|
The Suburban Swingers Club
A sneak peek behind the scenes, beyond the sex.
by Erin Mantz
From round beds that people outside the window could rotate by pushing a button for an optimal view to a structured system that involved staffers scheduling rooms and changing sheets, I was surprised at how smoothly things operated. (From a business perspective, I was impressed.) Our guides also joked around as we walked into each empty room, trying to put the newbies at ease. When they suggested we head to the group room, I tried to feel gusty. Sneaking up on a group of people actually having sex? Peering in, I saw all the beds were empty at this point. Later, I was told, things would heat up. Couples of all ages and races gathered on the sofas near the “observation rooms” drinking and chatting. Many greeted each other warmly, like old home week. I was told about seventy percent of club members meet up on popular swingers’ Web sites such as Club Voodoo.
Back upstairs, at first glance, the sprawling bar could have been a regular bar anywhere. The club’s policy was BYOB, and the moment you walked in the bartender smoothly took your bottles, asked your membership number, and put them on ice. When people wanted a drink, all they had to do was give their number and one instantly appeared. Nice service, I thought. But looking a little more closely, I could see signs this was no ordinary bar. One woman who looked like she could have been a parent volunteer at my son’s preschool suddenly thanked the female bartender with a passionate kiss instead of a dollar tip. A bartender took his shirt off and accepted five dollar bills down the front of his pants from virtual strangers.
I swear several nicely dressed women smiled right at me instead of at my husband. The same thing happened in the women’s bathroom (which, by the way, could have been the washroom at Nordstrom’s where moms say hello and commiserate with toddlers in tow). As I washed my hands, some women looked at me a little longer than, well, normal. I left pretty quickly.
By far, the most action occurred on the dance floor. The “blackout” was planned for midnight (glow sticks were distributed throughout the night), but I was assured security would be good and nobody would grope anyone without an ok. I would have liked to stay later to see if more action happened, but my husband was anxious to go. I should have taken a girlfriend!
Three things struck me about the club atmosphere and clientele: everyone seemed to be in a great mood (and this is before the action of the night began), lots of people seemed to know each other and everyone seemed pretty relaxed. The owners ran their club like a business, socialized like a host and hostess would anywhere, and seemed proud to preside over a club that so many people “in the lifestyle” called home on weekend nights.
  (2 votes, average: 3 out of 5) Loading ... |
Email to a Friend
Share on Facebook
Digg It
Delicious
Newsvine
Stumble
Reddit
1 judy jerome // Sep 9, 2008 at 12:03 pm
O DAM IT !!! / CAN THERE BE ANYTHING ON THIS EARTH MORE “THRILLING “THEN THE ” / CONCEPT” OF SWINGING ? DAM IT ! / THIS IS GOOD !! WHERE DID THIS IDEA COME FROM ?
2 Writer of this article / Erin Mantz // Jul 30, 2008 at 3:27 pm
To Tilda’s comment -
Yes, I am sure I missed some of the racier stuff because I had to leave before midnight. My husband wasn’t comfortable there and wanted to get out. This is a perfect example of what some couples must face when trying to feel their way (no pun intended) through a swingers club or house party the first time. Many of the swinger wives I interviewed said it took many discussions with their husbands for quite a while in order to get them OK with the idea.
As i’ve said since the club visit, and as many, many folks have commented on this page and on the Today Show web site where the article is running — I should have brought a girlfriend instead!
3 Writer of this article / Erin Mantz // Jul 30, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Mike’s comment surprised me - I NEVER even thought about the idea the women were checking me out to consider me for their husbands! This idea must be hard for many people I know (people not in the lifestyle) to comprehend - non-swinging wives reading this, you probably get annoyed when your husband stares at a pretty lady - can you imagine being the one helping him find one? How do people control their jealousy?
4 Mike // Jul 29, 2008 at 9:02 pm
I forwarded this article to a friend who is in “the lifestyle.” She pointed out that the women who were eying you were more likely considering you for their husband’s pleasure than their own.
She was also VERY impressed with the club you described - so much nicer than the ones near where she lives.
5 Kat // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Erin,
Great article - I’m really looking forward to reading the next one. Our husband’s sound a bit alike… Any tips on easing them besides margaritas (or in addition to them).
Read All 9 Comments on The Suburban Swingers Club