Not to worry, we've been chatting with organiser Zoff to find out all about Bristol's only fetish night, so you can go in the know.

Spank was started 12 years ago by Liz Lewitt who was busy doing an MA in women's studies at the time.

She developed an interest in the fetish scene, writing her dissertation on body adornment and people's perceptions of their bodies.

This led to an interest in all things fetish. Liz opened legendary shop Religion selling own label designs and Spank followed soon after.

Dress code

A couple of years ago Spank moved to its new home at The Hatchet on Frogmore Street which has a capacity of 200.

"In its heyday at the old Rummer we used to sell out often with 150 ticket sales up front," said Zoff.

"We had to operate a one-out-one-in policy but when Religion closed the club kept moving venue and numbers fell.

"The Hatchet is fantastic, they really like us and Saturday night's numbers have increased dramatically."

"It is racy and fun - but it's held on licenced premises so there's no nudity or sex," he explained.

"There used to be a catchphrase of 'have fun have a fetish' and that still holds true."

There's a strict (ahem) dress code which is actively enforced on the door.

"We insist on people meeting the dress code because it helps us control who's coming in and ensures that those people whose whole lives revolve around fetish feel safe."

Certainly Spank has never had any problems with fights or the sort of violence which seems to erupt at more mainstream club nights.

Sexual undercurrent

There is a music policy up to a point. DJ Jake Davis who is also involved in Safehouse and DJ Foxy have been with club night for years.

"They are so much part of the club that we let them play pretty much whatever they like," said Zoff.

They are joined by guest DJs on rotation but as you would expect not everyone likes the newly-tweaked music policy.

"We've had complaints that the music is too loud, as well as moans that it's not loud enough so you can't win."

At the most recent Spank on August 9, DJ Motorboy joined the regulars, playing Human League and Ultravox mixed with hard house which I'm informed worked really well.

Themes

Maybe it's because Spank was set up and run by women for years that it has a safe reputation attracting clubbers from 18 to 60, some of whom have been regulars for 10 years.

In the early days many of the club nights were themed with Liz putting a lot of effort into making the party go with a bang.

Now the idea is being brought back. The first of these will be a tie-in with The Rocky Horror show's final night in Bristol (Saturday September 6).

"People who arrive dressed up with a ticket to the show will be able to come in at a discount," said Zoff.

Room 1: Dancefloor hosted by Jake Davis and DJ Foxy + guests
Room 2: Chillout and dungeon ambient chillout area and fully equipped dungeon with crosses, benches etc.
Room 3: Atmospheric play room

Advance tickets: Twilight Fashions, 74-5 StNicholas Market, Corn St, Bristol. Tel: 07932 318013.

Ticket reservations: spankreservations@hotmail.com

Next Spank September 6, October 4.

Spank is held upstairs at The Hatchet, Frogmore St.
Doors: 9pm-2am

Dress code: pvc, bondage, TV/TS, military, naughty school boy/girl, naughtly doctor/nurse, fetish, fantasy, sub/dom, cuber/goth.