09/08/2023
Introducing Paradox
We are thrilled to announce that the leadership team behind AfterDark Events – (Amande, T, and Diablo) – has recently signed a commercial lease for a spacious ~6000 sq ft commercial space in SOMA to be the home of Paradox, a new club and event space for the sex-positive and B**M communities.
The Space:
For the past year, we have been on a quest to find a permanent home where our community can come together to connect, explore, learn, and play. Our mission has been to locate a space that fulfills the unique needs of our diverse community, with a heavy emphasis on inclusivity, safety, and accessibility.
The new space is in a commercial building located in the heart of San Francisco, easily accessible by car and public transit (BART is about 2 blocks away). The building is CLEAN, in excellent condition and boasts a new roof, new skylights, new HVAC, and new bathrooms. We are especially excited for the high ceilings–perfect for rope suspensions–glass-walled play room, the ability to hold multiple events simultaneously, and much more.
Safety has been a key criteria for us in our search. The building features a fire suppression system and we are in the process of installing a fire-corridor for enhanced safety in the case of an emergency evacuation. The landlord knows our intended use and has been fully-supportive. We have engaged a diverse team of experienced professionals to ensure that our space will be operating legally and openly, in full compliance with applicable regulations, ordinances, and laws.
The majority of the new venue will be fully-accessible to community members who use wheel-chairs and other mobility devices. The space includes a smaller, second-floor area that is only accessible via a flight of stairs. The all-gender bathrooms on both floors are ADA-compliant and feature large stalls, grab-bars, and wheelchair-accessible sinks. We plan to provide further accommodations such as quiet spaces, virtual walk-throughs, sensory-friendly events, etc., to best serve neurodivergent community members.
Inclusivity:
Paradox is a q***r, women, POC, and disabled-owned small business dedicated to providing high-quality, turnkey experiences for event hosts, instructors, renters and guests. We are devoted to cultivating an inclusive and diverse space, actively supporting marginalized groups, ensuring accessibility, and fostering opportunities for growth and leadership within our communities. Additionally, we are dedicated to advocating for our community's interests in conversations with neighbors, authorities, and the wider society.
Support:
Amande, T, and Diablo have each personally invested heavily in making this dream a reality. We are deeply committed to supporting the San Francisco q***r, leather, kink, and other alternative-sexuality and counterculture communities (though we are not a non-profit organization).
Knowing our generous community, we still expect to receive questions about how community members can support our efforts. The best ways to support us long-term will be by renting Paradox for your next event, attending events held at Paradox, using your voice to support us.
We are not soliciting funds, but would welcome direct financial contributions from community members who want to support our vision, especially considering that the nature of our business makes it difficult to secure funding from more traditional sources. Contributions can be sent via Venmo ( ( #0164)), Zelle ([email protected] ( #9700)), or CashApp ($SFParadox).
If you are interested in supporting us by making a loan, or by contributing your skilled labor, please email us at [email protected].
We eagerly look forward to welcoming you to Paradox, your new community space! Together, let’s create a thriving, vibrant and fulfilling space for our remarkable community. We look forward to your comments and questions.
With excitement, anticipation, and in service,
The Paradox Team (Amande and T, and Diablo)
