Rudy Awakening for NYC Nightlife

Thought-provoking essay by Michael Musto on how former Mayor Giuliani -- one of the most despicable human beings alive -- destroyed NYC nightlife, all for the sake of making the city more favorable to big business and luxury housing. Read HERE.

Party Like It's 1989

Excited to read about a planned night spot on 23rd Street in Chelsea looking to cater to the "over 35" crowd that prefers music with actual lyrics and melodies.

Jeff Wittels, who has been in the wine business for more than two decades and once owned a music entertainment company that provided DJ services for private parties, plans to turn the space next door to the Malibu Diner into an as yet-to-be-named venue that will offer a mix of live and recorded music from the '70s, '80s and '90s, in addition to Broadway tunes and some modern songs.

“I’m just excited about bringing back some of the music from the '70s, '80s and '90s and having people go out and be able to enjoy it again… instead of going out and hearing house music where you don’t know what’s going on,” he said.

This building was briefly a gay bar called Blu in the late '90s I frequented -- they used to have Gay Family Feud night hosted by the bitchiest drag queen in town -- before it became more of an urban joint called Suede that Justin Timberlake supposedly co-owned. Most recently it was Meridien, which my friend Tim and I visited once only to find out it was a "world music" club that didn't even play Bananarama.

Depending how it plays out, perhaps this could be a hangout for gay men of a certain age living in the area -- guys who miss (most recently) XES and the good old days of videos at Splash and Uncle Charlie's -- or maybe one night of the week could be promoted for gay men. Or it could become a bridge-and-tunnel nightmare ... who knows?!

Trading Up

For the first time ever, TRADE SATURDAYS is moving to the main room of Space Ibiza NY for the city's newest Saturday night special event: SUPER TRADE, with DJs Brett Henrichsen (NYC) and Alexander (L.A.)! Info HERE.

Historically Fabulous Places

Its name is Mudd

Walked past the old Mudd Club on my way to the courthouse yesterday morning and noticed this plaque on the building. If those walls could blog ...

Opening night on Halloween 1978: The B-52's performed and readings by William S. Burroughs (now that's a B's show I wouldn't skip!)

Klaus Nomi at the Mudd Club, 1979

James Chance, Debbie Harry and Chris Stein at the Mudd Club (Photo by Laura Levine)

Mars Bar

  With thanks to Chip, who saved this invite to Michael's favorite nightclub from back in the day.

BONUS: Check out this wonderfully narrated trip to the opening of the club back on New Year's Eve (1988 into '89):

Day/Night Book

Don't forget: tomorrow night is the grand opening party of Swedish porn star (Tag Ericcson) turned real estate broker to the stars (Fredrik Eklund)'s big gay party at Duvet in Chelsea. This interview from HX makes it sound like Duvet Thursdays are going to be a lot of fun, with some gay Real Worlders co-hosting. Tyler Duckworth from Key West is confirmed, but Fredrik says "several" others will be there. Might it also be this one -- or this one? Only one way to find out ...