On the outside, it’s just another 125-year-old Victorian mansion. But behind the brick veneer, this building, just north of Ryerson University, hosts “everyone from voyeurs to people who want to be watched,” says its owner, Toni Johnson. The 10-month-old business housed inside is called Oasis Aqualounge—it’s what’s known as a “lifestyle club.”
“We have a variety of steam rooms and play rooms throughout,” says Johnson. The Aqualounge also boasts a pool and three bars—its promotional materials describe it, essentially, as a permissive atmosphere for people who crave sexual adventure. Almost anything goes, she says, as long as everybody involved consents. (And as long as they’re all older than 19.) The only people not allowed are single men—it’s couples and women only.
“When single men hang around, next thing you know it’s overrun and you’ve got, like, a sausage fest happening,” says Johnson.
The neighbours are tolerant, for the most part—adjacent to the Church-Wellesley Village, it’s a permissive area. Johnson said the only complaints she’s received have been about excess noise.
The key selling point, and the justification for the $80-per-day entry fee (for a couple; $20 for women), is that couples can have sex literally anywhere inside. Except the hot tub. “There’s not enough water to dilute stuff,” explained Johnson. But, “the pool is large enough.”
The third-floor romp room is wall-to-wall mattress, with a low ceiling, red velvet curtains and, most importantly, one-way windows from which patrons of the third-floor bar can observe all the goings-on inside.
The second-floor dungeon includes a play dungeon for those who want to try their hand at S & M without getting too committed. It includes spanking tables, crosses, slings and the like. “Not too hardcore at all,” says Johnson.
