troll down to
the cottage
MEANING:
Let’s head to the CLUB
Cottage - COMES FROM Polari, a form of queer slang, for a public toilet used as a PLACE for anonymous or semi-anonymous sex.
COTTAGE
PARTY
02/05/2026
WHO IS COTTAGE FOR?
We are a club night, cruising space and play party for men, both cis and trans, that are sexually open, scene enthusiasts and most importantly comfortable and willing to engage in exploring an exciting and safer space.
While Cottage is a space that centres cis and trans men, we warmly welcome non-binary folks who feel aligned with gay male culture, masculinity, or the energy of this night. We’re not here to police identity — we’re here to create a space that feels good, respectful, and fun. If this particular vibe doesn’t resonate, our sister brands like Climax Clique and Club Love offer broader, more fluid experiences that might be a better fit. Wherever you land, we’re glad you’re here
Remember, there is no such thing as safe, only safer. These spaces only become safer spaces if you follow our GUIDLINES and practice collective responsibility.
DARK ROOM ETIQUETTE - SAFE WORD: BINKY
If you enter this area you are deemed to have consented to anonymous sexual contact. This area has very low lighting which means you can expect advances and touching in the dark. If you enter this space and you start to feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed with this kind of contact you must leave immediately.
Consent is paramount-Always verbally or non-verbally confirm consent before engaging in any sexual activity with someone.
Non-verbal communication is common in these spaces, use body language or physical signals clearly to indicate interest or disinterest. If someone pushes your hand or appendage away respect.
Respect personal space and boundaries. If rejected move on gracefully, quietly and without judgment.
Hygiene- Maintain good levels of personal hygiene
No loud talking or chatting
Be aware of your surroundings -know where the exits are
No photography or recording
If you feel you are being pressured or cornered or prevented from exiting the space you can shout our safe word to alert us.
Pop, Lock, & Dance
Pop, Lock, & Dance
PLAYROOM ETIQUETTE- RESPECT-CONSENT-DISCRETION
If play spaces are your bag, consider your boundaries - Be honest with yourself and decide beforehand what you are comfortable doing. You need to think about what you are willing to participate in with a partner or a group. It is best to have these conversations beforehand. There is no guarantee you will find a playmate, keep your expectations realistic. Check in with yourself and your partners throughout the evening. If you are feeling overwhelmed speak to one of the team. You will be screened by our Play Space guardians on entry who are trained to look out for coercion and worrying levels of intoxication.
Consent – We ask for open, clear communication about your boundaries and that you respect the boundaries of everyone around you. Consent must be verbal, ongoing, informed and enthusiastic and can also be withdrawn at any time. Feelings, desires, and arousal is fluid and ever changing so we ask for an acute awareness of each and every playmate’s comfort and your influence on the room. Respect the space and everyone in it. If you feel you are being coerced, please report this to the Play space Supervisor.
We promote S.S.C (safe, sane, consensual) R.A.C.K (risk aware consensual kink) frameworks
We have event staff at the entrance of the play space, this is for your safety. We need to ensure you are not intoxicated and able to make conscious decisions.
Be safe – We encourage the use of condoms and or PrEP. We ask you clean up after yourselves, each playroom has hand sanitiser, wet wipes, puppy pads and dry towelettes. If there is a mess left by other playmates, please report this to the Playroom Supervisor. It is your responsibility to be clear and honest about your sexual health with all playmates. We encourage regular screenings prior to these events to ensure you are not putting yourself or anyone at risk.
No Chemsex, you will be banned. Don’t overindulge, stay present for the best experience.
The group playrooms work on a traffic light system for safe words
GREEN MEANS YES/CHECK IN
AMBER MEANS CAUTION/CHECK IN
RED MEANS STOP/CHECK IN
NO SCAT, NO BLOOD, NO VOMIT, NO RACE PLAY, NO EXTREME IMPACT PLAY
Cruise • play • desire
Cruise • play • desire
COTTAGE OF CONDUCT
We have a strict anti-harassment policy. We will not tolerate harassment of any kind. If you are being harassed or witness any form of harassment please report it to venue management, well-being monitors or door staff. We ask you NEVER TOUCH SOMEONE WITHOUT CONSENT even when you are on the dance floor. No means No and does not require an explanation.
Don’t assume sexual preferences or gender identities. Try and introduce yourself with your own pronouns or politely ask for someone’s when being introduced. Respect everyone. Discrimination toward anyone’s identity, socio-economic status, age, race, gender, orientation, or body type will not be tolerated.
Risk awareness- whilst our guidelines and guardian team aim to minimise risk and tackle issues swiftly, all accountability remains with each individual. All attendees need to be aware that despite our best efforts, risks remain.
Flag anything that doesn’t feel right with staff immediately. Reporting things shows solidarity with the community and could prevent someone else having a negative experience.
By attending you agree to not publish or sell for publication or commercial purposes any information or images relating to attendees or the ongoings of an event without our express written permission.
DRESS-CODE
Cottage takes its inspiration from cruising culture, bathhouses, darkrooms, fetish clubs
We ask everyone to make an effort and contribute to the atmosphere. You do not need expensive fetish gear or a perfectly curated look, but we do ask that you arrive dressed for Cottage rather than a regular night out.
Leather, rubber, sportswear, workwear, uniforms, lycra, denim, pups, jocks, harnesses, boots, bare skin and creative interpretations are all welcome.
Think locker rooms, changing rooms, darkrooms, service stations, gym showers, underground clubs, and the men who have always found ways to turn ordinary spaces into places of possibility.
If it’s your first time and you’re unsure what to wear, don’t overthink it. We’d much rather see someone making an effort than staying at home because they don’t own the “perfect” outfit.
What we generally discourage are everyday street clothes that do not contribute to the atmosphere. A simple outfit can often be transformed with shorts, sports socks, boots, a jock, a harness, an open shirt, or simply showing a little more skin.
The goal is not perfection. The goal is participation.
LEATHER
Vests, boots, gloves, jackets, chaps, jocks, and classic leather looks. Think masculine AND rugged
RUBBER & NEOPRENE
From a single statement piece to full gear. Matte, shiny, sleek, sporty, or fetish. If it’s rubber, it belongs here.
SPORTS
Sports socks, trainers, short shorts, lycra, wrestling gear, tracksuits, compression wear, and anything that gives locker room energy.
PUPS
Hoods, masks, mitts, tails, sporty pup looks, handlers and pack-inspired styles.
JOCKS & HARNESSES
Simple, effective
WORKWEAR & UNIFORMS
Builders, bikers, mechanics, industrial workwear.
no insignia please!
CRUISING CASUAL
Open shirts, tanks, rolled-up denim, boots, short shorts, white socks, athletic wear and looks inspired by classic cruising culture.
FIRST TIME?
If you’re new and feeling nervous, keep it simple. Shorts, sports socks, boots or trainers, a vest, open shirt, jock, or harness can go a long way.
PHOTOGRAPHY/PHONE POLICY
NO PHONES! There is a strict no photos rule. We have an in-house photographer who will be floating around the dance and chill areas. We will always ask for your consent before any photographs are taken. Please respect everyone’s privacy, if you are caught using your camera or taking videos you will be escorted off the premises and banned from future events.
At Cottage events we take photographs and occasional videos of our events that are used to document the essence of the event. Most of these images can then be found on our gallery on www.COTTAGECLUBBRISTOL.COM
We may also use some of these images to publicise future events on social media and in print.
Event guests may appear in these photographs with GDPR ‘legitimate interest’ guidelines. We own the copyright in the photographs and control the use of them, so we want to make you aware of how they are used and what we do to help safeguard your privacy if you don’t want to appear in them.
When photography and video recording is taking place at an event, you will be notified on arrival and be given a photo wristband to consent to photographs. The photographer will not take photos of you if you have not consented.
We sometimes ask to take photographs of individuals or small groups to show pictures of their great outfits or how much fun they are having. In this instance, the photographer will ask verbally for your permission to take your photograph for the event gallery. If you change your mind at any time, you can either ask the photographer to delete the shot or contact us.
If the camera catches you in error, and you were not able to speak to the photographer about it at the event, you can contact us at info@COTTAGECLUBBRISTOL.COM We will ask you to identify the photograph and your location in it. If you can be identified in the photograph, we will immediately remove it from the gallery and all our channels.
The photographer will be easily identifiable and will be the only person officially permitted to take photographs or videos at the event. Event guardians will also be easily identifiable with YELLOW arm bands and YELLOW high viz vests for any queries about images.
Anyone who does not want to appear in photographs can make themselves known to the photographer or one of the guardians/staff at the door and will not be given a wristband and we shall make every effort to keep you out of shot, however, as an additional precaution, attendees are also asked to take care to avoid the camera themselves - If you do not wish to have your image displayed on our channels please do not pose for them.
Accessibility:
The eVENTS TAKE PLACE IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE BUILDING ACCORDING TO PARTICIPANT VOLUMES. pLEASE CONTACT US AHEAD OF EACH EVENT TO FIND OUT WHICH AREA WE ARE USING.
We have a dedicated accessibility coordinator, for any accessibility requests, free PA tickets or more information please email info@cottageclubbristol.com
