Violate: Edinburgh Special EventReview: Event

In late March, the largely Glasgow-based club, Violate (www.violate.co.uk) held a special event in Edinburgh, at a very special venue. They have asked that the venue not be named on public websites, so i'm going to honour that request and tell you what the club was like without naming it.

The venue was below street level, on many levels - a virtual rabbit warren of little rooms, bigger areas, stairs and passageways. It was a very atmospheric venue, with the aura of a medieval gaol about it. Two floors were in use, an upper area with a larger play area, and cloakroom, and a lower floor with a small bar area, dancefloor, and numerous little nooks and crannies with play equipment set up in it. The crowd was the usual Violate mix of people into fetish clothing and dancing, and people present for SM play, but the change of location changed the mood somewhat. In my opinion it improved it.

Those who enjoy spending a lot of time in the bar drinking and talking would have been those most disappointed. The bar was small, and became very crowded indeed quite early on. There was also very little in the way of seating. The dancefloor also didn't get terribly busy for most of the night, with just a few music lovers spending any significant time there. There would have been plenty of room for the bar crowd to spill over into the dance area, and they probably would have done with a few more chairs.

But there was far too much to experience in this venue to spend it in the bar, to my mind. It felt like you could wander around twisty little passages, and come across little corners with a piece of equipment in them, usually with a couple playing, and maybe a handful watching. Almost as if you'd never know what you'd find around a corner. The scattered feel seemed to engender more respectful voyeurism than usual - with watchers staying to watch for a few minutes if they found something interesting, then moving on. It rarely felt as if couples were performing for an audience, here - as it has to me at other venues at times.

A small lecture theatre was used for ropework demos. The room was great for demonstrations, but the demos themselves were sadly lacking. I watched twice, hoping that I'd missed something the first time through, but still came away, as did others, thinking that the point of a demonstration had been somewhat missed. I feel that a demonstration should give those watching an opportunity to learn something - a ropework demo should begin with some pointers on safety, perhaps. As knots are tied, they could be explained, both in technique and application. It does seem rather pointless just to watch someone pick the pretty girls out of the audience and tie them up without explanation, I can see that in a play area any time.

All in all, the club was fantastic. The venue made it. I loved the way equipment was scattered around rather than concentrated in a dungeon, and that you could always find a quiet corner to talk if you didn't mind standing. I loved the atmosphere, being in a building so different to the usual places. If Violate uses this venue again, and I hope they do, I'd highly recommend it!

 
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Re: Violate: Edinburgh Special Event#1

Saturday, 30th of August, we will be back in this venue. Contact matt@violate.co.uk if you want to know more details.

Cheers

Matt

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Violate: Edinburgh Special Event (30th August '03)#2

Violate was back in this venue on 30th August 2003. It was the same setup as before, with all the same atmosphere and ambience. It seemed quieter, but in some ways it was even better than last time. I'm not going to write a full review this time, because I was there to have fun!

There were stalls this time, selling fetish-wear and toys. One in particular that caught my eye was selling chainmail made from rubber rings - it looked very authentic, but was extremely light. The chap running the stall doesn't have a website yet, but when he does, I'll be finding out more!

The ropework demos were on again, and were greatly improved. Safety was covered, and the demonstrations were explained from start to finish - friendly, easy, and fun.

The DJ seemed much more in tune with those on the dance floor this time too, and I kept finding myself dragged back there by the kind of track you just can't not dance to.

The venue is what makes it so atmospheric - to be surrounded by bloodstained walls and torture equipment, to hear moans, and voices echo around you - you really do feel in another world.

The one big letdown for me (and it really irritated me) was that one of the organisers decided to let in a hen-night party, and then show them around. It was hard to avoid them, and they were wandering around treating the club like a freak-show for their entertainment. They clearly didn't meet the clubs dress-code, weren't fetish scene people, and.. worst of all.. they had a camera, and were using it. The organiser was standing right next to them when they did - he was even posing for some of their photos.

I feel strongly that club door policies are there to protect those attending the club, and should not be set aside because one of the organisers wants to hang out with a group of attractive women with Irish accents!

This was the only dark cloud on the horizon though, the rest of the club was exceptional, and if it's ever in this venue again, I highly recommend it.

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Re: Violate: Edinburgh Special Event (30th August#3

same criticism as Calum re hen party in fact thought there were too many 'non-scene' type folks in who did not realise what the purpose of the club night was intended for.

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Re: Re: Violate: Edinburgh Special Event (30th Aug#6

Quite few people turned up because they had heard about us at the Festival Erotique. Unfortunatelly, they had not been told about the dress code. These people seemed genuinely interested in the scene and so were let in but informed of the rules and told that if the break them they would be out the door. We know of no complaints on the night and we observed nothing from the few couples that were let in (numbered about 6 in total).

These people turned out in the rain and battled through the crowds of the last night at the edinburgh festival. We had to decide if their first experience of a fetish club was one of dress code elitism or 'hello we really are normal people and we laugh, drink, dance and have fun'. There's a very good chance some of them will come back, not just to Violate but any of the Scottish or UK clubs. In our experience a lot of these people do come back. Next time will be in the proper clothing and ready to learn.

All the best

Matt

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Re: Re: Re: Violate: Edinburgh Special Event (30th#7

My friend noticed a guy in jeans and denim jacket who she said 'was pulling faces' at some of the play and 'making fun' a little. This is a little disconcerting.

I do appreciate that relaxing the dress code can be more welcoming (as I am not a huge fan of extreme dress codes, since what you wear doesn't make you any less of a Dom or a sub) Anyways it might be good to perhaps keep closer eyes on people that are new and not in dress code. All in black isn't hard to do and we had a newbie with us and he dressed all in black appreciative of codes. Sometimes, its just manners to attempt dress code on some basic level. When I go to trendy clubs with friends I put on nice shoes and a nice skirt...respecting the dress code of the event.

It was just worrying re the guy having a lil laugh at what some of us do and take seriously. Laughing *at* us rather than with us.

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Violate: Edinburgh Special Event (#8

I noticed the person in question at the end of the night (it was quite late on when he was let in). I've asked around and from what we can find out he came along with someone we recognised and who had vouched for him.

I've also found out that the guy played and was very proud of the marks he ended up with. I suspect however, that as the night wore on excitement and drink got the better of him.

Again it comes down to people telling us at the time if there is a problem. We had a lot more staff than normal but the venue is a big one.

As an aside, if someone does vouch for someone else and that someone else breaks the rules the person who has vouched runs the risk of being barred. When you think of it like that it makes people think twice about who they bring in.

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Re: Violate: Edinburgh Special Event (30th August#4

The stall with the chain mail was Interloper Designs. The guy behind it, Brian, is a Violate regular. Although he has been making things for a little while, this was his first stall. I'd just like to add that his kit is some of the most original and well made I have seen in years.

Matt

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Re: Violate: Edinburgh Special Event (30th August#5

Hen nights:
It was a good night and everyone was on a high with excitement. The girls from the hen party had come to the door for the 3rd time and were finally escorted by a member of staff around the club. It is not unusual for hen parties to be at a fetish club and this particular night was extraordinary partly because of the festival erotique, which meant there were a lot more newcomers. Violate has always encouraged newcomers and so on their 3rd attempt (at about 1am) we let them in. The camera was a mistake and will not happen again (our door staff will now be instructed to look for cameras) but we will continue to allow newbies into clubs because in our experience quite a few will come back and will become part of the fetish scene.

We are always willing to hear critiscm. It means we end up with a better club.

Apart from that thanks again for a great review.

All the best

Matt

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Re: Violate: Edinburgh Special Event (30th August#9

hi calum
thanks for your comments
the earlier demo did have safety and i did tell people how thing were done , but obviously not enough i asked that if anyone wanted an explination to ask me but no one did.
but after speaking to a few pals they mentioned that i could have structured it a bit better.
i did that the second time around .
i have only done 2 demos and i hope that they were enjoyed by all .
i hope to continue doing the demos and i am allways approachable so come and have a chat.
best wishes cuffkey1

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Re: Re: Violate: Edinburgh Special Event (30th Aug#10

I'd like to back cuffkey up here. He is a very nice, approachable guy. We were all testing the waters that night and he did very well cinsidering it was his first demo, he did well (and continues to do so).

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Re: Violate: Edinburgh Special Event (30th August#11

Wotcha,

I've gotten my arse in gear and got a website sorted out, its a bit small at the moment but I'm adding new items and info on a regular basis - new range of toys going up soon.

www.interloperdesigns.co.uk

Rubbermail, combo metal-rubber mail and floggers gubbins adn ramblings.

Cheers for the interest, its good to get feedback.

Brian

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Re: Violate: Edinburgh Special Event#12

Lovely event


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Re: Re: Violate: Edinburgh Special Event#13

very successful event

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