"Under the Palms and Under the Stars!" Club Life Memories of South Beach

Hi Folks! Will here. As promised, I will be dancing down a memory lane of club life during my 1994 - 1995 winter stay in South Beach. Although brief, it was vivid and left some indelible mementos. Of course, everywhere you looked there were those gorgeous indigenous palm trees to remind you that you were '"No longer in Kansas." The second half of today's title honors one of the most iconic clubs in South Beach of that time period ... Club Amnesia!

This icon of club life was patterned after a sister club in Ibiza - just off the coast of Spain. The two entities not only held the common thread of incredible music from world renowned DJs, along with breathtaking lighting, but also sported "open air" ceilings that invited in the participation of Miami's skies, clouds and the stars above! As I remember, for South Beach's gay clientele, there was a Sunday afternoon Tea Dance. Truth be told, it was never totally gay or straight ... just a pleasant mix of beautiful people. The only problem was that despite the huge dance area, it got so crowded you could hardly move. (Of course, that made for some intimate "close encounters!" LOL.) A lot of the beauty found in this club stemmed from the fact that Miami was a crossroads for some of the top international modeling agencies. And, during the peak of the season it was not uncommon to see "stars," the likes of Madonna and Prince, right there on the dance floor next to you! Everybody was there for the same thing ... one helluva party!

In the same vein of party and celebrities, another kind of party happened on an annual basis - "The White Party!" It first started on December 1st, 1985 and was held at the wonderous villa of Vizcaya in Miami. This themed celebration was held as a charity event to bring in funds for AIDS and HIV support. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, located at 3251 S. Miami Avenue, with its superb grounds and waterfront "landings," is still featuring the monochrome event every year. I mentioned the waterfront part because it was not uncommon for attendees to arrive by yacht to further enhance the glamour aspect. Alas, I do regret not attending this gala the one and only year that I was in South Beach. I just forgot to bring my white tux! (I wonder if a white Speedo would have worked?!) 

Washington Avenue. If you ventured a few blocks in from the beach and explored South Beach's main business thoroughfare, several other dazzling night clubs were at your disposal. Twist and Paragon topped the list.

Back in '94 when I frequented Twist, it was a fairly small bar and dance floor that was on a second floor. (Here we go again with climbing stairs to get to the music! LOL.) But, the climb was well worth it. This bar was always packed and had some of the best music of the day. I introduced myself to the DJ and we became friends. He even invited me to take a "spin" at the turntables. But, not knowing the music, I graciously declined and instead pounded my feet on the dance floor with the other revelers. As fate would have it, I ran into this fellow in San Francisco on a vacation back in 2015. I thanked him for the wonderful times I had at Twist. The world can be such a small place!

The other memorable spot on Washington Avenue was "Paragon," dubbed "The Saint South!" It was quite common in season for hundreds to descend from NYC on the weekends ... just a cheap and quick two and a half hour flight from New York. I spent many Saturday nights there awaiting the customary 3 AM lowering of the huge mirror ball and surrounding lighting grid from the (original theater's) lofty ceiling to just above the heads of the party goers. That always brought a roar!

A side note. Not one but two of my boyfriends were harvested from that glamourous chaos. Both great dancers and sexually insatiable, I really got to know what the term "Hot Latin Lover" meant! These relationships were both short lived. "Daddy" just couldn't keep up with the antics of these young men! If I could have, either one of these guys would have fucked around the clock! Sex was the singular and mandatory currency of this territory. 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch (my South Beach motel room), it became a regular thing for guys with whom I had tricked to come by at all hours of the night knocking at my door - looking for more! I had to mention this because of one memorable night. It was about 4 or 4:30 AM when I was awakened by a rapping at my door. Dazed and not expecting company at this hour, I opened the door to find a former trick with a very handsome guy for us to "share!" Luckily, I am a neat freak and always kept my humble abode clean and ready for surprise parties! Once again, it was fast and furious without even a name exchange for the new guy! But, hey! This was partying at the BEACH! 

Spring was in the air and it was time for me to wrap up my South Beach adventure. New York beckoned and I was ready to "come home" to some familiar turf. Little did I know that a life-changing rendezvous was about to take place. It was my first weekend back in New York and I was headed out to the legendary dance club, "The Roxy." So many good things happen on a dance floor ... stay tuned!