The Death And Resurrection Of Disco

Linette Lopez on the 3 trendsetting clubs that came to embody the early spirit of Disco in New York Hipster City

1. The Loft

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Opened on Valentine’s Day in 1970, next door to the right of Han’s Deli at 647 Broadway in Greenwich Village, was the home of the The Loft, the mother of all dance parties, the originator of what became ‘disco’. Home of a twenty-something antique dealer named David Mancuso who threw weekly house parties with the overthrow accommodated at Studio 54. He had lots of records and lots of friends, so he got a serious sound system and combined them.

Before New York's Buildings Department closed it down in 1975, it was the de facto birthplace of the disco ball. According to Sean: "Here originated the mirrored ball in discos (originally used in 30s dance halls, but the owner saw one on acid in a pawn shop and thought it would be nice to reintroduce), raves, the velvet rope and ‘house’ music."

2. Paradise Garage

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The headquarters of Disco’s underground was opened in 1976 on 84 King Street between Hudson and 7th Avenue in what was a parking garage hence the name Paradise Garage. On Saturdays, the music was so glorious, and the membership code so strict, that even Diana Ross had to humble herself and ask special permission to enter the club.

3. The Gallery

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The Gallery opened in 1972. Its first location was in Chelsea, on 22nd Street between 6th and 7th Avenues. Larry Levan spun, dyed his hair orange and danced on cars. He picked up DJing easily because he knew how to tell a musical tale. He knew how to tell any tale.

Continue reading their stories here.