80s Dance Clubs in Fresno
Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2011 2:38 am
Here are few dance clubs I have fond memories hanging out in the early 80s in Fresno:
THE PLAYPEN - Located on Blackstone south of Shields on the west side - it was down the block from "Nichola's" restaurant I recall - it was round-shaped and used to play the coolest 80s electro-funk-hip-hop music, i.e. Freeez, Debbie Deb, Trinere, Fonda Rae, etc.
ZACK'S - This was actually located in Clovis, but was a great teen/high school dance club that used to play all the new wave/dance club hits - favorites were Madonna's "Burning Up," Dominatrix's "Dominatriax Sleeps Tonight," The Cure's "Let's Go to Bed," Tin Tin's "Kiss Me," and many more. Kinda had a 'barn" atmosphere, lots of wood beams and the DJ upstairs.
KNOCK THREE TIMES (at Picadilly Inn) on Shaw - the sound track was a mix of 80s new wave hits and 80s R&B/soul/electro - won the dance contest a few times here!
EXPRESS - downtown Fresno on Blackstone near Belmont - not just a gay dance club, very mixed depending on the night - gay, bi, str8, guys, girls, everyone came to dance here - I believe it closed in the 90s and moved to a larger club farther north on Blackstone?
Another mixed dance club downtown (forget the name), but it was underground with a "tunnel/bridge" in between - big dancefloor, high-tech cool decor during the 80s - anyone remember it? Also, another mixed dance club on Clinton (?) near 99 (?) - always packed, good music, forgot the name. Anyway, when I visit Fresno now, it seems like there are NO good dance clubs anymore. Doesn't anyone go out dancing in 2011?
THE PLAYPEN - Located on Blackstone south of Shields on the west side - it was down the block from "Nichola's" restaurant I recall - it was round-shaped and used to play the coolest 80s electro-funk-hip-hop music, i.e. Freeez, Debbie Deb, Trinere, Fonda Rae, etc.
ZACK'S - This was actually located in Clovis, but was a great teen/high school dance club that used to play all the new wave/dance club hits - favorites were Madonna's "Burning Up," Dominatrix's "Dominatriax Sleeps Tonight," The Cure's "Let's Go to Bed," Tin Tin's "Kiss Me," and many more. Kinda had a 'barn" atmosphere, lots of wood beams and the DJ upstairs.
KNOCK THREE TIMES (at Picadilly Inn) on Shaw - the sound track was a mix of 80s new wave hits and 80s R&B/soul/electro - won the dance contest a few times here!
EXPRESS - downtown Fresno on Blackstone near Belmont - not just a gay dance club, very mixed depending on the night - gay, bi, str8, guys, girls, everyone came to dance here - I believe it closed in the 90s and moved to a larger club farther north on Blackstone?
Another mixed dance club downtown (forget the name), but it was underground with a "tunnel/bridge" in between - big dancefloor, high-tech cool decor during the 80s - anyone remember it? Also, another mixed dance club on Clinton (?) near 99 (?) - always packed, good music, forgot the name. Anyway, when I visit Fresno now, it seems like there are NO good dance clubs anymore. Doesn't anyone go out dancing in 2011?