wait until you see the inside.” She giggles. “Juliana and the family went all out for you all.”
Tall and lithe, Ivy le Fleur is a walking Shakespearean nymph. She has an earthy air to her, giving her a grounding presence wherever she goes. The woman is like a walking Xanax and immediately helps settle my nerves about the upcoming evening.
“I can’t wait,” I say, smiling broadly. “Alright if I go on in?”
“Of course.” She smoothes back some of my flyaways before releasing me from her embrace. “The other girls are in full party mode. I think the guys are a little overwhelmed by the energy.”
After she lets me go, Alvie comes into the lobby, arms laden with the supplies I packed in our own bags.
“Good to see you, Alvie,” Ivy purrs.
“You too, Ivy.” He smirks. “Where did they put all of us?”
“Your usual nook. I’ll get you checked in for the evening since you are prepaid.” She smiles. “Now shoo. You have decorating to do!”
I give her one last squeeze before Alvie and I stride off and enter the main club area through the far-right doors.
Like always, a shiver runs down my spine when I enter The Playground.
Despite its size, the club always retains an intimate lounge feeling to it. The lights are dim when you first walk in but brighten as you near the DJ and dance floor that are central to the space. The owners pump a signature scent through the air that gives an air of seduction that has my pulse thrumming in my veins.
The building is two stories, with most of the playrooms located on the second floor, and from the dance floor, you’re able to look up into the bright lights and see the shadows of people moving about the playspace, exploring their most intimate desires.
The first floor is entirely focused on people having a good time. The dance floor only takes up part of the space, but the majority is devoted to tables, chairs, booths, and private party areas for guests to lounge, chat, and connect with each other.
A dry bar—as the club has a BYOB policy for consent and liability reasons—sits at the back of the main room along the expanse of panoramic windows that have been blacked out from the outside. It gives the space the openness that every exhibitionist craves, but the privacy every patron needs to feel safe and comfortable in the space.
The Playground Club operates on a system that relies on personal responsibility.
Every patron is required to submit an online membership application in order to be registered in the club’s computer system, but it’s not as thorough a vetting system as some clubs. There’s no invasive background check or health screening of individuals. All members are required to agree to the rules and guidelines of the club, and everyone is asked to acquire a sponsor before they attend for their first time. It’s primarily a system to guide new couples and prevent them from feeling lost or overwhelmed when attending their first few events. Many couples arrive at the club last minute, complete their membership application, get introduced to regular attendees, and then take the BDSM 101 course at a later date.
Membership to the club is a nightly fee, which allows individuals and couples the opportunity to come and go as they please at their own pace and schedule. There’s no yearly commitment to membership, nor an expectation that patrons are owed something by the club. Which comes in quite handy when someone acts up and their membership needs to be revoked, rare as it is.
My favorite aspect of The Playground, though, is the community Alvie and I have found here. As regular patrons, we have built strong core friendships with others who share similar values to us.
Tonight, we’re all gathering to celebrate one of our own and an exciting new step in their relationship.
Passing the dance floor and turning to the right, into one of the private party areas that is connected to a private playroom, I am greeted by the familiar faces that make the club feel like home.
“Bex! Alvie!” Elsie exclaims, running over to me to give me a hug and a kiss. “You’re here!”
“Hey, girl!” I say, returning her innocent, enthusiastic energy. “This looks fantastic.”
Looking around, I take in the balloons, streamers, and other decorations. There are buckets ready to be filled with ice to chill alcohol and mixers.
More importantly, people I love and adore surround us.
Elsie is a unicorn that our group adopted about a year ago. She’s an adorable, petite woman who came into the lifestyle wide-eyed and clueless, but quickly dug her way into our friend group and hearts.
“Where’s Marshall?” Alvie asks from beside me.
Alvie’s best friend, Marshall Law, is a single guy and bull, and since Elsie joined our group, he’s been attached to her like her shadow. He’s also one of the most observant and intuitive people I know. Which makes for a great lover, I’ve heard.
