We traditionally have: A Beginner Intro Lesson, The Matches, The Royal Rumble, and Open Mat.

And for the December 9, 2022, Blacklight party, we will also have the traditional "Gift Wrap Unwrapping" interlude.

The Beginner Intro Lesson

- Basic rules and safety protocol
- Basic objectives and grappling positions
- Beginner-level moves to get newcomers started

The style we use for the Beginner Intro is Submission Wrestling (also known as grappling or no-gi jiu-jitsu). The Beginner Intro may include other struggle play styles, depending on demand.

The Matches

Our large mat space allows for multiple pairs of participants to jump in for wrestle play and grappling matches.

The mat is managed by 3 "referees," each of whom discreetly oversees the action of a single match. Once space becomes available, a referee will call for match pairings who'd like to hop in. Each referee takes their match pairing to their section of the mat, where that given match will take place. This means that several matches will be occurring at the same time throughout the space.

Most matches are one-on-one sporty submission wrestling bouts, usually lasting about around 4 minutes. However, other styles are permitted, such as freestyle and scholastic style wrestling, bondage wrestling, novelty matches (check with your Referee first) or performative cooperative bouts.

How to find a partner for a Match?

Introducing yourself to other attendees and chatting cordially helps a great deal. But if you're not especially extroverted, we have Match Makers who circulate throughout the space and can lend a hand.

** There is no obligation to wrestle anyone you do not feel comfortable wrestling. There is no obligation to wrestle at all, if you prefer not to. Audience members and spectators are always appreciated! **

+ The party does not guarantee wrestling partners; any attendee has the Right to Refuse a match or a particular partner
+ All action must be safe, sane, and consensual
+ Any match may be terminated at any time by either participant or by a referee

A December tradition and an intriguing spectacle. What is it? Find out... When is it? Sometime before the Royal Rumble.

Only attendees with prior grappling experience may take part in this tornado.

Open Mat
As the Royal Rumble concludes and evolves, the mat space remains as a large, open area. Here participants can wind down, pairing up on their own, and using the mats at their own pace for free play. The mats are still monitored by referees, but timers are not used.

We always encourage attendees to dress for a given event's theme. But this is not required.
If you plan to wrestle, wear something you can wrestle in. Ideas include:

Spandex, singlet, leotard, sports wear, rash guard and board shorts, comfortable costume-y items.

But...
+ No belts with metal buckles.
+ Please remove jewelry, if possible.
+ No eyeglasses (sport-designed safety glasses are ok).
+ No sharp objects.

Wrestling and grappling are close contact person-to-person activities. So follow our Health and hygiene tips:

- Keep toe and finger nails clean and clipped very short.
- Shower before you arrive.
- Bare feet only on the mats
- Use flip-flops or slip-on shoes when walking on an unmatted area.
- Wear flip-flops or shoes if you use the restroom.
- Wear freshly washed attire.
- Securely cover any wounds you may have.
- Do not wrestle if you have a skin infection.

- Full COVID-19 vaccination required to enter the party space

All genders and skill levels are welcome.

Originally founded in August 2007, the initial Grapple Den Wrestling Parties occurred as monthly events in the basement of a hookah lounge in Hell's Kitchen (W 40th street). These events ran late into the night on a week night, attracting kinksters, Burners, queer community folks, casual wrestlers, professional wrestlers, adventure-seekers, locals, out-of-towners, and people who curiously picked up our paper promo flyers from around town.

The party ran in the Hell's Kitchen space until 2011. We then took the show on the road, co-hosting events in Philadelphia for a time. Our colleagues in Baltimore then picked up the party to host locally, and the NYC crew went on hiatus. In 2017, we revived our wrestling party antics with The Spectrum Wrestling Party at the Dreamhouse queer community space on the Bushwick/Ridgewood border. We ran several of these parties throughout 2017. In June of 2019, the Grapple Den party returned to Manhattan, kicking off its first event at a brand new venue near Herald Square.

We hosted 3 parties in 2019, each with a special "vs" theme: 1. 1980s vs 1990s Pro Wrestling, 2. Punk Rock vs Disco, 3. Predator vs Krampus (Blacklight edition). However, everything shut down once again as the COVID-19 Pandemic hit in 2020.

After 2 years on pandemic-hiatus, we have emerged once again for a revival in July 2022 with our "Under-the-Sea" themed party at a venue near Union Square. And now it's onward to the traditional December blacklight edition for 2022! From here, who knows where the future will lead...