Sameplace is a bar first. That single fact makes it the gentlest introduction in this entire guide, and the venue we would point a nervous first-timer to before anywhere else.
Why it works for beginners
Most venues here require you to commit before you arrive — buy the outfit, learn the code, pass the door. Sameplace mostly does not. On an ordinary night there is no dress code and no expectation that you do anything at all. You can have a drink, talk to people, and leave, and that is a completely normal use of the place.
It markets itself as women-friendly, and the atmosphere reflects that: noticeably more relaxed and less male-dominated than the average venue in this category.
The layout
A bar upstairs where most of the evening happens socially, and a dungeon downstairs that gets genuine use. The separation is the useful part — you can spend the night entirely in the bar without that being conspicuous.
The themed calendar
Different evenings cover bisexual nights, fetish and BDSM events, gang bang nights and swinger evenings. These do carry dress codes and sometimes admission restrictions, so the calendar still matters if you are aiming at a particular night.
Etiquette
Relaxed does not mean absent. The usual rules apply throughout: ask before touching, accept a no immediately, no phones or cameras, and do not crowd the downstairs area. Because the venue is small and social, breaches are noticed quickly.
Practical
West of the city centre and easy to reach. Cash is worth carrying. Because it is small, it can get busy quickly on popular nights.
Before you go: themes, dress codes and admission rules change nightly. Check the venue's own calendar for your date, particularly if you are a single man.