Menu changes, new classes and more at Wicked Grounds! (Patreon)

Howdy all -

The weather is cooling, and change is in the air! That includes here at Wicked Grounds, where we are constantly seeking to be the best grounds for YOU. 

If you've been in the cafe lately, you might have noticed that we're changing our menu. We are moving toward a much more streamlined beverage and pastry focused menu, and discontinuing many of our more time-consuming dishes to better focus on giving you the best in coffee, kink and community services. 

We will continue to offer our full beverage menu -- including our world-class milkshakes -- and will keep offering pastries and light fare throughout the day. We are working with our partners to bring in lots of new items we didn't have room for previously, and we'll keep making some of our best items in house. (If you love our authentic hummus, or live for our banana bread, don't fret! Those are staying around.)  We are also making room for some fun evening specials -- so stay tuned as we clear out the old and make room for the new! 

What will mean for you is much faster service, and more time to give you what you're REALLY here for -- the community education, guidance and "kink concierge services" that you simply won't find anywhere else -- and more space for quality gear. 

Speaking of kink education, here are some upcoming classes you won't want to miss. 

And don't forget to check our our full calendar of munches, meetups, classes and more in both the Cafe & Annex on our Erobay calendar. 

​Upcoming classes and events in the Annex!

Ideal for kink beginners

• KINK 101: Welcome to Wicked Grounds. Saturday, Nov 2nd Noon. Join us for this quick orientation to the local kink scene and San Franciscos very own kink café. This session is perfect for folks who are making their first brave steps into the San Francisco kink scene. This class is also a perfect intro to etiquette and protocols if you're planning to get involved with local play parties and organizations. (Class is from noon - 2pm. $15-$35 in advance through Brown Paper Tickets, or $20-$40 at the door.) Then, stick around for . . .
• Society of Janus BDSM Basics Workshop. Saturday, Nov 2nd 3pm. This workshop focuses on the basics of the "need to know" stuff from consent and play basics to specific techniques. This class is from 3-5:30pm, and is only $15 for the general public or $10 for current Society of Janus members.
• Foundations SF. Most Mondays, 7pm. Almost every Monday, Foundations SF provides a 101-level BDSM/ kink class in the Wicked Grounds Annex. You do need a sponsor to attend, but it's easy to get one -- just check out their office hours in the cafe from 6pm to 6:30pm if you don't already have a sponsor. (Please be early or on time. Doors open at 6:30, class starts promptly at 7:00. Doors are closed to entry with the start of class.​) Keep an eye on FetLife or the Foundations SF Facebook page for weekly topics as they are announced. 

Relationships and dynamics

• Service: Giving & Receiving with Bri Burning. Thursday, Oct 24th 7pm. You must pour into yourself before you can give to others. Service is a soul searching task from both sides of the slash. In this class we will discuss service from many perspectives, how to accept service, and how to communicate what all parties involved need. There will be sexy demos displaying many types of service. Come and see what service can do for you. (Class is from 7-9pm. $15-$35 in advance through Brown Paper Tickets, or $20-$40 at the door.)
• Fluid Dynamics with RodeoKitten - Tuesday, Oct 29th 7pm. Do you have multiple dynamics or roles you like to play with your partner(s)? This workshop is built to help partners successfully negotiate and navigate relationships of 2+ with various power exchange structures. Using communication styles such as keywords and body language, learn where to draw clear lines and where to leave things open-ended. Along with a live demo and class activities, we will assist you in streamlining your ability to flow from one role to another. (Class is from 7-9pm. $15-$35 in advance through Brown Paper Tickets, or $20-$40 at the door.)
• Intermediate Poly Workshop: Kink Roles. Tuesday, Nov 19th 7pm. Poly is all about the freedom to explore all of the sides of yourself with as many excited consensual partners as you want. Bringing your kink dynamics into that can be complicated but very rewarding. What have been your struggles and triumphs in bringing your poly and kink life together? Do you have multiple kink identities that you'd prefer exploring with different people? Let's talk about all the explored and undiscovered mixtures of poly and kink. (Workshop is from 7-9pm. $15-$35 in advance through Brown Paper Tickets, or $20-$40 at the door.)
  

Hands-on techniques & play

• Toy Making Workshop with Cal. Saturday, Oct 19th Noon. Learn to make your own toys! Your admission price covers all the materials costs to make your own flogger, cuffs, collars and more! (Class is from noon-3pm. Ticket price varies depending on the toy you make - see the ticketing link for details! Can't make this month? The event link also has tickets for the third Saturday of every month through early 2020!)
• Wax Play: Turn Up the Heat! Oct 26th 4pm. RoughCutLeather will safely guide you thru a fun, hands-on, informative wax play session while teaching you the do's and don'ts of wax play. You'll learn what candles or wax to use and how to use wax safely for both kinky fun and sexy creativity! (Class is from 4-6pm. $15-$35 in advance through Brown Paper Tickets, or $20-$40 at the door.) 
• Society of Janus BDSM Basics Workshop. Saturday, Nov 2nd 3pm. This workshop focuses on the basics of the "need to know" stuff from consent and play basics to specific techniques. This class is from 3-5:30pm, and is only $15 for the general public or $10 for current Society of Janus members.
  
• Intro to Rough Body Play: Punch-Drunk Love! Sunday, Nov 3rd 1pm. You don't have to be a muscly lumberjack to pummel some butts. This class offers basic training to transform tops into tools for SM or sensation play. There will be significant class content for bottoms who are curious about the smashing good times they can have with rough body play. (Workshop is from 1-3pm. $15-$35 in advance through Brown Paper Tickets, or $20-$40 at the door.) 
  
• Pack Night! Guided & Open Primay Play with Mx. Davey Faye. Sunday, Nov 3rd and Thursday, Nov 21st 7pm. Every PACK NIGHT begins with guided activities for body and mind to support unlocking inner primalism as an individual and as a group and then opens the floor to freeform exploration. As energies wind down, the evening concludes with a closing circle meant to support integration with these powerful energies and potential shadows and encourages attendees to find comfort from the journey we took as a primal family. Let yourself dive into the deep and dark, and bring back tools of empowerment and awareness to use in your everyday life. (Class is from 7-9:30pm. $15-$35 in advance through Brown Paper Tickets, or $20-$40 at the door.)
• ​Society of Janus Presents: Orgasm Denial with Anton Fulmen. Tuesday, Nov 5th 7:30pm. Delaying or denying orgasm can build the most delicious tension. Controlling when your partner gets to orgasm can inspire desperate devotion. But to realize orgasm denial's full erotic potential, there's a lot more to it than just saying "no." Learn how to drive your partner into a frustrated frenzy with the right combination of teasing, edging and firm control. We'll talk about both short term delay within a scene, and long term denial that can unfold over months. We'll also share ideas for the person doing the denying do amuse and enjoy themselves with their partner's predicament.​ (Class is from 7:30-9:30. $10 for SOJ members and reciprocals, $20 for all others.) 
  
• Loud & Queer Presents: A Sip of . . . Knife Play. Wednesday, Nov 6th, 7pm. Come join other curious folks for a crash course in a new kink topic every month and/or to simply drink tea with the kinky community! This month's event will be a beginner-focused workshop on knife play with open dialogue between participants and instructors. All participation levels welcome! Disclaimer: There will be no actual cutting or blood at this event. (Class is from 7-9pm. $15-$35 in advance through Brown Paper Tickets, or $20-$40 at the door.) 
  
• ​Getting Started with Rope Bondage. ​Thursday, Nov. 7th, 7pm. Have you seen people pulling out rope for a bondage scene, and it looks fun but overwhelming? This class is perfect for you. We will talk about how to choose the best rope for particular bondage styles, including samples of rope types to feel and explore the different advantages they offer. We will work on some fundamental ties that can get you started, like single and double column ties. And most importantly, the good places on the body to put rope.​ (Class is from 7-9:30pm. $15-$35 in advance through Brown Paper Tickets, or $20-$40 at the door.)​
  
• ​Feeling the Pressure: A Pressure Points Class. ​Saturday, Nov 23rd 11:30am - 2:30pm. Go hands on! Pain and power are at your fingertips with this class on pressure points. By perverting years as a paramedic and martial artist, BossBoar will teach you to skip the impact play and directly access your partner's nervous system using only your hands. Regardless of size, learn to leverage body mechanics to leave any bottom writhing in pain. Never leave home without your toy bag again!​ (Class is from 11:30am - 2:30pm - three hours. $20-$40 in advance through Brown Paper Tickets, or $25-$50 at the door.) 
  

Growing and sustaining kink community

• Adult CPR and First Aid for Kinksters. Sunday, Oct 20th 11am - 5:30pm. The Adult First Aid/CPR/AED plus Bloodborne Pathogens class incorporates the latest science and teaches students to recognize and care for a variety of first aid emergencies such as burns, cuts, scrapes, sudden illnesses, head, neck, back injuries, heat and cold emergencies, how bloodborne pathogens are spread, how to avoid exposure and what to do if exposed to infectious material, and how to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies for people about 12 years and older. Successful students will receive a certificate for Bloodborne Pathogens Training valid for one year AND a certificate for Adult First Aid/CPR/AED valid for two years. (Class fee $95-$125, including full certification. Preregistration strongly encouraged!)
• SFDsDG Monthly Meeting. Wednesday, Oct 23rd, 7:30pm. The San Francisco Dominant/submissive Discussion Group is a monthly assembly for those with an interest in D/s and M/s relationships. We are an open and inclusive group that welcomes everyone who is interested in power exchange, control, protocol, service, and so forth, regardless of what their experience is or of which side of the dynamic slash they are on.​ (Meeting from 7:30-9:30pm. $10-$20 donation requested on a pass the hat basis; no one turned away for lack of funds.) 
• Saturday Morning Cartoons for Adult Littles! ​Saturday, Nov 16th, 11am. This event is a safe space for altered headspaces around age play dynamics. We will be keeping things to the category of bright (light) age play, any dark play should be saved for other events. We aim to create an environment that is safe and welcoming to all age players.​ (Event is from 11am to 3pm, and you're welcome to drop in when you like. See the event listing for more details! $5-$20 sliding scale entry; $10 per person suggested.) 

Health & wellness

• Self Defense for Our Community - Civilian Krav Maga. Tuesday, October 22nd, 7:30pm. In this series of classes, we'll cover self defense techniques for dealing with common attacks you might encounter on the street or in domestic situations. Choke, be choked, and escape chokes! Punch, be punched, and block punches! Come prepared for a workout, but don't worry if you have physical limitations; krav is designed to work for the body you have. (Class is from 7:30 - 9:00pm. $15-$40 in advance through Brown Paper Tickets, or at the door.)
• Warrior Workout MMA with Master Bridger Fox! Sunday, Nov 3rd 3:30pm. This seminar is a full 2 hours, 3:30-5: 30 pm every first Sunday of the month. Warmup workout, core technique training, special topics and guest instructors, HIIT workout, cool down and closing discussion. (Class is from 3:30 - 5:30pm. $20-$50 in advance through Brown Paper Tickets, or at the door.)

Magick & Spirituality

• ​Witches Brew in Wicked Grounds Annex. ​Thursday, Oct 31st 7pm. Join us at Wicked Grounds Annex on Halloween night for a special evening to explore the witchy side of life. We're opening the Wicked Grounds Annex for tarot readings, poetry, and art in honor of the Beloved Dead.​ (Event is from 7-9pm. Your requested donation of $10-$20 will go to support the programming at Wicked Grounds Annex.) 
  
• All the Kabbalah You Really Need to Know (in 7.2 Hours or Less). Saturday, Nov 9th, 10am - 6:30pm. Kabbalah doesn't need to be obscure, pedantic, or boring. It can be fun, experiential - and maybe even a little dishy. Anyone can master the basics in only a few hours - and the rest, as they say, is commentary. In this class, beginners will quickly become acquainted with the fundamentals of Kabbalah, while more experienced practitioners will gain deeper perspectives into the origins of Kabbalah and its continuing relevance to modern magickians. (This is a daylong intensive, from 10am - 6:30 pm. Advance tickets strongly recommended, $93 suggested. Tickets will also be available at the door.)
• Magick 101: Empath Training. Wednesday, Nov 13th 7pm. Do you pick up the emotions of others before you can suss out your own? Do you find yourself a little too easily influenced by the mood of a room? Have you ever had trouble setting boundaries because of the strength of someone elses feelings? Do crowds wear you out? Working psychic and empath Diana Rajchel has been there. She has developed a system of determining whether you are an empath, and mental/perceptual techniques that can transform this from a condition to a useful - and even fun! - ability. In this 90-minute training, learn self-care, management, and even appropriate empath aftercare. (Class is from 7-8:30pm with time for questions afterward.$15-$35 in advance through Brown Paper Tickets or $20-$40 at the door.)
• Magick 101: Basic Theater Skills for Ritual. Saturday, Nov 23rd 3:30pm. Using theater games and exercises, we'll overcome our ceremonial stage fright. In the process well giggle a lot, make giant buffoons of ourselves, and learn not to care! By the end of this class, you should be better able to commit your energy to any ritual, whether you're performing it in private or in front of hundreds of people. (Class is from 3:30-5:30pm. $15-$35 in advance through Brown Paper Tickets, or $20-$40 at the door.)

See you soon!

Cheers -

Mir & the Wicked Grounds team

PPS: Thanks so much to our Patreon subscribers for making everything we do possible and making more education available online, everywhere!