They’re open for frisky business.
As New York City emerges from lockdown and enters into Phase Two of reopening Monday, a Soho sex club is navigating how to get down and dirty while still staying squeaky clean and coronavirus-free.
In order for the members-only group called NSFW — which stands for the New Society For Wellness — to open their clubhouse doors again, they’ve rolled out an assortment of new rules and regulations that take the risk out of risqué, The Post has learned.
“We had to figure out how to do this in the safest way possible, where no one feels at risk or in danger, but can still enjoy themselves,” says NSFW founder Daniel Saynt. Indeed, earlier this month, the city issued some guidelines for group sex, including to do the deed in a well-ventilated area and keep alcohol-based sanitizer on hand.
So Saynt — whose job title is “chief conspirator” of the club — drafted additional safety precautions himself, including mandatory temperature checks at the door, bringing a separate change of clean clothes in a plastic bag, wearing a mask (NSFW has their own branded version) and gloves, using sanitation stations throughout the space, and of course, “no new sex,” which means you can’t hook up with anyone besides the partner you came with.
“We have enough room to give each other space, so we’re asking members to engage in a ‘no new play’ policy, which means come and play with a partner and experience NSFW for the exhibitionist and voyeuristic sides of it,” says Saynt of the 3,000-square-foot clubhouse the group uses for sex parties. “Throughout the clubhouse, there’s additional hand sanitizer and toy cleaners at sanitization stations.”
In order to adhere to social-distancing policy, the cannabis-positive club is only allowing 20 members to attend in person, which is 10% of the space’s capacity.
“We’re keeping the cap nice and low, at least until we get to Phase Three,” Saynt adds.
Last weekend, NSFW gave the new rules a spin for a two-day in-person and digital “sex-tival” called Relief, which broadcast kink workshops, adult performers and erotic dancers via a livestreaming platform Cam4 to online viewers for $10 (members only) or $25 (first-timers).
Members who snagged a spot fast enough were able to attend in person for $50.
The Domme Kat, a professional dominatrix and fetish wrestler, was one of the first to dip her toes, butt and bosom into the new kind of sex party.
“When you walk in, there’s a bowl of masks, a bowl of black gloves and hand sanitizer, so everyone has access to it right away,” she recalls. “And everything is cleaned like crazy.”
As Kat set up for her booty painting performance — which saw her “cover my butt in paint and sit on stuff,” as well as “make flowers with my vulva” — she couldn’t help but notice less sex in the air.
“Usually I’m jammed on a couch with someone — passing a spliff, a couple people are in the back having sex and there’s lots of moaning,” she says. “This … was not that.”
But once she got into her groove of pouring and knifing candle wax off of a “bratty” submissive, she was more grateful than ever to be back in business.
“Even just spanking somebody — that skin-on-skin touch feels so good,” she says. “You’re like, ‘That’s another person. There’s warm flesh under there.’ Oh my God, I missed it.”
The future of Saynt’s sex parties will continue to blend the virtual with the real by equipping the clubhouse — which also has a stripper pole, sex swing and cage — with cameras and computer screens throughout.
“It’s taking the digital audience and bringing them into the clubhouse and taking our physical audience and giving them access to dozens of additional members online,” explains Saynt.
In order to become a member of NSFW, applicants must submit a detailed questionnaire that’s reviewed by “The Council,” and the review can take up to four weeks. Once approved, members must pay a monthly membership fee of $20.
The average age of members is 28, and many tend to be “attractive, influential, socially driven with a desire to raise a little hell,” according to their website.
Their next Master Series event will be on June 28, and will teach viewers and attendees the art of “shibari” (Japanese rope bondage).
While the changes have thrown a wrinkle into their revelry, just being back in action last weekend was sweeter than ever, says Melissa Vitale, the publicist for NSFW.
“Even though it wasn’t normal, for a moment, it felt almost normal.”