Arena Forever

A tribute to the legendary Arena nightclub in Hollywood, CA. During its heyday in the 1990s, Arena was the place to be for house and techno music, fashion shows, live performances, and a center of gay youth culture in Los Angeles. This video focuses on the year 1992, using actual footage from that time [courtesy of The Fabulous Wonder Twins]. Arena was sadly demolished in 2016, but its memory will live on if we tell its story.

[@carlitosway1330]

Oh look! Not a goddamn phone in sight! The glory days! I danced with Madonna here in 93!

[@funboy7468]

@Jody J. RIP Jody 😔

[@funboy7468]

@Jody J. I'm just kidding. In yur last sentence you said you died right there.

[@lillaboy1979]

I dont know what my life would have been without Arena. 😢 I miss this place so much.

[@LaRonSantiagoMusic]

The best days

[@daryledwards833]

Hi, everyone! I had the fantastic experience of working there as a cocktail waiter/ assistant to Danny Robertson in the VIP room upstairs!!! It was such a blast! I remember Shava and Marilyn( Jaymie)! I was in the House of Slander as well but mostly just to be with my friends! I got hired the night I turned 21. It was June 2nd, 1991! Sam Harris sang Over the Rainbow that night! I’ll never forget it! Gene and Danny were so good to me. Douglas and James! I love working there...I met a lot stars...but the best were all my friends! I’ll never forget it! God bless you all and I thank God for the amazing memories of Arena!!!❤️

[@jmojarro58]

Ohhh what stars?

[@lapinchechismosa]

I looooooved that VIP room

[@catsonmoon74]

Loved Danny! Miss him so!

[@anthonyalvarez3493]

THIS IS DEDICATED TO ALL THE GREAT PPL I PARTIED WITH IN 1992 ARENA ERA MY CARNAL RALPHIE, (RIP) ED(RIP), ALEX, JOJO, RANDY, JAMES, MARIO(RIP), MS. MARTIN, VICTOR, JOEY, LARRY NAVA (RIP) DJ. ERNIE PEARL. SO MANY GOOD PPL. MADE ME & MY GIRL FEEL WELCOME... LOTS OF GOOD TIMES HERE..

[@anthonyalvarez3133]

@santo abezo oh wow i didn't know. RIP MS. MARTIN 🙏😔

[@jmojarro58]

STACEY HOLLYWOOD

[@funboy7468]

@Jody J. Was Ms Martin a plus size person??

[@funboy7468]

Does anyone here know Sergio Romero??

[@funboy7468]

What about Letty? She was a dancer at the clubs. I heard she passed as well.

[@lilycol4061]

I can’t believe I was 14 years old the few times I attended! It was revolutionary- happy I got to experience

[@lorrainelopez98]

Awww i remember awoling from my grouphome every friday just to meet up with friends and go to arena 91 93 r.i.p miss Martin 😔 the rave stomp always got my heart pumping. ❤❤❤ this video made me feel extremely nostalgic 😢

This brought back so many great memories. It was a blast...and it did make a difference.

[@funboy7468]

What year/years did you go to Arena?

[@hectorc7875]

Who remembers when party crew's would scream out there crew name who ever was loudest was rolling deep and made you popular . Many times I saw the day light come up after hanging around the neighborhood at age 14 with friends just being bad. I was wild now I can count with one hand the amount of times I go out . I used to be there every friday and Wednesday all ages

[@davidz2400]

Attended the Grand Opening '91 when it was a straight club, lol. VIP Room and #Madonna 'Truth or Dare' movie premier after-party; where she appeared with Vanilla Ice! 👑 ❤

[@delaneebarajas890]

The Arena was my home away from home that I am so thankful for... it was a place to have a good time with no color lines just wanting to be free and dance with people that you loved and new friends that you met. I will forever cherish the times i had here, as long as i can still close my eyes and hear the music, feel it in my chest and the walk in I am FOREVER THANKFUL & BLESSED TO BE APART OF THE BEST ERA THERE WAS IN THE SCENE

[@rawl91]

Thank you for the great memories 🤗👏

[@LunaSangre]

I got to experience Arena and Circus in the mid to late 90s, it was an amazing place to let free, meet up with friends dance the night away. Arena for ever.

[@shootit4now626]

Yes! Miss it! 1992 - 1996 for me. Good times. 💗

[@jlamont4u]

So many good memories. Some of the best times of my youth were at Arena. My friends and I would dance all night long. Not like now days at nightclubs. Everyone is just standing around taking selfies. Boy, I would love to go back to those days. 😔

[@sur13harborarea4]

sad that it's gone ..me and my best friends never forget the great arena.. till this day we talk about all the memories, RIP Miguel Cardiel great times!

[@Psergiorivera]

Yeah, Arena was fun, but Circus Disco was AMAZING!

[@ernieharo4699]

Circus disco was the one behind the arena??

[@funboy7468]

I loved Circus!!

[@BryanProper]

Tonight I watched a musical theater performance about Arena. It was absolutely amazing. To be able to see on stage a show about those epic years in the early 90s. They portrayed Mizz Martin, Shave, Jean, and our chosen family. They mention Griffith park, party crews & houses, the party hotline, and so much more. We were truly part of something special. #downeysfinest

[@christiangonzalez7952]

Same! Truly a beautiful House Musical, it will be back next year again! Definitely going to go see it! I remember dancing at the Arena when tigerheat was there and going dancing at a very young age. So glad I got to experience it before it closed down, but I would have never thought of the legendary history behind the Arena and Circus. best place to dance on a wednesday or thursday night! ahhhh!

[@PacoJertee69]

Just to keep it clear I only went to the Arena on Fridays 😂 if you know you know.

[@acebensen4626]

I remember going to this club at like 14 years old lol It was such a culture shock.. and I loved every minute of it!

[@infinitedivine369]

My experience exactly lol went a few times in my teens I’ll never forget… crazy how we even made it home ..if we did ..next day😅

[@OctavioXtravaganza70]

Miss that place..... changed my life.... miss you all ...J-me

[@rafaelvillalobos5333]

Jme miss you bro stay safe lol😉

[@Akkodha-]

I believe i went 95?,I must have been 14-15,one of the best nights of my life

[@gustavo8832]

I remember Stacy Hollywood!!! Good times for the Rebel era…..😎

[@lenoca03]

Wow beautiful memories i Met the love of my life here a friday 1995 his name was Alfredo from Lancaster California he was mexican ....i was heart broken cause lost contact with him i moved and loat all his info and never heard from him again i when to look for him at lancaster but no luck couldn't find him for ever I'll remember you .. ALFREDO and MAYRA..... fridays was for straight people...

[@sergiobradley6682]

I know alfredo

[@AndrewBivaldi]

Wow, so many great memories at this Club. The best get away night club to go to when you were feeling down, always left making new friends. From 2007-2017 I enjoyed very much of my weekends here. There will never be an “Arena NightClub” like this one ☝🏻🏳️‍🌈

[@jesusmex3186]

Saturdays…….d.j. Salvador………

[@dcmbrbaby18]

The house that jack built ...freakin awesome

[@hugoargumedo5749]

Made me cry

[@navagodinez4818]

I went there from 1990 to 1992 during the Techno Explosion years. This place was heaven on earth. When club music was only played in clubs, when people were the realest. Not a cellphone in sight, just people enjoying life without a care in the world. I'm glad someone was able to salvage some footage of those glorious days. For as long as this video lasted, I felt I was 17 again.

[@cmramirez3436]

Thank you for the memories.

[@vicccey1345]

I remember this place well...had nothing to do after high school and a friend's brother said he could get us in at 18. I was straight and apprehensive but he said he would look out for me. Nothing but good crazy memories. Miss that place!

[@justlooking2183]

Damn this sucks I can’t believe it’s gone. I’d like to give shots out to Stacey Hollywood , Evan , and that hot ass gogo dancer Jessica all great people to kick it with arena was the shit on fridays

[@mariduarte3101]

The Arena i tjoigjt was our own big ass playjhouse dance n be urself no one here ia iudg9ng m evetyo n 3 is habimg a grand tim3! DJ I rene omg made me luv her house m tribal housemade ,3 feel like come on bitches you ms Millie Greg Martinez, usin rhe edges of the dance flr our own mke believe runway!.!

[@lauracasillas5073]

Arena was my first official night club, I went there in 92' 93' good memories with my brother who always accompanied me

[@johnnyweresorrry]

yes yes yes! I was there on the dance floor. That shit was on another level for its time.

[@huguinroman7071]

Never missed a Friday night!! This video brought me so many memories. 1997 was my year .

[@marvsoy2105]

my boys yr 2👏👍

[@WillKat66]

Mine too, fresh out of High school.

[@funboy7468]

Year 97 was great 👍🏼 I was 21

[@jesusmex3186]

Hated d.j Irene music

[@matteoromenghi]

Are you ready to fly? To fly back to the '90's!

[@JoseTorres-xq5pk]

The nostalgia in all this…Tysm for doing this. Lobo and Ms. Martin 💖

[@raulespinoza9987]

So much fun. Danny the manager, DJ Lee, DJ Ernie pearl. Miss Martin, Chava of Slander, The Fabulous Twins. So much fashion, voguing, fierceness. The upstairs lounge. I had some of my best club nights there. What it was to be young and free. 1989-1996

[@vmlenigma]

i remember walking into that place....Petra and Co playin.....nothing will ever replicate that.

[@CZR1951]

Damn, bringing back those memories, remember the awesome rebel days..

[@cammieporch9593]

Wow what a great time to be young. 1992 at arena and sweet Sundays that was the only place to be best time of my life.

[@Lady1ove]

Man I miss them days!

[@Fabigucci]

I was Friday night regular. 92-94 was fabulous! And then it got trendy with the straights and it went downhill. The vibe changed.

[@sergiobradley6682]

I used to go to the arena every Friday,man I dominated that club with my dancing skills.I'm gonna miss the arena.Good memories and goodtimes.OG ROCKSTEADY FROM KREATING ILLUSIONS PARTY CREW👍😄ONE LOVE TO EVERYONE GAY STRAIGHT AND BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER.🇲🇺🇵🇷🇺🇲🇲🇽🇲🇸🇲🇫

[@patr70]

The Areana was around long before 1992. I think it opened as a Dance Club in 1978. Unfortunately So many of the people who partied at Areana in the late 70s early 80s were no longer with us by 1992. Just like so many from the early 90s are now gone.

[@arenaforever4607]

Arena opened its doors in 1990. You may be thinking of Circus Disco (opened in 1975) which is on the same property located in a separate building behind Arena.

[@ignazs.5816]

What happened to the people you say aren't here anymore?

[@markmaese9495]

@@ignazs.5816 aids pandemic

[@patr70]

@@arenaforever4607 I was thinking of Studio One. Thanks for the correction. 😊

[@vwdavy613]

It would be brilliant if we could work together on naming the music as it appears in this video. So many brilliant memories! I still have my membership card.

[@arenaforever4607]

Move Your Body - Xpansions Just Let Go (Dubs) - Petra & Co Throw Your Hands Up - Intellect Dildo (Interdrive Mix) - Intellect Dance Your Ass Off - RTZ Get Ready for This - 2Unlimited Got A Love For You - Jomanda Big Dick Man - Sweet Pussy Pauline Are Your ready to Fly - Rozalla

[@getit5196]

1992-93 was my year...

[@abeljimenez4869]

What every happened to Mother Delicious???

[@babyjoe9322]

i used to come here when i was in my 20's i miss this place so much 😢

[@hollyshaunts4081]

Man the good ole day's R.I.P The Arena! We miss you biiitttcchhhhh

[@sergiobradley6682]

I wished they didn't tore it down😪The Arena will live on forever

[@simonochoa5066]

WOW!!! You did an amazing job making this video thank you for the memories.💜💜

[@neilk4277]

Did they end up moving somewhere else?

[@coronahed66]

This brought back some lovely memories. I can't believe it changed so much and now it's gone *sigh*

[@robertmagana8784]

Hey anybody know ck from arena

[@inelhuayocan_aci]

Long live the Arena!

[@natashagascon5588]

I only went to Arena.

[@MiguelJimenez-ho8rl]

Great times

[@greggmitchell2392]

Spent MANY nights dancing the night away at Arena in the early #90s - RIP

[@marvinmartinez1500]

My 1st gay club so much fun

[@ignazs.5816]

My second gay club. Before going, it seemed so far away from home. And so scary. Then it became like home. My first club was Rage. To think that both clubs are now closed. That's life, I guess.

[@lindahughes4409]

An lot soldiers at it

[@rriicckkyy07]

Tigerheat ❤️✨❤️✨

[@daniiisland]

My first gay club 🥺❤️ when Madonnas - confessions on a dance floor - album came out ❤️ miss those days

[@ignazs.5816]

Mine too! Even then, I think I was late to the game.

[@mrkatsumi1000]

It's kind of scary. to see it gone all the good times We all had there. And it's amazing how many people passed away like miss Martin sweet loving and caring.. Miss you sweetheart God rest your soul

[@joeduran53]

So many good memories leaving San Diego to party at the ARENA and many other rad spots. The party scene was life back then steeezoked I was able to experience it and met so many great people along the way. 🕺🏻 1994-2000

[@gperez805]

I started going when I was like a sophomore in high school I was class of 2005 so like 2003. I can’t believe it’s like Gone I mean I know nothing lasts forever but still.... grateful to have had so many amazing experiences young

[@graffiticafel.a.9867]

My clubb

[@willmart6397]

I was one of those cute boys with a pretty face a slim body, beautiful hair and dressed as "rebel" with nothing to worry about. I was there. Thank you arena

[@patr70]

Way Too many Drag Queens..

[@navagodinez4818]

It wasn't always like that. This is however, one of the only footage I've ever seen so I'm glad someone made it possible. I have to assume some of the footage used here was taken early in the night as the club used to be jammed packed and those drag queens would just get lost in the crowd you wouldn't even notice them. It was one of the safest places for underage boys and girls on Friday nights. On Saturday the crowds were mostly half naked muscular men.

[@rafaelvillalobos5333]

I loved arena meet so many good people their love and miss you all stay safe. 😘

[@djlouis2150]

I went there throughout the 80s nice place great light show great music

[@jbizzletx3420]

Wow I didn't they tore it down!! Long live Arena!!

[@Drezzedtokill1]

I was 18 or 19 when I went there ... it was amazing . Celebrities would show up constantly. Good times .. lol

[@Drezzedtokill1]

Me too ! I would constantly see celebrities there like Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford

[@matteoromenghi]

At Arena in 1991. The good old days! I ❤ L.A.!

[@Ms.ambernicolle]

MEMORIES!!!!!

[@mrd2616]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@DanielaGonzalez-zo8wf]

Omg 🥺

[@lapinchechismosa]

Omg the memories! I was 14 years old dancing my ass off 1-2 Fridays a month there! I used to have the Polaroids that the photographer guy took of my but I think my sister stole them from me 💔 LA will NEVER experience a club like this ever again 😢 we had the best clubs. Later on I went to Sin A Matic, Clockwork Orange, Cafe Bleu, etc; no more, all gone 😭 I still hold down the dance floor at all the underground techno parties❤️❤️❤️

[@Drezzedtokill1]

This was the Club to be at in 90s ! Madonna would show up sometimes , Janet Jackson etc . It was super fun , VERY similar to Evita at nightingale plaza today in LA