City wine bar sex parties exposed

An office workers' wine bar on the edge of the City was used as the venue for a secret orgy organised by a sex club for middle class professionals, an Evening Standard investigation has revealed.

In a dimly-lit basement at Corts bar in High Holborn on a weekday evening, around 50 couples joined in a free-for-all that included group sex, lesbian sex and partner swapping.

Our inquiry revealed that the couples involved were just a small part of a fast-growing nationwide network of "players", as latter-day swingers style themselves.

The evening was organised by the Toucan Club, an internet-based group which hosts regular parties for members who seek sex with strangers. The internet has spawned dozens of such clubs which operate in most towns and cities across Britain.

The new wave of couples' clubs tries to shrug off the old image of contact magazines and, using the web, targets and attracts affluent professionals including City workers. More than a dozen clubs operate in London alone and the more successful boast that they have thousands of members.

The manager at Corts, Caroline McCullough, reacted with disbelief when told. "I don't know anything about sex parties in my restaurant," she said. "This is the first I've heard of it. I didn't hire my restaurant out for anything like this. We do hire the bar our for corporate functions but never for anything like that."

Our investigation revealed a bizarre hidden culture in which couples regularly turn up at private homes, hotels and rented venues for sex with new partners.

One organisation screens would-be partygoers for looks and social credentials. Another organises its sex encounters around gourmet dinner parties.

The Corts party was one of a number held in different parts of London and the Home Counties through the week. Invitations go out weeks beforehand but the venue is not revealed until the last moment to preserve secrecy.

Those involved say they are doing nothing illegal and claim they have nothing to do with prostitution. They point out that what takes place is between consenting adults and on private property.

Identities of members are closely guarded, as many have high-powered jobs.

Exposed: 'A turmoil of writhing bodies'
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