The original June 21 deadline for relaxing final covid restrictions in England persuaded some fetish event promoters to start looking at bringing back events in early July.

Others planned more cautiously, believing that that the rise of the delta variant around the UK might cause that deadline to be extended. Which is exactly what happened.

Although the start of the period we’re covering includes some covid-compliant events not affected by the extension, the new July 19 cut-off sadly did lead to some disappointment and cancellations for such as Verboten and ZDR.

Because it’s such a big and experienced player, Torture Garden’s reading of the partying landscape inevitably influences other hosts. So it was encouraging to see the club announce a full list of monthly dates from August to December — albeit all still to be confirmed.

That “TBC” caveat is true of almost all UK fetish events mentioned here. Covid-compliant exceptions aside, the only prudent view to take is that they’re still provisional until proven to be irreversibly going ahead.

LONDON

JUNE

A GLIMPSE OF KINK, Soho, June 22-24. Photos: Femme Ferale, centre; Venus Raven, right

JUNE 6:
LAMv2 #5 (LONDON ALTERNATIVE MARKET)
This event has now passed, but is worth a mention because it was the second of a new type of hybrid live shopping/livestreamed LAM indoor market at a new venue: Blue Studios in Dalston E8, which may be revisited in future months. Also worth a mention are the regular LAM Online events which are now happening every Sunday whether or not there is a live shopping event that same weekend.
Directory/LAMv2#5

JUNE 22–24:
A GLIMPSE OF KINK
This three-day, covid-compliant mixed-media exhibition debuting at Soho’s Bateman Street Gallery features work by Venus Raven, Syn Ariad, The London Vagabond and more creatives from the UK and European kink scenes. The initial ticket issue sold out within a couple of days of the event’s announcement; a second release also sold out, but there is a waiting list.
Directory/A Glimpse of Kink

JULY

CLUB ANTICHRIST’S 17th BIRTHDAY PARTY at Fire has just been cancelled by the venue

JULY 2 & 3:
THE PEARL NECKLACE
Seeing which way the wind was blowing with the likely extension of UK restrictions into July, Torture Garden wisely replaced its provisional early-July club date with one, then two further editions of its covid-compliant supper club night at Electrowerkz. Of the two, Saturday July 3 is the strict fetish dresscode edition.
Directory/Pearl Necklace/July

JULY 17:
CANCELLED: ZDR CABARET OF EXCESS
Falling just before the end of the extended restrictions, this event has been cancelled as the venue is unable to  provide food.
Directory/ZDR/Cabaret/July

JULY 23: 
CANCELLED: CLUB ANTICHRIST 17th BIRTHDAY PARTY
AntiChrist was due to return just after the extended UK restrictions were lifted, but Fire has taken back the date for its ‘grand reopening’, leaving AC venue-less.
Directory/AntiChrist/Birthday

AUGUST

TORTURE GARDEN plans seven club nights from Aug–Dec. Halloween 2018 photo: Hyder Images 

AUGUST 13:
KLUB VERBOTEN
Forced to cancel its July date due to the extension of covid restrictions, Verboten plans to return with a vengeance in August, with a members’/non-members’ party at a 1,000-capacity East London venue. Now sold out after July ticket-swaps and refunds, but there is a waiting list.
Directory/Verboten/August

AUG 14 (& BEYOND):
TORTURE GARDEN 2021 LONDON CLUB DATES (provisional)
TG has published a whole list of provisional London club dates for every month from August to December 2021, starting with what should be its full-scale clubbing return on August 14 at Scala, King’s Cross. Because all these London dates were still TBC at press time, we have initially created just a single Directory listing (with a single link) for the whole lot. For an instant overview, we’re providing the whole list below. You’ll also find these same events individually listed under their appropriate months further down the page. All events are on Saturday nights except NNYE at Ministry of Sound in Dec.
Directory/TG/Aug-Dec
August 14: TG @ Scala (tbc)
September 11: TG @ Electrowerkz (tbc)
October 29: TG Halloween @ Scala (tbc)
November 6: TG @ Electrowerkz (tbc)
December 4: TG @ Scala (tbc)
December 11: TG @ Electrowerkz (tbc)
December 30: TG NNYE @ Ministry of Sound (tbc)

AUGUST 28:
ZDR SECRET SUMMER
This new venture for Zara DuRose is this smaller scale play-party and social night at a secret London location. The evening will feature playroom, chill areas, body art installations, music and dancing.
Directory/ZDR/SecretSummer