London by the sea…? That particular clichéd metaphor is used by some to describe Brighton, the jewel of the south coast. And probably with good reason. It`s got the pubs, it`s got the quirk, it`s got the hepcat dudes with oversized 80s style specs a la Timmy Mallet. It`s even got a Primark. In such a utopian existence where the gay community rivals that of San Franscisco, still the Brightonian perves are forced to make the pilgrimage to the wondrous fetish clubs of London to parade their kink and outfits, which cost an arm and a leg ta very much buster! I certainly do. For all its coolishness, Brighton has, for a long time, been seriously lacking in the kink stakes with regard to clubs. It`s a long wait in between Torture Garden`s annual visits to the Ocean Rooms (this venue is soon to reopen as Psychosocial). Guess what though, they have just confirmed a date for 21st of January. Yippee!
Stonking news of course, but what`s a rubber fetishist supposed to do between now and then? I can`t sit there all winter darning my rubber stockings now can I? So, thanks be to Mrs Doyle and her tea for the light at the end of the tunnel in the form of…”Club Wickedness”. I`ve now been to 2 Wickedness evenings and been really impressed with the quality of the night, the effort the organisers have put into it, and the turnout, which, for Brighton on a Tuesday night, really really can`t be denied. Normally I`d be recovering from my normal Tuesday routine of my yoga class where my instructor has been ordering us to spread our buttock flesh and thrust our pubic bones. To find myself within the confines of Club Wickedness less than 90 minutes later (after a swift Mr Benn changeover from lycra leotard to an outfit of haute couture rubber), still spreading my pubic bone and thrusting my buttock flesh (or something like that), is a tad surreal…
So is hobbling along the seafront wearing my Rubber55 bondage hood and dress in pewter (god how I love that colour). It`s weird how a hood makes you feel in these vanilla surroundings – invincible, invisible, strangely normal… I`m brought floating back to earth at the discreet Club Wickedness entrance in a quiet side street in Brighton`s Kemptown. Organiser Norman is there to swap some friendly banter, his dulcet Norn Iron tones mirroring my own (Northern Ireland to the uninitiated, where we`re both from). He knows his own kind (in both accent and perversion) and welcomes us in to be greeted by the delectable door hostesses Danna and Mistress Ruby.
Within the bijoux surroundings of Wickedness, it`s a great use of space. First there`s a chill out bar area to get your bearings and meet with those kinky friends you know and spank. I know I`m biased as a lot of them are my friends but the crowd at Wickedness are sexy, stylish, down-to-earth, non posey (apart from me!) and above all, friendly and approachable. Newcomers can be sure of a very warm welcome so leave your po face at home.
There is a well equipped play area which includes a St Andrews Cross, 2 person stocks, poles, a large play cage and a spanking bench. The play area, in my opinion, rivals some which I have recently seen in some big name clubs in London. Then, for the insatiable, they can follow their senses into the Pan`s Labyrinth affectionately known as “The Kitchen” or dungeon area. Dungeon 1 has another spanking bench and Dungeon 2 showcases the fantastic rope work of the local Shibari enthusiasts. I`m working on persuading the hugely talented but very shy Tilli to put on a rope show for us next time. She has had the pleasure of working with and tying up (in a professional capacity of course) some of the hottest models on the fetish scene – Anna Fur Laxis anyone…?
Just one complaint Norman and Danna…please make it a weekend evening so we can party into the wee hours (Club Wickedness currently finishes at midnight). Ok, two complaints, can we have a proper dancefloor bit too please? Even though I admit I am a rubber poseur I do like a bit of a bop to some cheesy choons. Everyone has their Guilty Pleasures.
