Soul_Rebel wrote:Well fetlife is fairly active in the UK, however, it isn't much of a dating site imo. More or less a place for exploring one's kink and for more "professional networking." If you are trying to become immersed in the lifestyle, such as going to munches, and getting into workshops, fetlife may be your best option.
However, if you are searching for a play partner for private sessions, i'd recommend using traditional dating sites, meeting people, and then decide whether they should be included in this part of your life. Just my two cents.
It's true that Fetlife is not primarily a dating site, but there are a fair number of Fetlife groups for people seeking partners. E.g., there is a "London, UK Personals" group.
On the whole, I agree with both your suggestions. Going to munches and other IRL meetups is a good way to get involved in the scene, and It can also lead to finding a partner. I've met precisely zero partners through kink-oriented personals ads. I've met a couple of tie-up partners in person through the Washington, DC-area group The Black Rose, another through OK Cupid, but most through completely vanilla in-person social interactions. There are a reasonable number of people out there who are into tie-ups, but who don't participate in sites like this one or Fetlife.