The Pyramid Club located in 101 Avenue A, in an old 1876 four story building in the East Village section of New York (aka Alphabet City) started in 1979. The name Pyramid Club came from the original pyramid tile design found inside of the old nineteenth century building that housed Kern’s Hall Saloon, Shultz’s Hall, and the more famously Leppig’s Hall.
Pyramid Club was known as the (gay) CBGB’s of the art and drag movement of the 1980′s. Which housed such performers as: RuPaul, Lady Bunny, John Sex, Dee Lite, Lypsinka, Sister Dimension, Clayton Patterson, Lady Kier, Kenny Bullock, DJ Dmitri, Ethyl Eichelberger, Craig Vandenberg, Trade, Mr Fashion, Audrey White, Tish Gervais, David Ilku, Larry Tee, Eloise Montague, Hapi Phace, Billy Beyond, Jayne County, Christina, Alexis Del Lago, Andy Anderson, Patrick McMulan, Philly Abe, Tanya Ranson, Loretta B. Demille, Hattie Hathaway, Stephanie Crawford, Albert Crudo, Michael Musto, Ande Whyland, Armen Ra, Olympia, and Tabboo!
Legend has it that other bands that performed there were: Nirvana, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Madonna and Blondie. The Pyramid Club known to cater to a more avant garde and progressive crowd, which included a mix of people from all walks of life. One of the most infamous parties held at The Pyramid Club was “Trip and Go Naked” party. Where clubbers waited in line and earned fast admission if they stripped naked.
In this video below we see Nelson Sullivan (RIP) capturing all the things that made The Pyramid Club the fabulous place it was.
Stars of the 1980s Pyramid Club Scene – NYC, Coutesy of our friends at 5ninthavenueProject. Thank you.