Stratus Dance Club (Revisited) Circa 1986-1987 - Part 1 [Top 80's Electro Synth-Pop & Funky Fashion]

Quite possibly the coolest club of the 1980's! "Footage from a California new wave synthpop club is mesmerizing and awesome" - Dangerous Minds.

00:00 - She Sells Sanctuary - The Cult.
04:14 - I need a Freak - Sexual Harrassment.
07:24 - Summertime Summertime - Nocera.
11:31 - Shake it Up - Divine.
14:35 - Jolene - Strawberry Switchblade.

Isabella Ibarra at the Southeast Career Technical Academy deserves full credit for an excellent compilation she put together featuring the patrons of the Stratus Dance Club in the San Diego area (actually Spring Valley) in 1986 and 1987. The clips were quite chopped and muddled so I set them to the music playing in the club, updating the video and replacing the audio in the process.

This was East County, and Stratus was a club that catered heavily to the new romantic and goth crowds—these videos are all labeled “The Metro Beat and Club Sanctuary Nights” which was an 18-21 event and a regular rendezvous for the new wavers in the area. Jane’s Addiction actually played Stratus right during this period, in the spring of 1987.

The clips start us off with the Cult’s “She Sells Sanctuary,” there’s a good deal of Divine (both “Shake It Up” and “Native Love (Step by Step)”) and Sexual Harassment (”I Need a Freak”) and Strawberry Switchblade’s version of “Jolene” and Trans-X (”Living on Video”) alongside more enduring faves.

[ericthiel]

Man. No words for how much I miss the 80s/90s. Im grateful I got to at least live in that world.

[LarsAndersen-igyt]

youth and life.
2020's....taking selfies and staring at their phones.
I feel sorry for todays youth.

[Belluser-weuccbl]

Graduated HS in 1984. The whole 80's decade was the best time of my life❤

[mstanley]

A world without cell phones and internet. Energy, fun and exercise!! Hours of dancing 💃 ✨️ 💕 non stop. Every one doing their own thing. Great times.

[kyloren]

If you didn't experience the 80s, you have no idea what you missed! The 80s was the best decade in the history of decades before and after. The best movies, music, cartoons, dressing style and look. Life was amazing!

[marymae]

My god we were all so much more radiant and beautiful than I could have imagined back then. Now I miss those moments so much it literally aches.

[albertogutierrez]

Just amazing! My daughter was shocked to see pictures of me wearing black eyeliner, lipstick, paisley shirts, dark blazers, brooches, black pants, and pointy nana shoes. I was a club hound. Now, I wear suites and ties, and own an attorney service. I miss those days. The 80's were the best time to be young.

[wicket]

The amount of time we all spent on our hair was ridiculously awesome

[lidiabaker]

I graduated hs in '86. I realize now how fortunate I was to be young during that era. I feel sad for young people today. Their lives seem so boring

Ahh the 80s. When you went out you had a good time with no phone bothering or distracting you. We actually talked to each other.

[EdjeMr]

The Sad and depressed thing is ... This time will never come back ... Love the 80s

[paguerro]

It brings tears to my eyes. I wish I could go back to the best years of my life the 80s were the best.

[raedog]

God, dancing with cigarettes! I dont know how many times I ran into one, or someone ran into mine!!😮. I lived at dance clubs in the 80’s. I miss this so much! Im glad these videos exist!!

[gel]

Is it me or do people look genuinely happier?

[gordonmockwheel]

Today everyone is longing for individualism but all have the same haircuts and cloth. Back then 100 people had 100 different styles. What an exciting time back in the 80s!

[stevieb]

That is glorious, absolutely glorious. Everyone had their own unique style and look. Today is bland and uninspiring in comparison

[helleobinso]

Notice when they realize the camera is on them no fish lips? No kiss and peace sign? Just a smile. Notice how the dance is just them feeling the music? Not a choreographed TikTok.

[DragonsOfSnow]

God I miss this so much. Everyone had their own unique style and didn't look like carbon copies of fakeness like they do now. No horrid cellphones in everyone's hands, just living in the moment. Nothing will ever be like this again. 😥😞

[AiVaultGuy]

back when people went out at night to have fun, everyone got along with each other and everyone was there to just have a great time, not like today where is all so fake and everyone wants to fight everyone, the 80's where the best times and the best people!

[natali]

All you 80’s Babies… giving you a big wave ✋🏾
Didn’t realise how glorious we were.