The Paladium rocked! Never seen or heard anything like it. Tremendous!

Too damn huge and loud.I went back to brooklyn but couldnt hear for a day.

I remember Thursday nights at the Palladium (latin night). God, I have so many good memories there. The club was a bit big, but it was preety good when you were trying to avoid someone. They always had good bands playing. It was always Tuesday nights - Copa, Thursday nights - Palladium, Friday nights Copa and then Saturday you could switch between Broadway96, Roxy, Copa or hang out locally in Queens at Club Broadway II. What a good time back then. I'm talking late 80's through early 90's. I met a lot of people back then, but lost touch with most of them. It was great to be young and hanging out almost every night of the week. Forget about working - i'd go to work with major hangovers. Sometimes we'd go to the club, then hit the afterhours spot - then go straight to work! Those were the days!

...LAURA u took me back like I don't know WHAT?!! (sigh*) YES those were the days...ahhh!!! We have GOT to connect, (might even know u.) wink*

Can anyone tell me the exact address or cross streets of the Palladium? Anyone know what occupies the building now?

Hey, you never know, Slurp. Maybe we shared a moment!

Paladium was on 14th Street between 2nd and 3rd Ave.

Did Pat Benatar ever play a live show there?

In the beginning, Leroy Washington was the Friday & Saturday DJ at Palladium. Larry Levan also held a short stint. I think Larry played on Wednesday or Thursday.

I went to The Palladium in the 80s and was at a birthday party for Keith Haring. I was with Leo Ford at the time, and through him got to meet Andy Warhol. I had the free Keith Haring vest that were handed out on the night, but unfortunatley I did not keep it: the vest had the date of the party on it. Does anyone know the exact date? I think it was in 1985 or 1986. The Palladium was an amazing club that played some great music on the night I was there.

Palladium was a megaclub....one of NYC's most exciting ever! was a great bridge after the Funhouse.. sound system was gargantuan....place had a theatrical open huge feeling.....dancefloor was more like a parking lot(huge) and when video first hit the club scene,,,Palladium had the HUGE vid wall of tvs...place was energetic.....i won a VIP record pool spinoff to dj there for 2 hr set...but management there wouldnt let me for some greedy reason...(vito bruno/roman ricardo)

overall luved the place...an icon of NYC megaclubz.....illuminated stairs were awesome...and best nite was larry levans farewell ...an easter sunday performance that was second to none....was saddened and surprised to hear losing this NYC klub icon to NYU dorms...wtf????? i guess clubs dont last 4ever...i wished they did.
DIE HARD CLUBBER 4 EVER..

Every time I walk by the old site, I get a little misty eyed.

Aside from it being a slamming club....it was also a very gorgeous building, architectuarally speaking. Especially the ceiling in that main room.

A righteous palace. They sure don't build them like that anymore. That building should have been landmarked and it sure didn't deserve to be dismantled like that. :(

Does anyone know the final closing date of the Palladium?

Do any of you, or does any one know of anyone who danced or visited the Palladium during the 1960's-1970's during the times of the big-band era of Latin music or Jazz?? I'm doing some research and have YET to find someone else who can give me in-depth details and/or photos of this era ...

Thank you!!!

I'm a little confused. I saw on a website that the old Palladium was at 10 E. 60th St. by 5th Avenue. Did it move? When? I know the Palladium has been around since the 50's, but Rubell's hayday was in the 70's and 80's. Are these two different Palladiums?
I read online as well that Peter Gatien, former owner of the Limelight and Tunnel, owned the Palladium as well during the 90's.

I lived in New york 1988/89 and loved the paladium. It was a real eye opener I recently went back to new york after 18 years and sadly it is no longer there but standing outside brought back great memories. I met loads of people and wonder what there all doing now? One in particular called Otis Sims I think who used to dance on the podiums
with his frients where are you now????
We also used to go to Tunnel, Limelight,MK's Mars, Studio 54, Emerald
City, Nells, Redzone They were the best
times!!!!

"omg...i cant believe i wore those platform shoes i have corns like no tommorrow!but i loved ever second of those dancing days what great memories:-)

I started going to Palladium in 1989 when New York radio station Hot 97 (back then a dance station) used to broadcast their Saturday Night Dance Party LIVE from the club. From 1989-1991 DJ Glen Frischa mixed some great club music for Hot 97. The club itself was ELECTRIC. The lights and the huge dance floor were awesome. Of course you can't forget the dance artists of that time such as "The Cover Girls", "Pajama Party", "TKA", "Expose"... (I could go on forever). FYI (MTV used to broadcast "club MTV" from Palladium back in the early 90s) I still have many many of the weekend club passes that I will consider uploading on here. Also just a correction to Laura's posting... Palladium was located on 14th street, between 3rd and 4th ave. (Not 2nd & 3rd). For anyone who is interested, I have CD's for sale of many of the HOT 97 Saturday Night Dance Parties LIVE from Palladium between 1989 and 1992. Each CD set contains 4hrs of NON-STOP dance music mixed LIVE at Palladium. For more information, Email me at jerseynewyorker@yahoo.com and we can work out a deal. Like most people, I was very upset to hear that the club was closing,but I think it was only a matter of time. HOT 97 and the music scene in general was changing from DANCE MUSIC to RAP and HIP HOP, and Palladium was losing it's regulars. (This was of course before KTU brought the BEAT back to New York). I've been living in Tucson Arizona since 2000, but when I move back to NYC next year, I hope I will be able to find a club like Palladium.... It really was an awesome place... Email me if you want to talk more about this great club!!!

DJ Junior Vasquez closed ARENA the saturday night gay night for the club in September of 1996 with live performance by Deborah Cox. During the last song of the evening all of the dico balls were lowerd to the crowd so they could be cut and taken as a memento of this mlonumental club. it was a magical moment as the main disco ball was then lowered to the dancefloor where in one magical moment every person on that dancef loor reached and touched the disco ball that shined for so many a musical moment. A night that in my hearft will never be forgotten.

I was 18 years old in 1994 a senior in High School when I used to go to this place. Kenny Kenny and Aphrodita used to be at the door. I always used to go on Saturdays. Man seeing those pics above brings back a lot of memories and great times. Getting chosen to walk in Everytime by either of the 2 door people was the best. Then getting comped was even better. I really miss those days. Kenny Kenny was the best. Any place he was at the door was a hotspot. Even up to a couple of years ago @ Spa he still recognized me and would hook me up to get in for free with no hastles. People would be told "I'm not going to do it to night" that was the rejection line from him. How funny. Go to Youtube and see a video from Legendary Limelight and Club USA. You will be back in time!!!!

Ahhhh...this is the reason why I hardly go clubbing anymore. THIS was my home, my sanctuary. I cut my teeth, clubbing wise, with this club in the early 1980s.

The biggest sin of all was that NYU, my alma mater, went and bulldozed it and built some monstrosity in its place.

The Thursday and Sunday nights spent on the second floor (the bleachers) and in the Michael Todd Room made me who I am today.

Chris...I wish I could have been there for the last party. But, then again...knowing me I'd probably would have gotten bent and walked down to Washington Square and torched the Lubin School.

Remember the curtains? Does anyone remember the curtains...? They used raise them as the crowd got bigger. Does anyone remember me and my friends voguing on top of each others shoulders? We were unmissable. Always hung out by the giant speaker in the middle of the left hand side of the dancefloor.

Otis simms, I recall as being quiet but not introverted. I danced next to this guy for almost 2 years and never got to meet personally. I stopped going to this club and did not miss palladium after the "gay" scene got in vogue.
But, I must admit that it was definitely magical. Personally, I went only to dance, drink a bit, and met a few people. Otis used to hang out with 'the twins' who were part of a Dominican crowd that often met at palladium. I in particularly miss the way Otis danced. I believe his dance style was European inspired and most of us emulated that for the which I feel embarrassed to admit.

The sex going on in the bleachers and bathrooms were the best!

YO! WHAT MEMORIES!!THE GOOD DAYS!! MUCH RESPECT TO APHRODITA, WHO NEVER LET US DOWN AT THE DOOR TO GET IN. DRINKING OLD E 800 BEFORE ENTERING. GETTING COMPED. FREE DRINKS FROM 10 TO 11. REMEMBER THE HUGE ANGEL OVERHEAD AT THE ENTRANCE? GOING UP THE LIGHTED STAIRWAY, HEARING THAT DOPE HOUSE MUSIC, THE LIGHT SHOW WAS INCREDIBLE, MAN THAT PLACE WAS SECOND HOME FOR US KID. 1st TIME I WENT WAS IN 1993, RUN D.M.C./ONYX/SLICK RICK WERE PERFORMING. BUT SATURDAYS WAS THE HOT SPOT WITH DJ C A S A N O V A A A A A A A .AND HEX HECTOR. I REMEMBER THINKING IT'S 4:00 AM , WHERE ELSE WOULD ANYBODY BE BUT AT THE PALLADIUM. ARE U KIDIDING ME THIS PLACE IS THE S#*T. THE GLOW STICKS, THE SPEAKERS,"THAT'S WHY I'M HARD HEARING NOW" THE CICLE DANCES, REAL TALENTED PEOPLE WHO COULD BREAK DANCE ALL NIGHT. I MET SO MANY PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE TRI-STATE. BIG UPS. BUT IT ALL WENT DOWNHILL IN MID 1996. WHAT A SHAME. GOOD THING I HAVE SOME VINYL TRACKS OF THE HOUSE MUSIC THAT WAS PLAYED THERE. AND ONE LP THAT WAS RECORDED LIVE BY CHARLIE CASANOVA. WENT SOMETHING LIKE THIS. "IS BROOKLYN IN DA HOUSE?" IS QUEENS REPRESENTIN, STATEN ISLAN IN DA HOUSE UPTOWN TURN IT UP,"BORIQUA" "BORIQUA". U KNOW KRS-ONE MADE A VIDEO AT PALLADIUM. CAN ANY ONE TELL ME? IN THE BEGINNING OF MOVIE CARLITO'S WAY. WHEN AL PACINO GETS OUT OF JAIL AND GOES OUT FOR A DRINK WITH SEAN PENN. ARE THEY AT THE PALLADIUM? IT LOOKS LIKE IT , GO AND RENT THE MOVIE TODAY!

Ah my home away from home! To Mark Vega: I went to several of those Keith Haring parties. I was a friend of his assistant, Benji. I still have a small pin of the angel with the x on it's chest on the wall of my office. I had MADD Keither Haring stuff but, as I'm sure you agree, we never thought those things would be collector's items. It was just "the thing." Keith was incredibly cool too. I discovered The Palladium through his parties.

Later, it became my home. My friend Manny worked there. I met a bouncer named Marcus who was killed outside on night on a Thanksgiving Thursday night. RIP. When Manny wasn't working we'd go and hang out at the last speaker on the left side, after the walls were raised. Every Saturday, a few Thursdays. We'd close the place out. Made some great friends there and solidified two life-long friendships that I have till this day!

Yep, I miss the Palladium.

Palladium was nice... very hot girls but Infinity was far better.

The Mike Todd Room (vip?) parties are such a fond memory. I use to get invites because of Don Munro and we'd go hoping from place to place. AREA, downtown in tribeca before it got to be a cool place. Does anyone remember AREA? NELL'S, DANCETERIA, SAVE THE ROBOTS, even LIMELIGHT in the beginning. those were the times. I use to see Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol. I would go straight home and take a shower before heading to work. There's never been a club scene to compare.

"PALLADIUM" not the palladium.Yep I worked there for 3 years or so id say like 84 to like 87 or so.We still have old posters and Pics and lots of other stuff we saved.Good memories.Does anyone remember Steve Rubell passing out on the dance floor? LOL.

Yes, folks do you remember about 1985-1989 the 4 sided room that dropped down and if you were dancing under it you would all of a sudden be dancing in a small room with a window & a door? The spinning video wall?

SLuRP: http://www.MySpace.com/PReTTyBoy669NyC


...each and every post brought me back like y'all don't KNOW!!! I've found a LOT of the ole' heads, dj's, promotors and clubgoers from that era on MySpace of all places! Can't belieeeve apc hit it on the head with DANCETERIA, SAVE THE ROBOTS, etc.! They're all places I used to host at, (ANY1 remembers CLuB uSA, LIFE and STEVE LEWIS?!!) lol I think I could get a "REUNION" going just from this page alone. haha


Psst...shout out to LAURAANYC cuz' I'm most sure we did share a moment at some point.

The palladium was my home - some weeks I would be there 5 nights out of the week - Tuesday night networking parties, then changed to Wednesday - of course Friday and Saturday and Sunday boys night - great great times. The house that came down on the dance floor was an homage to Saturday Night Fever - it had brroklyn scenes on the outside and was meant to be a mini 2001 Odyssey... the large walls would be lifted as the dance floor filled up - it got bigger as the night went on - remember the volleybakll net and the huge balloons that were thrown out into the crowd? I started hanging out there in 1985, but by the time it closed I was no longer a regular - but still went there - it was a MEGA club.... a nightclub holyland.

I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE CAN TELL ME MORE ABOUT OTIS SIMS. WHAT WAS HE LIKE? WHY WAS HE SO WELL KNOWN

I am an NYU student currently living on the site where the Palladium used to be. We are looking to somehow honor the club era of the building and our idea is to decorate the our walls with pictures from the era. Unfortunately we are having a hard time finding pictures from the location. If you happen to have any personal pictures or know where can we get images of what Palladium used to be, we would love to used them in memory of the great nightlife that took place here. Please send any info to ip412@nyu.edu

rememver when the group menudo played and when it was 1 am and the upside down blue cross came down!!!!!!!!!

NEVER FORGOT...CHARLIE CASSANOVA.....UP IN THE BOOTH LOOKIN UP AT THE BALCONY AND HIM SAYING... Palladium" MAKE SOME FUNKIN NOISSSEEEEE AND THAT SONG CAME ON "NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP" HOLY SHIZZNIT..WOW AND THE PEOPLE TOSSING THE GLOW NECKLESS"S DOWN TO THE DANCE FLOOR I HAD A TON OF GOOD TIMES THERE I CAN GO ON AND ON AND ON..

Otis was a great dancer as we all were, everyone with there on unique style. Those were some great times dancing on the Podium. You know Otis and then there was DAVID, DOUGLAS, ANDY, ERIC, ANGELO, and Myself. Great time late 80's early 90's dancing on the speakers and hanging out at the pizza shop.

WE HAD SOME GREAT TIMES THERE, SOME OF MY BEST MEMORIES HAPPENED AT THERE. THERE WAS ONE FRIDAY NIGHT THAT I WILL NEVER FORGET, I WAS INVITED TO HANG OUT WITH OTIS S. BY ONE OF HIS FRIENDS. I FELT PRIVILEGED TO BE NEXT TO HIM.

...and lets NOT 4get all the amaaazing guest dj sets and live performances!!! New Year's there was always bangin' too and it's a good thang' I worked there cuz' that club was 1 of the 1ST to charge those riduculously expensive admission fees sheeesh!

Dj Kirk Alert
Opening for Dj Charlie Casanavo from 1992 to 1995

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5_NI2MSmp8

Broke my cherry at the getlaidium! What a scene-- Anybody remember the maitre d's Stan the man, whitney, 4 a night Tom!!
How bout the security aka disco police?
Tom Will, Fred Mett, the Kat man... Those were the days! peace!

I'm actually looking for someone who worked at Palladium in 1986. I would like to get in contact with the person who posted the following comment

"PALLADIUM" not the palladium.Yep I worked there for 3 years or so id say like 84 to like 87 or so.We still have old posters and Pics and lots of other stuff we saved.Good memories.Does anyone remember Steve Rubell passing out on the dance floor? LOL.
Posted by: JAY | Jun 10, 07 | 6:03 pm

If anyone has information about how I could contact this person or anyone else who would have information about the staff in 1986, it would be much appreciated.

I LIVED at the Palladium Friday and Saturday nights from 1985ish to 90 something. WAS THE ONLY ONE ALLOWED TO HANG IN THE DJ BOOTH VIP AREA! EVEN when Rubell would come in. Had my own private bathroom, entrance and exit. Martin was so cool (worked the lights/strobes). When I would go and dance he'd make the place dark and only put 1 light on me dancing. How I thought I was somebody back then... was a model at the time and TOOK OVER NYC. Danced with David, Peaches, Otis and the gang on the speakers on the left, then pizza! We never drank - just danced!! MAN was I in excellent shape. After "our show" we'd head off downtown to SAVE THE ROBOTS - which is in David Byrnes video now.

NEVER waited in any line, or PAID; Nells, Limelight (with the Rockefellers), Stringfellows (AUGH PETER), Dezerland, Tunnel, Emerald City, but Palladium was a MUST to start with! SO many more stories & memorabilia....

Now when I look back; who I knew, met and how I didnt pay attention, thought it would LAST FOREVER.

WOOOAH...DoNNaLiSa u just took me back BIGtime!!!

I too remember all these great times. Use to get in everywhere without having to go through the terrible waiting in line. I was friends with some kids from Interview, plus Don Munroe who was directing music videos for The Cars. We'd hang out with Cosima (von Bullow), Linda (Evangelista), Stephen Sprouse, Tama Janovich.... Fun times.

I miss the Palladium. Very upset at NYU for destroying the building. Some of the best things about the place were the stairs, the huge ceilings, the lightup walls, the multi televisions. And of course, the house music DJs.

When is Palladium a gay party?? I visit NYC for de Christmas Week and I want go a gay party.
Thanks

My introduction to Palladiu wsa the night of my High School Prom. I had also just begun modelling and was accompanied by my cousin who hung out with Otis. I am so happy and proud to have had my club experience begin at Palladium. I will never ever forget those magical nights in the Mike Todd room and have never experienced anything like it elsewhere in clubs elsewhere in the US (NY, Miami, LA) or Europe.Middle East (Barcelona, Ibiza, Beirut). Miss those days....I would love to download some of the big dance tunes from those days...anyone know a good site to visit?? xoxoxo

i remember in the 80's when i used to work there. it was the best time that i ever had. i wish that i could get in touch with all the bouncers that i used to work with they were the best. also the girl at the front Michelle the one with the crazy white hair.anyone out there that used to work there in the 80's get back at me.

I have been about 20 years ago at Palladium. It was on two floors, salsa music, best latin people in NY. I don't remember the location does it exist anymore? Yo estube en el Palladium, excelente disco-salsa hace unos 25 anios atras, sigue existiendo y adonde esta ubicado el lugar?
QUE DULCES RECUERDOS!!! No cre que era el de la calle 14. saludos y gracias

...heard they did a reunion about a summer or 2 ago but I missed it, (found out a LOT of ol' skool folks actually showed!) Did any1 here go???

Probably one of the greatest clubs in history. The Limelight and maybe USA could compare, Paragon and sometimes Warsaw in South Beach, I am told the Paradise Garage was great, and so was the Saint. Yet somehow the decorations there were better than the others.

I lived within walking distance, so I could walk home and sobre up for part of the time it was opened.

Not to sound like a johnny one note, last New Year's Eve "Sensations" in Duesseldorf was featured on German tv and it's decor reminded me of the place, also the people, mostly straight, but large groups of gays and lesbians. I am going to Carnavale in Duesseldorf to see what the place is like in real life. But, I will never forget walking downstairs to the "play rooms" at this place!

Wunderbar and Peggy Sue's

I can't believe that Otis Simms has not replied or come across this website even by chance. Maybe he's still shocked that the 90's over.

I remember going to the PALLADIUM all the time in the late 70' and early 80'. Oone time I went with my friend Jackie and slipped on a banana peel. We would wear the HUEVO PANTS!!!!!!!

The best Grateful Dead show I ever saw was at the Palladium on April 30, 1977. The Hells Angels were roaming around that evening. I also saw the New Riders of the Purple Sage there a couple of times, and the Pretenders in the early 80s.

The Palladium has been around, under one name or another for about thirty years. It was a theater that played to overflow crowds whenever a name group was there. A vast array of fantastic deejays played there. one of the largest sound and light shows ever. A meat market, that featured live sex ever few corners. Lots of drugs and prostitution made it easy to get laid. From that perspective, it was a 10, but as far as a DISCO is concerned, the real DISCO era was before the Palladium's time. A solid 9 on my scale from 1 to 10.

Was the Palladium shut down due to the murder of bouncer Marcus Peterson on Thanksgiving 1990?

I love it.... does anyone remember around 87-88. the guy who would wear like mime make-up,b/w shirt and hide his face behind a open newspaper. He would stand by the stairs on the way down to bathrooms and public phones(what are they)and sneak a peak @ you, he was a trip.This place brought out the best in everyone. There never will be a club like it....EVER

It sounds like LORIE met one of those SPECIAL people that New York City tends to have. That GUY was everywhere! In every DISCO in town I saw this guy taking a "peek". It was the same guy??

Maybe the reason US discos are dead and the few small ones that exist make you go home early is because people like vyniljunkie are around! KEEP HIM IN THE STATES, PLEASE!

whoa, why all the hate,? Did I do you harm in some way? Maybe you didn't realize that I was making a "Joke". You do know that in New York City there are an unbelievable amount of strange people. I was trying to make a joke about that. Forgive me if I offended you somehow. You don't know me? I am a really honest and nice guy. I wasn't being bad, I was trying to be funny. Sorry that my sense of humor offended you. Friends??

WHY IS CLUBGOER 1991-1994 SO INTERESTED IN OTIS SIMMS?

Hey CLUBGOER 1991-1994, Do you remember a guy that used to dance on the speakers (he wore spandex and had strings or shoelacers hanging from his wrists)?

...oh I remember Otis fondly! We were a crowd from Sweden hanging out with him and his friends in 87/88. Loved the way he was dancing. I went back to NY recently and sadly found out that Palladium was no more. Miss both Otis and the place!

pls im disco music lover and collector of vinyls..pls someone suggest me a good place for hear this wonderful music in nyc?im comin there next week..thanks a lot!

@Louises,
The reason is because I've never seen someone take dancing so artistically. I've never seen some one dance like he did. It seem Euro-style dancing. I'm from the Bronx NY, and I became acquainted with one of his friends, who was a dominican as I was -ok!

if anyone has pictures of the palladium during arena or bump or even earlier please please please email me some pics. i was there when it finally closed down. the "PALLADIUM" was my studio 54. my home away from home. the micheal todd room, the bleachers, the oversized mantles on each side of the stairs. i loved chillin on the 2nd floor looking down at the sea of bodies on the dance floor. i called it the river of flesh. ofcourse we also enjoyed chillin out in the ladies room. and dancing on those giant speakers. when the curtain was pulled back to make more space we would all head to the dance floor. i will never forget junior or kevin or alex. you know who i speak of. i love all of you who shared my experience

I was there at the palladium grand opening night. late summer of 1985. steve rubell, grace jones and her then boyfriend dolph lundgren of rocky IV fame were all there having a great time. awesome night club. I became a fixture there once studio 54 had closed. always had a great time with my boys ANGEL GRANDE, ANDRE QUINTANA, ORLANDO MARTINEZ, BOBBY CASTILLO, VINNY DEMAIO, AND CARLOS ALVAREZ.

Memories of Sat. nights...Not getting in, till one. Packed as Hell. Walking up the illuminated stair case. Listening to CASANOVA. ripping it up.. Then the infamous. PALLADIUM......MAKEEE SOOOMMMMEEE FUUUCKKINNN NNOISEEEE... Heading to the second floor bar.. then up the opra stairs, to damn near the top. when the music gets lower. Then burn an joint. LET THE NIGHT BEGIN.... Dance till we get kicked out. Talk about THE PALLADIUM every time the club word is mentioned.. Fridays the LIMELIGHT, UNDERGROUND, HOMEBASE,THE BANK.. PALLADIUM WAS THE HOUSE OF GOD.... THE BIRTHPLACE OF REAL TECHNO...

Dwayne Holt was absolutely the funkiest DJ I ever herd mix at the Palladium. He always played records no other DJ played. And he always used a lot of bass. DJ John Hall was hot too, he was in the michael tood room.