THE SAINT  was like Studio 54.

Even better.  It was a legend.

It opened after 54 closed,  in the old premises of the Fillmore East, a 1926 built former theater turned classic rock and roll venue of the late 1960s and early 1970s, at 105 Second Avenue in New York City's East Village.

The Saint was opened by Bruce Mailman and his business partner and his genius architectural designer Charles Terrell. They opened in late 1980.

The club was a success even before it opened. Membership packs with floor plans were distributed and before the club opened 2,500 memberships had been sold at $150 each for the first 700 members and for $250 for the rest and a waiting list established.

The Saint renovation cost $4,500,000, being $2,000,000 over budget. Money was spent repairing the roof, paying 6 years of back taxes to the city and fitting out the interior, which was like nothing else you have ever seen!  It opened initially as a private membership Gay bar|gay nightclub (returning the idea of a club to "club"), and set a new standard for disco presentation, lighting, sound system, hydraulics and technical support.

However, by the end of its second season, AIDS  had begun eating through the fabric of gay life in New York and began to take a heavy  toll on the Saint's membership. Change came quickly. Membership costs were lowered and the season extended into the summer so that the club was open almost all year round. By its seventh season, membership costs had fallen to $50. Like all good gay things that come to end, it  opened weekly for a straight crowd. By 1985, the famous Black Party performers were for the first time required to perform safe sex. By 1987, the performance emphasised jack off, phone sex and mud wrestling, all a far cry from the club's early days.

The best DJ's  and the best performers played here. The Saint was  technically and creatively one of the best dance clubs of its era. And quite possibly still the best to date in this country. The circular dancefloor was topped by a perforated seventy-six foot diameter by thirty-eight foot high planetarium dome. In addition to hiding the speakers, the dome served as a spectacular palette for the lighting effects. The club became the gold standard against which all New York clubs were measured...however, nothing could compare!

Since its closing (which was around 1988 and the party lasted three days!), the tradition of The Saint continues to a degree in the form of The Saint At Large, producers of various events (some of the biggest in New York City) , most notable New York's annual Black Party   traditionally held every March at the Roseland Ballroom, a NYC landmark. The Black Party remains one of largest gay nightclub based events in the world and is due to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2009.

 Until then, enjoy the holidays with Saint at Large!

The Christmas Party
Porn stars, go-go boys, fierceness and a cast of characters.
10:00pm Saturday, December 20, 2008 until 6:30am
@  PACHITA - 618 West 46th Street

Music by:  MICHAEL MAGNAN & EDDIE ELIAS  with   AFTERHOURS: JONATHAN PETERS
Tickets: $30 in advance   $40 at Door   Buy Tickets Now


What are you doing NEW YEARS DAY / NIGHT? New Years Eve is for amateurs - it's just the pre-party!

       REVIVAL - NEW YEAR'S DAY NIGHT
        11:30pm Thursday, January 1, 2009 until 8:00am

        @  ESPACE - 635 West 42nd Street (btw 11/12)

        Music  by  ALYSON CALAGNA & MANNY LEHMAN
        $60 - now  through day of event   or  Buy a  combo pack for both and save!



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