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In Albert Goldman's book "Disco" (1978) the following 22 clubs are shown, but without reference of which clubs
they show.
I, together with my friend Steffen of HotDiscoMix, have
great interest in completing the information with club name, the address, the active years, the names of Resident-DJs and
other information; e.g. what happend to the club/building, whether it was a Gay- or a Straight-club and how popular it was.
Can YOU identify any of the still "unknown" clubs?
Or - Have you got additional information on the already known clubs?
Please mail me any and all information you have...
Mail ME
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| address: |
180 Christopher Street
(at West Street)
New York City |
| active years: |
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| DeeJays: |
Wayne Scott
Lary Sanders (1976-1977) (photo)
Howard Merritt
Kevin Burke |
| websites: |
Greenwich Village - A Gay History
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| information: |
— was a cock fighting ring - hense the name
— in the '70's the ground floor was "The Cock Ring" and upstairs was "The Hotel Christopher"
— the building was built in 1858 as the Great Eastern Hotel
— in 1982 the building was converted into a posh hotel called "The River Hotel", with a glassed-in sixth-floor restaurant with river view called La Grande Corniche
— about the same time the River Hotel opened, the Club became Uncle Charlie's Village
— since 1986 it's "The Bailey-Holt House", a hospice for people with AIDS |
| identify: |
Robbie Leslie / Cris |
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| address: |
1 Sheridan Square
New York City |
| active years: |
??? - ??? (Manhattan South)
1967 - 1970 (Salvation) |
| DeeJays: |
Terry Noel (Salvation)
Anne Henry (Salvation)
Fred Adams (Salvation)
Scott Mandell (Salvation)
Brian Conliff (Salvation)
Tony Mansfield (Salvation) |
| websites: |
the Monster |
| information: |
— Manhattan South was more of a bar and not really a club
— in the late sixties to early seventies the place was a disco called Salvation (where Fay Dunaway was on the board of directors)
— Faye's boyfriend Jerry Schatzberg was the co-owner of Salvation along with Bradley Pierce and Bobby Woods
— Salvation was all red inside and had a circular dance floor with all the seats going around it, sort of arena style where people could sit and watch the dancers, like the Coliseum or a roman ampitheatre
— Celebs like Faye Dunaway, Liza Minelli, The Yardbirds, Marisa Berenson and Mia Farrow used to visit Salvation
— Jim Morrison was also seen there once by Lauren Lawrence, he even tried to pick her up on the dance floor
— Richard Roundtree, more known as 'Shaft' from the 'blaxploitation' movies, worked as a bouncer/doorman of Salvation in the late 60's
— Salvation closed after the mob had threatened to murder Bradley, a destiny Bobby had already faced
— around the corner, on 80 Grove Street, the Monster opened in 1982 and it's still there
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| identify: |
Lauren Lawrence / Jamie @ Monster / Scott Mandell / Les Mills |
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Playlist June 1979
DJ: Roy Thode |
AIN'T NOTHING GONNA KEEP ME FROM YOU - Teri DeSario
BAD GIRLS - Donna Summer
DISCO CHOO CHOO/DANCE FREAK & BOOGIE - Nightlife Unlimited
DON'T YOU WANT MY LOVE - Debbie Jacobs
HEAVEN MUST HAVE SENT YOU - Bonnie Pointer
I'VE GOT THE NEXT DANCE - Deniece Williams
LET IT GO, LET IT GO - Kellee Patterson
LET ME TAKE YOU DANCING - Bryan Adams
LOVE ATTACK - Ferrara
LOVE MAGIC - John Davis & The Monster Orchestra
NEW YORK - Nuggets
NIGHT RIDER - Venus Dodson
RING MY BELL - Anita Ward
THIS TIME BABY - Jackie Moore
YOU GONNA MAKE ME LOVE SOMEBODY ELSE - Jones Girls
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| address: |
599 Broadway
(at Houston Street, SouthWest corner )
New York City |
| active years: |
December 1974 - February 1981 |
| DeeJays: |
Wayne Scott
Howard Merritt (five years resident DJ)
Sergio Munzibai (photo)
Lary Sanders (1976-1977) (photo)
Richie Rivera
Armando Galvez |
| websites: |
599 Broadway today |
| information: |
— Michael Fesco club owner and promoter, a former Broadway dancer
— 600 dollars membership subscription per year
— members had to have three members recommend to get a membership
— Flamingo had a very exclusive clientele, lots of doctors, lawyers, not off-the-street people
— Flamingo was where they started those Black Parties, White Parties and Cowboy Parties
— Michael Fesco now runs the Sunday SeaTea cruises
— from January 1982 to February 1983 the place was run as Phoenix Productions, which was Ozkar Fuller and Randy Flood. Ozkar was also the DJ and had earlier been DJ'ing with Nicky Siano at Buttermilk Bottom.
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| identify: |
Robbie Leslie |
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Playlist October 1977
DJ: Richie Rivera |
BLOCK PARTY - Anthony White
DANCE, DANCE, DANCE - Chic
GOT TO HAVE YOUR LOVE/FIRE DOWN BELOW - Fantastic Four
GIRL DON'T MAKE ME WAIT/POP COLLAGE/LOVE SHOOK - Pattie Brooks
KEEP IT UP - Olympic Runners
KINGS OF CLUBS - Chocolat's
LE SPANK - Le Pamplemousse
NATIVE NEW YORKER - Odyssey
RUNNING AWAY - Roy Ayers
YOUR LOVE IS SO GOOD FOR ME - Diana Ross |
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| address: |
Phil's Men's Shop was located in 148 East 48th Street (also refered to as 792 Third Ave)
Le Directoire / Le Twinkie Zone was located in 160 East 48th Street
New York |
| active years: |
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| DeeJays: |
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| websites: |
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| information: |
— Finally the location of Phil's Men's Shop is found. The address was 148 East 48th Street and there's actually still a tailor in the premises
— the building itself is today the Helmsley Middletowne Hotel, 148 East 48th Street, but I still don't know if it was a Hotel back in the late 70's
— trying to find out if there might have been a Club within the Hotel (if it was a Hotel back in '77/'78) or if Albert Goldman managed to catch the wrong location in this photo
— in the adjacent building towards 3rd Ave, in 160 E 48th Street there was a club called Le Directoire in the early to mid 70's and it was later known as Le Twinkie Zone. Question is if THAT was the Club Mr. Goldman was actually after??
— Le Twinkie Zone was partially owned by Brad Pierce and a French fellow named Claude and it's said Francis Grasso used to DJ there, but more information is still requested...
— Jim of the Buddy Holly Fan Club informed me that it was the same Phil's Men's Shop where Buddy Holly bought his clothing
— Scan: Le Twinkie Zone membership card
— Photo: Building today
— Photo: Tailor in the premises today
— Photo: the adjacent building today
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| identify: |
Jim / Fred |
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| address: |
408 West 15th Street
(at Tenth Avenue)
Chelsea - New York City |
| active years: |
late 70's and early 80's |
| DeeJays: |
Michael "Copa" Haynes
Danny Rodriguez
Frank Corr
John Rossi
Danny Tenaglia |
| websites: |
Chelsea - A Gay History |
| information: |
— owner was a man named Hank and had an incredible cocaine habit, he used to invite attractive people into his VIP room where a huge pile of blow the size of a card table would be waiting
— the club didn't even have a real liquor license, you had to buy tickets and then exchange the tickets for drinks
— DJ booth was a large crisco can
— Blondie sang about a well known coke and heroin dealer who hung out in the club, his name was Steve and he was referred to as 'Flash' in the song Rapture in the phrase 'Flash is fast, Flash is cool'
— they had a bartender named Steve Duffield. There were also a bartender who would only drink the urine of his lover and kept a glass of it on the bar, everything to be shocking
— Photo: Crisco Disco Matchbook
— Photo: Crisco Disco Can
— Photo: Crisco Disco Dancefloor
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| identify: |
Jack / Cathy / "Scarlet Gypsy"(Matchbook) |
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| address: |
350 W. 42nd Street
(between 8th & 9th Ave.)
New York City |
| active years: |
April 6, 1977 - 1978 ??? |
| DeeJays: |
Joey Palminteri (photo)
Pauly Cassella
Phil Smith |
| websites: |
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| information: |
— owner called himself Gypsy (after Gypsy Rose Lee) and he loved Gin & Tonic
— 3 floors club with one of the most elaborate light and sound systems at the time
— top floor was the main dance area which had this 'mountain' of neon light raising from the floor. Smoke would roll down the mountain several times each night covering the dancefloor with a sea of fog.
— second floor was were live acts performed
— bottom floor was the lounge area, very well done with headphones at every seat to listen to recorded mixes
— admission was $15 unless you knew the bouncers who took your money and let you in the side door
— once they had a Dance Marathon which lasted for 2 days
— in the Club people would dance the Hustle and a couple, Floyd & Nelly, represented the club in a dance contest in the Merv Griffin Show
— a club anthem was "After dark" by Pattie Brooks, when it came on everyone got on the floor
— last song used to be Donna Summer's "Last dance"
— the Saturday Night Band - "Come On Dance, Dance" album coverphoto was photographed at Starship Discovery I
— the Club was called Omega before turned in to Starship...
— Joey Palminteri had a club called the Sound Machine at east 55th Street before Starship Discovery I
— Photo: Starship Discovery I 'Neon mountain'
— Photo: Invitation to Starship Discovery I
— Photo: Starship Discovery I membership card
— Photo: Omega the club prior to Starship Discovery I
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| identify: |
Bob / Elizabeth / Phil / Joseph |
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| address: |
84 King Street
Greenwich Village - New York City |
| active years: |
September 1977 - September 26, 1987
December 1975 - Spring 1976 (Chameleon) |
| DeeJays: |
Larry Levan (photo)
David DePino
Frankie Knuckles (photo)
John Luongo (photo)
Jim Burgess (photo)
Bert Bevans (photo)
Sharon White (photo)
David Morales
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| websites: |
Disco-Disco: Paradise Garage
Disco-Disco: Larry Levan
Disco-Disco: Frankie Knuckles
Disco-Disco: Jim Burgess
Disco-Disco: John Luongo
Disco-Disco: Bert Bevans
Disco-Disco: Sharon White
Disco-Disco: WestEnd Records
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| information: |
— owned by Michael Brody and his lifepartner Mel Cheren of WestEnd Records
— a strictly Members Only club with a mainly black gay crowd
— before it was a club, the place was a parking Garage, hense the name
— you walked up the ramp and turned right to enter the space
— originally contruction parties were held for almost half a year and during this time the club was called 'the 84 King Street Garage'
— the official opening was in mid February 1978
— 'the Garage' had one of the best sound systems ever created, designed and installed by Richard Long
— it had a huge dancefloor which could have some 2000 people dancing at the same time
— the club was a testing ground for new releases and acts, if it was a hit here it would work everywhere
— to enter the club you had to walk up a long runway, there were also a movie room and a rooftop patio
— the club didn't serve alcohol, but in the bar everything was complimentary
— the post-Disco music out of New York got it's name 'Garage' from the club
— prior to becoming 'the Garage' the place was a short lived club called Chameleon
— Photo: Paradise Garage entrance in 2004
— Photo: Paradise Garage pillbox
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| identify: |
Mark Kane / Discoguy |
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Playlist December 1978
DJ: Larry Levan |
CHAINS/CREAM (ALWAYS RISES TO THE TOP) - Bionic Boogie
CONTACT - Edwin Starr
FEED THE FLAME - Lorraine Johnson
HOLD YOUR HORSES - First Choice
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S RIGHT - Evelyn 'Champagne' King
I WILL SURVIVE - Gloria Gaynor
I'M EVERY WOMAN - Chaka Khan
JE SUIS MUSIC/ROCKET IN THE POCKET - Cerrone
KISS ME AGAIN - Dinosaur
LADY BUG - Bumble Bee Unlimited
LE FREAK/I WANT YOUR LOVE - Chic
MY CLAIM TO FAME/TRUE LOVE IS MY DESTINY - James Wells
SHOOT ME (WITH YOUR LOVE) - Tasha Thomas
SOUVENIRS/KECHAK FANTASY/EASTERN TRIP/TAHITI, TAHITI - Voyage
YOU STEPPED INTO MY LIFE - Melba Moore
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| address: |
491 West Street
(between 12th and Jane Street)
Greenwich Village - New York City |
| active years: |
1975 - 1980
1981 - 1984 (as The River Club)
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| DeeJays: |
Tom Savarese (first DJ) (photo)
Jim Burgess (photo)
Alan Dodd
Jonathan Fearing
Jimmy Stuard (May 1976 - May 1977)
Robbie Leslie (1979 - fall 1980) (photo)
Jim Evangelista (final DJ)
Art Figueroa (Guest DJ)
Howard Merritt
Wayne Scott
Lance Wise
Shaun Buchanan
Paul Poulos
Ricky Ybarra
Roy Thode (photo)
Sharon White
John Ceglia (photo)
Kevin Burke
Casey Jones (River Club) |
| websites: |
Disco-Disco: Robbie Leslie
Disco-Disco: John Ceglia
Disco-Disco: Jim Burgess
12 West Memories
Greenwich Village - A Gay History
Memory of Jimmy Stuard
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| information: |
— owners Carey Finkelstein (who later opened Les Mouches), Tony Martino and Alan Harris
— membership-club
— admission was $7 circa 1979
— no alcohol... juice only
— primarily gay members
— the place had been a flower factory and was like an amphitheater in shape with three raised tiered banquets around the square dance floor
— 10 mirror balls of differing sizes suspended above the floor
— the club's sound system was designed by Graebar Productions and was one of the best ever installed; with two large corner loaded horns, four coffin speakers which housed midrange arrays pointed at the dance floor and a tweeter array up above
— the lightning show was operated by Richard Tucker
— on New Years Eve of 1975 (into '76) Michael Jackson's "Forever Came Today" appropriately brought in the New Year
— the club's DJ, Jimmy Stuard, tragically died in a fire at the Everard (nicknamed Everhard) Baths in May 25, 1977
— in 1985 the building was torn down
— Photo: 12 West logo
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| identify: |
Bob Baker / Jack / Beverly |
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Playlist July 1976
DJ: Tom Savarese |
BEST DISCO IN TOWN - The Ritchie Family
CHERCHEZ LA FEMME/SOUR AND SWEET/I'LL PLAY THE FOOL - Dr. Buzzard's Original "Savannah" Band
C'MON, BABY, LET'S DO THE LATIN HUSTLE - Fajardo
DISCO MAGIC - T-Connection
HEAVEN MUST BE MISSING AN ANGEL/DON'T TAKE AWAY THE MUSIC - Tavares
OOOH BABY - Alan White
RUN TO ME/YOUNG HEARTS RUN FREE - Candi Staton
SUN ... SUN ... SUN ... - Ja-kki
YOU SHOULD BE DANCING - Bee Gees
YOU'LL NEVER FIND ANOTHER LOVE LIKE MINE - Lou Rawls
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Playlist January 1977
DJ: Jimmy Stuard |
DANCING QUEEN - Carol Douglas
DISCO INFERNO/BODY CONTACT CONTRACT - The Trammps
DON'T LEAVE ME THIS WAY - Thelma Houston
GOOD LOVE MAKES EVERYTHING ALRIGHT/GREATEST FEELING - Melba Moore
HELP HELP/FEVER/TAKE THE HEAT OFF ME - Boney M
MANGOUS YE - Black Soul
OVERTURE/O BA BA/INDISCREET/DON'T KEEP IT IN THE SHADOWS - D.C. LaRue
SPING AFFAIR/SUMMER FEVER - Donna Summer
THAT'S THE TROUBLE/SORRY - Grace Jones
WELCOME TO OUR WORLD - Mass Production
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| address: |
124 West 43rd Street
New York City |
| active years: |
May 1978 (premier night only)
re-opened: June 7, 1978 - ??? |
| DeeJays: |
Tony Smith
Richie Rivera
John "Jellybean" Benitez (photo)
Bert Bevans (photo)
Preston Powell
Toni "Toni C" Colandreo
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| websites: |
Disco-Disco: John "Jellybean" Benitez
Disco-Disco: Bert Bevans |
| information: |
— owner Howard Stein and Peppo Vanini
— opened probably in May 1978, but was not finished so after the premier night they closed to re-open in June 7, 1978.
— located in the former Henry Miller Theatre, which still is the name of the building
— known for it's incredible 16-channels sound system, the most expensive ever installed in a New York club.
— it also had this $100'000 'Mothership' of lightning in the ceiling, which would decend to a point just over the dancers heads
— some have reffered to the lightning as a 'Close encounters' Disco ceiling
— the club also had fabulous neon arts on the walls
— John F Kennedy Jr. was a regular during the first years
— today it's the home of the Kit Kat Club
— Photo: Xenon Dance floor
— Photo: Xenon neons
— Photo: Xenon giant pinball
— Photo: Peter Brown live at Xenon
— Photo: Bryan Ferry invite
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| identify: |
Dannis / Discoguy / Helene |
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| address: |
128 West 45th Street
New York City |
| active years: |
July 20, 1978 - November 1980 |
| DeeJays: |
Louie Gagliano (photo)
Willy ??? |
| websites: |
History of Gay Bars in NYC |
| information: |
— owners were Bernard Kurtz, Benjamin Cohen & Matthew "the Horse" Ianniello
— admission $10 after 11, $5 before
— the full name was "GG Knickerbockers' PT Barnum Room", named in part after the legendary circus founder, PT Barnum
— the 'GG' stands for Gilded Grape, which was a club located in 719 8th Avenue, later called GG Knickerbocker's ('GG' after Gilded Grape) as it moved the building which housed the Knickerbocker Hotel. The 'GG' was kept when moving again and now the club becoming the GG Barnum Room in 128 West 45th St (as per the photo)
— "Jungle Gym in the Sky" as trapeze artists flew over head, with netting to catch them above the disco floor
— had a Cabaret show with beautiful "girls"
— had a bouncer called "Jersey"
— the club had a mixed crowd... straight, gays, women of transexual experience, transvestites and cross-dressers would come from all over NYC to have a great time
— music wise you would hear tracks like "Native New Yorker" and "First Be A Woman"
— the original Gilded Grape was pretty small, sort of a hole-in-the-wall place. The next locale was bigger, it was here the club became GG Knickerbocker's and it was located in 1466 Broadway & 42nd St. That club was kind of divided into two areas. After entering the front door the first area was mostly just a long bar on the right side of the room with a bit of seating area (at the bar and perhaps a few tables). The 2nd area in the back was the dance floor. It wasn't huge or elaborate, in fact it was pretty small and crowded. The doorman at both Gilded Grape and Knickerbocker was Angel Caraballo. There was a bartender called Gene. It was almost completely a drag club. There might have been 2 or 3 "real" women in the club the whole night, if that many. One of the regular drag queens was 'Miss Hollywood'; she was beautiful, with long red hair.
— the 128 West 45th St location was called the Turntable, before it changed name to Hollywood and finally became GG's Barnum Room in 1978
— Richie Kaczor (Studio 54) was the DJ when the club was still called Hollywood
— in November 1980 the club became a rock club called the Peppermint Lounge, but actually the premise had been named the Peppermint Lounge already back in 1960-1965, when the Twist was originated there. Back then the clubs was also owned by Matthew "the Horse" Ianniello. This time the Pettermint Lounge run 'till May 1982 when it closed and moved to 100 Fifth Ave. as the New Peppermint Lounge
— Photo: Turntable entrance
— Photo: GG's Barnum Room invitation
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| identify: |
Jack / Bobbie / Phil LeBash / Laura / Vampiressa |
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| address: |
7th Avenue (below Christopher Street and north of Bleecker Street)
New York City |
| active years: |
1977 - 1980 |
| DeeJays: |
Louie Gagliano (photo)
Hippie Torrales
Ronnie Fitzpatrick
Michael Cappello
David Rodriguez
Hector LeBaron |
| websites: |
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| information: |
— open early 1973
— the manager was Joe Beradino
— one of the first gay discos that let women in
— primarily gay Puerto Rican crowd
— it's now a restaurant |
| identify: |
Giovanni / Eddie / Terence S. |
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| address: |
260 W 11th Ave
New York City |
| active years: |
Dec. 1976 - 1981/82 |
| DeeJays: |
Francois Kevorkian
Roy Thode (photo)
Ronald "Nicky" Nicholson (guest) (photo)
Vince Michaels |
| websites: |
Disco-Disco: Vicki Sue Robinson
Disco-Disco: WestEnd Records
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| information: |
— owners Carey Finkelstein (who had opened 12 West), his lover John Chambers and Frank McGourty
— they also opened the Blue Cloud in the Hamptons
— later, Carey and John dumped Frank, and took in Gloria LeMann as a 'silent partner'. Gloria was the owner of the Fifth Season on West 57th Street which was a private sex club
— the club was named after Jean-Paul Sartre's play, Les Mouches
— had a fly (mouche) as its logo
— les Mouches was one of the westside's 'chic' spots
— membership was $100 a year
— the club was open for guests with invitations only
— the club was frequented by 'Les Click', that days club kids
— it was the favorite hang out for late Disco Queen, Vicki Sue Robinson
— Mel Cheren held his WestEnd Records party at Les Mouches
— Les Mouches had a great sound system designed by Graebar Productions
— music played was a mix of commericial and 'progressive' disco
— off the dance floor was a circular bar with a free buffet table and off the bar area was a lounge area with couches
— this was one of the best sound and party's around and the lines would go around the block to get to the elevator and go up
— scenes from inside the club are featured in the 1979 movie 'Something short of paradise' with Susan Sarandon
— Photo: Les Mouches Dancefloor
— Photo: Les Mouches Fly logo
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| identify: |
John / Phil / Chris / Jack / Michael |
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| address: |
147 Mercer Street (first location)
99 Prince Street (second location)
New York City |
| active years: |
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| DeeJays: |
David Mancuso |
| websites: |
the Loft |
| information: |
— this was the House party that turned into a private club
— the photo is the 147 Mercer St. entrance, which was the back way to the front of the building which was 99 Prince
Street. David used the Mercer St entrance for about 4-5 years, then he switch to the front of the building as the main
entrance at 99 Prince St
— $6.99 to enter with a penny returned
— the home of the first record pool, 'the Record Pool', 'the New York Record Pool' or 'the 99 Prince Street Record Pool' (depending on who you talked to) |
| identify: |
David Mancuso / Phil / DiscoDan |
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| address: |
500 West 14th Street
(southwest corner of Tenth Avenue).
Greenwich Village - New York City |
| active years: |
Fall 1974 - 1986 |
| DeeJays: |
Richie Rivera
Ronald "Nicky" Nicholson (photo)
Chico "Super" Starr (photo)
Larry Rossiello
Lance Wise
Michael Watson
Bobby "DJ" Guttadaro (photo) |
| websites: |
Greenwich Village - A Gay History |
| information: |
— the club was originally more of a bar with music over a lousy sound system, but in 1976 they got a Graebar system installed as well as a DJ booth and the place soon became a NYC hot spot
— there was drag perfomers (e.g. Candy Stevens) and naked go-go boys dancing
— it was in the Anvil the Indian of Village People (Felipe Rose) used to dance and was 'discovered' by Jacques Morali & Henri Belolo
— the Anvil in 1974 also had female go-go dancers during the week, and go-go men on the weekend. The meat-packing guys would
come in and eat hot dogs and mac & cheese on their lunch hour to watch the naked girls dance. But all day long gay men would be coming in
and running out when they saw the girls, and finally the owners realized they were losing all these clients by having girls there, and so
phased them out.
— the club had a main floor with a dance floor, a rectangular bar plus a performance area, all painted black. There was another small bar downstairs with a large screen showing gay male porn. Behind the screen, there was a backroom which was used as a sex area.
— Celebs as Lou Reed and Freddie Mercury used to frequent the club
— building was originally "The Strand Hotel" is now "The Liberty Inn Motel", still charging by the hour
— Photo: Anvil front
— Photo: Anvil Entrance when permanently closed
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| identify: |
nrgbeat / Nicky / Terence S. / Barry |
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| address: |
407 West 43th Street
(between Ninth and Tenth Avenue)
New York City |
| active years: |
1969 - April 1972 |
| DeeJays: |
Francis Grasso (1948-2001) (photo)
Steve D'Aquisto (1943-2001)
Michael Capello |
| websites: |
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| information: |
— the idea of the Sanctuary was created by an African man from Liberia named Francois Massaquoi
— investors was Arnold Lord, Kurt Meyer, Steve Lord, David Berg and some anonymous people, later owner was Shelley
— located in an old German Baptist church
— initially named "The Church", but the Buildings Department of New York City would not grant a permit to open unless the name was changed, hence the Sanctuary
— legal maximum occupancy was 346 people; mostly was more than a thousand per night
— was the first totally uninhibited gay discotheque in America
— the interior designer was Larry Bockner
— the design was very satanic with a mural on the wall with demons making love to Angels and a huge purple, wooden statue of Satan himself at the top of the stairs when you entered the club
— DJ booth was the old altar
— the crowd was a mix of conservative wealthy men, street kids and even hookers
— Sanctuary is also shown in the movie "Klute" (starring Jane Fonda / 1971)
— celebrities like Rita Hayworth, Liza Minnelli, Roman Polanski , Woody Allen and even the astronauts who landed on the moon, visited the club
— from 1973 the church was used as a Methadone clinic
— since late 70's is it an Off-Broadway theatre "The WestSide Theatre" which has been running the popular "The Vagina Monologues" since 1999 |
| identify: |
Bob R, hotdiscomix |
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| address: |
416 East 55th Street
(Sutton Place)
58th Street (second location)
Waldorf Astoria (third location)
New York City |
| active years: |
New Year's Eve 1960 - 1995/96 |
| DeeJays: |
Slim Hyatt
Barry Lederer (1967-70)
Dan "Pooch" Pucciarelli (1991-1995) |
| websites: |
Disco-Disco: Barry Lederer
Disco-Disco: Dan "Pooch" Pucciarelli |
| information: |
— owner Oliver Coquelin (Frenchman)
— building was a garage
— was an exclusive private club whose members included 13 princes, 13 counts, four barons, three princesses and two dukes
— sponsored by the board of governors
(e.g. Igor Cassini, Duke Of Bedford & Henry Ford)
— it had a top of the line French/Euro interior design, the walls had Euro style wall paper and golden Chandeliers
— dining tables surrounded a small dance floor, about 18 x 20 feet, which was directly in front of a huge fire place
— the sound system was installed by Rosner Sound
— there were minimal lighting but effective to enhance the dancers |
| identify: |
hotdiscomix / Jack / Pooch |
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| address: |
142 Eleventh Avenue
(at 21st Street)
Chelsea - New York City |
| active years: |
1973 - March 2000 |
| DeeJays: |
Jerry Jones
Jimmy Johnson
Chris Scott
Ronald "Nicky" Nicholson (photo)
Billy Quinn |
| websites: |
The Eagle - NYC
Chelsea - A Gay History |
| information: |
— leather/western bar |
| identify: |
Nicky / Eagle's Bar Team |
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| address: |
653 Broadway
(between 3rd and Bleecker Street)
New York City |
| active years: |
Nov. 5, 1975 - Feb. 14, 1979 |
| DeeJays: |
Jim Burgess (photo)
Bobby "DJ" Guttadaro (photo)
Lary Sanders (1977) (photo)
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| websites: |
Disco-Disco: Maurice Brahms
Disco-Disco: Jim Burgess |
| information: |
— owner Maurice Brahms
— membership club, non-members admitted when there was room
— location was a former envelope factory
— this discotheque was the first to be lighted with neon
— Infinity had a block-long dancefloor
— it was painted all black on both outside and inside
— along the dance floor was large spinning mirror balls surrounded by neon rings
— it had a neon penis on the wall and had complimentary fresh pears
— in this club you would see gays, straights, transvestites, bisexuals, moviestars, paupers, everything
— the club burnt down on Valentines Day Feb. 14, 1979
— Photo: Infinity Opening Night Invite
— Photo: Infinity dancefloor
— Photo: Bobby DJ behind turntables of Infinity
— Photo: Colons beside the Infinity dancefloor
— Photo: Infinity neon
— Photo: the Infinity dancefloor
— Photo: Infinity dancers
— Photo: Infinity Design Circuit Inc ad
— Photo: Infinity Gay Mag ad
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| identify: |
hotdiscomix / Phil LeBash / Larry Z |
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Playlist September 1978
DJ: Jim Burgess |
BEAUTIFUL BEND - Beautiful Bend (LP)
HEAVEN - Gibson Brothers
DANCING IN MY FEET - Laura Taylor
I LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE (DISCO 'ROUND) - Alicia Bridges
INSTANT REPLAY - Dan Hartman
IN THE BUSH/KEEP ON JUMPIN'/SUMMER LOVE - Musique
LET'S START THE DANCE - Hamilton Bohannon
STARCRUISIN'/FANCY DANCER/ARISTA VISTA/THIS SIDE OF MIDNIGHT - Gregg Diamond Starcruiser
WARNING-DANGER/THINK IT OVER - Cissy Houston
YOU MAKE ME FEEL (MIGHTY REAL)/DANCE (DISCO HEAT) - Sylvester |
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| address: |
110 West 43rd Street
New York City
(in basement of Hotel Diplomat) |
| active years: |
June 13, 1973- ??? |
| DeeJays: |
Bobby "DJ" Guttadaro (photo)
Steve D'Aquisto
Bacho Mangual |
| websites: |
Disco-Disco: Gloria Gaynor |
| information: |
— owner John Addison
— Le Jardin was first called "L'Oubliette" which is the french word for a small dungeon where they would drop you to forget you
— two separate floors, the penthouse and the basement
— Le Jardin was essentially gay with a smallish quota of beautiful women and fashionable straights
— it was stylish, with bowls of fruit and cheese on tables
— in March 3, 1975 the coronation of Gloria Gaynor as the Queen of Disco took place here
— had waiters on rollerskates
— Diplomat hotel... the palm room was the first gigs for David Johansen (aka Buster Poindexter) and his pre-punk group "New York Dolls" in may 1972
— on July 13 and August 10, 1973 a local band called Kiss hired the hotel's Crystal Ballroom, their second concert was filmed and set the start for the bands worldwide success
— the Diplomat was demolished in 1994
— Photo: Invitation to Gloria Gaynor's Coronation
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| identify: |
hotdiscomix / Jack / Terence S. / Phil LeBash |
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Playlist May 1975
DJ: Bobby "DJ" Guttadaro |
BAD LUCK - Harold Melvin And The Blue Notes
EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD - Consumer Rapport
FOOT STOMPIN MUSIC - Hamilton Bohannon
FREE MAN - South Shore Commission
LOVE DO ME RIGHT - Rockin' Horse
SURVIVAL - The O'Jays
SWEARIN' TO GOD - Frankie Valli
THREE STEPS FROM TRUE LOVE - The Reflections
TORNADO - The Wiz Original Cast album
WHERE IS THE LOVE - Betty Wright
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| address: |
252 West 43rd Street
(between Broadway and Eighth Avenue) |
| active years: |
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| DeeJays: |
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| websites: |
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| information: |
— probably more of a bar and lounge for the Hotel Carter, than a club, but it had 2 dancefloors
— During the 1990's the place was called "Sally's 2", owned by a transvestite called Sally. The bar was big with transvestites, bi & gay males, and they used to hold and host some of the biggest Trans-gendered competitions in the world
— DJ Cool A.D. played Sally's 2 from 1993-1998
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| identify: |
Jessica / Jack / DJ Cool A.D. |
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Zoom |
| address: |
47 West 20th Street
(at 6th Avenue)
New York City |
| active years: |
1984 - ???
re-opened: fall 1998 - now |
| DeeJays: |
Jr Vasquez
DJ Tennessee (1990-1995 Saturdays)
Sharon White (photo)
Kieoki
Jeff Kaos
PeteNYCe
Gonzo |
| websites: |
Disco-Disco: Sharon White
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| information: |
— club owner Peter Gatien
— different theme nights by different promoters, Gay, Disco, Rave, Latin, etc.
— special rooms e.g. the "shampoo room" they had many gogo boy dancers in cages with no clothes or the "darkroom"
— currently running as Avalon Night Club (2006)
— Photo: Limelight matchbook
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| identify: |
hotdiscomix / Jessica / Greg |
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