Hackney venue combines co-working with sex club

Stück, a new establishment in Dalston, Hackney, has opened its doors, merging a co-working environment with a sex club. The venue, described by its co-founders Karl Verboten and Hanny Amin as an "interim space between home, work and Berghain," aims to provide a setting for human connection throughout the week.

The concept behind Stück is to offer a space where individuals can work and socialise, with the potential for sexual interaction. While the ground floor café is open to the public and resembles a typical modern workspace, the second floor, accessible to members, features more intimate amenities. These include cushioned seating areas and what are described as "happenings," such as breathplay workshops and events focused on sexual edging and body worship. Plans are also in place to introduce a sauna.

Membership and Access

Monthly membership for Stück is priced at £45. This fee grants access to the second floor's facilities and scheduled events. The co-founders envision a day-to-night concept, drawing inspiration from European models where cafés transition into bars. Amin stated her aspiration for members to "spend the whole day here and have so much different stuff to do that it doesn’t make them bored."

Consent and Safeguarding

A key aspect of Stück's operation is its emphasis on consent. As part of the membership application process, all prospective members are required to define consent. This measure is intended to ensure a thorough understanding of the concept among the community. Verboten stated that while the space is not explicitly for sexual activity at all times, members may use the upstairs area for private interactions.

However, concerns have been raised about the potential complexities of mixing professional and sexual relationships. Char Srahan, Wellbeing Manager at PwC, highlighted the risks associated with power dynamics. She noted that if professional opportunities, such as commissions or introductions, are influenced by sexual interactions, it could lead to issues. Srahan stated that "A freely chosen sexual interaction could have professional consequences, so unless there are huge safeguarding rules, explicit consent rules and confidential complaints procedures, it’s just an inherent risk."

The venue's operators indicated that safeguarding protocols are being considered, drawing on experience from Klub Verboten, which has collaborated with LGBTQ+ anti-abuse charity Galop and Safer Sounds on welfare initiatives. Despite these considerations, Verboten expressed a desire to maintain low entry barriers to encourage self-education among visitors.

Context of Workplace Harassment

The discussion around Stück occurs against a backdrop of significant workplace sexual harassment. A 2025 YouGov report indicated that 58 per cent of women in the UK have experienced some form of sexual harassment at work, with the figure rising to 62 per cent for women aged 22 to 34. Srahan acknowledged that, paradoxically, a well-managed sex club with explicit consent rules might offer a safer environment concerning sexual harassment than a typical office setting.