SLENTRE.COM

Compiled by Avarie Parker

The newest chart topper this month goes to Gunter Vandyke’s Sexy Islands. Once called Wilder Islands, the remodeled beachfront sim has surged in popularity, outranking SL’s most popular clubs. Both Frank’s Place and Phat Cats slipped a spot this month but still remain among the hottest clubs in Second Life. Dakota Neumann’s 6th Element crept up a spot to round out the top 3 Second Life locals in July.

There was a slight shake-up among the top roleplay sims in SL with Kingdom’s of Sand plunging down the chart in favor of Remembrance or NOR sim’s dark roleplay and combat destination.

This month’s ‘Best of the Worst’ destination goes to Alvensleben, owned by Hardasarockradio Bailey. The Island is best known for the Gay N’ Hot Club located high above the sim, where cute boys cruise for quick rendezvous. But you don’t have to take my word for it; you can check out the juicy photos below.

Per usual, you won’t find camping chairs, free lindens, automated avatars, or “bots” listed in any of the SLENTRE.COM’s top 10 sites. The weekly population data was compiled by a 3rd party source and then reviewed to exclude any sites that engage in tactics designed to boost traffic rankings. What remains is an accurate listing of where real Second Life residents are dancing, chatting, spending Lindens, and enjoying their second lives.

		Sexy Islands, Owner – Gunter Vandyke
		Phat Cats, Owner – Brianna Talbot
		The 6th Element , Owner – Dakota Neumann
		Frank’s Place, Owner – Gymmy Sinatra
		Remembrance, Owner – Luxa Budan
		Midnight Reflections, Owner – Missbehavin Neva
		Laguna Bay, Owner -Martin Mounier
		Purgatorio, Owner – Kora Zenovka
		SLeek, Owner – Hummer Corleone
		House of V, Owner – Vveronica Pony
		Alvensleben, Owner – Hardasarockradio Bailey

Stayed the same

Moved up

Moved down

New entry

 

1) Sexy Islands (Wilder Islands), Owner – Gunter Vandyke
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sexy%20Islands/221/151/21

What was once Wilder Islands has moved to Sexy Islands, Gunter Vandyke’s newest sim. Citing Linden Labs’ new rules regarding adult content and his own desire to clean up his beaches,Vandyke has remodeled the Sexy Nude Beach destination. He has replaced the XXX pose balls with more romantic cuddles and flirting animations. Residents can still find the adult content a short boat ride way on neighboring sim Xpulse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Wilder Islands has moved to the Sexy Islands sim located near Xpulse – which is also owned by Gunter Vandyke.)

SLENTRE had a chance to ask the wildly popular SL beach owner, Gunter Vandyke, a few questions about his Second Life sim:

Avarie Parker: Which island did you develop first? How did you get your start in SL?
Gunter Vandyke: From day one, I saw the potential in SL. I worked a long time to learn how to build items in SL. I then created and opened a small shop: Vandyke Design Tools and Gadgets.
Avarie Parker: I see.
Gunter Vandyke: In early 2008 I changed my private beach on wilder island to a public beach.
Avarie Parker: Why?
Gunter Vandyke: Just for fun and to have a little traffic for my shop. But in the middle of 2008, the traffic exploded! The parcel got bigger and bigger and my previous sim owner couldn’t sell other parcels because of lag.
Avarie Parker: Were you able to  make any money from it?
Gunter Vandyke: The beach itself breaks even as I always re-invest the Linden I make from it back into Sexy Islands.
Avarie Parker: So you moved your beach here and kept all the hardcore sex on your other sim. What was the reason for the change exactly?
Gunter Vandyke: More space, less lag. No laggy neighbors.
Avarie Parker: And residents can still find the same things as before? Nude avatars and people to have FUN with?
Gunter Vandyke: Sure, of course.
Avarie Parker: You said something about less sex balls – so no hardcore pose balls on this beach?
Gunter Vandyke: Correct.
Avarie Parker: Why not?
Gunter Vandyke: People can flirt here, have romantic moments
and then they can move to the neighboring sim for sex. It’s also due to the new adult rules put in place by Linden Labs.
Avarie Parker: Oh, so due to the new Linden rules you were required to separate out all the XXX adult content from this sim?
Gunter Vandyke: Yes.

(Sexy Beach owner Gunter Vandyke poses in front of his island waterfall.)

Among some of the new PG-rated activities that SL residents can enjoy on Sexy Islands are isolated sun bathing beaches, a stroll through an enchanted forest and hang gliding.

(Hang gliding among PG-rated activities newly available on Sexy Islands.)

Of course residents can still find the usual favorite SL pastimes on Sexy Island’s beaches. Dancing, chatting and plenty of beautiful nude avatars await your enjoyment.

2) Phat Cats, Owner – Brianna Talbot
http://slurl.com/secondlife/PhatLand/133/114/22

Phat Cats has leaped onto the charts making it’s debut as May’s most popular location in Second Life. This crowded jazz club is an upscale destination that requires all guests to wear formal attire :

We respectfully request that formal attire be worn inside the club to maintain its ambience. We invite you to visit our dressing rooms for quality complimentary dresses and tuxedos. Accessories and other gifts may also be available there from time to time, courtesy of the merchants of The Courtyard’s at Phat Cat’s.

(Phat Cats requests all guests wear formal attire in the club.)

Other club rules include no weapons, no harassment and no nudity. Phat Cats is housed on a strictly PG sim so if you’re in the mood for something a bit spicy, this may not be the place. They also prohibit the use of vulgarity and do not allow any advertising. The club invites residents to become members of their club:

We invite you to join the Phat Cat’s Romanticats Group to keep abreast of the live music performances, special events and benefits available only to members.  Ask your host or hostess for membership or use search to join.

(The top level of the club offers comfortable seating surrounded with lush trees and a beautiful view.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3) The 6th Element , Owner – Dakota Neumann
http://slurl.com/secondlife/GOL 8/128/128/20

The 6th Element, owned by Dakota Neumann, is a large dance club where one can find music, modern design, parties, and live DJ’s.

(5th Element Club in Second Life offers dancing and intimate areas to chat.) The newly designed club, created by Dakota Neumann himself, evokes a sense of modern sophistication. The only complaint: lag. It is often so busy with Second Life scenesters that just getting to the dance floor can be problematic. SLENTRE.COM recently profiled The 6th Element, outlining the new design elements and getting up close and personal with the owner.

(The 6th Element’s new dance floor sprawls beneath the open sky peaking through the modern rooftop)

Mr. Neumann was nice enough to sit down with SLENTRE.COM to discuss the club’s continuing success:

Avarie Parker: Your club grows more popular month after month and when I first did an article on it, it was a topless club. Were you the owner then, and if so, why did you change the format??

Dakota Neumann: I have always been the owner, yes. This club is the 6th in a row – first one was built in spring 2006. It was originally a dance-topless club. I did change it for strategic reasons and it’s been a great decision. GOL is a large company; 18 sims, residential islands and design sales. I wanted to cut any connection with sex.

AP: Do you own all 18 sims?

DN: Yes.

AP: So as you cut back on the sexual element, the success of the club increased?

DN: I have to say the club has always been successful, but now it’s consistently popular. It’s a pure dance club now with nothing – no shops or anything else – to increase traffic. We don’t have events and we don’t give out money.

AP: I love the design. Who designed and built it?

DN: I do the design and build all the projects on my sims. All of GOL was born because of my passion for the design and architecture. I build a new club every 6 months, changing styles along the way. That way we are always offering something new. So we can evolve.

AP: So why do people keep returning to the club?

DN: It’s a mixture – djs, great manager, cool environment. Many managers and staff have been with the club since the very beginning in 2006. It’s like a family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4) Franks Place, Owner – Gymmy Sinatra
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Franks%20Place/53/162/24

Frank’s Place is a 30’s/40’s style jazz club paying homage to Frank Sinatra. According to Ray Trafalgar, one of the managers, the place is packed nightly with 80+ residents. The sim also houses a mall where one can find the formal wear required to gain entrance into the club.

(Formal attire is requested at the Second Life Jazz Club, Frank’s Place)

“We try hard to keep the formal attire enforced and have a security of some 25 to keep it that way,” says Trafalgar. “If you enjoy the music of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and the Rat Pack, then this is your place.”

5 ) Remembrance, Owner – Luxa Budan
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Remembrance/128/128/0

Remembrance, or NOR sim, is one of 12 islands housing a dark roleplay and combat sim. According to Savina Decosta, who has been playing for over a year, the primary goal is to defeat other players and gain power.

( Savina Decosta, group leader)

She is a Lycan and “fights with her claws.”

(The city and combat area on the Nor sim)

When asked if there are there public battles, Savina replied; “Yes, HUGE public battles”.

6 ) Midnight Reflection, Owner – Missbehavin Neva
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Midnight%20Reflections/128/128/0

Midnight Reflection is a sim that boasts “love and romance”. It is decorated with lush foliage and beautiful waterfalls. The center of activity is the large dance floor nestled among the high clifftops. A pathway runs along the upper ledge of the rocks making for beautiful views and a nice romantic getaway from the action on the dance floor. The owner, Missbehavin, is very friendly, accessible and willing to answer questions.

(Monet Bury sports her new frock on the dance floor at the Midnight Reflection sim)

One resident, Money Bury, makes Midnight Reflections a major part of her regular stomping grounds.”I love it here! They have many dances and events. Most everyone is rather friendly and there is always someone here. Evenings they have events, contests, a live DJ and theme nights.”

7) Laguna Bay Nude Beach, Owner – Martin Mounier
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Laguna%20Bay/128/128/0

Laguna Bay Nude Beach is an adult sim that is heavily populated with unclothed and clothed avatars alike.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are many ocean side areas to chat, cuddle, sun bath, etc.

8) Purgatorio, Owner – Kora Kenovka
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Purgatorio/128/128/42

Purgatorio is home to the very popular Kingdom of Sand action role-play game. As with most Second Life role play adventures, Kingdom of Sand has an extensive set of rules and a complex storyline. You can read more about both on their website.

(Map of Ireem, home to Kingdom of Sand’s fictional storyline on Purgatorio in Second Life)

The game is based around the Arabian fantasy city of Ireem, lending an exotic and breathtaking backdrop for the virtual role play. One of the participants, Keil Ansar, was nice enough to take a few minutes to chat with me out of character.(Kingdoms of Sand Action Role Player, keil Ansar )

Avarie Parker: So how long have you been a member of this role play?

Keil Ansar: I have been enjoying this game for about 5 months now. I am a gardener and a citizen and so I don’t participate in battles.

AP: What’s the goal of the game?

KA: The goal is to have fun! Men and women joke around all day like kids and become very good friends. I very much enjoy the community and the sim itself is SO beautiful. I love to just wander around looking at the beautiful scenery.

9 ) SLeek, Owner – Hummer Corleone
http://slurl.com/secondlife/SLeek/128/128/0

SLeek is the newest club to hit the SLENTRE.COM Traffic Report. The vibe is fresh and international and there seemed to be many chats going on in languages other than English.

(DJ Janine Cummings spins funky house electronica at SLeek, Second Life dance club)

Club manager and SLeek DJ, Janine Cummings, was happy to answer a few questions about the club and why it’s so popular among residents:

Avarie Parker: Why do residents come to the club?

Janine Cummings: Residents come here to dance, talk and meet other people from over the world. A lot of people simply hangout at the beach area, which is packed with people windsurfing, parasailing, kite boarding, swimming and a wide range of activities to discover.

AP: What is the music like?

JC: We’re focused on House music and have a wide range of DJs playing here from all over the world.

AP: How long have you been DJing at SLeek?

JC: I DJ very rarely, because I am too busy with other projects in SL. I do the DJ bookings for the Club. I work in the music business in RL, so it’s interesting for me to spot new talent in SL.

AP: How long has the club been around?

JC: SLeek has existed for two years now. The actual location (Region) has been around since February 2007.

AP: Do you make good money?

JC: I guess the fact that that the club has continued running for two years speaks for itself.

AP: Why did the owner open the club?

JC: SLeek is not only a dance Club. Hummer Corleone (Owner) runs his Furniture and Gym Equipment business on the Sim and some selected shops featuring the best designers in SL (including Sartoria Traveller Bade [Men’s Clothing], Wrong [Women’s Clothing], Kalnins [Eyewear], SOREAL, Akeyo, Hyperion Studio [Shapes], Concrete [Urban Wear] and RE.ACT).

AP:What are the best nights to come out?

JC: We run events with changing life-DJ’s every Day in European peak time (12-04 PM SLT).

10) Chained Lust ( House of V), Owner – Vveronic Pony
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Chained%20lust/81/61/57

House of V on the Chained Lust sim is one of the most popular BDSM clubs in Second Life. Closed to anyone under 18, the club works to ensure that all who participate in activities here are willing participants and not innocent victims. There is a large billboard with the following warning:

Every Tuesday and Friday is Member’s Day. Any paid up House of V member or Gold member can claim the free use of anybody they find at House of V on Tuesdays and Fridays (Midnight to Midnight SLT). This includes HoV escorts, dancers, staff, friends, and non-member visitors.
The only people who can say no are House of V members, Gold members, HoV Concierges, DJs and HoV Officers. The only safe places are the landing and vendor areas! If you don’t want to be used, we advise you leave or stay in the safe area.
Duration of any session is 30 minutes minimum.
CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED!

So what does the term ‘free use’ mean exactly? I had a chance to talk to Ebony Takacs, House of V Concierge, for the juicy details:

“We are a rather friendly bunch – it IS BDSM sim of course, but I feel residents come here for the chatter and the obvious – to dance, hang out, and have fun. It’s open not only to those in Dom/Sub but for anyone who likes to play and follow the rules. I will say that its best for members on Tuesdays and Fridays. On those days, members are able to claim others – sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t.
For 30 minutes a member can claim you as a sub and you do what she asks.
This can often mean something as innocent as dancing. However, this is an adult sim, so other things happen as well.
I like it because you never know from day to night what you might see.”

(House of V Concierge, Ebony Takacs dances while working at the club.)

Do you make money here?

“Honestly, Tuesdays and Fridays? Not much. Other days more.
I must admit I have worked and not gotten paid much,
but I have made up to 2 or 3,000L ($8.00 -$12.00). But trust me, this is not common.
It is fun to work here. That and the people I interact with outweigh the money I make.
At the House of V, come out and enjoy dom/subs, beasts, your fantasy – this is what it means to me.”

500) Alvensleben, Owner – Hardasarockradio Bailey
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Alvensleben/159/17/483

Alvensleben sim is home to The Hard Land Development and Gay N’ Hot club. The club hovers above the clouds about 500 feet from the ground. It’s a mecca for hot male avatars looking for a quick date.

(Alvensleben owner Hardasarockradio Bailey DJs in the club on Saturday nights.)

There are events almost nightly with club music and DJs. According to one semi-regular, Rober1 Finesmith, not everyone is there just for quick fun:

Avarie Parker: So why do you come to this club then?
Rober1 Finesmith: I come here to see who else is around. Frankly though, I have not had any encounters. The guys I see here just don’t seem my type. Still, you won’t catch a fish unless you put your line in the water.
Avarie Parker: So is this club mostly for men then? Is it fairly easy to find quick hot sex? As the name implies?
Rober1 Finesmith: Yes, it’s a gay club. The thing is, I want someone who thinks and has ideas rather than simply having sex. I see guys having sex from time to time. I even get offers, but having someone offering nothing but his mouth or ass is not so appealing. Sex is mind and body – at least for me. There should be a match of personality; not just body cavities and cocks.

(Gay N Hot Club goer Rober1 Finesmith admits to wanting more from the typical gay cruising scene.)

Finesmith may be in the wrong place for romance, but who  knows – even this straight female reporter got a nice offer. Likely the exception rather than the rule, the Gay N Hot club appears to offer up just what it’s name implies.

*This report was compiled using the powerful mapping tools provided by Mappa Novus,http://www.mappanovus.com/. Their in-house data collection technology regularly collects population data for each region of the Second Life metaverse. The data is stored over time so various statistical analyses can be made. Any sim that offers camping, free-lindens, or bots is disqualified.