NoK

As most of you heard last night, Friday, the 2nd of July, Pacha in New York was shut down by the New York City Police Department. No word as of this writing was given as to why it was closed, but it is suspected that it had something to do with a fatal stabbing that occurred earlier in the day that was related to an incident that had occurred outside the club the previous week. This latest incident at Pacha is only the latest in an ongoing problem that seems to be impeding and even crippling large clubs. The real question here is not whether Pacha can stay afloat and continue to run a successful business in Manhattan, but rather, can any large club in Manhattan?

Now kudos should be given to Webster Hall. The club, which was built in the late 1890’s, was able to survive through a great depression, prohibition, two world wars, the 70’s, and just about anything else that was thrown its way. And even now, Webster Hall is dealing with financial difficulties after we earlier wrote about its monetary woes. Webster Hall aside, I could name 10 large city clubs in New York that have closed down in the past 10 or 15 years. Just think about it, and I’m sure you could too. Exit, Soundfactory (later to become Pacha), Crobar (later to become Mansion which is also having its issues), The Tunnel, Palladium, World, Life, Original Soundfactory /Twilo (later to become Spirit which also closed), Roxy (considered large because it had, at the time, the largest dance floor in Manhattan), and finally, Stereo NYC (I know I know, I forgot the Paradise Garage and many other clubs of the 80’s and prior, but I’m keeping it short to keep it simple).

Does anyone see the growing trend here? We see it time and time again… this vicious cycle of big name clubs trying to move into New York, only to disappear a year or two later. Pacha, has been able to survive triple that time frame which is great. But how much more will they be able to put up with from the police who are hell bent on shutting them down. The last incident involved a 12 month investigation into the sales of narcotics at the club which eventually was thrown out and the club was allowed to re-open. This bust though, came at the cost of occurring during one of Pacha’s biggest weekends ever; Gay Pride 2008 where big name after big name DJ was booked to play that weekend.

But when is enough….enough? And when are most of the larger clubs left in the city going to throw in the towel and move elsewhere? Many promoters, DJ’s, and club goers (Nokturnalist included) have started to venture into other neighborhoods (specifically Brooklyn) where you can find large lofts and warehouses to have events that hold 1000 people without the worrisome of noise violations, dancing permits, and other issues that plague Manhattan clubs. But more on that in a soon to come article…

Of course we cannot comment for Pacha, since we do not work for them, nor promote any of their events, but this continuing trend of the New York City Police Department looking for any reason to close down the joint is going to have to come to an end at some point, and unfortunately, it will most likely mean the end to Pacha, and the big club venues in New York as we know it.

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NYCJazz21

And people think that damn Nightlife Preservation Community is gonna save New York Nightlife? Please.This City is DEAD.PERIOD!!!! Major Corruption and a bunch of "head up the ass" high maintenance over privileged white people migrating from predominantly white suburban towns to New York City and turning this entire Island into a suburban bedroom community,that shuts down early at night.No wonder why my friends from out of town refuse to come here.I come back from Toronto's gay pride to find out that New York still cant get its shit together.This City is pathetic.Thank god my 3 week vacation from work is coming up,i will definitely take that opportunity to travel and get away from this nonsense.Maybe its time that I consider doing alittle migrating myself.This city is Not only full of nightlife haters,its full of gay haters too.Anti-gay hate crimes are inclining in certain neighborhoods and shutting down our clubs aint helping our cause.Trying to ride it out? Im already doing that.Losing patience? HELL yes.Packing bags and moving? Strongly considering.

Im wondering,Shutting down this city early,wont that increase the crime rate? It will be dark and quiet in many areas wont be much traffic around subways and taxis wont be making money,there wont be many people walking around on the streets,many businesses that rely on giving 24 hour service wont be making much money to stay afloat tax revenue will obviously decline.Tourists wont wanna waste their money on an expensive and boring ass island like manhattan.Muggings,robberies ,anti-gay hate crimes are inclining from what Ive recently read.What about other street crimes? Rapings? Car thefts? gang violence? Keep in mind,this is a large city with alot of dark streets and some ally ways,and alot of hidden corners.This is not some little suburban town full of houses where all the neighbors are nosy and every driveway has a mercedes or lexus parked in it.They are fucking this city up

I think I should pack my bags and get the fuck outta here.

drew

This had nothing to do with the gay community? What are you talking about?

DJ Sean McMahon

NYCJazz is not talking per se about the gay community except that there have been a series of hate crimes in the past few weeks/months against gay individuals. The overall tone of his comment is his displeasure in NYC in general not about Pacha shutting and it having to do with gays.

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Boriafro

The gentrifrication is f---ing the nightlife in our NYC.
How many big club are there? None.
The city that never sleeps, yeah right!!!!!
Go back to the suburbs and enjoy the pasture.

kaspah

Glad I moved out when I did. I had a great time in NY years ago when the Palladium and SF were around, but I could see things dying out as I headed east to killakali.

Not so much a reason to give up though!!!
Fight for your party rights or go silently into the night I say!!!

Gerry917

There was talk of it having to do with problems from the gay pride parade the week before. I think that is what they are talking about. That aside, these cops are out of control closing down a club on the biggest weekend of the summer for them. These guys have bills to pay and families to support and dont get paid when the clubs stay shut. not to mention the lawyer fees.... fuckedup!!!!

but thats nyc, love it or leave it.

skooby

I think no matter how you look at it, one thing is clear. We all want the club to re-open. It's important that the nightlife community come together and support the clubs that book the great DJ's that come to our city. Without places like Pacha, big name DJ's like John Digweed and Carl Cox would frequent our city far less. Here's to Pacha, and hopefully they re-open soon, and stay open for many more years to come

drew

I agree 100%. Here in the UK we have problems so people have flat parties now

MUZAK

anyone know if the club is open this weekend?