Friends Night Out (FNO)

Friends Night Out (FNO) runs its parties out of a rented two-level space in Aurora, Illinois known to members as "The Barn" — 2,030 square feet on Jericho Road near I-88 and Orchard Road, styled like a warm pub with conversation couches, chairs and cocktail tables rather than a purpose-built club. It's a licensed, zoned business the group leases for select gatherings, with swinger activity upstairs treated much like private activity in a hotel room; the venue owner supports the lifestyle community and welcomes guests of all orientations and identities. The space holds up to 100 guests, with parking for roughly 50 cars, two restrooms, exterior security cameras and intruder-alert systems. FNO bills itself less as a sex club and more as a friendship club — "we believe in fostering friendships in and out of the bedroom" — and leadership runs games and activities designed to get couples talking rather than just pairing off. Regular parties are capped at 75–100 people to keep the house-party feel intact, with occasional hotel takeovers scaling up to around 300. All events are BYOB with mixers supplied, appetizers are provided, and themed dress is encouraged but optional — guests not in costume are simply asked to "dress to impress." Access runs through paid membership: attending is a donation that doubles as an FNO membership fee, entry requires a prior ticket order number, and the street address isn't released until checkout. New members are marked with a green wristband so regulars can welcome them. FNO does not supply condoms or lubricant for health and liability reasons, so guests bring their own; wipes are provided in the play area, and neither of the two bathrooms has a shower.