Kink Mystique, London’s new little flash of fabulous, had their soft launch one cold Saturday evening. Kink Mystique is the lovechild of several creative performers, who have come together to create a POC and queer-positive safe space, surrounded by fun and entertainment. We descend into the bowels below a vanilla venue to a mood-lit room, where stall holders market their wares. Everything from handmade leather harnesses to impact play toys, hand crocheted snuggies (anyone brought their little?) and some uniquely crafted artwork to some truly glorious cupcakes.
How to get to Kink Mystique
This sold-out, pre-ticketed event brought together a collection of friendly and delightful people, all happy to make friends and chat between the performances. Though one could play a little (fairly easy, usually) game of ‘guess who the guests are’ at the vanilla pub upstairs, and there were indeed some sparkly rubber shorts and rainbow hairstyles on display, the attire was mostly discrete. But if you feel under-dressed, never fear- you can easily kit yourself out in some bondage wear from the stallholders.
Cabaret performers at Kink Mystique
Heading up the show was Lady Blue Pheonix, POC LGBTQIA international performer and Paris Rivers, versatile genderfluid performer with a voice to shake the heavens.
April Fiasco, glorious burlesque performer, decimated a cake in the most captivating of ways.
Crae Wolf, MOBO certified artist and Queen of Flow headlined the show with immersion into her sonic universe.
What was the vibe like?
Though there were plenty of feel-good vibes, a raffle and a fun auction (by which I got to verify the magnificence of the cupcakes) and the crowd was very international, make no mistake that this is a POC, LGBT, sex-worker positive space. There was a powerful message of ongoing struggle and a need for justice inserted into the show. It is not just a showcase for black and queer performers to demonstrate their skills. There is a call to arms within it. Fortunately, if you happen to be of the Caucasian persuasion, straight-passing and conservatively dressed (as many there were), there are still lifestyle options that don’t involve donning a MAGA hat.
Why is this event important?
The kink scene is, at its heart, all about community. In the melting-pot of London, where we all form our little bubbles of likeminded souls, it can be tempting to imagine that society has progressed. That discrimination, homophobia, racial pain and even state-sanctioned murder are things of the past, rather than a living daily reality for many of the people you call your friends. There is a feisty little reminder of that in there- but delivered with such presence and lyrical beauty that you’ll feel swept up in an emotive wave of spirited belonging and renewed vigour to stand on the right side of history.
That’s just part of it though. The fire in the performances, the beat, the energy – it is forged in the heat of social battle, inseparable from it and all the more beautiful and powerful because it is crafted in pressure. The hypnotic glow of lava is not glorious because it is gentle.
Overall, the event was a fun mix of quirky artisanal kink stalls, fabulous performances and very relaxed friendly chats with complete strangers who had come to explore the mystery of Kink Mystique. It was a great launch and I look forward to watching this new-born hatchling grow into the bones it already has.
Find Kink Mystique on Instagram to get a heads up and tickets for their full-launch event!
How does Kink Mystique Stack up?
GUESTS ARE APPROACHABLE – THE VIBE IS SUPER-FRIENDLY AND there are plenty of places and opportunity to mix and mingle between the shows
ATTRACTIVE PEOPLE – THOUGH IT DOESN’T REALLY MATTER FOR THIS EVENT, THERE WERE A VARIETY OF LOOKS AND, of course, everyone on stage was looking incredible
SWINGING FRIENDLY (PROVISION, ATTITUDES) – not a play party, and not specifically aimed at swingers, but not anti-swinger either. more of a poly and kink crowd. but it is a sex-positive event!
KINK FRIENDLY – several reminders through the evening that it was not a party for kink play, but there were plenty of high-quality kink goods to buy at the stalls, the performance was kink themed and it was certainly a kink friendly crowd
TRANS-INCLUSIVE – all gender identities completely welcome
BODY SHAPE INCLUSIVE – its a very body positive event
AGE INCLUSIVE – YES, OVER 21. broad age spread, most probably around 30
RACIALLY INCLUSIVE – though specifically a poc event, it is not exclusively a poc event (perhaps 70% of the guests where white-passing)- everyone is welcome as long as they have the right mindset and conduct
COUPLES – TICKETS ARE SOLD AS INDIVIDUALS, but you could come as a couple
SINGLE WOMEN – as with most kink crowd events, a high standard of decorum and exemplary behaviour is expected. perfectly safe to go as a single woman
SINGLE GUYS – SINGLE GUYS WELCOME, NO HIGHER TICKET PRICES OR SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS. respectful typical kink-rules behaviour is expected. not a place to be leery lads, but you’ll have a good time
AFFORDABLE AND VALUE FOR MONEY- AT JUST £15, with early bird ticket options, its a great price for a great show. i didnt try the bar food, but the cupcakes were exquisite. DRINK PRICES WERE REASONABLE, for an espresso martini at 7.50, gin was over £10 though.
SAFE – THERE’S NO NEED TO CHANGE OR LEAVE YOUR BAG SOMEWHERE, AND THE CROWD WAS VERY SAFE
SPACIOUS – THE ROOM WAS NICELY FULL BUT EVERYONE HAD A SEAT AND numbers were capped
WELL EQUIPPED – CHAIRS, stalls, MICROPHONE, BAR. Stage could have done with being a little raised and had more fancy lighting as some parts were hard to see from the back. toilets required queuing at times
DIFFERENTIAL GENDER PRICING- NO
DIFFERENTIAL COUPLES PRICING- NO
ROCK UP LAST MINUTE WITH A FRIEND? IT’S tickets in advance and sold out before the day
EASY TO GET A MEMBERSHIP? NONE REQUIRED, IT IS NOT A VETTED show.
TRANSPORT- THIS EVENT WAS IN chiswick, about 10 mins walk or a short bus ride from the station. you enter through a vanilla bar
DISABLED ACCESS? THE show was down a flight of stairs into a basement bar area, with no obvious lift
*All photos are courtesy of Kink Mystique, or taken with consent.
*All reviews are completely unpaid, and just places where I had a fun time. If you’d like to help me continue testing out the kink, swinger and alternative living London scene for you, free of BS, to save you time and money, please feel free to buy my guidance book below. It’s also great for helping you pick up cuties.
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