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80s Dance Clubs in Fresno

Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2011 2:38 am
by cabeef
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?

Re: 80s Dance Clubs in Fresno

Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:07 pm
by pure707
Zack's, A Family Dinning spot by day, 80's Hippsters by night. Remember the guy who dressed up like "Prince"?

Re: 80s Dance Clubs in Fresno

Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 3:24 pm
by jcred
Ok I remember ? nock three times and wilikers and the Black angus the new so called dance dont cater to our generation thats simply it

Re: 80s Dance Clubs in Fresno

Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 12:16 am
by symthiya
I'm looking to start a 5-person dance group. Are there any websites that have group dance moves? I am starting a 5-person dance group and need some sites or sources to pick up tips and moves from. It's not country or classicla or folk music, its more like modern dancing, breakdancing, "serving" if you will.

Re: 80s Dance Clubs in Fresno

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 1:46 pm
by sjvalleydave
The Playpen was south of Nicola's on the west side of Moroa, right by the Santa Fe tracks..I remember Club Casino on Blackstone, just south of Shields on the East side of the street...just south of Denny's..

Re: 80s Dance Clubs in Fresno

Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 1:10 pm
by FresnoBeach
The Lighthouse Teen Dance Club.


Re: 80s Dance Clubs in Fresno

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 1:07 am
by marlie88
How about "The Zoo" at Herndon and Blackstone. It had the best local bands. Years before it was The Zoo it was Nashville West.

Burger Joints and Local Eateries

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 1:19 am
by marlie88
One of Fresno's swanky restaurants is now a rehab center. The Desert Inn was way out on W. Whitesbridge. Best place for prime Rib.

schools

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 1:42 am
by marlie88
My mom started high school in the 1940's, at Fresno Tech, I believe it was located on Divisidero where Office Depot sits now. The school closed and eventually a big chevrolet dealership took its spot and remained for many years..

Re: 80s Dance Clubs in Fresno

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 1:47 am
by marlie88
And don't forget the Palace, Star Palace, Tequila Petes (which later became Scoreboard), Lucys and the infamous, Night Flight.