A dungeon, in the BDSM world, is a room or studio fitted for bondage and domination play, with equipment such as a cross, a bench, restraints and a bed. In London the word covers three different things: a professional dominatrix’s studio, a dungeon you hire by the hour, and a fetish club with play rooms. Each has its own rules, and none is the same as a hotel booking with an escort.
Three kinds of dungeon
- A professional studio. The premises of a dominatrix or dominant, booked in advance for a session. The studio is part of what she provides. What is a dominatrix? explains the work.
- Dungeon hire. A fitted room hired by the hour by dominants, couples or private groups, who bring their own equipment or use what the room provides.
- A fetish club. A members’ or ticketed night with play spaces, a dress code and monitors who watch for problems.
What a session needs
- Negotiation. Limits, health, what is and is not on offer, and a safe word, before anything starts.
- Safe equipment. Restraints that can be released quickly, with safety shears to hand, and nobody left restrained and alone.
- Known risks. Anything that restricts breathing, and suspension, carry serious risks and need proper training.
- Aftercare. Time afterwards to talk and recover.
- Hygiene. Cleaned equipment, clean surfaces and a first aid kit.
What is BDSM?, kink meaning and dom, domme and sub explain the vocabulary.
The law
BDSM between consenting adults is lawful up to a point. Consent is not a defence to actual bodily harm in sadomasochistic activity, following the case of R v Brown in 1993, and since 2021 it is not a defence to serious harm for sexual gratification. A private room is lawful, but where sexual services are sold by more than one person on a premises, it can be a brothel. Is escorting legal in the UK? sets out the offences.
What it costs
This site does not measure studio or hire prices. They vary with the length of the session, the equipment and the privacy, so ask what is included, such as the equipment, cleaning and use of the room, before you agree.
Signs of a safe space
- Clear rules that are explained and enforced, and a consent culture where a no is respected.
- Clean rooms and equipment in good repair.
- Staff or monitors who are easy to find.
- No pressure to do anything, to stay, or to spend more.
Fetish and domination escorts covers the labels in adverts, and safety and help has the contacts.