FabSwingers.com forum: CJs versus After Dark

By *orl1971 OP Couple
over a year ago

Glasgow

Asking for a friend but to those who want to meet couples and have not been to a club which one would you recommend and why ?

PS Don’t want to cause a battle

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

This is going to be interesting

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By *orl1971 OP Couple
over a year ago

Glasgow

"This is going to be interesting

Have we stepped over the mark with this question ?

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By *reedyKWoman
over a year ago

Fife

Personally I would say you need to try both for yourself at least twice each place as no two nights are ever the same. Only you know what suits you best. What others don't enjoy about one place may be what you do enjoy and visa versa!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"This is going to be interesting

Have we stepped over the mark with this question ?

That will depend on who else gives their opinion. I'm personally a CJ's regular and wouldn't go anywhere else. After Dark is a new club based on the one they had before, After 8. Maybe try both is you like then you can make up your mind. I'm not going to tell you not to go to After Dark, that's your decision to make. I can't give you an opinion on After Dark as I've never been and don't ever intend to go. There could be strong opinions for both clubs x

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By *un-shineWoman
over a year ago

Glasgow

Iv never been to AD but I am a regular at CJs and I know from attending other clubs they appeal differently to different people

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By *lipandslide069Couple
over a year ago

Edinburgh

The both clubs suits different folk ,each club has its differences

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Both different , both good, both worth a visit, honest opinion.

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By *ersatile-1Man
over a year ago

stirlingshire

From a TV perspective, they’re both great.

AD was quieter as it’s just opened, but will get better once word of mouth establishes it.

cj’s is like an old pair of slippers. (In a good way…it’s not smelly lol) I’m so comfortable there.

Both clubs should compliment themselves instead of being seen as rivals.

I think the attitude you arrive with will influence the outcome of your night.

Friendliness and manners tend to reflect back at you.

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By *orl1971 OP Couple
over a year ago

Glasgow

Thanks for the replies.

There are a couple of differences between the clubs which probably swing the decision.

It doesn’t look like AD, from internet research, has a couples only night so we assume you’ll always get single guys?

As we understand AD also allows people to just turn up and pay in. This again makes us worry about lots of guys deciding to turn up after a few drinks. We have talked to at least two couples who warned us against the number of single guys at the old After Eight but not sure if it’s the same in the new club?

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By *elsbells2011Couple
over a year ago

fife

We had never been to any clubs before. Was terrified but gave cjs a go ( before ad opened ). Loved it our first visit and decided to go back for a 2nd visit. On our 2nd visit unfortunately there wasn’t anyone we really fancied playing with so we mostly just sat downstairs in the social area having drinks and chatting. Still had a great night as the atmosphere and people were very friendly. Being from fife we were very glad to hear ad was opening as its 20 mins from us rather than 1 hour to Glasgow. We visited and found it to be very different to cjs and felt more like much less welcoming. Tables set out like pub style rather than a boudoir setting which didn’t really make the sexy mood. Didn’t help that there was 3-4 large groups of friends who had taken chairs / stools from other tables so they could all sit together which left empty tables where nobody could sit which made it almost impossible to mingle so others were left kinda standing about awkwardly. We spoke to 2 other couples who was first time also one of which left after 15 minutes as they were disappointed. The other couple left at the same time as us around 1am. We decided to have a play on the St Andrews cross and couldn’t find any restraints etc so we asked and was told we had to ask at reception. When we did we were handed an Asda carrier bag with 4 chains and leg and wrist restraints and were told remember to bring them back when your done. No whips or ticklers or equipment. Not sure how you can have a bdsm room with no equipment. It’s essentially a bare room. Kinda spoiled the mood so we privately locked the door and took a couple of photos just ourselves then didn’t bother. Just our opinion and seen lots of people saying it’s amazing but for us it’s definitely worth the extra travel to Glasgow and least we are having a good night regardless if we play or not

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By *eiaorganaWoman
over a year ago

Dundee

"We had never been to any clubs before. Was terrified but gave cjs a go ( before ad opened ). Loved it our first visit and decided to go back for a 2nd visit. On our 2nd visit unfortunately there wasn’t anyone we really fancied playing with so we mostly just sat downstairs in the social area having drinks and chatting. Still had a great night as the atmosphere and people were very friendly. Being from fife we were very glad to hear ad was opening as its 20 mins from us rather than 1 hour to Glasgow. We visited and found it to be very different to cjs and felt more like much less welcoming. Tables set out like pub style rather than a boudoir setting which didn’t really make the sexy mood. Didn’t help that there was 3-4 large groups of friends who had taken chairs / stools from other tables so they could all sit together which left empty tables where nobody could sit which made it almost impossible to mingle so others were left kinda standing about awkwardly. We spoke to 2 other couples who was first time also one of which left after 15 minutes as they were disappointed. The other couple left at the same time as us around 1am. We decided to have a play on the St Andrews cross and couldn’t find any restraints etc so we asked and was told we had to ask at reception. When we did we were handed an Asda carrier bag with 4 chains and leg and wrist restraints and were told remember to bring them back when your done. No whips or ticklers or equipment. Not sure how you can have a bdsm room with no equipment. It’s essentially a bare room. Kinda spoiled the mood so we privately locked the door and took a couple of photos just ourselves then didn’t bother. Just our opinion and seen lots of people saying it’s amazing but for us it’s definitely worth the extra travel to Glasgow and least we are having a good night regardless if we play or not"

We're the other couple who left at 1am as mentioned above. It was our first visit to AD - I had visited After8 when I was single and didn't like it as it was tiny and felt like a meat market.

First impressions were that the place was quite bare and had a feel of a social club. There needs to be some character to the place - an industrial feel is good but go all in and really embrace the style. The size is good although the layout is a little strange, the rooms are fine for 2-3 people but not really more than that, there isn't really a decent sized open room and the voyeur room is awkwardly located - if a group is watching then the corridor is blocked.

I completely agree with hellsbells on the comments regarding seating and tables, we didn't feel like anyone was mingling outside their group, and very little play was going on that people could watch. For those reasons we were bored and decided to leave.

Our friends who are regulars commented that it was an unusually quiet night, it normally wasn't like that. For that reason and for the fact that the people we did speak to were lovely, we will definitely give it another go at some point to be sure whether or not it's for us.

CJs in our opinion has a better layout, perfect lighting and atmosphere, and offers more opportunities to make connections although they don't have as many private rooms. The fact that their playrooms are upstairs while the social areas are downstairs plus they have multiple open rooms gives more chances to chat to people as you're always moving around.

I agree with what's been said above that you need to try both a couple of times and see what works for you, that's the only way you'll know for sure. If nothing else it's a cheap night out and could be a good laugh

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By *andl kinkycoupleCouple
over a year ago

Scotland

Everyone will have mixed reviews at different clubs and am sure it will all depend on the clientele on the nite! Regardless of layout in the clubs if you meet a nice single or couple or what ever and you play and its a good nite all round or you go and don't click with anyone then u start to have negative thoughts.

So my take on this club is better than that club is just be thankful that these places are open to give us a place we can go to meet like minded people.

Happy swinging fuckers

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By *alcon43Woman
over a year ago

Paisley

Personally I usually find it easier to meet people at socials rather than clubs where it’s easier to talk. There’s a social being organised on 10 February in Edinburgh. Have a look in the forum.

I’m a regular at CJs and I find it a very friendly club. You are better to go and decide for yourselves.

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By *oShrinkingVioletWoman
over a year ago

the land of unicorns and fairytales

"Thanks for the replies.

There are a couple of differences between the clubs which probably swing the decision.

It doesn’t look like AD, from internet research, has a couples only night so we assume you’ll always get single guys?

The second point you’ve made is the one that concerns me the most but I don’t drink when I go to clubs so I defo have more of my wits about me than others, god forbid something was to happen there’s no way to identify who came and went

I defo do want to give it a try though but coming from Greenock it’s a bit of a trek for me, I’m hoping to visit on the 10th after the Edinburgh social event and already have my hotel booked and paid for the night

Cjs for me is my comfort zone and I’ve been to several clubs around the uk, Benidorm and gran can and it’s still not been knocked off the top spot but a lot might also be down to the staff and the clientele

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By *oShrinkingVioletWoman
over a year ago

the land of unicorns and fairytales

Oh and don’t forget club Bacchus which was formerly kudos in Dundee do swingers nights too they’re usually hosted by swingers from fab

It’s totally new management but the staff are the same it’s a very small club though in comparison to the other two

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By *andy_FraserTV/TS
over a year ago

Edinburgh

I'll admit I'm a CJ's person, but want to try After Dark.

Just in an awkward situation that it's too close to justify a hotel, too far away to justify the cost of a taxi, and public transport when it closes? Forget it.

I enjoy my trips to CJ's but that's cause I also make the most of my trip to Glasgow. I'm hardly there, so to get to go a wander city-centre in the afternoon and visit some shops I only see once in a blue moon, makes the trip as a whole more worthwhile for me.

So what I would say is to take a look at the surrounding area, see if there's anything else you want to see or do before you go to the club (I'm not just meaning other Fab members). If you're travelling so far it's maybe best to take advantage of being in the area.

Mandy

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By *oggingnfloggingCouple
over a year ago

fife

We have attended both on several occasions and had great times in both personally we have found cjs sometimes has to many social areas for example arrange to meet someone and literally don't see them all night as just never end up in same room

so afterdark having just the one big social area has worked better for us. But as already stated a club is only ever what you make it and if you turn up late then most people will have already settled into social/play groups

as has been the case in every club we have visited

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By *40ffCouple
over a year ago

Anstruther

We regularly attend both clubs and have tried kudos when it was kudos

Cjs the people the layout and the atmosphere are always on point however it has si many social areas that we often find it's more a social night than a play night when we go this is not to say the opportunity isn't there we just relax and get far to comfy with guests and staff alike

Ad is a lovely club it's huge and that can be off putting but I like that all rooms have the option of being open ot locked

As for having a kink area with no equipment I believe when it's a kink event they do provide equipment but it's always been bring your own when it's swingers nights I belive this was the same at after8 flogging of doggingandflogging would probably know better on this

Also the comments about just turning up and paying at ad yes this is an option however I've always seen pepole giving fab names when coming for the 1st time it's not as strict in this manner as cjs where u need photo I'd however

The social area in ad is to open amd vast I dislike most of the chairs and have spoke to a few members of staff about this and I've been told things like cushions are going to be added and the area will be reviewed over time based on feedback

I abosloutely adore both clubs and the staff

Ad is an hour from us and cjs 1hour 40 but we would happily travel to these clubs over kudos even though this is our nearest club we have tried kudos 3 or 4 times and it's just not ran ( when we atteneded) by experienced owners they did bring in a cpl from fab and they managed to put on some much better nights however I belive for this club the damage had already been done and had been wrote off by many ppl on fab

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

We have been to many clubs both in the UK and abroad as that is where we like meeting people.

CJ's is our favourite of all the clubs as it is so friendly and has a good atmosphere.

We have not tried after dark although we did previously go to after eight. For us it was a really bad experience and we swore never to go back.

Hopefully the new club has changed so we can try it.

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By *oggingnfloggingCouple
over a year ago

fife

I believe most clubs are bring your own equipment when it comes to bdsm stuff as it's a vast variety of fetish/kinks but there is some stuff at front desk of afterdark and now have shackle restraints for use cjs do have some stuff available for use in there dungeon area and in reception I believe. Not sure having impact play stuff readily available for anyone to just pick up is a good idea in any club also goes for ropes when done wrong can have severe consequences eg nerve damage would always prefer this stuff in the hands of people who know how to use it

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By *40ffCouple
over a year ago

Anstruther

"I believe most clubs are bring your own equipment when it comes to bdsm stuff as it's a vast variety of fetish/kinks but there is some stuff at front desk of afterdark and now have shackle restraints for use cjs do have some stuff available for use in there dungeon area and in reception I believe. Not sure having impact play stuff readily available for anyone to just pick up is a good idea in any club also goes for ropes when done wrong can have severe consequences eg nerve damage would always prefer this stuff in the hands of people who know how to use it

I never go in the "kink room" at cjs so have no idea what's on offer however if I did I wouldn't like to use things others have even ropes u never know what skin conditions pepole have that have used them on the same night as I'm sure both clubs clean all equipment regularly

I've seen multiple pepole bring play bags to ad but never noticed with cjs possibly due to the lay out

However if your in to the kink side I'm sure u have plenty of your own gear

Or they could meet someone like yourself who is always happy to give demonstrations that are more than often interactive

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By *byeguysCouple (MM)
over a year ago

Paisley

As mentioned above, it’s two very different vibes.

For us, Afterdark felt like my aunts birthday party at the bowling club. Tables are set out in a way that it’s kinda hard to mingle. Lots of play rooms though.

CJ’s has a much more relaxed vibe. The staff are amazing and chatty, and it’s really easy to mingle as there’s no pub style tables for people to claim with their drinks.

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By *hogun300Man
over a year ago

Dundee

"We have attended both on several occasions and had great times in both personally we have found cjs sometimes has to many social areas for example arrange to meet someone and literally don't see them all night as just never end up in same room

as has been the case in every club we have visited "

But you work at afterdark, so can't be a neutral opinion.

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By *hogun300Man
over a year ago

Dundee

Tried afterdark once and didn't like it, (will try again in the future) the atmosphere at AD was non existent and not much mingling was happening as the lounge area is more like a social club you would go to for a pint. At cjs I find the atmosphere far better and far easier to chat with folk. The fact cjs is always busy might be reason for this as well. AD is very clinical and while has good space I think it could of been used far better. At cjs for me they have the right balance of social and play areas. The staff at both appear to be good and helpful. It's important that Scotland does have different clubs to go to and we all have our preference I obviously far prefer cjs but also hoping that the next time I try afterdark that it's a good night and come away with a altered opinion of it.

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By *oggingnfloggingCouple
over a year ago

fife

We also worked at cjs at one point and don't work only help out occasionally

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By *oggingnfloggingCouple
over a year ago

fife

as has been the case in every club we have visited

But you work at afterdark, so can't be a neutral opinion. "
that's like saying if you work at McDonald's you can't have a opinion on burger King two fast food places same idea very different menu

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By *hogun300Man
over a year ago

Dundee

as has been the case in every club we have visited

But you work at afterdark, so can't be a neutral opinion. that's like saying if you work at McDonald's you can't have a opinion on burger King two fast food places same idea very different menu"

No, it's nothing like that. You will clearly have a altered opinion as you will not say anything negative about the club you work/help out at.

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By *oggingnfloggingCouple
over a year ago

fife

as has been the case in every club we have visited

But you work at afterdark, so can't be a neutral opinion. that's like saying if you work at McDonald's you can't have a opinion on burger King two fast food places same idea very different menu

No, it's nothing like that. You will clearly have a altered opinion as you will not say anything negative about the club you work/help out at. "
we have nothing negative to say about either club as stated in our first message had great nights in both all clubs are the same you only get out as much as you are willing to put in simple if you choose not to mingle with people then why expect them to make the extra effort to mingle with you simple

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By *hrisukbishareCouple
over a year ago

Edinburgh

Thanks for all these comments. We went to After Dark first time Wed 28th and met some lovely folk. Very quiet, but I definitely want to return and explore more - hopefully with a few friends from Fab.

Not been to CJs yet, but we really want to visit because we have heard great things.

Cheers Chris

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By *elsbells2011Couple
over a year ago

fife

Definitely seems that a lot of the people giving great reviews on ad are in some way affiliated with the club or are friends with people who are. Ad doesn’t really seem to be overly busy very often as I’ve seen a fair few posts saying it was quiet. Also seems that all the people who give negative comments are deemed as ‘wrong’ all the negative comments I’ve read seem to be the same issues but the club doesn’t seem to have any interest changing things because as long as the clique is happy then that’s all that matters

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By *hogun300Man
over a year ago

Dundee

as has been the case in every club we have visited

But you work at afterdark, so can't be a neutral opinion. that's like saying if you work at McDonald's you can't have a opinion on burger King two fast food places same idea very different menu

No, it's nothing like that. You will clearly have a altered opinion as you will not say anything negative about the club you work/help out at. we have nothing negative to say about either club as stated in our first message had great nights in both all clubs are the same you only get out as much as you are willing to put in simple if you choose not to mingle with people then why expect them to make the extra effort to mingle with you simple "

I never once said if I I made a effort or not. You have chose to decide I didn't. The whole set up does not lend to making it easy to converse with others. It wasn't just about that though. We were generally bored at the club. That's my opinion and I'm entitled to my opinion. Which is neutral as I'm not associated with either club.

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