Stories of the Saint - Chapter 1: The Opening

At midnight on September 20, 1980 The Saint nightclub opened in New York City's East Village. In celebration of that historic moment 30 years ago, The Saint At Large presents this multi-part series "Stories of the Saint".
Chapter 1: The Opening

[@boadecia8176]

It had a 360 degree dance floor and the dome hovered above. It was crazy and stupendous simultaneously.

[@VooDooTube...]

I was there. Had an amazing time. Thank You,

[@Markzchef]

I'll never forget the two minute standing ovation Robbie Leslie received from the enthusiastic crowd after a flawless, compelling set of beautiful music. It was chilling.

[@tombohley3265]

There was nothing so magical as dancing under the stars in the middle of New York City. To this day, the Saint is the pinnacle of gay club experiences of my 60 yr old life.

[@su90069]

Jerry Strickland and I, both bartenders at Studio 54 which closed down in Feb of that year, Bill Murphy and Michael Scott, attended openimg night at The Saint. Whoa! It was the moment Viola Wills, in white silk and feathers, rose from the earth below singing IF YOU COULD READ MY MIND which seered holes in the sky of my mind.... Impossible to forget.

[@peterx876]

A truly emotional experience.This is when music was great. Getting a locker and partying till morning.Thanks so much for the memories 🇨🇦

[@scpatl4now]

I was there many times...and I remember the first time I saw the stars. You just stopped...and yes gasped. It was a very special place. It was magic

[@stevensobota6638]

My best friend,the man I loved the most the man I danced with the most,John Tenenbaum was living in Atlanta he had an invite for opening night, the magic was so intense he went back to Atlanta rearranged his life and moved to New York just weeks later

[@jamesrixner2137]

I was invited by a group of friends to the opening night without really knowing what the Saint was about. Needless to say, I was blown away and I will forever remember that fabulous night. I joined the next week and experienced all that the club and it's amazing "tribe" were about. We all experienced a moment in time and a social and cultural phenomenon that can never be replicated.

[@joeyoh2]

I went to the pre opening party so I knew what was coming. Historic club!! Still have all my memberships cards in a scrapbook. Never wore Calvin Klien Jeans there because he was in line behind me lol. That whole era will never be repeated Sooo Lucky I was part of the whole NY scene from the mid seventies to the mid eighties priceless! 12 west, hurrah, flamingo and the pines. The thing I miss most of course are all my friends that didn't make it. Thanks for these vids 30 some yrs Yikes!!

[@txtabby]

I was in military starting in 1978. I came out early 1978 in LA so I knew the nightlife. Stationed in Austin in the 1980s. Now most of my old friends are gone. But what a thrill ride! Very fortunate to be here today at 65. This vid reminds me of Studio One. Was so much fun! Thank you for posting this!!🙏🏼

[@DENGODFREY]

The privilege of having experienced "The Saint" is the "crown jewel" of all my collective memories of my gay life in my early 30's in New York in the 1980's. And, now in my 50's, when I see friends from those days, we always know- consciously or subconsiously- that we were VERY blessed to have been able to have had The Saint as our playground. And, unless you were able to experience The Saint, you'll never fully understand that it wasn't just a club or a disco, but, a lifestyle unto itself.

[@garyverona9822]

Im glad i got to experience The Saint. Im also glad to still be standing as all of my friends have passed. What an amazing space it was and the sound system was unbelievable. there will never be another space like this again. Thanks Bruce Mailman

[@williamatkleber]

I was there. Thanks to those in this video for describing it so well. The anticipation. The collective gasp. The cheers. Thank you a million times to Bruce Mailmen and team

[@stevescissors]

All I can say is WOW! I'd love to have been there, and what a way to open with Donna Summer,"Could It Be Magic!" Thanks for sharing your memories with everyone.

[@leoox1961]

It was as amazing as they describe. Awe inspiring. nothing of today can outmatch it.

[@charlesmiller9004]

The best club ever created!!! It was magical! Everything was perfect!!!

[@mannyalfonso2003]

An out of this planet place. I remember this club so well. Fantastic!

[@hatchett62]

Thanks for the memories guys... Robbie and Michael have told me that story over the years and it still gives me goosebumps... So glad I was lucky to have experienced the club for the 2 years I lived in N.Y.C.

[@SicilianStealth]

I still cry.

[@discovery781]

some of my best times were spent there as well----i have never seen anything like it since..and probably never will

[@strobe155]

Whoa I WISH I had a timemachine. Amazing video!!!

[@profMike54]

Wow! excellent vid and series!I was such a religious Saint Boy! every time all i wanted was to hear Jimmy Ruffin "Hold onto my Love". I still have Saint posters!

[@Bala5]

44 years ago tonight......The Saint in NYC opened September 20 1980

[@YesItsMeGuys68]

I was there .... oh the sweet , sweet memories ! Another fantastic opening club was Bonds International Casino in Times Sq. It was the worlds largest most expensive dance club ... Damn we knew how to have fun ! Bigger truly WAS better

[@charlestumlinson5779]

I was new to NYC and was Taken there got opening night. Had to work there. I was a Party designer until they closed the doors meany years later. Met so many amazing people OMG The memories. yes Like floating through space.

[@peterx876]

Thanks for the memories .🇨🇦

[@michaelmorincoach]

Thank you so much Robbie and Michael.....you just brought me back to the eighties as a gay man who is 50 now only could!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@kev14609]

This club sounds absolutely fabulous. Wow what an experience. Way ahead of its time.

[@douglaserwinbrandt181]

Actually It was the time. The time is way past. Today is just a shadow.

[@jimmyhatnyc]

I cannot imagine what it was like to be there. Gay History indeed. Thank you for this. Y'all paved the way.

[@biancahu698]

Fabulous place

[@SicilianStealth]

Thank you Alan Pastore for introducing me to dancing in interstellar space. And other Saint members will say the same that when it closed it was if a friend had died. One of the unspoken "rules" of the dance floor was no drinks. They would spill and you would "stick" to the floor. Instead we brought baby powder to spritz(?) on the floor so you could "phase" and "slide" instead.

[@JimmyOgilvie52]

Please give a shout out and hello to F. Alan Pastore (AKA "Effie") from me .... Jimmy C.

[@SicilianStealth]

@@JimmyOgilvie52 he passed away but I was able to tell him.

[@JimmyOgilvie52]

@@SicilianStealth Thanks so much! So sorry to hear that news. Alan was a big part of my Saint experience from the beginning. ~~ Jimmy Carberry

[@SicilianStealth]

@@JimmyOgilvie52 I'm glad you got this message after having commented some time ago. I knew Alan from when I still lived at home in Rye, NY and we knew each other then.

[@JimmyOgilvie52]

@@SicilianStealth It's kind of amazing! Alan was a mainstay for me at the parties. We even socialized outside of them after a while and went to each others' homes quite a few times. He nicknamed me "Jamezie" and I nicknamed him "Effie" for his first name "F." . LOL He even helped me out with a couple legal issues in the '90s. I lost touch with him sometime in the late '90s when I moved cross-country. Then after moving back to NYC later, I didn't manage to run into him again. I'm sorry to hear of his passing. His life was a blessing to many. Thanks for the memories!

[@ninhocuco]

glad i went there the best ever

[@stevensobota6638]

every man I danced with there is now gone,but have to say the ride was really worth the fall

[@jimdensmore6713]

I have the original invitation which was on a rendering of the architectural drawings

[@SicilianStealth]

I'm still here.

[@drewsmusical]

lucky to have been there to see the magic of the stars. To be lost in Great music a sea of sexy men and surrounded by stars THE ABSOLUTE BEST

[@nyg1984]

BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME! NYC is starving for a playground like The Saint, not just the gay community, but every hedonistic soul in the city. Some of us were just starting when the party came to an end and we're still here, ready to get the party started once more. We know the rules of the game and have the knowledge to take precautions and avoid many of the dangers we fail to before. Young people today know the dangers and are more cautious than they used to be. BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME!

[@dbfeldi]

I swore if I ever opened another club again, it would have a planetarium projector inside (laser operated)...now just a dream...I wish I could have gone there.

[@tensacross]

this gave me the shivers! I mean wow.

[@billlombard9911]

Greatest music ever , just don’t go to the balcony’s upstairs lol

[@michaelboccino5251]

I Remember the Saint Parties When All the DJs Used to Take A Few Hours for A Weekend of One Big Event 'I Worked for Crisco Disco West 15th Street on Top of the Crisco Can

[@discovery781]

@DENGODFREY i agree 100%, im glad i was albe to be part of it

[@myohotim]

Nothing has or ever will match the space, music, people and brain candy,,,:)

[@charlestumlinson5779]

The night started with pillows on the floor and classical music on there amazing sound system, Then the music slowly became a git more rhythm and slowly became disco the Best DJS in the world. and Oh The mega stars that performed there wow. And Grace Jones On New Years eve :) Remember me I'm the Crazy Chuck I designed the 2001 party. But it turned into the Dead Baby party. sounds horrible but it wasn't It was just so surreal and everyone was on something No alcohol license yet. Buy Big bowls of Fruit and soda and water all free. Well Cover charge was high and so worth it. Unless you got a membership. in less than a yeas over 1 million people had bought memberships. The Saint was a HIT. Oh the storied I could tell. Good ones.

[@MrPaulojamaica]

Inacreditavelmente esse era o Discoteca mais louca de NYC e eu um felizardo vivi muitas noites nesse templo de loucura e amor.

[@charlestumlinson5779]

The largest Planetarium globe in the world. Streisand accepted an award for New York Women in Film and I was the Stage manager. Oh MY . Bruce the owner new it was on my Birthday and wanted me to be there from a select few of his designers. Total secret until she arrived. I think I may have fainted for a sec. I hated what I chose to wear. Everyone just knew it was going to be Elisabeth Taylor . . I spent time With Streisand!!! and sat on stage with her!!! and a HUGE floral arrangement.Simple but beautiful Black suit, 1 Black Onyx ring with a tiny diamond in the middle. I am sure it was vintage I'm so excited. To Find this

[@hansel1jensen]

WOW! Thinking about 2000 people gasping at the same time made gasp too...

[@joshron99]

I think that Alan L. frequented this place and he was also a total regular at Studio 54 (a friend of Steve R-- think Alan still has his phone number that Steve wrote on a piece of paper for him).

[@RiteanDan]

Again, Why not available in Canada on iPhone?

[@natemoe3134]

the "gay gasp"

[@edzekiel101]

gay history! i love this.

[@nightlover5194]

Freddie Mercury Was A Onorary member

[@damianmorrison209]

WOW, XXXX