Who we are
Shibari Lounge — The place to not only lose yourself, but find yourself too.
We’re a welcoming neurodivergent-aware shibari and BDSM studio located in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, just a short distance from London. Our cosy, inclusive venue provides a supportive, low-pressure environment perfect for both beginners and experienced enthusiasts. Whether you’re joining for shibari workshops, rope jams, or kink education, our intimate, limited-capacity venue is designed with consent, communication, and community at its heart. We aim to offer a risk aware space where you can explore rope, kink, and connection—at your own pace, in your own way.
Our Values
Consent is Key.
Every interaction at Shibari Lounge is built on mutual respect, care, and communication. We follow and actively promote the principles of P.R.I.C.K. (Personal Responsibility, Informed, Consensual Kink), R.A.C.K. (Risk Aware Consensual Kink), and S.S.C. (Safe, Sane, and Consensual). Whether you’re new to kink or deeply experienced, we ask that you take time to understand these frameworks to ensure everyone feels safe, seen and respected.
Body Positivity.
We welcome and celebrate all bodies—every size, shape, gender, skin tone, and ability. Our space is built on the belief that self-love, exploration, and empowerment belong to everyone.
Diversity & Inclusion.
Shibari Lounge is proudly LGBTQIA+ friendly, welcoming all sexualities, identities, and cultural backgrounds. Everyone deserves a space to learn, connect, and play—free from judgment.
Knowledge is power.
We know BDSM and rope can come with a lot of jargon! That’s why we link to helpful resources like The Kinktionary and will soon be releasing our own Shibari Glossary to help you feel comfortable and confident during workshops and jams.
Respect our house.
Before attending any events, please take a moment to read our Terms & Conditions and Code of Conduct. They help us keep the space safe, joyful, and consent-focused for everyone. If you have any questions then please contact us.
Shibari Lounge —
Your home away from home
Shibari Lounge is more than a studio — it’s a place to not only lose yourself, but to find yourself too.
We wanted to build a Kinbaku space that felt so good to be in, that balances Japanese influences with a homely warmth. A place that isn’t overwhelming or overstimulating, but rich in textures, comfort, and care.
Every detail has been chosen with intention, purpose, and with our community in mind.
Lighting that adapts — Dimmable, colour-changing, and adjustable in every direction.
Sound that soothes — Music can be soft, off, or tuned differently on each side.
Comfort you can feel — Cushions and blankets in different textures, sizes, and weights.
Flooring to suit you — EVA foam matting, traditional Japanese tatami, or a cosy rug — each one suitable for floor work and suspension.
Always clean, always cared for — A fresh, hygienic, and welcoming space.
For the neurodivergent, the queer, the kinky — for anyone seeking somewhere intimate, inclusive, and private. This is the space I longed for — and it’s yours too.
A space where you can rest, play, connect, explore and simply be. The Shibari Lounge team and I can’t wait to welcome you to your home away from home to be unapologetically yourself...
This is our love letter to you all,
we see you,
we hear you,
we are one of you.
– Bex Tatsunawa,
Founder of Shibari Lounge
Meet the Core Lounge Team
At Shibari Lounge, our heart lies in community. We’re a small but passionate core team who pour care into every detail — from teaching and hosting, to photography and behind-the-scenes support. Together we create a space where kinbaku can be explored with safety, creativity and connection at the centre.
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Shibari Lounge Founder, Rope Educator & Event Host
Bex Tatsunawa is a rope artist, performer, and educator whose work is shaped by a lifelong love of storytelling and the arts. With a background in musical theatre and the film industry, she brings a deep sense of presence, rhythm, and atmosphere — embodied qualities of empathy that flow directly into her rope practice. Teaching grew naturally from a desire to help others tie with awareness, intention, and sensitivity to the person in front of them. She holds to the mindset of "always a student" — learning, exploring, and growing alongside those she teaches within the community.
At Shibari Lounge, her purpose-built neurodivergent-friendly studio in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, she fosters inclusive spaces where curiosity and creativity can thrive. Through Sakunawa, her hand-curated rope shop, and Saku Snaps, her photography work, she extends the same ethos: celebrating vulnerability, beauty, and presence through rope. Whether guiding beginners or supporting experienced practitioners, Bex’s teaching centres on connection, communication, and shared discovery.
For her, Shibari is a conversation — not just the bind you see, but the one you feel.
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Studio Support, Assistant Photographer & Sakunawa Crew
Dean is the steady hand behind the scenes across all our sister projects. From studio setup and order processing to photography support, he helps everything run smoothly and ensures our spaces feel organised, inclusive, and welcoming.
With a background in art and a growing passion for shibari, Dean combines creativity with practical skill. His eye for detail enriches the photographic process, while his steady presence fosters an environment where artistry and community can thrive.
As a core team member, Dean brings dedication, curiosity, and care — making him an essential part of the ongoing work at Sakunawa, Saku Snaps, and Shibari Lounge.
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Community Support, Event Host & Teaching Assistant
K brings her community-driven background and supportive energy to the Lounge. You’ll often find her welcoming newcomers, assisting with Begin & Bind tie-along sessions and jams, and occasionally stepping in to teach. She also helps set up and run events in Bex’s absence, making sure the Lounge remains a safe, inclusive, and smoothly-run space for everyone.
K has been both rigging and bottoming in rope for several years, including house rigging at other events. She brings a spark of creative chaos to her tying — you never quite know where her ropes will lead, but they always create memorable experiences for those involved and those watching.
Guest Educators & Volunteers at Shibari Lounge
The Lounge wouldn’t be what it is without the wider family who pass through its doors. We’re proud to welcome guest educators from the UK and abroad, each bringing their own knowledge, creativity, and style to our shibari workshops and intensives.
Alongside them, our community thrives thanks to dedicated volunteers who lend a hand at jams, support newcomers, and help keep the studio running with care. Together, they ensure Shibari Lounge remains a space full of connection, collaboration, and growth.
Contact us
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!