Sample the Sensual at Valentine's Day Kink Tasting

"I am a hedonist, which means I love pleasure and pleasurable experiences," confesses Fawn O'Breitzman, co-owner of the Sexploratorium. "I'm also not a drinker. I have always been envious of wine tastings and beer flights, and I realized the concept could be applied to many other things."

One of those things, she discovered, is kink. Which makes sense, seeing as how the Sexploratorium — which O'Breitzman opened in 2023 with her partner, Casey O'Breitzman, along with the connected Museum of Sex — is Denver's epicenter of sex education, positivity and awakening. So instead of inviting people over to sample fine vintages, she's having them over for a veritable fetish buffet.

The Sexploratorium is hosting a Valentine's Day Kink Tasting on the evening of Friday, February 14, and it's as appetizing as that sounds. Rather than focus on any specific kink, she's creating a space for platonic, interactive demonstrations of various kink forms — all led by female presenters in a welcoming, judgment-free zone.

"Kink can be expensive," O'Breitzman admits, "and it is terrible to spend a ton of money on something just to use it once and maybe not even enjoy the experience. My favorite part of the Museum of Sex is the Kink Table, where you can play with whips, riding crops and other sensory toys. The Kink Tasting is a continuation of the same concept. If you're able to try a little kink in a safe and non-anxiety-producing environment, you'll know better what to lean into."

There will be no shortage of kinks to lean into at the February 14 event. The night's speakers include Luna WolfeCross, who will be presenting impact play; Fox and Mtn Grl, who will be presenting electrostimulation play; Arco, who will be presenting knife/sensation play; StrawberryHoney, who will be presenting hypnokink; and Halliard, who will be presenting rope suspension. All of them are active in the local kink and BDSM communities as coaches, educators, authors and/or podcasters, and some teach regular classes at the Sexploratorium as part of its year-round programming.

Free food will be served at the Kink Tasting — "I set a fierce spread," says O'Breitzman — and there will be mocktails for purchase.

"I will also be telling dirty jokes to whoever is interested," she adds. "Kink is really about communication and pleasure. We often aren't given the tools or models of behavior when it comes to expressing what we like and what gets our bodies going. This is a great way to open up those lines of communication and explore together what is pleasurable and exciting for ourselves and each other. Few things are more exciting than watching your partner titillated. You may find a new hobby that makes your relationship come alive."

Valentine's Day Kink Tasting, 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, February 14, the Sexploratorium, 1800 South Broadway. Tickets start at $30 per person; for more info, visit sexploratoriumdenver.com.