I put together a Beginners Guide to SOP based on some of the comments posted here and some of my own observations. There is reference to an activity that's not allowed on here. Also reference to drugs use that would usually only be in the Backroom section of the Forum. Again it's in the context of the venue's rules.
I hope mods will allow mention of it in this context as it is part of the rules of the venue. I appreciate though it may be edited out but please don't give me points!
BEGINNERS GUIDE TO SOP
Entrance is via the grey door, next to metal stairs. Postcode is N1 9SD.
Go downstairs, pay (cash only), say yes to a binbag (handy for wet clothes when you leave), and yes to a little plastic bag to keep your cloakroom ticket and cash dry!
The bar does take contactless as well as cash.
Go inside, and to the left of the bar, there are some seats that are used as the changing area. When you're changed, take your stuff back to the cloakroom, and they'll give you your cloakroom ticket
If you're a smoker, you need to get dressed again (or at least suitably cover up!) and go back outside to the street. Just say to the cloakroom guy why you need your stuff back temporarily.
Dress code: there is none, although footwear must be worn. I've seen everything from full business suits to full rubber/leather/pup fetish to naked and everything in between. Whatever you wear (no cross-dressing though!) you won't look out of place. I would say the majority of guys are just in socks, jock and harness or sports kit, but by the end of the night most people are naked!
For a newbie, I would suggest you get a drink from the bar and just observe for a bit to get a feel for the place and what's going on. You can play anywhere in the venue, and the only thing that's not officially allowed is scat, although I have seen it done discretely!
It's highly unlikely that anyone will just randomly approach you and start pissing over you. They'll usually give you some sort of indication that that's what they want to do, and if you're not interested, just say no! Although you do get the occasional pushy person, I think it's the most attitude free venue I know of.
In the main room with the bar, there are stools around the edge of the room and ledges to leave your drink. There is a large paddling pool in the centre. The seats and beer kegs to the right of the bar seem to be where guys get a little bit more hard core - I've seen fisting going on there!
Off the main room are two areas - a dark room and a not quite so dark room that has the sling. If you're using the sling, please don't monopolise it. In the dark room, you are more likely to get caught in the crossfire by random sprays of piss.
The toilets are next to where you got changed. There are no showers, so bring a small towel and maybe a pack of baby wipes to clean up when you're ready to leave. And please don't spray deodorant until you get back to the top of the stairs or until after you've left as it really carries with it being such a small venue.
The toilet area is quite a small area, and all sorts go on in there! It can get quite crowded, especially towards the end of the night when guys that haven't yet cum want to shoot their load before leaving.
There is a metal trough and one stall (officially only one person allowed in the stall at any one time). You'll often see pint glasses in the trough waiting to be filled, guys rolling around on the piss covered floor, fucking, fisting and group spraying, to name but a few activities. It's here that you may see some surreptitious "dirty play" going on, disguised as a rimming session!
Usually the first couple of hours are relatively quiet but I think on re=opening day it will be busy from the start. In the past, there always seemed to be two "shifts." There would be the guys who came in towards the start and would leave early evening, and then the guys who would arrive around teatime and stay until late, with a bit of a crossover between the two shifts.
Couple of extra things to mention...
Poppers are sold at the bar, and condoms and lube are available free of charge, although the majority of guys BB*. If you don't BB stick to your principles and don't feel pressurised.
Also, if chems are your thing, not only are they banned from the club, you'd be unlikely to get away with taking anything in the venue as it's such an open place with nowhere to be unobserved. If seen by the management you will be reported to the Police.
If you do decide to go, then let me know, and I'll keep an eye out for you, so at least there's one person you can talk to!
I think that just about covers things, but if you do have any questions, then just ask away. Feel free to message me privately.
*the guide was written originally for a different group but the point still stands!