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Some clubs just play music. In the New York-based club, Paradise Garage, a true movement of expression was created. Hidden inside a converted parking garage on King Street, the Garage shaped the sound, culture, and spirit of what eventually became house music. Before that, Paradise Garage had a long history worth diving deep in.
The Birth of Paradise Garage‘s History
Paradise Garage opened in 1977, during a moment when New York nightlife was exploding with creativity. The space itself didn’t look like much at first. A big industrial room, concrete everywhere, a balcony, and a DJ booth looking down over it all.
But the vision behind it was different from anything else in the city. The Garage wasn’t built to impress. It wasn’t built for celebrities or for showing off. There was no bar and no VIP area. The reason for not serving alcohol in this club was so that the club had no closing time. Nights lasted so long, it even continued the next day!
The club’s founder, Michael Brody, wanted a place where people could lose themselves completely in the music. The idea was simple: create a space where the crowd, the DJ, and the sound system formed an experience together. He created the first club where the DJ was at the center of attention and where the club was for dancing rather than talking. And with that philosophy, the Garage became a sanctuary for people who felt that they didn’t fit in the more exclusive world of New York nightlife.
Larry Levan Era
You can’t talk about the Garage without talking about Larry Levan. Larry was the club resident DJ who redefined what it means to play music for a crowd. His approach to DJing was personal and emotional. He’d stretch out intros, ride breakdowns far longer than expected, or bring in any of the new synthesizers that came out during that time.
And the sound system, designed by Richard Long, brought those choices to life. It was said that Paradise Garage had one of the best sound systems at the time. The spirit of the club (dancing over talking) and Richard Long’s custom design allowed the club to have a unique layout where the dancefloor was purposely designed around the sound system.
Larry became such an icon in the music industry that everything he played became instantly popular. Here are some of the classic tracks that Larry played in Paradise Garage:
1. Taana Gardner – “Heartbeat” (1981)
A slow, hypnotic tune that became one of Larry Levan’s calling cards. The bassline alone could shift the room’s mood. On that legendary sound system, this track really came to life.
2. Loose Joints – “Is It All Over My Face” (1980)
A perfect example of how raw, messy, and joyful the Garage could be. This song is longer than 10 minutes, showing Larry’s preference for extended intros/outros.
3. Peech Boys – “Don’t Make Me Wait” (1982)
This song was co-produced by Larry himself. Fun fact about the Peech Boys is that they got sued by the Beach Boys for having a name too similar to theirs.
4. Gwen Guthrie – “Ain’t Nothin’ Goin’ On But the Rent” (1986)
A huge anthem at the Garage and a reflection of the club’s love for strong vocal performances. Levan’s mix made the track even more powerful on the dancefloor.
5. Cheryl Lynn – “Got to Be Real” (1978)
A disco classic that never failed to lift the room. Even though it wasn’t born at the Garage, Larry made sure to play this track over and over again.
Paradise Garage vs Studio 54
To understand the Garage’s influence, it helps to compare it to the other giant of the era: Studio 54. Studio 54 opened its doors in 1977 but closed in 1981 due to tax evasion by the owners. But the legacy that it left could be compared to what Paradise Garage left behind. Studio 54 gained fame due to the celebrities who visited the club. Even though the club welcomed people from all backgrounds, there was still some sort of exclusivity, which Paradise Garage did not have.
Next to that, the experience and atmosphere were vastly different between the two. As I explained before, the music was at the epicenter of the club. It was all about the sound. Therefore, the vibe was minimal, and there were not that many decorations. On the other hand, Studio 54 was all about glamour. People would enter with costumes, and confetti was popped regularly. Completely a different vibe.
Legacy
Paradise Garage closed in 1987, but the spirit never disappeared. Its influence flowed directly into the early foundations of house music. Frankie Knuckles, a close friend of Levan and a fellow DJ, carried the Garage’s emotional, gospel-influenced style to Chicago, where the blueprint evolved into a new sound built on drum machines and synths.
Producers borrowed the long breakdowns, the soulful vocals, and the hypnotic grooves. DJs embraced the musical storytelling that Larry Levan started in Paradise Garage. Decades later, the Garage still lives on in:
- Modern house and deep house
- Disco edits
- Club culture is built on inclusivity
- The idea of the DJ as an artist, not just a selector
Many of the records that defined the Garage have been rediscovered, reissued, and sampled relentlessly.
Final Thoughts
The history of Paradise Garage reshaped what club music could be: emotional, communal, and deeply personal. Many modern-day clubs, like Berghain, gained inspiration from the Paradise Garage. In here, it is all about the music and nothing else. Something that can be promoted more nowadays, with phones being visible at almost every party.
