November 14, 1974

Fifty years ago, in November 1974, an event took place that contributed to the most remarkable social craze of the past 100 years. What took place? Leviticus opened. It was the first Black-owned disco in midtown Manhattan. I was part of a group of eight men who formed a social club called The Best of Friends. We created Leviticus as a haven from the out-of-control crime, discrimination, and powerful mafia that prevailed during that time.

In 1974, disco was not yet a craze with the general population. However, it was red hot among young African Americans - at least in New York and several other cities. A year later, disco caught fire among whites, and three years later, when Studio 54 and Saturday Night Fever debuted, the disco craze exploded, touching millions of people globally.

I write this to memorialize Leviticus' role in energizing a generation that still cherishes memories of the fun they had in the 1970s. It's important to note that while Leviticus mainly attracted African American patrons, whites, Hispanics, and Asians also enjoyed the welcoming environment.

Leviticus was not the first disco in Manhattan, but for Black folks, it was transformative. Several competitors contributed to the craze and helped spread the excitement. But Leviticus was the first to take disco dancing to new heights in ways that were new to most people.

Gays enjoyed discos several years before us, but their events were private, underground, and insulated from the general public. Leviticus was different. It was fully licensed and on the same block as the Empire State Building, so easy to access. It was also inexpensive and welcomed everyone. Patrons felt comfortable asking someone they didn't know to dance. In a city with out-of-control crime, Leviticus was safe. Single women felt comfortable going by themselves - never an incident.

For those who partied at Leviticus, you are not alone with cherished memories. For those who weren't there, this was an unusually colorful and exciting time for nightlife. Yes, there was danger, but in a strange way, that added to the exhilaration. Read After Dark: Birth of the Disco Dance Party to learn more about this fascinating history. It's available on Amazon.

#musicbusiness #disco #Leviticus #nightclubs