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Miami Velvet stands out as the largest private swinger lifestyle nightclub in Florida. With 20,000 square feet of luxurious space, it has become a premier destination for sexy couples and singles. 

While they’re primarily recognized as a swingers club, Miami Velvet also attracts an inclusive and diverse crowd of experienced lifestylers and sexually social folks with more mainstream roots. All patrons share an appreciation for the club’s upscale environment, where they can freely enjoy the electrifyingly erotic atmosphere and wear their sexiest attire without experiencing the usual obstacles of non-lifestyle nightclubs.

Miami Velvet offers a classy and stylish party experience that Miami is known for, enticing an attractive, 30-something, and adventurous crowd who are seeking thrills and connections that they can't find in the typical nightclub scene. With various awards to their name, including Best Intro to Swinging by Playboy Magazine, Miami Velvet is setting the standard for lifestyle clubs. And now, with their new renovation plan, they’re bringing the club to the next level.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Justin Gottlieb, the fresh face spearheading this transformative new era of Miami Velvet, and got some insider knowledge of the exciting changes ahead for their members.

Justin is a Sexual Freedom Coach and Intimacy Expert specializing in Tantra massage, coaching, and sexually liberating events. He blends his teachings with his corporate finance and sales background to consult for Miami Velvet and educate on intimacy, sex, love, kink, swinging, and relationships. Drawing from over 20 years in the open lifestyle and his decade-long membership at Miami Velvet, Justin counsels on the club’s renovation plans, virtual and in-person community engagement, and new partnerships that will lead to even more growth and member satisfaction. With media features on MTV and Univision, Justin brings his expertise and vision of a world filled with love and pleasure, which is influencing the new wave of exciting and long-awaited changes to the club.

Read this exclusive interview below to get a sneak peek at Miami Velvet’s transformation.

Lexi Sylver: What can you tell us about the inspiration behind the recent renovations in the nightclub?

Justin Gottlieb: Miami Velvet has been a Miami staple for 24 years and has had lots of ups and downs. We knew the club needed renovations, but we also looked at how Miami, the city, and non-monogamy, as a relationship style, have both grown and evolved tremendously over the past five years. It was important to us that the improvements we made to the club were not just surface-level, but reflected the depth, care, and community that we see in our city and those in the open lifestyle.

How do you envision these renovations enhancing the overall customer experience in the club?

JG: The renovations and other improvements we have made are meant to foster community and engagement between all members, whether they have been with us since the beginning or are brand new. We are already seeing longtime members spreading the word and bringing more of their friends to the club, and the feedback from new members has been phenomenal. The renovations are creating more opportunities for our members to meet, connect, and play with others in new ways. 

What specific changes have been made to accommodate open-minded couples and singles in the swinging lifestyle?

JG: We turned a room that had a pool table in it and was barely used into our Kinky Lounge with custom-built BDSM furniture and nice couches. Now members are meeting, greeting, and spanking each other there to foster new connections. We completely gutted the showers, which had individual stalls, and turned them into a big open group shower room with four LED rain shower heads in a row. Now, it’s not just a place to get clean, but also a place to get… dirty. We’ve also created more theme nights, hired more entertainment, started offering contests, created policies that better accommodate single men and couples, and are soon launching VIP services.

Can you describe the atmosphere and ambiance you aimed to create with the new designs and other changes within the club?

JG: Some sex clubs can seem too masculine and can often be cheesy. We wanted a feminine touch that would give the club a sense of luxury and sensuality. We hired Jaqueline Michelle to do the decor, choose refreshing paint colors… everything. Jaqueline has been meticulous in sourcing each piece of furniture, their placement, and the lighting to keep the vibe upscale, clean, and classy. It gives a speakeasy feel with gold mirrors and accents and comfortable brown leather couches.

In what ways have you facilitated open and kinky exploration in the club?

JG: Swingers nowadays are kinkier than ever, which is why I first came up with the idea of the Kinky Lounge. Our members want to explore our spanking bench and all the floggers and whips we have. One couple christened the Saint Andrew’s Cross when her husband made her squirt by flogging her clit while she was bound. We fully embrace our members making whatever requests they want respectfully and fulfilling all kinds of desires. Kink shaming is strictly forbidden. We are also exploring building out glory holes in one of our rooms as well as some other kinky surprises. We’ve found that kink creates new connections between our members, even those who just like to watch.

What services and amenities does the club offer for its patrons?

JG: Miami Velvet turns 25 years old next year, and what better time than now to take our services to the next level?! We’ve taken all of our members’ feedback over that time and answered it in a way that makes our members happy. The club is BYOB, and we provide everything you need besides the alcohol. You get free lockers and fresh towels. I already mentioned the renovated wet orgy room… I mean showers. We are also starting VIP services that allow for VIP entrance into the club, your own table for your group with dedicated bottle service and security, and an optional private VIP playroom. We also offer packages for special events like birthdays, because Miami Velvet is a perfect place to celebrate any occasion!

What type of demographic typically attends the nightclub, and how has this influenced your approach to renovations and programming?

JG: Our members are active, vibrant, and love to dance and get to know each other before heading to our playrooms to… well… really get to know each other. We also get a large Latin crowd and are starting our Latin Night every Wednesday. We’ve teamed up with a local Latin dance school to host Bachata Sensual classes to kick off every party. It’s Miami, how could we not?! We also get a lot of tourists from all over the world, which creates great diversity in the club. Thankfully, our locker room manager Ernst speaks eight languages!

Miami Velvet attracts tourists and “snowbirds” visiting the area who are interested in exploring the swinging lifestyle. What special offerings do you have to cater to these fly-by-nighters?

JG: We love tourists at Miami Velvet! All tourists get a one-time free membership for their visit.

Can you discuss any partnerships or collaborations with local businesses or organizations that complement the club's offerings?

JG: We are always looking for partnerships, whether it be people looking to rent the club for photoshoots and events when the club isn’t in use, local merchandise that we can offer our members, or other unique opportunities. In February, we had a successful partnership with the Erotika Biennale, a month-long event celebrating erotic art and culture in Miami. That brought us a whole new crowd who loved our club and now keep coming back. I’m also extremely excited about our Miami Small Business and Artist Collective. With over twenty playrooms in our club, we are partnering with artists and businesses that want to decorate a room to share their gift, mission, or like-minded business. This gives our members unique themes in each playroom, as well as exposure to local businesses and artists. It’s a huge win-win for everyone. 

What role do music and entertainment play in enhancing the overall atmosphere of the club?

JG: You don’t know what a touchy subject that is! In Miami, we are America’s home to electronic and Latin music. It has been a battle royale. Luckily, we have two massive party rooms and have solved that problem by offering EDM/House music in the back and Latin/Top 40 in the front on Saturday nights. And, of course, our Latin Nights Wednesdays have all Latin music and dance all night! 

How do you ensure a diverse range of entertainment options to appeal to different tastes within the swinging lifestyle community, and even the broader Miami community?

JG: We focus on two types of entertainment. The lifestyle community loves dressing up in themes, so one category of our entertainment is around those themes. For example, on Neon Night, we have neon robots and percussionists, and erotic pole dancers scantily dressed in theme. I also wanted to bring in another element: entertainment that you cannot get at any other clubs in Miami. Full nude performances, daring kink performers, and other show-stoppers. I personally source some of the most talented performers to wow our audience and turn up the heat. When you see our entertainment, you will know you are at a sex club, and not just another South Beach restaurant club with tired belly dancers and bored fire spinners doing the same act for the fiftieth time. 

What steps are taken to maintain cleanliness, hygiene, security, and inclusivity standards throughout the club?

JG: First off, we pride ourselves on the experience of our staff. Our general manager, Jason, is a veteran in the security industry. We use a metal detector wand and check all bags before entering the club. We have security in every area of the club, and our staff is trained to de-escalate any situation, which I’m happy to say never happens at our club, mainly due to the quality members we attract. Nancy is the head of our cleaning staff and in charge of a huge team who change sheets and sanitize each room after each use. We are constantly disinfecting surfaces and have hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the club. I also want to give a shout-out to our bar manager Manny and his staff, who keep the bar clean, organized, and moving fast for our members. 

How do you foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie among patrons, most especially for newbies who come to the club for the first time?

JG: The first thing I did when I started making the improvements was hire a host couple, Jessica and Andy, who greet everyone at the door and give tours to all our new members. They provide a warm welcome and offer all the information new members need to have the best experience at Miami Velvet. They make introductions and are friendly faces for our members as they comfortably and safely enjoy their evening. Our Friday nights are generally considered our “Meet and Greet” nights, as Saturdays can get really wild, really fast!

Are there any educational or informational resources available at the club for patrons interested in learning more about the swinging lifestyle?

JG: In my other career, I offer Tantra retreats, workshops, and coaching, so it was important to me to bring an educational aspect into the club. Too many people make mistakes jumping into the lifestyle or going to a sex club before they are ready. We offer a free workshop for couples and singles twice a month on Newbie Night, called “How to Navigate a Sex Club.” The workshop has been a big hit, and we are especially thrilled to see so many single men attending.

What are some of the upcoming theme nights that your members and guests can start to get excited about?

JG: We have lots of new ideas coming up that are worth saving the date for! One upcoming theme is Pastease, where all the ladies are encouraged to tease everyone with their unique nipple pasties. Our Latin Nights will be every Wednesday, and we will have entertainment that will be very Miami! Our next foam party is coming up, and it will be even bigger and better than our foam party in March when we had over 600 people in the club. Our School Girl party is one of our members’ favorite theme nights. Also, look out for upcoming contests, like Striptease, Pole Dance, Wet T-Shirt, and much more.

We’re also showcasing many up-and-coming entertainers, like the well-known lifestyle DJ throuple Salty (comprising DJs LEE KALT, MALINDA, and vocalist XANDRA K), who are just some of the special guests you can expect to experience at Miami Velvet!

Exclusively for SDC members: Get 1 month of FREE membership at Miami Velvet when you use your secret code SDCMAY at the door when you arrive at the club! Offer expires May 30th, 2024.