Place: The Moonstruck Diner, 9th Ave. and 23rd St. Manhattan
Time: 7:00 until approximately 9-ish.
Date: Third Friday of every month.

IMPORTANT: To guarantee that we'll have enough seats, if you think you can make it, please RSVP via the yahoo group so I can reserve enough tables. We are in the back room and unless you RSVP, there's no guarantee that there will be space for you as it can get very crowded at times (not just our group is in the back). When you come in, just look for our friendly group with apples on the tables.

I'll be sending out reminders by email via the Yahoo Group. The easiest way to join the Yahoo Group by entering your e-mail address in the form at the bottom of this page.

Even if you can't make it this time, ask to be added to the list for next time. If you want to be removed from the Yahoo Group there is a link to remove yourself at the bottom of every email it generates.

If you already know what an Applemunch is, you can skip the rest of the message, because that's what it's about.

What's a Munch?

It's a casual social get-together at a public restaurant where people interested and into all types of BDSM can meet, talk and eat. What's an Applemunch? It's a Munch that's in Manhattan, which is part of New York City, which is called the Big Apple, hence the Apple part.

History of Applemunches

It was originally organized by Aramchek and Vixen. The first one was held in January 1994. The next one was moved to the Pizzeria Uno, where it stayed until the end of summer 1994. In fall 1994 Vixen decided to move the Munch to the Moonstruck Diner, so people could have more variety and because the National Leather Association has meetings there, so the restaurant is used to dealing with BDSM people. During the spring of 1994, Aramchek became too busy, so the burden fell upon Vixen, who asked for help. Tammy Jo Eckhart, author of "Punishment For the Crime" took over in August 1995 and ran things until May 1997 when she moved out of New York.

June 1997 marks the first time Lyrra and Elocutus operated as (as Tammy Jo called herself) Munch Tops or (as Lyrra refers to us) spokesperverts. As of Jan. 1998, Lyrra assumed responsibility as sole Munch top, as Elocutus's e-mail situation is unstable. Some months after that--anyone remember when, exactly?--Rose took over the business of reminders and reservations. Sometime in mid 2001 Jekke took over for Rose and in January 2002 Peter (aragorn) took over as MunchTop, moving it to the Chealse Diner and got this Web site rolling. Since then I, Topm have taken over and moved it back to the Moonstruck Diner to be closer to Paddles.

As Peter originally stated, "I really must take the time to thank all those who have run and participated in Apple Munch before me, and it's my fervent hope that we'll see many faces, old and new, in the months to come. This is truly an awesome group and I feel very priviledged to be a part of its history." I was going to change this when updating the site but he stated it perfectly

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Applemunch FAQ

This is basically Tammy Jo's FAQ, to which I've added a few comments and updated as necessary.

Q: How much does it cost to come?
A: Just the cost of what food and drinks you order. There's no charge for the use of the space.

Q: Is fetish clothing acceptable?
A: If you're comfortable wearing it in public, and if they'll let you in the restaurant with it, sure. Most people just dress casually.

Q: Can I bring my toys and equipment?
A: Once again, if you're comfortable bringing them into the public, vanilla sphere, it's all right, but this isn't a playparty, so using them out in the open probably isn't good and may get us into trouble. Also this diner is popular with cops, so I'd personally recommend keeping that new bullwhip under wraps. Most people bring a bag or even a small suite case to keep their toys in for easy transport to Paddles after the munch.

Q: What do people talk about?
A: Anything and everything. One of the major conversation topics seems to be computers and geekdom (figure that one out). Other biggies are science fiction, conventions, the SCA, food, drink and the making of much merriment. Oh, yeah, people talk about BDSM too. Occasionally, at least :-)

Q: How formal is it?
A: Not formal at all. This is not a meeting in the business sense with a defined starting and ending time. Everyone arrives when they can, grabs whatever seat they can, and orders whenever they can grab a waiter. NOTE: Sometimes this can be an exercise in frustration and hunger-management! Experience has shown that most munches last about 2 or 3 hours, although sometimes they can run shorter or longer. It's a safe bet we'll be there somewhere between 6:45 and 8:30 PM.

Q: I'm new to the scene, I'm a little afraid, or I don't know anybody in the scene locally. Will I "fit in?"
A: Again, this is NOT a play party or business meeting--it's just a casual get-together at a diner. Our group is very welcoming of everybody, and especially newcomers to the scene (in general or to New York). If you're socially ept, you'll fit in just nicely!

Q: What is the ratio of men/ women and tops/bottoms?
A: We come fairly close to 50/50 on the sexes at many munches -- it varies according to who can come and their own schedules. As for the roles people have in scene, I really don't know.

Q: Is the Munch a good place to pick somebody up?
A: It depends on who you ask. Some people have gotten to know a couple of play partners through the Munch, but I've never gone there with the intention of picking anybody up.

Q: First it was 7:00, then 6:30, now it's 7:00. Can't you make up your mind?
A: Since DomSubFriends holds their demos at Paddles every Friday night, I have timed the munch so that people can come here to have dinner and socialize then wander up to the DSF meeting afterwards. When I took the munch over, DSF met at 8:00, so I started the munch earlier. In autumn, 2003 the DSF meetings have begun starting at 9:00, so I decided to revert to the old starting time of 7:00 instead, which many have found more convenient.

Q: I went to the Chealse Diner and there was nobody there!
A: We MOVED back to the Moonstruck Diner on 9th. Ave. and 23rd Street so just wonder a little north and you'll find us there.

A word of advice: If you arrive after the first round of ordering, grab a waiter and tell them what you want, or you'll have to wait an hour-service can be slow, especially if we get a large group (again, RSVP to the Yahoo Group if you're going to come!!). Also, the waiters WILL do separate checks, so arrange who you're going to share checks with before you order.