Invitations, posters and other nightclub ephemera document the important role that clubs played in the creative spirit of Downtown NYC in the 1980s. The Mudd Club, Club 57, AREA, Danceteria, Palladium and other clubs were key venues for curators, performance artists, photographers, filmmakers and clothing designers.
Gallery 98 spotlights some of these club stars drawing from our large inventory of nightlife ephemera. More can be found in our special section Nightclub Invites, 1970s – 90s.
John Sex
The Saint, John Sex Birthday Party, Card, 1986.
Size: 5.5 x 5.5 inches
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With his catchy stage name (he was born John McLoughlin), signature hairstyle, and a live python named Delilah, John Sex (1956-1990) was one of the most popular performers in the nightlife scene. He honed his act at Club 57 moving on to become a regular at every New York nightspot until AIDS cut his life short at the age of 34.
Patrick McMullan
Palladium, It’s Christmas Time… There’s a Party Tonight for Patrick McMullan, Folded Card, 1986.
Size: 5 x 7 inches.
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McMullan leveraged his early passion for club life into a career as a celebrity and nightlife photographer for Details and other magazines. Over the years his enterprise grew into the Patrick McMullen Company, a full-fledged photo agency that employs dozens of photographers, covers charity, promotional and private events, and posts pictures online for sale to attendees.
Tina L’Hotsky
Poetry at Prescotts, Tina L’Hotsky, Rene Ricard, Flyer, 1983. Photograph by Alan Lewis Kleinberg.
Size: 8.5 x 11 inches.
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Known as the “Queen of the Mudd Club,” Tina L’Hotsky (1951-2008) was one of the first to develop the idea of theme parties such as “Crazy Spanish Girls” and “Marcel Duchamp’s Birthday,” that became a staple of 80’s nightlife. For L’Hotsky and many others the clubs served as a promotional platform for other activities such as film and poetry.
Rene Ricard, Patti Astor, Eric Mitchell
Underground USA, Rene Ricard, Patti Astor, Eric Mitchell, Photograph Still, 1980
Size: 9.75 x 8 inches.
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In its early days the Mudd Club was a central gathering spot for the downtown No Wave film scene. Poet and actor Rene Ricard (1946-2014), actress Patti Astor, and filmmaker Eric Mitchell were all regulars at the club. This publicity still for Underground USA (1980) directed by Mitchell was photographed at the Mudd Club where a number of scenes in the film were shot.
Michael Alig, Michael Musto, Anita Sarko, Andy Anderson
Palladium, Filthy Mouth Contest, Left to right: Andy Anderson, Anita Sarko, Michael Musto, Michael Alig, Card, 1987. Photograph by Patrick McMullan.
Size: 7 x 11 inches.
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Michael Alig (1966-2020), party promoter and disgraced former Club Kid, was the organizer of this “filthy mouth” competition with judges DJ Andy Anderson, DJ Anita Sarko (1947-2015), and gossip columnist Michael Musto. In the late 80s and early 90s, Alig and the Club Kids personified New York City nightlife. It all collapsed dramatically in 1996 when Alig murdered another member of the group. As club chronicler Musto wrote, “You not only killed Angel, you basically murdered nightlife.”
Dianne Brill
Palladium, Pinup Girl: Dianne Brill’s Birthday Party, Folded Poster, mid-1980s. Produced by Rudolf.
Size: 11 x 17 inches
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Dianne Brill was the voluptuous party girl with big hair and hourglass figure whom Andy Warhol dubbed “Queen of the Night.” Often seen alongside club impresario Rudolf during the glory days of Danceteria in the early 80s, Brill was a fashion muse for club goers, photographers, and even inspired a Brill mannequin. She also had her own cosmetic line and designed men’s clothing.
