I'm New To The Mark... Remind Me About...
CPI is a Tennessee non-profit membership corporation formed in 2004 to run "The Mark" -- Nashville's only BDSM/Kink/Fetish Community Center.
We don't publish our address. CPI is a private, members-only organization and, as such, entry to The Mark is limited to its members and their guests.
You are if you are a CPI member or attend as the guest of a member. Otherwise, you will be turned away.
No. ALL play parties at The Mark require CPI membership or the sponsorship of a current CPI member to attend.
Membership applications must be completed and paid for in-person at The Mark. Not only do we need to verify from your government-issued photo ID that you are at least 21, but we require that your member-sponsor sign your form.
We offer monthly munches and weekly classes that are open to anyone, allowing you the opportunity to meet our members and make friends with those who may sponsor you as their guest. Our first-Friday Welcome Munch and third-Friday Fresh Kink Nashville Munch (FKN is for ages 18-30) are intended for new folks looking for their way into The Mark. First-time attendees receive free admission and a comprehensive tour of The Mark afterwards -- if they behave!
A munch is an informal gathering of like-minded people at a public restaurant, where you can meet and speak with current members and management. For more information on what to expect, this article is fairly accurate.
How about a class then? You don't have to be a member or have a member-sponsor to attend -- just be over 18 -- and we offer educational events every Wednesday evening and on several Saturday and Sunday afternoons each month. (See our Education FAQ and Resource List for more information on our educational program and the individual class discussion posts for specific class information.)
Yes, we currently we offer the opportunity to apply for membership to those who attend one of our Wednesday evening "Welcome Classes" in it’s entirety. (Yeah, if you show up more than 10 minutes late, it won’t count.)
You will need to complete the application form onsite and pay the membership fee -- $30 for six months -- but, more importantly, you will need a current member-sponsor (who you've probably know already since you've made it in the door!).
Our minimum age for membership is 21 per Metro Nashville’s “sex club ordinance”.
Our minimum age for membership is 21 per Metro Nashville’s “sex club ordinance”.
Yes, they can… They just can’t be members. Our minimum age to attend any of our events -- munches, classes, social events, and play parties -- is 18. But, since play parties are limited to CPI members and their guests, those 18-20 will need member-sponsors to attend those.
Sorry. Minors inside The Mark is forbidden. Be sure and bring your government-issued photo ID since we check everyone's age at every event.
With the exception of our Fresh Kink Nashville (FKN) events, which are limited to our young adults, aged 18-30, we don't care how old you are!
Nope and nope. CPI is a consent-based organization and The Mark is a consent-based facility, Obviously, consent is important to us and you can't give proper consent when intoxicated or high, so we don't allow alcohol or drugs on our property.
The Mark is truly a low-pressure social environment, with a community known widely as being welcoming and friendly! While being a bit nervous and anxious are common on your first visit, most soon learn that they don't need the crutches of alcohol or drugs to be social and have a good time. No, we can't control what you do beforehand... however, if we suspect that you are less than sober, you will get a warning from management who will determine whether you may stay or must leave immediately... and whether you'll be allowed back.
Weekend parties cost $20/$25 per person (member/non-member) no matter what the event, your gender, or relationship status. We do not discriminate. Classes range from $0-$15 depending on our costs. So be sure and check the applicable post.
Yes! We have members who identify as monogamous. Others are in polyamorous, swinging, or open relationships. Many others are in no relationship at all. Our clientele value and respect the individual and the diversity of their choice of interpersonal ethical relationships.
As a consent-based organization, it is up to you to determine what level of participation is right for you. There is never any expectation for anyone to do anything. So, yes, just watching is fine... as is not watching at all!
Pick a name and that is what our folks will call you. Real or fabricated, nobody will know unless you tell them! (Do note that we require a "member name" other than your legal name for the membership ledger should you decide to apply for CPI membership.)
No, you choose your level of interaction and with whom you interact. Nobody will pressure you otherwise. This goes for everyone, submissive or not.
Absolutely! All, female or not, accompanied or solo, are welcome and safe at The Mark.
Come on out! We are a very friendly and welcoming bunch! Besides, the best place to find kinky friends (and relationship partners) is in a group of real people looking for the same!
We value individual difference and defend the right to self-identification/expression in all its forms. And we "walk the talk" by providing Safe Zone LGBTQ awareness and ally training for our kink community, Nashville, and Middle Tennessee.
Since we recognize that inclusivity and diversity make ours a better and stronger community, we don't discriminate on the basis of sexual/romantic orientation (or lack thereof) and welcome everyone at The Mark! In fact, the majority of the CPI community and a super-majority of our volunteer management and staff identify in some way other than straight.
BDSM is for everyone. Period. But we know that kinksters of color face unique and systemic barriers when trying to get their kink on. We work hard to mitigate those impacts with anti-racism training for our volunteers, PoC-led/PoC-centered programming, and prioritizing representation at all levels of our organization.
We are a body-positive group of people of all different shapes, sizes, abilities, and ages. We love the mix!
The Mark is fully ADA-accessible; but we take great pride in recognizing that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines are merely a starting point for access and work to go beyond them at every opportunity!
Sex, in all its many forms, is most certainly allowed at The Mark! In fact, we have offered a safer sex-positive space since we opened The Mark in 2005! We are a "safer-sex" facility and provide everything you might need for safer sex play -- but it's up to you to define what that means to you and your partner(s).
No, the play space is basically one big, open room. We don’t have private rooms for many reasons, but the main reason is that we can’t ensure safer play if we can’t see it. Besides, we are all voyeurs!
Enforcing a specific dress code can stifle creativity, culture, and individuality. Instead, we simply ask that you help make The Mark a special place to be by wearing whatever makes you feel special! Common dress includes: formal, cocktail, club, business casual, lingerie, leather, latex, rubber, PVC, metal, glam, raver, drag, retro, uniform, cosplay, or nothing at all! When in doubt, wear black. If you have any specific questions, please ask.
When you visit our facility for the first time, you'll notice that The Mark is very clean -- in fact, that is our most frequent compliment! As such, loaning or renting toys does not fit within our hygiene model, so we don't. And, as we don't have or want a retail license, we don't sell anything, toys or otherwise. That said, if you would like to add to your toy collection, our Annual Vendor Fair -- held on The Mark's Anniversary Weekend (the third weekend in September) -- is an event you must attend!
We do not allow such play-for-pay, nor do we allow any form of criminalized sex work to take place at The Mark either.
Guess what? They are there too and both of you are covered by the confidentiality agreement you signed when you entered. It does happen on rare occasions, but it tends to be more awkward than problematic.
Life is inherently risky and a kinky life is no different. Everyone who attends events at The Mark must determine to what degree they are comfortable with risk and exposure. CPI takes your privacy and discretion very seriously -- as do most in our community -- and takes great steps to keep your identity safe. That said, everyone mentioned above are CPI members and regularly visit The Mark, having weighed the risk and found effective ways to navigate their perceived personal/professional liabilities safely and ethically.
Once you become a member, you may bring guests.
Our classes, workshops, and trainings are great for learning! And learning is something we take very seriously. Please visit our "Learning Opportunities -- Education FAQ and Resource List" FAQ to learn more about learning! (We've even included the vetted booklist of the title's in our onsite resource library!)
Most all of us started that way and we remember how scary (and exciting) the transition was. Since kink is about people and interpersonal relationships, you're only going to grow by getting away from the keyboard...and we try our best to make integrating into the local community as easy as possible.
There will always be those who will tell you anything to get you to a hotel room or other private space for nefarious purposes, rather than to a venue where there are Dungeon Monitors (DMs) to ensure your safety. Consider carefully what they say, especially if they have never visited with us themselves. Oh... And ask for references... And check them!
Even though you may not have any interest in playing outside the home, you have much to gain from joining our community. There is great value in learning from others via formal and informal educational opportunities, being in the company of those who understand, feeling part of a bigger whole, and adding to the safety net that community provides. In fact, many people will arrange their first in-person meeting of an online person of interest at The Mark, just for the safety it provides... and since most predators know to avoid us.
Most of the questions we receive have their answers on this website; but, if not, please feel free to contact us directly (Info@TheMarkByCPI.org) or ask your question on our FetLife group!
We do! And each has a specific role to play:
No, your membership application has to be completed onsite as we have to verify your age against your government-issued photo ID for the form and your member-sponsor has to sign it.
Yes, renewals may be accomplished via PayPal using CPI's custom PayPal link. Please include an extra $2 per six-month renewal to cover our PayPal costs and include your member name (not legal name) and/or member number, to make sure we credit the correct person! And, please note, that membership renewals, like new memberships, take about a few days to process.
Memberships are $30 for six months ($60 for 12 months, $90 for 18, etc.) or you can purchase a lifetime membership for $600 and never renew again!
Applying for membership (with a member-sponsor) and paying your membership dues will result in a unique member number and initial "provisional" member status after the Metro-required 48-hour waiting period. Full member status is only achieved after a vote by the membership present at the CPI Members Meeting (held at The Mark on fifth Wednesdays, when they occur).
Provisional members have all the rights and privileges of CPI membership, except that they can not renew their membership, nor can they take part in CPI Member Meetings and votes, until they themselves have been voted in as full members.
Members have entry fees reduced for evening events by $5. (This means that if you visit with us just once a month, the membership will pay for itself!) In addition, members don't require member-sponsors, don’t have to complete a new Consent Agreement every time they visit, and may sponsor their own guests. They may also pay memberships and entry fees by check, vote in CPI elections and referendums, and receive the perks of the reciprocal membership agreements that we have in place with similar organizations elsewhere. But perhaps, more importantly, memberships help keep the doors open for other people to find us and have a safe place to be themselves! Oh... And you also get a nifty membership card -- IF you ask for one!
Did you indicate on your membership form that you wanted one? 99% of the time, folx who don't get a card, didn't actually ask that one be made for them. And since questions come up so often regarding cards, we have a special Membership Card FAQ!
Reciprocal agreements are currently in place with Impact (Memphis) and The Red Chair (Birmingham). If you know of an organization with whom such an agreement might provide comparable and mutual benefit to both memberships (or are associated with such an organization), please let us know and we'll talk!
Basically, a reciprocal membership agreement allows the member of one organization to be treated as a member of the other organization and granted all the perks and privileges of membership -- assuming you can provide proof (typically a dated membership card) that you are a current member of the partnering organization. (Some clubs require that your membership be verified beforehand, so plan ahead and don't wait until the last minute!)
No, since at this point you have only applied for membership and are not actually a member yet. Approval and assignment of your initial provisional membership occurs during the following week and no sooner than the Metro-required 48-hour waiting period. This is why we do not discount your door fee that night. Door discounts and secondary perks engage only once you are recorded in the membership database.
Current members in good standing can sponsor as many guests as they feel they can be responsible for. Be warned, however, that we will go straight to you if one of your guests violates a rule and, if the infraction is serious enough, your membership could be revoked.
Yes. As their member-sponsor, you'll need to sign their Consent Agreement. And as they won't be able to proceed past the front desk without your signature, be sure to arrive before your guest and make yourself available upon their arrival.
A more comprehensive explanation of guest policies can be found here.
If you've never been a member, you'll need a member-sponsor to attend a play party; but anyone may attend any of our munches, classes, or discussion groups. You may wish to consider becoming a member!
If your membership has expired, you are listed in our records as an inactive member. You may visit on your own, but you'll have to pay the non-member door fee unless you renew your membership upon arrival.
Non-alcoholic drinks are allowed anywhere in The Mark (as long as they are in non-glass containers). Food is only allowed in the social area, unless you have a valid medical need or MoD/PSM permission to take food into the play space.
Just a few things: Don't use cellphones in the play space... Keep conversation volume low... Clean anything you might have left DNA on... You are free to move most things around, but put them back when you are done... Don't use more than one blanket a night... Put used blankets and common-use rope in the yellow laundry hampers when you leave... Don't put anything other than blankets and rope in the hampers... Take off your heels before stepping on mats or padded furniture... Leave your play space how you found it... We recycle paper, plastic, and aluminum cans -- help us!
That depends on the event... Wednesday evening classes/forums/discussion groups are from 7:00 to 9:00. Weekend class times vary widely, so check the relevant discussion posts for details. Friday and Saturday play parties are typically from 8:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. Tuesday and Sunday play parties are from 6:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. Special events and changes happen, so be sure to check!
New entrants may not arrive later than two hours before The Mark closes... so that's midnight for Friday/Saturday play parties and 9:00 p.m. for those on Tuesday/Sunday.
Yes, yes we do! As a legitimate Tennessee non-profit membership corporation, CPI will gladly accept your financial benevolence. If you care to use PayPal, you can send your donation straight to us using CPI's custom PayPal link. You can also include CPI in your will (and, if interested, one of our attorneys has provided us the proper legal language for you to do so!) Please note, however, that we are not a 501(c)(3) charity, so your giving is not tax-deductible.
CPI employs no paid staff or management... and The Mark is completely maintained and operated by an extensive team of volunteers. So, we are ALWAYS looking for help! Required volunteer trainings are held in January and July.
Yes, we rent The Mark's play space and/or social space for all sorts of purposes in line with our mission, but only to current members in good standing. More information can be found in these posts: Renting the Play Space at The Mark for Private Play and Renting the Social Space at The Mark for Classes and Meetings.
Inquiries for commercial rentals should be sent to Info@TheMarkByCPI.org.
Of course! You are certainly welcome to visit us on our website, FetLife, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube; sign-up for important announcements on our email list!
We want ALL of your feedback and have several ways to for you to get your thoughts to us -- anonymously or not!
Please send such inquires to us at Info@TheMarkByCPI.org.