I played in that scene for a while, not as an alternative to mongering but just as something different than a simple paid-for. It's closer to a regular nightclub except EVERY woman there is expressly there to fuck. But for best results, learn about the lifestyle, know what to expect as a single guy, and play by the unwritten rules.
I mean, it's not a giant whorehouse. As a single guy you pay to get in but you still need to make a connection and seal the deal. You need charm. Every woman there is looking to fuck, just not necessarily to fuck you. And the clubs are often sausage fests, so there may only be a few women or couples playing on any given night, so you need some game. I've seen a lot of classless guys strike out at a fuck club.
But when you hook up, it's more rewarding than dropping a few hundred on a fine escort.
Anyway, all my old places are gone. Caligula got busted throwing parties during covid, Pendulum closed before that, Bowery Bliss closed before that - I loved that place! I never got to Plato's, but they closed before all of them. I don't keep up with the scene any more, but they're easy to find with a quick Google search.