[title]
It’s great to see our city bursting at the rubber seams with BDSM fairs. But, sometimes, people just want to talk polyamory over a few pints. That’s what The Apple Tree offers: a regular pub, but with an open-minded attitude to sex and relationships. We caught up with Rebecca Carberry (whose official title at the venue is ‘smooth operator’) to find out more.
What does it actually mean to be a sex-positive pub?
‘It’s much easier to say what it doesn’t mean. We’re not a dungeon or a Roman orgy place, but we welcome events that might have a positive discourse around sex. We have a very strong consent culture and we’re open to lifestyles that might not be seen as an ordinary choice for the general public, like the polyamorous community. We’re non-judgemental.’
What kind of events can people find at The Apple Tree?
‘The consent workshop is a really great one. And we host regular “munches” – the name that BDSM or kink groups use for a social – with Club DVS, run by Goddess Cleo. It’s nice because you can be into BDSM and kink and not necessarily want to dress up in leather every night.’
Anything else we should know?
‘The pub was originally set up to serve Coldbath Fields Prison, which was opposite (now a building site where new flats are being put in). So I say it’s not a dungeon, but it used to have handcuffs hanging up that you could pull for service. I’ve been asking for them to be put back in… ’