Poop Deck at the Marlin Hotel
Poop Deck at the Marlin Hotel
17 South Atlantic Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Owner: ???
DJ: Bobby Viteritti
Bartender: Crazy Richard
The Poop Deck was the Disco Located inside the walls of the Gay frequented owned and operated Resort, "The Marlin Beach Hotel"
The Poop Deck was in operation from at least 1976 because that's when Bobby Viteritti was spinning at the club. Robbie Leslie worked there as well.
The club was unique in that it was located under/beside the pool and there were big portholes in the club by the dancefloor that you could see into the pool. Alot of laughs were had at the expense of swimmers not realizing this. They would be doing some CRAZY things in the pool and it was just like watching a movie from the portholes. Plus the water coming from the portholes put out a very cool light effect in the club.
The marlin Hotel's, Poop Deck wasn't a big club but the sound and lighting were first rate as well as the decor. During the winter months the club was packed. Off season it wasn't as busy. Most people went to the Copa, but The Poop Deck had it's own charm and followers.
I was very sorry to see the club as well as the Hotel deteriorate..
During the late 1980s it had become a haven for hustlers and sleazy activities and then closed in 1992.
The Copa gone and The poop Deck... Sigh.
Photos of the Marlin Hotel's flyer submitted by Dayna.
Photo of Marlin Hotel ad in Cruising magazine from 1982 submitted by Darrel.
Please feel free to link to this page by using this URL:
http://www.discomusic.com/clubs-more//13616_0_6_0_C/
Posted by:
Dayna*
on May 18, 08 | 10:31 am
YOUR MEMORIES & COMMENTS ON Poop Deck at the Marlin Hotel
While a persons sexual orientation should not be so reverent, in this case, this was a GAY PLACE, that few straight ever went to. The Ft. Lauderdale city fathers went after this place more than once. They condemned it, and all the wild out in the open sex that it featured. I know of this place from the headlines it received, my gay pals went to the COPA. Was it that bad? Really?
Quick Question. With a name like POOP in the middle, was that intentional? I think that it was Stupid to be so casual and blatant. It invited trouble with the city. Another example of being stupid was the Rastafarian's temple in Star Island. They smoked CHEECH & CHONG type blunts out in the open, sold weed from the front door. Too obvious. Same Applies to the Marlin Hotel, too obvious. It invites the authorities to come see and check things out closer. Neither The Marlin Hotel nor the Rastafarian's are still around! All closed down by the state. Stupid move! Keep things behind closed doors! Smarter.
OMG~!!!
This place was not like this in the 70's especially not when Bobby Viteritti worked there. and It was good enough for the likes of Viola Wills, Sharon Redd, Karen Young, Pamely Stanley, Two Tons Of Fun, Sylvester and many other artist to perform there..
and as to the question if "poop" meant to be used in the text in which you are questioning is ridiculous.. poop deck is a nautical term and that was what it was meant to be.
It "was" a GAY establishment. alot of people have alot of good memories about this club and hotel so please dont try and make it seem like it was always so distasteful.
As i wrote in the bio ,yes it went downhill, but it was once a lovely place and I suppose not for the HOMOPHOBIC.
Posted by:
Dayna* | May 21, 08 | 11:35 am
Lady D, no HOMOPHOBIA here! I KNOW what it was, a GAY HOTEL with a GAY DISCO. The POOP statement was meant as a joke! Sorry if it wasn't funny. You must have gone there when it was a cool place. It went downhill quickly! It helped get SPRING BREAK out of FT. Lauderdale. The city fathers used it, and it's activities as an excuse to rid the strip of ALL THE FUN!! I simply think that they should have been smarter, just like the religion that lost their status as a religion because of a few idiots selling their sacred weed!! Funny how quickly the word HOMOPHOBIC gets tossed around when I state an obvious reality. Just cause I am not GAY, I have to be careful in my choice of words? There were as many straight clubs that lost their licenses because of stupid actions of their patrons. It wasn't a GAY thing, it was a dumb thing!
and no it's not a gay code word."poop deck"..
It is what it is.. a nautical
theme for a hotel by the water..Not rocket science.wink
Posted by:
Dayna* | May 22, 08 | 10:32 am
my last comment seems like I'm repeating myself..
I was replying to a post that has been removed..and I'm glad those posts that were removed have been.
V.J. I know your not Homophobic..
I wasn't implying you were at all.
we know what post I was commenting on..
have a nice time at Buch Gardens.
Ride the Kumba for me,and have fun with your daughter..
Posted by:
Dayna* | May 22, 08 | 1:03 pm
Thanks Lady D, It was great. Just too bad about the Tampa deejays. Saw it in the news, wrote something here about it. Crazy! I too am glad BERNIE got rid of that idiot.
This place was alot of fun. Not much attitude...wasn't there Tea dance everyday? The Atlantic Beach side wall along the dance floor was all glass (I'm pretty sure). Late 70's - early 80's was the only place to be to dance (and drink)in the afternoon.... Who knows which came first...the Marlin Beach or the gay beach right across the street? My $$ on the Marlin, it was the anchor for the boys at beachtime!
Posted by:
Frank | Jun 28, 08 | 6:12 am
First and foremost, I want to thank DAYNA for photos of the hotel's flyer. I am so jealous that you have it!! I have been searching for some type of memorabilia of this establishment and have been unsuccessful. My very first memory of the Marlin was from 1977. I was living in Daytona Beach at the time, had just bought a new car and I and a friend decided to drive down. It was Halloween weekend and the hotel and club were decked out in the holiday's decor. We walked into the club, where they were playing Peter Brown's "Do You Wanna Get Funky With Me?" and I was mesmerized by the crowd, the atmosphere, everything. Eventually, a friend of mine from Daytona moved down and worked at the Marlin, so I would come down often. I have so many wonderful memories of the Marlin, and I'm sorry to read that it went downhill.
While on the subject of South Florida clubs, does anyone here remember 13 Buttons? That is another club I remember fondly.
i used to hit the beach in front of the marlin every weekend. well a bit north actually was the spot for us locals. then we'd head over to the marlin for t-dance i still have an "original poopette" t-shirt. jump in the pool to get the salt off and dance and cruise all afternoon. i think they had a beer blast and we'd buy plastic mugs and bring them every week. i remember sylvester and divine hanging out yaking it up out by the pool. years later it did get seedy. i approaced the owners about doing a night there for a new style of music coming out of chicago called house music. LOL! the night was to be called house-X-stacy! i remember meeting the hottest stripper there. he popped up later modeling in "in touch magazine" and even later in madonna's "sex" book. he went on to be a big model for herb ritts and bruce weber. just recently he opened the door and greeted his good friend, santino, on an episode of project runway. small world. toward the end there was a fire in the downstairs diso which imploded the portholes and the pool rushed in and put out the fire. disco inferno, anyone?
Posted by:
smeejay | Sep 02, 08 | 10:46 pm
Thank you Randy..
it was my pleasure and such a wonderful piece of memorabilia..It does bring back SO many good memories,.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it
xo
Dayna
Posted by:
Dayna | Sep 03, 08 | 12:19 pm
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