In the 1980s culture-loving New Yorkers not only attended gallery openings, theater events and movies, but also participated in New York’s flourishing nightclub scene. While music and dancing were the main attraction, clubs also hosted art exhibitions, performances, fashion, film and video. During these years, almost every gallery opening, film premiere, theater debut, fashion show, and book publication was followed by a nightclub after-party. Clubs were the places where artists mingled, and the clubs competed for their patronage.
Given all of this activity, it is no surprise that Gallery 98 has a large selection of nightclub-related ephemera. We have spotlighted here some of the most prominent clubs during this golden age of nightlife. You can see more club invites in our online exhibition The Night Time Is The Right Time – N.Y.C. Nightclub Ephemera, 1980s.
Max’s Kansas City (1965 – 1981)
Max’s Kansas City, Group Show, Cover Photo by Anton Perich “Andrea Feldman at Max’s”(1972), Steven Kasher Gallery, Card, 2010. Size: 6 x 8.5 inches — Available
Scott B and Beth B, The Offenders screening at Max’s Kansas City, Flyer, 1980. Size: 14 x 8.5 inches — Available
See more ephemera from Max’s Kansas City
CBGB (1973 – 2006)
Arturo Vega, Blitz Benefit with Blondie, Ramones, John Belushi, CBGB, Silkscreen T-Shirt, 1978. Benefit concert T shirt to help pay the medical expenses of Johnny Blitz of the Dead Boys injured in a knife fight. — Available
Harvey Wang, Graffiti CBGB Men’s Room (1980), Signed Vintage Silver Gelatin Work Print, 1981. Size: 8 x 10 inches — Available
See more ephemera from CBGB
Studio 54 (1977 – 1989)
NIGHT Magazine, Vol 1 #1, Studio 54 Special, Cover with Rod Stewart, Alana Hamilton, and opening night crowd, SIGNED by photographer and publisher Anton Perich, September 1978. Size: 21 x 16.5 inches — Available
Village People, Live Performance at Studio 54, Card, 1985. Size: 6 x 4 inches — Available
See more ephemera from Studio 54
Mudd Club (1978 – 1983)
Mudd Club, May Schedule with 3 Teens Kill 4, Lee (Scratch) Perry, and File Magazine, Flyer, 1981. Size: 11 x 8.5 inches — Available
Rene Ricard, Patti Astor, Eric Mitchell, at the Mudd Club, publicity photo for Mitchell’s film Underground USA, 1980. Size: 8 x 9.75 inches — Available
See more ephemera from the Mudd Club
Club 57 (1978 – 1983)
Harvey Wang, Tseng Kwong Chi with Mask at Elvis Night outside Club 57, Vintage Silver Gelatin Work Print, Club 57, 1981. Size: 8 x 10 inches — Available
Kenny Scharf, Limited Edition T-Shirt created for Club 57 Exhibition at MoMA, 2017. Size: 26 x 19 inches — Available
See more ephemera from Club 57
Danceteria (1979 – 1986)
Danceteria, Laurie Anderson, Afterparty Celeberation for United States: Parts I to IV, Card, 1983. Size: 6 x 4 inches — Available
Danceteria, The East Village Look—Again!: A Fashion Show and an Art Show, Illustration by James Romberger, Curated by Marguerite van Cook, Folded Card, 1984. Size: 11 x 8.5 inches — Available
See more ephemera from Danceteria
Pyramid (1979 -2020)
John Sex and Delilah, Halloween 1982, from an exhibition of Polaroids by Trey Speegle at Pyramid, Card, 1983. Size: 3.5 x 4.25 inches — Available
Pyramid, Wendy Wild Cancer Benefit with Lady Bunny, Ethyl Eichelberger, Card, 1995
See more ephemera from Pyramid
AREA (1983–1987)
AREA Nightclub, Halloween, Poster, 1980s. Size: 34 x 23 inches — Available
AREA Nightclub, “Yoko Ono Lennon Invites You to Join Her at Area to Celebrate the Dedication of Strawberry Fields,” Card, October 9, 1985. Size: 4.5 x 4.5 inches — Available
Limelight (1983 – 1998)
Limelight, Birthday Tribute to Salvador Dali, Hosted by John Stevens and The Silver People, Folded Card, 1985. Size: 8.5 x 5.5 inches — Available
Limelight, Willi Smith and other designers, Fashionable Fast-Food Uniforms, Poster, 1984. Size: 22 x 15.75 inches — Available
Palladium (1985 – 1997)
Palladium, The Second Year Unfolds, New Installations by Jenny Holzer and Vito Acconci, Accordion Card, 1986. Size: 4 x 4 inches (folded) — Available
Palladium, Caravaggio Directed by Derek Jarman, Movie Premiere Party, Folded Card, 1986. Size: 7 x 5 inches — Available
See more ephemera from Palladium
Tunnel (1986 – 2001)
Kenny Scharf, Cosmic Cavern, with Susanne Bartsch, Maripol, Cindy Sherman, Tunnel, Card, 1995. Size: 7 x 5 inches — Available
Tunnel, Michael Alig Presents Third Annual Filthy Mouth Contest” with Judge Michael Musto, Card, 1988. Size: 8.5 x 5.5 inches — Available
