Chez Paree

245 South New York Avenue, Atlantic City, New Jersey USA

Owner: Cliff Shute

DJs:
Charlie "Buckeye" Bucci
Jerome Martucci
Mike Polveri

Chez Paree was so hot in the 1970s and 80s that people from New York City and Philly would drive down after their local clubs closed to party at the Chez in Jersey!

DJ Buckeye wouldn't go on until 4 am. I can remember the anticipation in the room every night he started. What new hot song was he going to play? It was normal to leave the Chez at 8 or 9 am.

The sound system at the Chez was knockin! There were 4 stacks arranged on each corner of the dance floor with a sub, mid bass horn, and highs. There were also two tweeter boxes hanging from the ceiling for added highs.

The Chez Paree also had a killer neon and laser show run by Judy Jetson. The effect of the lighting was magnified by the mirrors suffounding the walls.

Charlie passed away in 2002 RIP. Buckeye inspired me to be a DJ!!!

The following photos were submitted by Jerome Martucci:
Chez Paree 1) Here are some memories from a weekend night in 1982. Kneeling is Chez and Saratoga Light-Man Sick Nick. From left to right is Chez DJs Buckeye, Me (Jerome Martucci) and Mike Polveri. To the far right is Billy Hooker (DJ from the Widows Watch in Trenton N.J.).



Chez Paree 2) Here is a picture is of me (Jerome Martucci) and recording artist Sharon Redd (Lead singer in the song "Love Insurance" by Front Page), In The Name Of Love, Beat The Street, Can You Handle It, Love How You Feel and many other songs. Sharon was great, we had a great time that night. I'm willing to bet some of you were there that night.

Please Add Any Missing Clubs That We've Missed!

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Please feel free to link to this page by using this URL:
http://www.discomusic.com/clubs-more/3049_0_6_0_C/

Posted by:
Ahmed Khan
on Aug 22, 04 | 1:07 pm



Reader Comments on Chez Paree

 

I am from Philly and we used to travel "down the shore" just to go the the "Chez". Spent many nights and earl mornings there. Always rembered how Karen Young's Hot Shot was a favorite play there.
Posted Oct 27, 04 | 3:20 pm by Rick Trev

Chez Paree my old stompin grounds. I remember those hot summer nights on the weekends. Dancin till 10 am. Used to drive from Trenton then moved down the shore. Was a regular at the Chez in the early/mid 80's. Even dated one of the DJ's 1983-84. i've got one of the original ltd ed black satin Chez Disco baseball jackets that were for the DJ's only.
Posted May 25, 05 | 5:14 pm by njqueen1960

The Chez was the place. We'd drive down from S. Philly on Saturday nights and party until 9am-10am and then drive home. Sadly a high school friend was killed in a car accident on the way home from the Chez summer before senior year.
Posted Jan 04, 06 | 3:15 pm by MarkyMark

does anyone know who built the
suound system there?
Posted Feb 25, 06 | 9:27 am by Donald Carucci

I used to love the Chez and would often drive down after Gatsby's closed in Cherry Hill, especially on Sunday nights. Recently I ran into Martha Wash at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC; I told her that I had last seen her in Atlantic City at the Chez Paree about 1982. She said I must be mistaken as she's not that old, and then laughed. She said she always had a good time there.
Posted Aug 14, 06 | 1:56 am by HughE2030

used to work at the chez, did pretty much everything there. Sorry to hear Buckeye is gone....he was one of the best..killer sound system there. those were the good old days...
Posted Sep 16, 06 | 3:36 pm by jomark

Worked at the Chez, was good friends with Chalie. Good man. He was the first scatcher and he worked with 3 turntables at onnce.


Posted May 17, 07 | 5:13 pm by G-man

I worked with Jomark at the chez in the very early eighties. Partied with Bucci many times. Gin n Tonic, with a bump on the side.

Glenn From Philly
Posted May 17, 07 | 5:21 pm by badabeep

I remember sitting in the DJ booth for hours with Charlie and Sick Nick - as a matter of fact I sat there for about 4 years. There will never be another combination of Light Man and DJ - or a club like that again. Here is too good friends and good memories.
Posted May 21, 07 | 3:19 pm by Bella

the chez, what can i say. as a dj myself i too admired charlie bucci. and when i couldn't get to the chez , i would injoy his mix set on the radio. this day i looked for charlie only to find out he passed on. to one bad a** dj, friend and mixmaster rip.
Posted Jul 10, 07 | 7:41 pm by dj mot

Cliff Shute now owns Passion Nightclub @ the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood FL. www.passionnightclub.com
Posted Aug 27, 07 | 7:34 pm by bob

The Chez was my favorite nightclub in the 70s. I spent many a night and day there. I go back to the days when Paulette and Guy were tending bar and DCA Joe was a door person. Such wonderful memories. I believe Cliff's wife at the time was Dee.
Posted Sep 23, 07 | 2:42 pm by Cajunmoon

The Chez was one of our favorite clubs, we have great memories of all the fun we had there. Fast Eddie, Donna Cappo and Julia were our favorite bartenders. I have a Chez jacket and membership in a shadow box hanging above my Chez bar stool.
Posted Nov 17, 07 | 5:25 am by Denise

DOES ANYONE REMEMBER COOKS BOOKS THE CAB DRIVE IN A.C????...... HE WOULD TAKE ALL THE KIDS TO THE CHEZ FOR FREE.....HIS MOTTO WAS "TRY".... ANYWAY I LOVED THE CHEZ ONE SUMMER I WENT THERE EVERYNITE. WEEKDAY, WEEKEND, ALL THE TIME...IT WAS REALLY A GOOD TIME ALWAYS......SENDING PHOTOS OF THE CHEZ SIGN, COOKS BOOKS OUTSIDE CHEZ AND MYSELF AND MY BEST FRIEND DENISE AT THE BAR IN THE CHEZ.....

Photos below:
DEBBIE & DENISE AT CHEZ BAR CHEZ SIGN W/COOKS BOOKS, DEBBIE, DENISE COOKS BOOKS (CAB DRIVER) & DEBBIE OUTSIDE CHEZ (NEW YORK AVE)




Posted Nov 17, 07 | 6:35 am by DEBBIE

I just wanted to pay my respects to Charlie Buckeye...he was one of the best DJ's I ever heard and he was a very nice man. I bought a Technics 1100 A from him. He would always let me hang out in the booth and made tapes for me...never charged me a cent...I think tapes were like 10 or twenty bucks at the Chez back in the day. Goodbye Charlie...you were an inspiration to many.
Posted Dec 07, 07 | 6:09 am by DJjazzyJ

Funny. I was just at the www.ureidj.com site thinking about the times I used to hang out in the booth with Charlie, & Nick. Laser lights were off the chain. Charlie used to hit me off with fresh copies of his mix tapes for the night. He was one of the best. I should know. When I was'nt in the booth at The Chez, I was up in NYC in the booth with Larry Levan at The Garage. Charlies mixes were razor blade clean. That cat could blend records with the best of them. I was addicted to that spot, and had to be in the house Saturday nights as soon as I got off of my casino job. My favorite tracks he'd mix when I requested were D Train's 'Keep Movin', & Mantronix 'Hip Hop Don't Stop'.
Posted Jan 13, 08 | 2:06 pm by Rob G

New years of 1979 was one of the best times I had there.

Posted Jan 30, 08 | 3:45 am by great78

THERE IS GOING TO BE A CHEZ PAREE REUNION ON MARCH 30TH, SUNDAY TICKETS $20.00 ANYONE INTERESTED??????
Posted Jan 30, 08 | 7:29 am by Debbie

Does anyone know when the Chez closed?
Posted Feb 01, 08 | 8:05 am by great78

"Meet me at the Chez Paree" Reunion to benefit South Jersey Aids Alliance, Sunday, March 30th!! More information to follow...don't miss it!
Posted Feb 04, 08 | 3:39 am by Jeanne

"Meet Me at the Chez Paree" reunion to Benefit the South Jersey Aids Alliance.
March 3oth,6PM, Deja Vu (site of the Chez) New York Ave & the Boardwalk, AC
$20.00 at the door. For online tickets and more information visit www.southjerseyaidsalliance.org
This will be a GREAT Reuion of Friends!
I'll see you there!
Jeanne Chiaradio
Posted Feb 11, 08 | 5:27 am by Jeanne

I use to hustle at the chez in the 80s THE BEST TIMES EVER
Posted Mar 02, 08 | 4:10 pm by Gypsyman

WOULD ANYONE HAVE ANY MIXES FROM THOSE NIGHTS AT THE CHEZ-POSSIBLY TRANSFERED TO CD? ALSO ANY OTHER CLUB MIXES FROM BACK IN THE DAY FROM EITHER PHILLY CLUBS OR JERSEY? HIT ME BACK - WILL PAY ; THANKS, GARY
Posted Apr 04, 08 | 5:14 am by GARY FINEBERG

I have been to this DIVE a few times, must agree that GOOD TIMES were a standard there. Located in a questionable part of town, but then again, all of Atlantic City was QUESTIONABLE. Great times, I admit!!
Posted Apr 11, 08 | 12:35 pm by vyniljunkie

i always wanted to go, but never went. i remember i could hear the music pumping from way up on the boardwalk..i always went past, to the saratoga a gay club down the block.sure wish i had the guts back then..it sounded like a blast
Posted Apr 13, 08 | 9:56 pm by steve

I went to the Chez from the mid 80's until they closed the place down. I had some of the most memorable times of my life in that place. Hung out in the booth with Charlie and would watch Julio and the breakers kick it live.
I have started collecting tapes from people I used to know back when I was young and cute, but age has caught up with me like the rest of us. It's amazing how a place like that can provide such great memories. When Tattangers popped up I had the honorable task of dismanteling the old Chez sound system and installing a new one with Frankie BOE. That was a week I'll always remember. Being in there when it was empty was the strangest thing. If those walls could talk. (How many of us would still be in jail) I can remember Grace Jones being there with the "Human Buffet" set up. That place will never be duplicated.
Posted Apr 28, 08 | 5:10 am by Scott Giordano

I lived in Northern Jersey, right across the Hudson from New York City. I only went to Atlantic City occasionally. I missed all these things, It was usually in the summer, so was that the off-season? Remember when ?? My question is, At what time of the year was all this going on? I missed out!!!
Posted Apr 28, 08 | 5:29 am by vyniljunkie

Hello to all you loyal Chez fans...we had a GREAT Time at the "Meet Me at the Chez Paree" reunion which benefited the South Jersey Aids Alliance on March 30, 2008. If you want to check out some pictures...go to www.southjerseyaidsalliance.com
If you want to be added to our database (we are hoping to make this an annual event) feel free to e-mail me at jeannechiaradio@comcast.net The place was packed with people and memories!
Posted Apr 29, 08 | 3:45 am by Jeanne

My friend (DJ) Anthony Bradly (form Trenton) told me about this web site, and after hearing about it, well here I am! I was one of the DJ's in the rotation at the Chez and Saratoga in 1982, 1983 and 1984. Me (Jerome Martucci), Buckeye and Mike Polveri and of course light man Sick Nick. It was one of the best times of my life. One quick story about just how many people partied there. One New Years Eve(in 82 or 83) me and Buckeye had a 5 gallon bucket filled with Chez buttons (a 2 inch round button that you would pin on your shirt). Just for laughs, during the night we threw them out in the croud, (there had to be 700 to 800 of them in the bucket). when the party ended about 11:30AM the next morning and the club was empty, me and Buckeye tried to see how many buttons we would find on the dance floor. All we could find was one button!
Posted May 02, 08 | 12:38 pm by Jerome Martucci

"Meet Me at the Chez Paree" Reunion, March 30th, 2008 pictures at www.southjerseyaidsalliance.org (not.com-sorry)Hopefully this will be an annual event so stay tuned...
Jeanne
Posted May 03, 08 | 1:25 am by Jeanne

OMG,can't believe I found this website, trying to load songs on my ipod and thinking back to the best tunes ever spun and remembered the Chez! Every weekend, we'd drive down there and party our asses off, it's a wonder most of us survived. I've never danced so much since then and sure wish I could take a trip back. I would have gone to the reunion for those memories! RIP Buckeye, still hanging onto some of your cassettes (warped sounds and all).
Posted May 03, 08 | 11:36 am by Kathy Capuano (Devenney)

Charlie Buckeye is and will be the KING of DJS forevah The Chez rocked alot of memories in that place in at dark out at light remember Hulo hustlin hangin with Charlie in the booth the VIP CARD still have mine. Does anybody have any tapes I will pay wish I had all the ones I bought back then. RIP Charlie Buci
Posted May 14, 08 | 1:05 pm by debs6566

I don't deny that there was a lot of fun here. It had a lot of loyal patrons and friends. But come down to earth will you. It was a great DIVE of a club. Nothing fancy, nothing out-of-the ordinary. Other then you guys, the loyal fans of the place. I applaud you all. But be real, CHARLIE BUCKEYE left a lot to be desired as a DJ, so never mind "King Of The DJS". If he was so good, such a KING? Why wasn't he in Philly or New York? I am not sure if it was Charlie. The deejay there had old music, and everytime I was there in the 70's, the DJ sucked! I HOPE that wasn't CHARLIE.But regardless of the Deejay, this place was a great time!! Always.
Posted May 14, 08 | 1:26 pm by vyniljunkie

Would any one have a list of the hot songs that wer played at the club. I would like to make a playlist and share it with the other members of this board
Posted May 15, 08 | 3:26 am by GARY FINEBERG

Yeah, see if you can find "Watch the closing doors" by I.R.T.
Posted May 15, 08 | 7:39 am by sgiordano

Never can be replaced,it was THE BEST of its kind,went there all of the 80's we where VIP Card members back then.I just heard that the Studio is going to move there is it true?WOW that will be GREAT!! The answer to someone wanting music .I have a Buckeye Tape from the last New Years he played there,and sorry to say i use to have all of the Chez'S New Years tapes but somebody out there never gave them back to me,she was a Manicurist in the 90s around town.I think it can be really great again,you know our generation put there we need it back somewhere to really DANCE!!!
Posted Aug 31, 08 | 4:55 am by Mare~

We are planning another South Jersey AIDS Alliance fundraiser "Chez Reunion" / "Halloween Bash" on October 26th at 6PM to be held at the former home of "The Chez" now Deja Vu, New York Ave & the Boardwalk in AC. Check out the pictures from the "Chez Reunion" that was held in March on www.southjerseyaidsalliance.org (Click on fundraising events, then on picture Gallery) Great Music by DJ Reenie Kane, Great Time, Great Memories! AND we raised over $15,000 Check out the pics- I'm sure you will see some familiar faces! If you want to be included in the "Chez Reunion List" please e-mail me directly at jeannechiaradio@comcast.net
Posted Aug 31, 08 | 9:01 am by Jeanne

OK Folks...we are ready to do it again! 2nd Annual "Meet Me at the Chez Paree" Reunion to benefit the South Jersey AIDS Alliance.
Where: Deja' Vu (former Chez Paree)
New York Ave & The Boardwalk
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
When: Sunday, April 26, 2009
6:00PM til...
$20.00 at the door to benefit South Jersey AIDS Alliance (609-347-1085) Parking across the street
Last Years Event was a Blast from the Past! Don't Miss it!
Posted Feb 24, 09 | 1:42 pm by Jeanne

The Chez was the best dance club of its time! I hung out there just about every weekend in the late 70's and danced the nights away. The Halloween costume parties were unbelievable! Does anyone remember the 1st anniversary party in the summer of 79? Invitation only, flood lights in the sky and the hottest live acts around - an awesome night! This was before Bucci was there - they had a female DJ - Renie was her name, I think. She was outstanding. A great place and GREAT times!! I really miss those days!
Posted Mar 05, 09 | 4:56 pm by Mike M

Hi Mike M!
That would be "Reenie Kane" the "First Lady of the Turntable" - a good friend of mine - we have had her at Both Chez Reunions and she WILL be there on April 26th at 6:00PM - so if you want to see some old friends and hear some great music that takes you back in time....come on down.
Jeanne
Posted Mar 11, 09 | 8:00 am by Jeanne

I knew Charlie pretty well.He worked for my father at his disco in AC,Mr.M's.It was on South Carolina & Boardwalk,just a few blocks from the Chez.I learned from Charlie how to dj.He was a great teacher,mentor,and a great guy.I am very saddened to hear that he passed away.God bless,Charlie.
Posted May 19, 09 | 9:56 pm by Leonardo

omg i just found this site and reading all the stories brought back memories, i remember the old new york ave. grewing up in A.C. the chez was a great club loved hanging out there.
i first met Reenie Kane in philly at the 12th air command loved her mixes
would love to get in contact with her to let her know what a great influence she was to me :-)
Posted Jul 10, 09 | 12:31 am by edward nugent

I remember the Chez, it used to stay open until 10:00AM!! It's been a long time, but I remember some of the names mentioned here, like Jerome Martucci, and Billy Hooker. I used to go to Widow's back in the day...
Posted Jul 31, 09 | 4:00 pm by Johnny Burke

great site. i thought i was getting old and feeling nostalgic. i am from south africa and has been thinking a lot about back in the day - 1980's .that was a great time- great music and wonderful clubs we had here. i feel the same about that era as you guys.
peace greg SA
Posted Sep 24, 09 | 4:41 pm by greg

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FUNDRAISING CONTACTS

Dan Contarino : 215-681-1718
Tre Rios : 267-455-7003
Adele Landini : 215-463-4743

“FUNDRAISER FOR PHILADELPHIA’S DJ REENIE KANE”
VOYEUR NIGHTCLUB (FORMER 2-4/PURE NIGHTCLUB)
MONDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2009 : 8PM – 12AM

DJ Reenie Kane, well know in the music industry locally & nationally, suffered a major heart attack following her DJ set from Philly’s Annual Indigo Ball Fundraiser Friday, October 9th. In addition to her condition when admitted to Methodist Hospital she was also diagnosed with a bad strain of pneumonia, on top of her current diabetes condition she’s been battling the past few years. Due to the combined conditions, a typical bypass surgery could not be performed. During that weekend she was transported to Jefferson Hospital ICU for “Phase One” of a series of surgeries. Her Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) caused her first “Cardiac Catherization with Stent” surgery that was successful. Within the next few months after recovering from “Phase One”, Reenie currently needs to begin “Heart Rehab Outpatient” sessions, in which unfortunately her insurance will not cover. This is imperative for Reenie to continue recovery for the next two coming surgeries. We’re asking for the community’s help to financially assist in her recovery.

Spinning for well over 30 years, DJ Reenie Kane has helped shape what we know now as gay nightlife. An out lesbian with a partner (the beautiful and widely-loved Adele) of just as many years, Reenie has been making both gay and straight people dance with an eclectic mix and a music catalog that rivals just about anyone in the world. Having been a Billboard Dance Music Reporter for years, Reenie has helped define what the rest of the world is hearing in nightclubs, and has also been afforded the opportunity to spin some of the hottest new tracks before the rest of the world has the chance to hear them. Her repertoire ranges from progressive/circuit house music to disco classics and well beyond, and she is one of the most humble, friendly DJs that a club-goer or fellow DJ strives to be. She has tremendously been involved in fundraisers for local charities & friends in need through the years, which is part of her own character

Multiple Guest DJ’s locally & nationally are set to spin, including raffles, food & drink specials during the night, donated from various groups. Doors Open 8pm – 12am & $10.00 Minimum Donation Required.

Voyeur Nightclub is located @ 1221 St. James Street.
Posted Oct 28, 09 | 8:59 pm by Dan Contarino

THE CHEZ PAREE....I REMEMBER IT WELL...IN 1974 I USED TO PARTY THERE WHEN IT WAS GAY IN THE SUMMER AND BLACK IN THE WINTER...I HAD A GREAT SUMMER THAT YEAR....WENT BACK TO S. PHILLY IN SEPT. ...WENT TO A CLUB IN SO. PHILLY...R.A.R.ON BROAD ST. GOT TO KNOW THE DJ...NEXT THING I KNEW...I WAS THE DJ...OFF THE DANCE FLOOR INTO THE BOOTH....JUST LIKE THAT....OF COURSE THAT WAS THE LUCKEST DAY OF MY LIFE...2009...I STILL SPIN WEEKLY...STILL LOVING IT...THAT SEPT. IN 74' CLIFF SHUTE USED TO BRING A TRUCK LOAD TO THE R.A.R. FOR $5 OPEN BAR EVERY THURSDAY...HE ASKED ME IF I WANTED TO SPIN AT THE CHEZ THE FOLLOWING SUMMER..OF COURSE...THIS IS GREAT...I GET TO GO TO THE CLUBS..ONLY NOW I DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING..I NOW GET PAID TO PLAY GREAT MUSIC AND HAVE MORE FUN THAN EVER...I SPENT ALOT OF YEARS WITH CLIFF AT THE CHEZ AND THE DCA CLUB IN PHILLY THAT HE ALSO OWNED...THE CHEZ WILL ALWAYS BE A VERY SPECIAL PART OF MY LIFE...1978...REMODELED...REVED UP FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE "DISCO ERA" THE BEST MUSIC EVER ...NO WORDS CAN EXPLAIN THE FEELING EVERYONE WHO WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE THERE FELT...IF YOU MISSED IT....SORRY.....NOW..."CHARLIE BUCKEYE" I KNEW CHARLIE FOR A FEW YEARS BEFORE WE WORKED TOGETHER AT THE CHEZ. WHAT A MAN..HE HAD A BIG HEART, HE ENCOURAGED ME TO KEEP SPINNING WHEN NO OTHER WOMAN WERE REALLY DJ'ING IN THE AREA YET. WHEN I HAD A GIG WITH THE POCONO RECORD POOL HE WAS THERE WITH ME..HE KNEW THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME MOST OF THE DJ'S WERE GOING TO HEAR ME...I WAS VERY NERVOUS...THERE WERE A FEW DJ'S IN FRONT OF THE BOOTH BITCHING..."WHAT'S THAT GIRL DOING IN THE BOOTH...GIRLS CAN'T SPIN" CHARLIE WENT OUT TOLD THEM TO LISTEN THEN DECIDE...HE WAS ALWAYS THERE WHEN YOU NEEDED HIM....I AM PROUD TO SAY CHARLIE WAS MY FRIEND...
Posted Nov 05, 09 | 11:05 pm by REENIE KANE



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