Exclusive Photos Of The Day: Farewell To Limelight
With the announcement of the conversion of Limelight into a retail space, we have to wonder if there will ever be any mega clubs again in New York. The empire of Peter Gatien came crashing down in the nineties-- Limelight, Tunnel, Club USA and Palladium-- but name any other nightclub owner who worked with such a stellar diverse lineup of talent -- Moby (DJ), Eric Goode (designed several of Gatien's clubs), Jason Strauss (promoter), Chazz Palminteri (doorman), Mark Ronson (DJ), Funkmaster Flex (DJ), Biggie Smalls (performed at Tunnel), Vin Diesel (security), Pearl Jam (performed at Limelight), the list is endless. Click below for more story, and the first online photos from inside Limelight...
Each night inside the church turned nightlife was like a Broadway production involved lighting technicians, DJs, doorstaff, security, bartenders, barbacks, graphic designers for the invites, drag queens, club kids, event directors, bathroom attendants, promotors, receptionists, accountants, art department.
The NY Times asked the question of what comes next in nightlife, and no one seems to know the direction of what will come next-- lounges, gastropubs (?), bars. However, the nineties were the decade of the mega clubs where celebs mixed with drag queens in the VIP rooms, there was no bottle service, models did not make a scene cool, and artists got in for free and got drink tickets, Wall Street guys were rejected at the ropes and there was a sense that the more diverse the crowd, the better a time was to be had.
In recognition of a sad farewell to the iconic clubs of the nineties, we are posting some photos from Limelight which will never be a club again. And while the neighborhood may have a sigh of relief, there was time when Chelsea was not the retail row it is today (hello Bed, Bath and Beyond) and was not yet developed into the multimillion dollar lofts and brownstones.
Vassili Verrecchia Shows Off His Favorite Things In His Paris Home
While his brother, Timothee, runs the NYC office, Vassili takes on the Paris-based side of things. To gain some insight to what inspires such a creative and entrepreneurial spirit, we asked Vass to show off some of his favorite worldly and sentimental possessions in his Paris home. See where Vass's travels have taken him...
about 5 hours ago
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02:56:54 PM May 21, 2012
02:35:16 PM May 21, 2012
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July 27, 2009
6:16pm
that place closed ages ago it was called avalon for many years..hello!!
GUESTOFAGUEST
July 27, 2009
7:24pm
Yes, we are well aware of this. These are the first images of the actual first club it was, Limelight.
Melissa
July 27, 2009
7:57pm
Best era for clubs-- miss those days.
July 29, 2009
7:21pm
The Limelight was so much fun.
Steve
August 31, 2009
8:35pm
Did a few New Years Eve's there in the 80's - Wild Times for sure - Limelight Rocked
Brennen
November 9, 2009
11:02pm
I attended Limelight from 1991-2000ish. It under went a major face lift and got very trendy at one point when it was sold to new owners becoming Avalon. I liked the old style best, with the cages, and the different rooms, the vip rooms, hip hop rooms, the straight side (Techno and hardcore music), and gay side (90's house and dance music). It was so much fun. I remember when I first went there, I felt like I was on Lsd or something. Though I never did drugs, sure was an experience to see that place for the first time. My friend brought me there from the Hamptons where I grew up, not ever having been to a Nyc club before in my life at age 18. I felt like I was in another world. I was, the world of Limelight. Best club ever. Diversity, people got along, the music was off the hook, and the environment was sick! I miss it tremendously, and wished it never had to close its doors on the nightlife scene. I hope one day the mega-dance clubs hit Nyc again, I suppose when we get a (different mayor) and Nyc decides to lighten up a bit and lose its sterile environment mentality, it may happen, until then... who knows :( long live the memories guys!!
RGS
November 24, 2009
3:30pm
I was at Limelight during 1995-1996 and there will never be a club like that again. I agree witht post above I didnt do drugs when i was there but you felt like it with the amazing music, lights and crazy people. Miss Limelight
hgt12
January 16, 2010
7:17am
I contracted HIV just looking at the pictures.
bombparties
January 6, 2011
6:41am
Not seeing any pics?? Just the limelight logo image. :/