What is a lifestyle club?
Updated 13 November 2026
A lifestyle club is a venue for couples and singles who are open to meeting other people sexually. "Lifestyle" is the polite American word for swinging. The same place is called a swingerclub in German, a club échangiste or club libertin in French, a parenclub in Dutch, a club liberal in Spanish and a club privè in Italian.
On-premise and off-premise
On-premise clubs have play areas: rooms, beds, sometimes a pool or sauna. Guests can have sex on site, under house rules. Nearly every club in Europe works like this.
Off-premise clubs are bars or dance nights where guests meet, flirt and go somewhere else to play. They are common in the United States, where local laws often stop sex on site. Some hold a "takeover" night in an ordinary nightclub or hotel.
Other places you will find in this atlas
- Swingers saunas: a sauna and pool with play areas, often open in the afternoon.
- Lifestyle resorts and hotels: whole hotels or adults-only resorts for the lifestyle. See hotels and resorts.
- Parties: events without a fixed venue, held in rented clubs or villas.
- Fetish clubs: dress code first, often open to swingers as well.
What it is not
A lifestyle club is not a paid venue. Guests pay an entry fee to the club and meet each other freely. Places where sex is sold are not in this atlas.
Is it for you?
Many people start with one visit just to watch. Others prefer to meet people first, without a club at all. Rope & Candy is a free, invite-only community where you meet the founders over coffee or dinner before any party.