Alternative Nightlife

Volupté

7 - 9 Norwich St, London, EC4A 1EJ

Expect to suffer extreme wallpaper envy as you enter Volupté's ground floor bar, then descend to the club proper. Tucked away beneath the streets of the capital's legal and financial heartland, this basement bar serves up some of the best burlesque in town. Read more

Erotica

Until Sun Nov 20, Olympia

An essential diary date for anyone who wants to stock up on shag-kit, this is London’s huge annual sexpo, with saucy performers, fashion shows, demos and more than 150 stalls flogging kinky wares. Read more

Torture Garden

Recommended

Sat Apr 9, Venue tbc

Now Europe’s biggest fetish club, Torture Garden is more like an indoor S&M festival, attracting spectacular outfits, entertainment and dungeon facilities. Respect is key, and it’s worth reading up on the etiquette before you go (check the website). Also, it’s not for gawpers – don’t expect to get in unless you’re prepared to dress up properly. Read more

Artwank

Wed Mar 30, The Horse Hospital

After establishing a toe-hold in Brighton, Ophelia Bitz brought her porn-and-pondering salon to London last month for a sell-out night at the Horse Hospital. The focus is on porn flicks from the silent era, when more than one body type was allowed on screen and sex looked like fun, with side dishes of sex-positive live performance (nothing too explicit) and thoughtful presentations. Last time, Kitty Stryker’s debauched clown posse was out in force; Lord knows what the next show will bring. Read more