Title: Inside Plura: The Application Bridging Polyamorous Individuals Through Real-World Gatherings
While I look for a spot to unroll my yoga mat, I hear a voice say: “Feel free to lie anywhere you like — even within the cage.” This is not your typical sound bath greeting, but then again, this isn’t an ordinary sound bath. We’re at Dungeon East, a BDSM venue nestled in downtown Los Angeles.
I discovered this gathering thanks to Plura, a hybrid dating and event app crafted for those who are kink-friendly and non-monogamous. Alongside this sound bath, the app featured a variety of activities, ranging from rope-tying workshops to non-monogamous speed dating and even erotic ceramics classes.
As more individuals grow tired of ghosting and the seemingly endless swiping culture of conventional dating apps, many are opting for in-person experiences — from running clubs to flirt parties to chess gatherings — to establish connections. I’ve been using dating apps since I turned 19, and when my partner and I opened our relationship, they became pivotal in our non-monogamous journey. However, recently, I’ve started to question whether I’ve been overlooking something by not venturing into the in-person realm. Could Plura’s emphasis on tangible events be the element I’ve been missing?
A Mix of Eventbrite and a Dating App — With a Kinky Spin
Plura emerged from dissatisfaction with mainstream dating apps. Founder Luna Ray, deeply involved in the Bay Area’s polyamorous community, turned to dating apps during the pandemic — and was quickly faced with the usual troubles: unsolicited explicit messages, ghosting, and general discourtesy. “At community events, people don’t behave that way,” she notes. “There’s accountability.”
Ray initially created Plura as a means for people to go on group dates during lockdown. But as events resumed, she realized she could use the app to see who was participating — and potentially connect with them in advance. She began collaborating with local event organizers, and Plura swiftly transformed into a dual-purpose platform: part dating app, part event discovery resource.
Currently, Plura operates as a kinky Eventbrite-meets-dating app for polyamorous and non-monogamous individuals. While accessible nationwide, in-person events are primarily located in cities such as Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, Portland, Atlanta, and the Bay Area. In just 2024, nearly 16,000 events were posted on the app.
Users have the option to browse events, purchase tickets, check who else is attending, and even message fellow participants. If someone piques your interest, you can “bud” them — Plura’s take on a “like.” The dating aspect of the app presents five curated profiles each day, and mutual buds enable a chat. To view everyone who has liked you, a subscription to Plura+ is required at $24.99 per month. While most dating features are behind a paywall, event listings remain free — underscoring that the app’s true essence lies in its community gatherings.
For users like Nic Sornoso, 32, the events have been life-changing. When she and her husband opened their marriage, she sought dating apps but found them insufficient. Only Feeld allowed her to filter by non-monogamy, but she found it glitchy and overly aggressive. A friend urged her to try Plura, labeling it “Facebook for non-monogamous people.” After downloading it, she attended a local ENM meetup, where she met both new friends and a current partner. Now, she no longer uses other dating apps — she simply participates in Plura events.
“The Dungeon Is My Tinder”
As I browsed through Plura’s event offerings, I was amazed by the multitude of non-monogamy-oriented gatherings occurring nearby. My partner and I have maintained an open relationship for three years, yet we’ve always felt somewhat estranged from the scene. We’ve never attended a play party, and we are the only open couple in our circle of friends. However, spotting an ENM meetup at a bar just blocks away made me feel as though a whole new world was unfolding.
Ray emphasizes that accessibility was a significant objective. “I aimed to make it easier for individuals just beginning their poly or queer journey to find their community,” she explains. Even in areas like the Bay Area, it can be challenging to penetrate these communities if you don’t already have connections.
Plura not only assists newcomers — it also serves as a crucial resource for event organizers. Justine Cross, owner of Dungeon East, conducts everything from sex education classes to play parties to sound baths. However, promoting these events has proven difficult. Instagram shadows her posts, Eventbrite has eliminated non-sexual events for policy violations, and Facebook’s efficacy has diminished. Plura, on the other hand, actively markets her events to a pertinent audience.
Cross believes that non-sexual