Comparing sex clubs in Portland isn't an easy thing to do as opinions run high and conversations often turn personal. However, this comes up enough that we have decided that it would be helpful to have one post to reference users to and also allow for respectful discussions to take place in.

First, as this comes up most often, TVR and Privata are two very different clubs in terms of layout, feel, staff, volunteers, price, rules, and patrons. They both serve a unique experience and you should try them both out to see which you like most.

I will update/modify this as feedback comes in when needed and warranted.

Please note that we are not affiliated with any of these clubs in any way. We are NOT paid by, employed by, endorsed by, receiving kickbacks from, nor volunteers at. No one at these clubs know any of us as mods here.

Age range: they are all about the same. You'll see 21-70 year-olds at all of them. Check the events for the night to give you a better idea which way it'll sway.

Starting alphabetically.

Privata

Privata

Privata is more of an upscale dance club meets swinger/sex club.

Rooms and play areas are checked for cleanliness and restocked by staff after each use. Condoms and lube are available everywhere but they are limited in size so if you're on the extremes, plan to bring your own. Check out MyOne condoms.

Body sizes, body shapes, and ages: Expect them all but with their theme nights, you can expect more/less to follow. For example: something like pin-ups & Bad Boys will likely draw more BBW/curvy and older (50's ) crowd while the Baywatch party will likely draw thin/athletic and younger 20's-40's crowd. Any given night you will see every body type and size represented.

Single guys are limited to 10, usually, on nights where they are allowed. There are couples-only nights and these are usually attended by more people. If you aren't in the market for stunt cock, go to a couples-only night as it will likely be a more pleasant experience all for you (more couples, less potential for creeps). Don't worry if you do go when single guys are allowed, though, Privata staff and volunteers are really good at talking to them ANONYMOUSLY if they cross any boundaries and they do not hesitate to 86 them for life if anything serious were to happen.

Bring a combination lock (no key to lose/keep track of) to store your extras in their lockers (cell phone, purse, wallet, etc.) and a credit card for the bar(s), and maybe some socks for the woman if she doesn't want to be in high-heels all night (normal). Check the theme night and dress code for that night and dress above what you think is the minimum. Even if you don't plan on hooking up with anyone, you don't want to be that person who looks like a slob.

If it's your first time, TAKE THE TOUR. It will help ease your nerves. During the tour, they go over rules, the layout, and even what to do if you don't feel comfortable with someone. You can also check out video tours and pictures online.

UPDATE: With their remodel, they have added two couples-only areas but at the expense of private rooms; private rooms as always full, especially on busy nights. Also a good time to ask that you don't "camp out" in time in busy nights.

CONS Most expensive. Lots of voyeurs, exhibitionists, cliques, and couples who arrive with their dates for the night which results in more people keeping to themselves - this is why you'll hear a few say that the people at Privata are "standoffish" and "unfriendly". First floor is still overly loud - nowhere near Sesso days loud but still loud. Action doesn't really get going until later in the night/early morning. On busy nights the private rooms fill up and some people "camp out" in them all night - so frustrating...

Sanctuary

Sanctuary

Updated September 9th, 2022: Sanctuary is the only club to require proof of vaccinations.

More like a giant BDSM-lite club with some swinger antics thrown in. Though, I've heard others say just the opposite. Let's just say that it's a "fluid" club and ever-changing. Pretty chill place most of the time and if you've been around long enough, you'll hear it referred to as the "Cheer's of sex clubs"; everyone knows everyone, eventually. I think of it more as a sex-positive bar than an actual sex club most of the time. Cool place with cool people, most of the time. It opens earlier than Privata and is often the launching point for friends and dates to meet up before heading over to Privata.

It's essentially one giant room that is broken up by curtains and partitions. There's a bar, a dj booth, a demonstration area (ropes), and black leather furniture arranged to create more intimate areas to mingle in. There's a lot of bondage gear about and they have a lot of bondage-inspired theme nights and demonstrations (check the calendar).

Single guys are allowed at all times and while they occasionally get creepy, the community feel that the place has tends to get them to leave or move on. Also, because it's not a 'sex club', per se, the single guys aren't moving in like they are going to pounce. More of a friendly chat as opposed to trying to get laid. If one were to get out of line, Brad (co-owner and big dude), helps move them along quickly.

It's also very LGBTQ positive and there are specific theme nights for the LGBTQ community.

Note that if you go on a BDSM night, there are a completely different set of norms/expectations/levels of play than swinger nights and you will want to learn and respect these (hopefully someone in the comments can add more to this).

CONS There aren't any real private play rooms - light curtains mostly. Lots of single guys. More bar than sex club. Pay attention to their calendar as it goes from swinger to BDSM to kink to LGBTQ to even EDM nights.

The Velvet Rope (aka TVR)

The Velvet Rope

This is where it gets really subjective and I'm going to split this in two: the "Cons" and the "Pros" views.

PROS: TVR regulars are very friendly. The staff is friendly and they clean the rooms after each use. There are two hot tubs on-site. Couples lean more towards actually swapping and are less voyeur/exhibitionist. There are a lot of single guys to choose from. The atmosphere is not stuffy and has a very laid back feel. The dress code is not enforced (also a con, depending on your taste). They have been trying to rebrand themselves as more upscale (also a con depending on your taste). They are very body-positive and bisexual men friendly.

CONS: TVR has been described as, "the place where sex goes to die", "the Halloween sex factory year-round", and "the place you go to get that one sex horror story to tell". The dress code is not enforced and there is still no limit to number of single guys (not hating on single guys, this could be good if this is what you're going for, but the ratio was similar to reddit's NSFW subs; heavily leaning towards single guys). They don't clean the rooms after each use (apparently they do now!), the clientele leans more Budweiser than it does Domaine Serene (trashy/elitist???), and they do very little policing, if any at all. There are no shortage of stories of meth and heroin taking place in the parking lot - though, you'll have others swear that these are lies. Take all of these stories with a grain-of-salt and know that their experiences are not your experience. You may go there and think these cons are crazy (aka "elitists"). If you do go and you think these CONS were formed by elitists, congrats, you found your place!

Summary

We have three clubs that all offer something that's a little unique for everyone. Opinions vary but that's good; diversity is good, competition is good, choices are good. Just because you or someone else had a good/bad time at any of these clubs, doesn't mean you will have the same experience.

We (all of us mods) encourage you to check them all out. Set expectations to zero, and just go.

Event calendars!

Privata's calendar

Sanctuary's calendar

The Velvet Rope's calendar

Others in the state

Hawks Gay club with bi-nights. REOPENED in new location near mall 205 in a larger space (Updated Sept. 9th 2022)

Sub Rosa "is Portland, Oregon’s only femme-owned boutique fetish space, offering kink education, one-on-one coaching, sexual empowerment classes, boudoir and fetish photography, intimate play parties, and private rentals in a beautifully appointed playspace."

Catalyst Currently Closed "Portland's living room with a dungeon". "We are an 18 event center providing education, hands on workshops, play parties, and other social opportunities. " No update on reopening yet.

The one in Salem (Salem Adventure Club, aka, "SAC") is shut down forever.

Single guys

Added August of 2022

This does not reflect the Mod's opinions here, however, since it was a source of feedback, we decided to add it here. If you want to add to it, please message Mr_super_secret.

This is a reply by burnedbythebush to a question about Privata and single men.

99% of the swingers there are going to be annoyed that you are there and you'll be seen as a creep and treated as a creep by most.

There are couples-only areas there and most couples escape to these places to play and mingle. You still have a chance of mingling and seeing some action but not much.

There are couples-only nights but other nights they only allow ten single men in.

Your odds of getting laid are almost zero, not zero, but close. Think about it, 50-100 couples, maybe two are looking for a single guy, and there are eight or nine other guys. Your first problem is just that you have those other guys you are competing with - ask yourself, can you be seen as better than them. Then, if you are, you have to actually spit some game that impresses the right couple. Then finally the fact that a lot of the couples going for single guys, don't actually do anything with single guys. In all of the times we've gone, thinking about 50 now, I think we've only seen or heard single guys actually getting laid there a few times. Of course, every single guy we've talked to say that they get laid there all the time lol Riiiiight.

If your standards are flexible, and you're really looking to go to a club with some chance of getting laid or seeing a lot of sex, give TVR a try. If I were single, Privata would just be a waste of money imo.