Limelight - Move Trailer (2011) HD

As the owner of legendary hotspots like Limelight, Tunnel, Palladium, and Club USA, Peter Gatien was the undisputed king of the 1980s New York City club scene. The eye-patch-sporting Ontario native built and oversaw a Manhattan empire that counted tens of thousands of patrons per night in its peak years, acting as a conduit for a culture that, for many, defined the image of an era in New York. Then years of legal battles and police pressure spearheaded by Mayor Giuliani's determined crackdown on nightlife in the mid-'90s led to Gatien's eventual deportation to Canada, and the shuttering of his glitzy kingdom. Featuring insider interviews with famous players in the club scene as well as key informants in Gatien's high-profile trial, Billy Corben's (Cocaine Cowboys) exuberant documentary aims to set the record straight about Gatien's life as it charts his rise and fall against the transformation of New York, offering a wild ride through a now-closed chapter in the history of the city's nightlife.

[mishagothe]

I still can't believe the Giger room was destroyed. What a waste. My favorite memory of Limelight was walking out into the Sunday morning streets at 7 am, with the sun coming up over the East River. Magical.

[andrewcharles]

During that era... EVERY club in Manhattan was fabulous. It was Gotham city bigger than life. I'm glad I was able to experience it. Clubbing at it's peak.

[landerstyle]

Some of the best times of my life were there. Used to go on Tuesday new wave night. Great memories

[uberglamazon]

Oh the memories, it is impossible to explain what it was really like. Man if only to go back for one night...

[TheTurk]

My biggest regret was never attending The Limelight when i was living in NY.

[rcharlton]

I would take five years off my life to go back for a month. Good times in the clubs no bullshit that goes on today everyone got along and got high together and had a good time we were a family. I miss those days :(

[joshuanevermind]

I was a regular at these Places from 92- 94 (the peak). My boy from High School was Gatien's right hand man. I am glad I got it out of my system though. Will never forget it and I am glad to have experienced it. I am still friends with a lot of the ex Employees from there. we'll ok maybe a few. If anyone went, remember Aphrodite? 6ft tall half nekkid girl that worked the door? They are all like cops and teachers now.... oh well.

[samsnead]

Yes I was a part of this. Every Sunday night which we're the best because you didn't have the bridge and tunnel bafoons to deal with. It was alot all the service industries people came out since many were flush with cash from working all weekend and had Mondays off .we were freinds with the manager for the Sunday night event and never waited in line or the coat check never paid to get in or for drinks even the drugs were free. Staggering out there at 7am daylight commuters walking by on the way to work, bakery deliveries unpacking, oh the best of times

[GearZenChannel]

I was lucky enough to spend a couple nights in the Limelight and Palladium in the 90's. At the time I had never experienced anything like it, and I still have not. It was wild and just so damn fun. I remember on a Sunday at 4 AM, walking down the middle of the road in the "city that never sleeps". Well, that night we put NYC to bed.

[Ste_VO]

@cubachang "Peter Gatien was the undisputed king of the 1980s New York City club scene." Someone didn't read the 'more info' tab. Either way, 80's 90's - I didn't start hitting the NYC clubs until around SF, Exit....all good times back then!

[melissacontreras]

I miss this place!!.... nothing like it ever again.

[ADDAuntDawnDisorder]

We went to the Limelight in London twice & loved it (other than a few “mean kids” upstairs who threw a glass beer bottle at our feet), but it was SO much fun & we never realized it was a mecca for illegal drugs. We just danced & drank some beers & had a grand time!

[ssjacob]

Wish I could have experienced all of this!

[Ste_VO]

I really enjoyed this haven for amazing music, friends and wild nights! Wish I had the chance to go back in the 80's!

[elimaxblu]

Also available on Netflix, just watched this interesting account featuring a sympathetic POV on Gatien, and the evolution of club culture from the 70's to 2002.

[djellony]

cannot wait... limelight was the first real spot i got to rock out at and some of my best DJ experiences there...

[joejoe]

Glad I was fortunate enough to experience the carnage with friends. I’ll never forget the activities we witnessed upstairs in the trans club. Oh my! Those folks know how to party!

[rhymeandreasoning]

I wish wish wish wish wish I had of been living in NYC during this amazing era...of course chances are I would more than likely be dead by now..but still, it would have been amazing..NYC in the 70s/80s what other place would you want to be? NO WHERE.. I am fascinated w/ NYC and the nightlife of NYC in the 70s/80s..(Kirk..Montreal, Canada).

[laminage]

These "Children" should have remembered that nothing lasts forever. Steve Rubell of Studio 54 found that out the hard way.

[johnpetty]

I went once, on a Specific Themed night (DISCO 2000) and i love the sound system but the crowd (That Night at least) wasn't my cup of tea. BUT DON'T GET ME WRONG, it was high energy and different, had i had the chance, i most likely would've been up in there again.