Visiting Club Sapphire in Seattle

While in Seattle for one of our Virgin Group Cruises, we decided to check out a club I had heard many good things about over the years. I have been to a LOT of clubs all over the country, and I always enjoy seeing the differences—and similarities—when visiting a club that is new to me.

Club Sapphire is located near the Seattle airport in what appears to be a professional office center. That gives the club plenty of parking since most of the other businesses are closed at night.

When we entered, a host couple greeted us and escorted us to the registration desk, where we were issued numbered wristbands. Since the club is BYOB, the number helps the bartender keep track of the bottle you brought.

The owners came over and gave us a tour of the club, which started with a short orientation in a separate room. I think it’s great when clubs make sure everyone understands the rules and guidelines of a lifestyle club before getting started. This is something I would really like to see at more clubs.

Our next stop on the tour was a big surprise: a speakeasy of sorts.

She walked up to a bookcase, pulled down the “naughty book,” and suddenly the bookcase swung open. We stepped through and felt like we had walked back in time into a lounge with a real 1920s speakeasy feel.

There was a large lounge with multiple sofas arranged so several groups of couples could sit, relax, and talk. At the far end was a beautiful bar where you could turn in the bottle you brought.

There were also several private rooms. One could easily accommodate 10 people and even had its own private playroom with three beds. These private spaces had an additional charge, but at only about $30 per person, you could have an incredible VIP experience.

I was already sold on this club before we ever made it into the main club—but it was time to move on and see the rest.

We went back through the check-in area and entered the main club. I was amazed at how much effort they had put into transforming what could have been a sterile office environment into a club where people feel sexy and energized.

There was another bar, which was much busier than the one in the speakeasy, along with a dance floor, DJ booth, and plenty of seating and tables where couples were socializing. The overall energy was high, but the music wasn’t too loud—which is probably my biggest complaint about clubs and events, even my own!

She then took us into the play area, which begins with a series of lockers in case you want to change into something more comfortable or store anything you don’t need in the playrooms.

We went from room to room, checking out bunk-bed-style double-decker play spaces, larger play areas with crosses and lots of beds, and several themed rooms. There was a Viking room, the Shagadelic room (my favorite!), a large pink room, and private rooms.

Then we walked into the large group play area, and I was truly amazed by both the size of the space and the number of beds. I have visited a lot of clubs, and I don’t think I have ever seen one with this many different rooms and play spaces.

The owner told me she wants to expand their current 12,000-square-foot space, which surprised me. I mean, this was already one of the largest play areas I had ever seen. But she told me that on Fridays and Saturdays, they could actually use even more space.

This is not a club where people just come to dance and dress up. This club caters to people who play.

This is my kind of club.

If I lived in Seattle, I wouldn’t just come here—I would absolutely be a member of that speakeasy. I think I would spend a lot of time there. Not only because you can get to the bar faster or socialize more easily with the lower music volume, but because it just felt comfortable.

As someone who really loves the whole speakeasy era and atmosphere, I loved the vibe in there. And the fact that I could relax in that environment, then walk down the hall and suddenly be right back in the middle of the party, made it even better.

As I mentioned, I have been to a lot of clubs in the U.S. and abroad, and Seattle is lucky to have a club like this. I hope we see more clubs like it popping up around the country.

We will be back in Seattle, and when we are, we will definitely be popping back into Club Sapphire.

And this time, I already know exactly which naughty book to pull to let me in.