CheckMate
Swingers club, New YorkOpen
CheckMate is open. Rated 4★ from 89 Google reviews; the newest review is from September 2026.
- 4★Average rating
- 89reviews
- September 2026Newest review
Updated 13 November 2026
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Details
- Monclosed
- Tueclosed
- Wedclosed
- Thu21:00–02:00
- Fri22:00–04:00
- Sat22:00–04:00
- Sunclosed
- Status
- Open
- Address
- 227 E 56th St, New York, NY 10022
- Phone
- +1212-421-3313
- Website
- checkmatenyc.com
- Newest review
- September 2026
Something wrong or out of date? Send a correction
Before you go
- Arriving
Plan to arrive with your membership card and RSVP confirmation; no walk-ins or guests are permitted under any circumstances.
- Privacy
The club's pre-screening and members-only policy, combined with private lockers and discreet basement location, are designed to protect your anonymity and safety.
- First visit
Introduce yourself to the bartender Sasha or staff when you arrive—they are known for warmly explaining the rules and helping newcomers feel comfortable; take time to observe the atmosphere and meet people casually before moving to play areas.
- Dress code
The club's own website says men must wear a dress shirt and women must wear high heels; no t-shirts, shorts, sneakers, jeans, hats, sweatpants, sandals or flip-flops are allowed.
- Prices
One recent reviewer mentioned paying $220 for a weekend visit; Thursday nights offer reduced rates for members and free entry for single women, according to the club's website.
- At the door
The club's own website emphasizes that membership with an active status and an RSVP are both required to enter; new couples must receive an invitation and approval before their first visit.
- Facilities
The club's own website lists an LED dance floor, multiple play rooms with different musical ambiances, showers, complementary robes and towel service, attended private lockers, a tended bar, and mirrored play rooms.
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About CheckMate
CheckMate is a members-only swinger club in Manhattan's Upper East Side that has operated for over 25 years, located in the basement of a discreet office building. The club offers a stylish atmosphere with an LED dance floor, multiple play rooms, a bar, showers and locker service, with events Thursday through Saturday nights. It attracts well-screened couples and single women who appreciate the upscale vibe, excellent DJ, and welcoming community—though some feel the membership process and dress code requirements are strict, and a few recent reviews suggest the experience may be declining from its peak.
A typical night involves arriving well-dressed (dress shirt for men, heels for women), checking into your locker, enjoying the dance floor and music, and mingling in comfortable common areas before moving to private play rooms if you choose. The crowd tends to be respectful and diverse in body type and background, though the club maintains high entry standards through pre-screening. Bartender Sasha is frequently praised for making newcomers feel at ease and explaining the house rules.
CheckMate suits established lifestyle enthusiasts and first-timers alike who value safety, cleanliness, and a more upscale environment. It's particularly appealing to couples seeking a social scene with quality music and vetted members. The main trade-off is the membership fee, dress code strictness, and advance approval process—which some see as gatekeeping by appearance, though most reviewers feel the screening keeps the experience pleasant and secure.
- Who goes
- Couples and single women who are pre-screened and approved as members; mixed ages and body types, though the club markets itself as attracting attractive, well-groomed guests.
- How opinion has moved
- Reviews suggest a decline in reputation from 2024–2025, with some long-time members noting the club "isn't worth the money now" compared to earlier years, though many recent 5-star reviews still praise the atmosphere and crowd.
What guests love
- The DJ plays an exceptional mix of music that keeps the energy high and is considered world-class by frequent travelers to clubs.
- Staff member Sasha at the locker room is warm, funny, and exceptionally helpful to guests, especially newcomers learning the house rules.
- The club is exceptionally clean and well-maintained throughout, with careful attention to detail in every area.
- The pre-screening process ensures a respectful, attractive, and vetted crowd that makes guests feel safe and comfortable.
- The atmosphere is stylish, upscale, and thoughtfully decorated with neon and colored lights, creating an appealing aesthetic.
- Members feel genuinely welcome and report making meaningful connections with other guests in a non-judgmental environment.
What guests complain about
- The membership fee combined with event fees adds significant cost, making single-visit attendance feel expensive and not worth it for some.
- The pre-screening process is perceived by some as discriminatory based on appearance and socioeconomic status, despite the club's safety intentions.
- Recent reviews suggest the club's quality and reputation have declined compared to its earlier years.
- The strict dress code requirements (mandatory dress shirt for men, high heels for women) exclude casual wear and may feel overly formal to some.
- The membership application and approval process is lengthy and not guaranteed, creating a barrier to first-time visitors.
- One guest reported being denied entry based on race, raising serious concerns about the club's admission practices.
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Club facts, checked against sources
1 of 9 facts confirmed by two or more independent sources. Each fact shows who says it. Confirmed = two or more independent sources agree. Prices are per night at the door and change, so check the date.
- Membership
- Paid membership Club says Club website · November 2026
- Single men
- Not allowed Club says Club website · November 2026
- Open on
- Thursday, Friday, Saturday Confirmed Club website · November 2026Google Maps · November 2026
- Dress code
- Smart Club says Club website · November 2026
- Facilities
- Play rooms, Dance floor, Bar, Lockers, Showers Club says Club website · November 2026
- Drinks
- Bring your own Club says Club website · November 2026
- Parking
- None Other sources say Google Maps · November 2026
- Wheelchair access
- No Other sources say Google Maps · November 2026
- Booking
- Required Club says Club website · November 2026
Latest reviews from every source
This place isn't worth the money now, better places to choose from! used to be a great place but everything comes to an end.
Best place out there in NYC
Can only say that its the best and only place my wife and I have wanted to go back to great times sexy people I can't say enough have the time of your life
The other people here is what made our experience so good 🤞
GREAT PPL, VERY FRIENDLY
I've never been to a sauna but I want to go, let's see if I can find someone to go with.
Nunca e ido a un sauna pero quiero ir, a ver si encuentro con quien ir.
We had a great time. People were friendly and we made some great connections! We will be back
Sources we checked
- Google Maps 4★ from 895 reviews readnewest October 2025
- Reddit 12 reviews readnewest July 2025
- Google reviews 10 reviews readnewest September 2026
What Google reviewers talk about
bartender sasha · 2friendly staff · 15cleanliness · 6sexy people · 3basement · 2clientele · 3location · 3lifestyle · 2atmosphere · 15towels · 2
Review history
Each dot is one dated Google review (27 with stars). The line is the running average. Does the owner answer?
The owner or management replied to at least one 1-star review posted in July 2025 but the response text was not provided in the sources.
Rating spread
Written from the venue's newest Google reviews and its own website. We paraphrase, we never quote guests, and we never name anyone.
Sources for this text: Google Maps, Reddit, Google reviews, the club's own website, every review we hold.
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