Resources

A curated space for learning, exploration, care, and connection.

Night Owls exists to create spaces rooted in curiosity, consent, and meaningful human connection. Our intention for the Resources page is to extend beyond events and offer a thoughtfully curated collection of articles, guides, organizations, spaces, and tools we genuinely trust and love.

Whether you’re exploring new relationship dynamics, deepening your understanding of consent and communication, seeking sexual health support, or simply looking for inspiration, this page is designed to meet you with care, clarity, and openness.

Have something you want to share or suggest? Drop a note to hello@nightowlsmeet.com – we’d love to take a look!

Sexual Health & Wellness Resources

Caring for your sexual health is a meaningful part of self-care, connection, and community responsibility. Whether you’re testing routinely, after a specific experience, or simply staying informed, access to affirming, judgment-free care matters. Below are a few trusted clinics in the NYC area offering free or low-cost testing, chosen for their compassionate approach, accessibility, and commitment to inclusive care.

The NYC Sexual Health Clinics provide low- to no-cost services for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. They have locations in Chelsea, Central Harlem, and several others. Visit their website for details:

Sexual Health Clinics – NYC Health

The GMHC Testing Center provides free and confidential testing for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and hepatitis C. They’re located at 38th St. between 8th and 9th Avenues in Manhattan. You can find hours and more information on their website:

STI Testing – GMHC

Medical Resources Disclaimer

The information and recommendations provided on this page are for general educational and informational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Night Owls does not provide medical services. We encourage everyone to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any questions or concerns about sexual health, testing, treatment, or wellness. Always seek the guidance of a licensed medical provider with any medical questions.

Whether you’re brand new or deepening your understanding, these resources are designed to help you navigate play party and nightlife experiences with confidence, awareness, and care.

Explore, Play, Intentionally

Explore

Boundaries & Self-Awareness

Boundaries are not walls. They are guides. They help us understand what feels safe, nourishing, and aligned in our bodies, emotions, and relationships. In spaces rooted in connection, curiosity, and play, self-awareness and boundary clarity become essential tools for emotional safety, trust, and meaningful experience.

Aftercare & Emotional Integration

Intense social, emotional, and embodied experiences can open us up in beautiful ways. They can also leave us feeling tender, reflective, energized, or unexpectedly vulnerable. Aftercare is the practice of tending to ourselves and one another after moments of deep connection, play, or emotional openness.

Consent in Practice

Consent is not a single moment or question. It is an ongoing conversation — one shaped by presence, awareness, and care. At its best, consent creates the conditions for deeper connection, emotional safety, and meaningful exploration.

First-Time Guide to Play Parties

Attending your first play party can feel exciting, curious, and a little nerve‑wracking all at once. That’s completely natural. Play parties are intentionally different from traditional nightlife, and stepping into a new kind of social environment invites both anticipation and vulnerability.

Play Party Etiquette

Play parties are built on trust, communication, and shared responsibility. Unlike traditional nightlife or casual social environments, play parties ask participants to engage with heightened awareness, emotional intelligence, and care.

What Is a Play Party?

A play party is an intentional gathering designed around curiosity, connection, and embodied experience. With an even greater focus than traditional nightlife or casual social spaces, play parties prioritize consent, communication, and emotional safety, creating environments where people can explore intimacy, desire, and self-expression with care.

Gentle Guidance & Support Note

The information shared in these guides is intended for educational and reflective purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or therapeutic care. Everyone’s experiences, needs, and boundaries are unique.

If anything you encounter brings up strong emotions, discomfort, or confusion, we encourage you to seek support from a qualified mental health or healthcare professional. Asking for help is a meaningful act of self-care.

Ethical non-monogamy and polyamory are having a moment.

As you may have seen, there have been dozens of articles written in the last few years alone about ENM and polyamorous relationships. Whether you're just dipping your toe in or have swum these waters for years, we’ve gathered a handful of these articles to share how the lifestyle is being shared and represented in the media.

The Roundup

Polyamory: Lots of S*x, Even More Scheduling

The Wall Street Journal follows different couples on their journey through polyamory.

Are you ready for polyamory? The quirks and characteristics needed to make it work

With non-monogamy continuing to trend, Independent tackles what traits are desirable for things to work out. The basic skills needed to excel at polyamory are the same ones needed for monogamy: clear communication, boundaries, the ability to be flexible, and emotional intelligence.

What Non-Monogamy Actually Is (And Isn’t), According To Non-Monogamous People

With a 250% uptick in online searches related to polyamory and ENM, people are finally exploring a community that has long existed, but no one spoke about openly.

The more, the s*xier: Here are the 3 zodiac signs best suited for polyamory

According to the stars, it seems like Sagittarius, Gemini, and Aquarius are the signs best suited for polyamory. Multi-tasking Gemini’s thrive when allowed to share all the sides of their personalities.

How Did Polyamory Become So Popular?

The article delves into the growing acceptance and portrayal of non-monogamous relationships in contemporary culture, especially within literature, television, and movies.

Why is everyone, including Whoopi Goldberg, talking about polyamory?

Whoopi Goldberg's recent mention of her past polyamorous experience on "The View" sparked conversations on the relationship style, emphasizing its feasibility for those who can multitask.

Is your relationship ready for polyamory? 6 signs that point to yes

If you're feeling the spark fade in your conventional relationship, experts suggest six signs that your relationship might be ready for polyamory.

Polyamory, the Ruling Class’s Latest Fad

The Atlantic explores the growing fascination with polyamory, particularly through the lens of Molly Roden Winter’s memoir, “More: A Memoir of an Open Marriage.”

Should You Want To Bone Your Friends? A Treatise

The article delves into the complexities of romantic feelings within friendships, challenging the notion that friendship and romance are entirely separate realms.

‘Humans are messy’: readers share their experiences with ethical non-monogamy

The landscape of romantic relationships is evolving, with open relationships, polyamory, and ethical non-monogamy (ENM) gaining acceptance.

Swingers want you to know a secret. Swinging is not just about s*x.

Open relationships, including polyamory and swinging, are gaining recognition in today's cultural landscape, with the swinging community experiencing a particularly notable moment.

How American Singles Really Feel About Consensual Non-Monogamy

The 2024 Match Singles in America report reveals that nearly one third of singles in the United States have engaged in consensually non-monogamous relationships, challenging the conventional idea of traditional sexual monogamy.

Polyamory is having a moment(s)

Over the past few decades, Polyamory has become more normalized, with approximately 4-5% of people in romantic relationships identifying as part of a consensually non-monogamous relationship.

12 Questions People In Polyamorous Relationships Are Sick Of Hearing

This article explores common questions faced by individuals practicing polyamory, where people engage in consensual, open relationships with multiple partners.

A Practical Guide to Modern Polyamory How to open things up, for the curious couple.

The article explores the dynamics and challenges of open relationships and polyamory, shedding light on the evolving perceptions of non-monogamous relationships in contemporary society.

Against Polyamory

The article highlights the current surge in interest and discussion around polyamory, likening it to a trend similar to CrossFit or going vegan.

See The Full Roundup