Copper Cup

The Copper Cup is a proudly independent club in the Dock Ward, known as much for its vibrant performances as for its radical business model. Founded by a coalition of entertainers, dancers, hosts, and servers tired of working under exploitative management, the Copper Cup operates as a worker-owned co-operative. Every staff member is an equal shareholder, from the headliner to the doorman, and all are empowered to shape the identity and operations of the club.
Unlike most festhalls in Waterdeep, the Copper Cup is not beholden to a single patron or guild structure. Its workers are fiercely protective of their independence and have created a haven where artistry, sensuality, and personal agency coexist without compromise. Though officially monitored by the Council of Musicians, Instrument-Makers, & Choristers and the Guild of Courtesans and Entertainers, the Copper Cup has remained in good standing—if under constant scrutiny.

Structure and Culture

The building is wide and low-slung, with warm lighting that spills out onto the cobblestones of Smuggler’s Run. Inside, the atmosphere shifts from jubilant to intimate as one moves through its three distinct wings:
The Main Stage — A raucous and radiant performance hall with space for music, dance, comedy, or dramatic storytelling. Tables are packed, drinks flow freely, and the crowd is always half a beat from breaking into song.
The Back Stage — Discreet and velvet-draped, this space caters to more provocative forms of entertainment—burlesque, sensual dance, and boundary-pushing performance art. Entrance requires clear consent and is strictly age-restricted.
The Guest Quarters — A private warren of finely kept rooms for those seeking personal companionship. Every host sets their own terms, and consent is the foundation of all encounters. Nothing is implied, and nothing is expected.
All staff choose how they wish to contribute—performing, serving, guarding, or hosting—and roles may shift night to night. There is no hierarchy among them, and decisions are made collectively, often over shared meals or post-show cool-downs.

Administration

Each year, the staff elect three administrators—not to lead, but to manage business operations, legal compliance, and guild relations. These individuals act as trusted stewards rather than bosses, and every decision they make is transparent and subject to recall. Elections are civil, often unanimous, and treated more like a community affirmation than a power contest.
Olasha Ilinan has held an administrative seat since the Cup’s founding. Known for her unshakable calm and sharp instincts, she is one of the most respected voices in the establishment—though she’d be the last to claim any authority over her colleagues.

Reputation

To outsiders, the Copper Cup is a paradox: wildly popular, yet undeniably subversive. Nobles visit in disguise, bards whisper about it in verses, and rival venues alternate between admiration and jealousy. For the people of the Dock Ward—and for many across Waterdeep—it is a Beacon of autonomy, artistry, and earned joy.

Parent Location

Dock Ward

Owner

Olasha Ilinan