What is a munch?

cosmocreamer

Really Experienced
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Jun 19, 2010
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As far as I can understand, it's some sort of BDSM event. Otherwise I'm clueless. I've tried searching the faq's here but had no success. Figured that this was the place to ask!
 
From Wikipedia:

A munch (short for burger munch) is a low-pressure social gathering for people involved in or interested in BDSM, usually at a restaurant. When available, munches often use a private room. In the UK, the venue is usually a pub, and people are free to arrive and leave within the specified hours. The primary purpose is socializing, though some munches also have announcements from local organizations. Munches often help those who are curious about the lifestyle meet others who may be able to help them become more comfortable and better informed. Munches can also be a place to get advice about or pass on anecdotes about BDSM experiences.

Unlike a play party, most munches are casual affairs that exclude fetish attire or BDSM play, though a rare few include covert Master/slave interactions or other play. Some munches may have a specific focus, such as spirituality or whips. Others may be restricted to a specific group, such as women or submissives.
There is more information in the article, but this is a pretty good summary.
 
Thanks from me too. I had the same question. How does a person find one, and know whether it would be appropriate for him/her?

You could try a google search on munches for your metro area. Another and possibly more reliable source is Fetlife, which is a kinky social networking site. There you should find some discussion groups focused on your geographical area and listings for munches and other events nearby.
 
You could try a google search on munches for your metro area. Another and possibly more reliable source is Fetlife, which is a kinky social networking site. There you should find some discussion groups focused on your geographical area and listings for munches and other events nearby.

Thank you very much for that link, I'm signing up now. :)
 
From Wikipedia:

A munch (short for burger munch) is a low-pressure social gathering for people involved in or interested in BDSM, usually at a restaurant. When available, munches often use a private room. In the UK, the venue is usually a pub, and people are free to arrive and leave within the specified hours. The primary purpose is socializing, though some munches also have announcements from local organizations. Munches often help those who are curious about the lifestyle meet others who may be able to help them become more comfortable and better informed. Munches can also be a place to get advice about or pass on anecdotes about BDSM experiences.

Unlike a play party, most munches are casual affairs that exclude fetish attire or BDSM play, though a rare few include covert Master/slave interactions or other play. Some munches may have a specific focus, such as spirituality or whips. Others may be restricted to a specific group, such as women or submissives.
There is more information in the article, but this is a pretty good summary.

I disagree with the Wikipedia description of a munch, especially the UK reference. In the UK they are informal gatherings that are usually held at some type of public venue that either serves food or food is provided. By informal I mean it is an informal social event where people who come together to talk primarily about alternative lifestyle or other issues. It gives newbies a chance to meet people and ask questions in a no-pressure situation. Also it gives the more experienced people a chance to stay in contact and answer questions. The ones I am aware of have been more tied to the swinging community than BDSM. However, historically munches have been about BDSM but they are not exclusively about BDMS anymore. Therefore, a munch is an off premise event where contacts can be made, questions asked, a chance to socialize, but no sexual activity occurs at the event.
 
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I disagree with the Wikipedia description of a munch, especially the UK reference. In the UK they are informal gatherings that are usually held at some type of public venue that either serves food or food is provided. By informal I mean it is an informal social event where people who come together to talk primarily about alternative lifestyle or other issues. It gives newbies a chance to meet people and ask questions in a no-pressure situation. Also it gives the more experienced people a chance to stay in contact and answer questions. The ones I am aware of have been more tied to the swinging community than BDSM. However, historically munches have been about BDSM but they are not exclusively about BDMS anymore. Therefore, a munch is an off premise event where contacts can be made, questions asked, a chance to socialize, but no sexual activity occurs at the event.


Don't know why you disagree with the UK reference, I know of many munches in my area - south west of the UK - and all are at pubs, and all are bdsm and not swingers based. Otherwise your definition sounds pretty much like the wiki one!

I co-host a munch, and we're very focused on providing a safe point of contact for new people who are trying to meet real, safe, people.

Wales definitely has some good munches, op :) As well as Fetlife, another source of munch info especially for the UK is Informed Consent.
 
a munch is the root ancestor of munchkins.
 
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