Bondage rooms, glory holes and ‘best sex ever’: Inside wild Gold Coast swingers club
From glory holes to bondage rooms, Ann Wason Moore goes behind-the-scenes at the Gold Coast’s only swingers club... and boy, oh boy, was it eye-opening. VIDEO AND PHOTOS >>
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It looks like any other dance floor, save for the stripper pole in the centre, cartoon drawings of bondage figures at the back … and a smoked-glass booth in the corner.
Plastered on the front wall of that cubicle was a sign advising protective glasses must be worn upon entry.
“Oh yeah, you gotta take safety precautions in the glory hole booth, you never know what might get in your eye,” laughed Lee, co-owner of Chateau Vino, the Gold Coast’s longest-lasting and only council approved swingers club.
It was then that my own eye was drawn to just what this inconspicuous enclosure comprised.
A couple of steps led up to what resembled a closet made of frosted glass, you could see if someone was inside, but not their identity.
However, it was what was around the corner that was truly mind-blowing.
Sweeping aside a heavy, black curtain there appeared a hole, perfectly positioned at head-height, that offered a view into the booth, where that same hole was perfectly positioned at groin height.
Suddenly, the protective eyewear made all too much sense.
Welcome to the world of swinging.
It was only early in the night at Chateau Vino, but already I had seen and heard enough to make my head spin.
Situated at the end of a cul-de-sac in an industrial area of Molendinar that was pitch-black on this Saturday night, it was only a little string of green neon lights that hinted this low-set building might be a little different from the automotive shops lining the street.
Walking to the entry, the Mediterranean-blue wooden door was confirmation that it was anything but business as usual at this premises. In fact, the business here was built on pure pleasure.
It was hard to be anything but nervous as myself and fellow journalist Tanya entered Chateau Vino, described as the go-to destination in southeast Queensland to party with like minded ‘lifestylers’.
Operating for more than 12 years, it boasts a membership of 5000, with clientele coming from all over the country and the globe, with the busiest nights hosting more than 300 swingers.
However, Lee assured us that we would not be walking in to a full-blown orgy.
In fact, we’ve arrived 30 minutes before opening to catch up with co-owner Mick and some of the staff to find out what really happened behind that blue door.
As they bolted down a quick dinner of Chinese takeaway before the night truly began, it became evident that this was a workplace of fun and friendship, with many staff former – or even current – clientele.
“I first came here with my husband years ago, we parked out the front and sat in the car for an hour, trying to decide whether or not to come in,” said Lisa.
“Finally I said, let’s go home! And we went home and had the best sex ever. It was a turn-on even coming close to swinging.
“Later on we finally fully got into it and I never really looked back. But I don’t play here so much anymore, this is where I work, sometimes you have to keep it separate,” she laughed, accidentally dropping her prawn cracker on the floor before picking it up suspiciously.
“Normally I’d brush it off and eat it … but the three-second rule does not apply in the swingers club.”
As the staff wandered off to get down to business, Tanya and I waited at a high table for Lee to come back and take us on a tour.
As I sipped on my Coke Zero – all alcohol here was BYO, but bar staff serve it to clientele to ensure responsible service – we soaked in the atmosphere.
If anything, it resembled a junior sports club, an informal vibe among staff, a small but busy bar space and comfortable if not quite flash furnishings.
Of course, there was that dance floor just opposite, but we were yet to find out about the glory hole. Right now, it just looked like a small town club.
Until the television switched on behind Tanya’s head.
Rather than the latest music videos or sports playing, it was hardcore porn.
Choking on my ice cube, I pointed behind her and we laughed like naughty school kids. While I did my best to pay attention to our continued conversation, it was difficult not to notice the repeated rapid movements in my periphery.
Meanwhile, the club started to fill up … and it was time for another shock.
These people were young and attractive.
In fact, Mick said the majority of clientele were aged between their 20s and late 40s, with the bulk in their 30s.
But before I could worry about ageing out of swinging – it’s not that I wanted to join, I just wouldn’t want to not be wanted – Mick said they also had clients who pushed the extreme on age limits.
“Everyone is welcome here, as long as you play by the rules,” he said.
“Otherwise there is no judgement, this is a safe space to explore. We had one guy who was 83 who used to come here with his 73-year-old wife, everyone loved them.”
As Tanya and I checked out the new arrivals, most of whom walked in carrying an esky or a six-pack while calling out greetings to friends – it honestly looked like the setting for a millennial barbecue – Lee arrived to take us on a tour.
First it was the aforementioned glory hole reveal … and then we made our way to the ‘play areas’.
There were eight bedrooms and two further fun zones, and they unwound along a labyrinth corridor, turning through outdoor areas, revealing luxe bathroom and shower areas and a bank of hire lockers.
Lee explained there were rules for the bedrooms.
“A closed door means it’s in use and they want to remain private, no one goes in until they open the door,” he said.
“If the door is open, anyone can join the fun – so long as they ask and receive consent. Every room can fit about four couples.
“But if the door is open and the chain is across it,” he holds up a white plastic chain hanging off the door jamb, “that means you can look, but you can’t touch.”
On each bed were fresh sheets and towels, while there were free condoms and lube aplenty.
Many rooms were themed, one featured beach-inspired decoration, another was Balinese, while one was entirely lit with red lights.
But there were two rooms in particular that apparently draw a lot of attention – and action.
The bondage room … and the orgy room.
“This a light bondage BDSM room, it has a commercial-grade sex swing,” said Lee, pointing to a suspended swing unlike anything seen on your normal playground.
Adjacent to that swing was a wooden X on the wall, with cuffs attached for wrists and ankles. There were also long rectangular windows, complete with red glass, for others to watch what happened in the room.
There were also two holes in the wall next to the X, which opened onto the room next door – a room with no lights, just two king beds positioned wall-to-wall with black sheets.
This was the orgy room.
Once explained, Tanya and I took great care not to trip in the dark and fall onto the bed.
But apparently the biggest orgy of all occurs not in this play area, but on the actual dance floor during ‘play parties’.
These special events feature a 9.30pm call out for compulsory ‘pants off’. Women strip down to lingerie, men down to boxers/briefs or a robe.
Mattresses are laid out across the dance floor … and horizontal dancing begins.
In fact, one staff member detailed his own experience at such a party on a podcast embedded on the Chateau Vino website.
“At the big play parties, we lock the doors and you can play anywhere but on the bar, you can walk around nude anywhere,” said the staff member.
“I remember one night we had put all the mattresses out on the dance floor … but somebody has to get the party started. So (my partner and I) did it, right in the middle of the dance floor.
“Literally within 10 minutes, the dance floor was just heaving bodies. It was spectacular.
“It was the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen, just sexy, naked bodies everywhere … Even if you didn’t want to join in, you could just watch this hot, live porn.”
Mick said Chateau Vino has been running since 2011 and in June 2012 became the first council-approved swingers club.
He said while it was a rollercoaster ride to pass the city’s stringent set of conditions, then-Southport Councillor Dawn Crichlow was instrumental in getting their approval.
“At the end of the day, we passed every test they gave us. It still took a long time, but it was when Tom Tate first became Mayor that it all went through, he knows that a business is a business,” said Mick.
“And after 12 years, we’re certainly a successful one. I still work a day job but only because I want to … it’s not a bad turnover for a business that only operates two nights a week.”
In fact, the club currently has plans submitted before council to enlarge their premises.
Mick said their success was based on the fact that they mix comfort with safety … and sexiness.
He said the club maintained the highest levels of cleanliness and hygiene, with cleaners regularly attending to the rooms throughout the evening, while the paramount rules at the club were that ‘no means no’ and to ‘always ask before you touch’.
Staff member Lisa said most clients felt safer in Chateau Vino than the average club on Cavill Ave.
“Here it’s all explicit. As in, you explicitly ask, you explicitly answer, you always have explicit consent. There are no blurred lines here, and everyone respects that,” she said.
“The swingers lifestyle is all about choice, you make the decision to play or not to play with other couples or singles at the club. There is no pressure to do anything you do not want to do.”
Mick said while single men were allowed entry on Friday nights, the club kept ratios to a reasonable level to ensure comfort of all guests and vetted prospective single male clients.
He said the club did not offer an opportunity to ‘look around’ and did not give refunds if a customer did not ‘hook-up’, saying the club was not a brothel and there was no guarantee that paid entry would mean a client would have sex with anyone.
Mick said Saturday nights were for couples and single ladies only, unless a single man received a specific invitation.
He said the club also held a ‘Voracious Vixens’ party once every two month, where a ‘whole smorgasbord of quality ninja-trained stunt cocks’ were on standby for the ‘pleasure and enjoyment’ of ‘insatiable’ ladies.
Mick said the entry cost for couples was $90 for members and $120 for non-members, single ladies paid $40 for non-members and entry was free for members, while single men paid $160 for non-members and $130 for members.
Membership was $40 per year or $100 for five years.
So … did I see anything I cannot unsee?
Well, yes and no.
While I did not witness any ‘live porn’, I did see a few closed doors by the time we left (still early at 9.30pm) and clothes being tucked away in lockers.
I also saw enough that allowed my imagination to fill in the gaps … or holes, if you will.
Look, the swinging lifestyle is not for me, one partner is plenty. But also, no judgement for those who indulge.
It’s legal, it’s consensual, it’s clean and, from what I could see, people were having a good time. If it feels good, go ahead and do it.
While it might not be your typical Gold Coast night out, I know now that it’s far more popular than you might think.
After all, it’s no accident that after 12 years in business, Chateau Vino still keeps the customers … coming.
More Coverage
Originally published as Bondage rooms, glory holes and ‘best sex ever’: Inside wild Gold Coast swingers club
Named: Man accused of murdering baby boy fronts court
A Coffs Coast man has fronted court more than two years after allegedly murdering a toddler. Here’s the latest.
Read more
Frizelle’s full circle journey – from newspaper sales to business titan
It all started very humbly for Rebecca Frizelle - before she became a Gold Coast Titans co-owner, university deputy chancellor and business titan. Read her story
Read more