guest post by Aaron Muszalski
photo by Audrey Penven
Talk about subcultural mashups!
Newly-opened SOMA coffeeshop Wicked Grounds has created a unique space for itself at the intersection of two highly-fetishized San Francisco lifestyles, coffee drinking and BDSM. Calling itself a “Kinky Café and Boutique” Wicked Grounds offers gourmet food and drinks – including coffee from the acclaimed Ritual Roasters – alongside a selection of fetish toys and accessories. The café also serves as a gallery space, displaying fine erotic photography and painting, and hosts a diverse variety of special events. They even hosted a live Kink.com porn shoot. Keeping the café open the whole time, of course.
Located at the corner of 8th and Folsom (home to the infamous Folsom Street Fair, in the heart of SF’s leather and fetish scene) and open until 2am on Friday and Saturday, Wicked Grounds has quickly become a favored haunt for kinky and kink-curious coffee lovers alike. With a clientele that runs the gamut from Daddies and Dommes to bloggers and Web entrepreneurs, Wicked Grounds is a uniquely San Franciscan third place; sort of a Perpignan Railway Station for the black leather and laptop set.
photo by Audrey Penven
Despite their growing popularity, Wicked Grounds is currently in need of community support to offset unexpected expenses that they incurred trying to open, San Francisco being an often ridiculously bureaucratic city when it comes to permitting and licensing. You can help by making a donation, dropping in for a latte or spreading the word on twitter, Google or Yelp. All donors will receive a gift package, including a limited edition coloring book signed by noted fetish artist Suzanne Rachel Forbes.
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