Klub Verboten: From London to Berlin, A New Standard in Kink & Consent

A few years ago, when Klub Verboten arrived in Berlin, many of the city’s clubbers—especially those immersed in its sex-positive, BDSM, and techno scenes—thought they knew what to expect. Berlin, after all, had long prided itself on its open-mindedness, its anything-goes attitude, and its deeply ingrained club culture. But Klub Verboten came with a very different mission—to introduce a level of structure, safeguarding, and responsibility that had been lacking in many of Berlin’s fetish and sex-positive spaces.

I remember when I first heard about them, meeting some of the people behind the collective. They invited me to one of their first Berlin parties, but instead of going, I decided to fly to London and see their home scene firsthand. What I experienced there was something entirely new: a thriving, highly structured environment, where consent was absolute, gender was irrelevant, and the atmosphere was electric—not just because of the music, but because of the quality and care put into every detail of the space.

What struck me the most wasn’t just the high-end furniture, toys, and play equipment, but the safeguards—not just security, but trained individuals who ensured everyone felt safe, respected, and informed. I watched as they didn’t just enforce boundaries but actively assisted guests—whether that meant helping someone find lubricant or explaining how to safely use a sex machine. At one point, I saw someone engaged in impact play, and two safeguards positioned themselves at a respectful distance, ensuring that no one accidentally stepped into the path of the whip.

This level of care and precision was something I hadn’t seen in Berlin before. While some clubs and festivals have awareness teams, Klub Verboten brought something entirely different—a culture of safeguarding that wasn't just reactive but proactive, built on years of training, a deep understanding of power dynamics, and a commitment to creating truly safe spaces. In a city that often resisted structure, Klub Verboten forced Berliners to rethink what safety, consent, and responsibility truly meant.

The Origins of Klub Verboten: A New Standard for Kink and Consent

Long before its impact in Berlin, Klub Verboten established itself as a pioneering force in London’s contemporary kink and fetish scene. Founded in 2016, the club was built on the belief that BDSM and fetish spaces could be both uninhibited and highly structured, where safety and exploration coexist without compromise.

From the beginning, Klub Verboten set a new gold standard for safeguarding, consent, and community-building in the scene. Unlike many fetish parties that relied on loose guidelines or informal agreements, Verboten took a meticulous approach to creating safe, well-regulated environments. By prioritizing education, vetting, and structured protocols, the club attracted a diverse and engaged crowd—people who understood that true freedom in kink comes with responsibility and mutual respect.

Operating as a members-only club, Verboten ensures that every attendee is vetted to maintain a secure, inclusive space. Prospective members apply online or attend social events like “Tears For Beers”, a recurring event held on the first Wednesday of every month since 2017, allowing new people to integrate into the community in a low-pressure environment. This careful selection process reinforces the club’s unwavering commitment to safety and consent, ensuring that everyone who steps through their doors understands and respects the values that define Klub Verboten.

Beyond the Rave: Klub Verboten as a High-Quality Playground for Kink

Many people arriving at Klub Verboten for the first time expect a rave, a techno party, or a Berlin-style fetish night—but that’s not what they’ll find. Klub Verboten is something entirely different. It is a high-quality playground designed for kink and fetish enthusiasts to explore themselves in the safest and most intentional way possible.

Unlike typical sex-positive parties where people might assume they can act freely without much structure, Klub Verboten sets clear expectations. For example, many of my friends who frequent fetish parties in Berlin are used to seeing people walking through a club naked, sometimes assuming that such behavior is universally accepted. But at Klub Verboten, it’s different—everything is structured, consent is absolute, and the amount of trained staff and safeguards available to assist guests is remarkable.

A perfect example of Verboten’s genius in event planning was when they hosted a party at Club Ost—a venue that, let’s be honest, isn’t everyone’s first choice. Some might even call it controversial. But instead of simply using the space as it was, Klub Verboten transformed it entirely. The massive main floor, which would typically accommodate 600 to 700 people dancing, was repurposed into a giant wardrobe area. The remaining space? Turned into expansive, fully equipped playrooms with every possible accessory a kink enthusiast could ask for.

But don’t get confused—just because the focus is on the playground doesn’t mean the music takes a backseat. Klub Verboten carefully curates not only the space but also the sound. The lineup is never random, featuring handpicked residents and guests like Oliver Deutschmann, Soraya, and other Klub Verboten staples. The music isn’t about gimmicks or trends—it’s clean, driving techno, the kind that some of us have deeply missed since the rise of "Hard Techno" and its commercialization in recent years.

Dress to Play, Not Just to Impress

Another key aspect of Klub Verboten is its approach to dress codes. Unlike some Berlin fetish parties where looks can be more about statement and extravagance, Verboten’s dress code is about setting a serious, immersive tone. Outfits matter, but they aren’t the top priority—meaning accessibility is high, as long as you stick to the right materials. Leather, latex, PVC, and classic fetish wear are all welcome, as are casual kink aesthetics that align with the club’s energy.

What you won’t see much of at Klub Verboten are festival-style outfits—things that lean too colorful, glitter-heavy, or have that "unicorn rave" aesthetic. The visual tone of Verboten is darker, more refined, and grounded in tradition. It gives the entire space an atmosphere of serious engagement—you’re not just here to pose, you’re here to play.

Klub Verboten’s Lasting Impact on Berlin’s Sex-Positive Scene

Klub Verboten isn’t just another fetish club—it’s a pioneer. From its roots in London’s underground, where it set a new gold standard for safety, structure, and safeguarding, to its expansion into Berlin, it has reshaped what it means to create a truly safe and immersive kink experience.

Since Klub Verboten’s arrival, we’ve seen a clear shift in the scene—more parties have begun implementing strict consent policies, offering workshops, and prioritizing trained awareness teams. Even clubs and events that previously overlooked these aspects have started paying more attention to safety and accountability. Klub Verboten didn’t just bring its parties to Berlin—it raised the bar.