Overview
Beginning in the early 1980s, the owners began hosting dance nights. Referred to by many as the “Studio 54 of roller rinks,” these parties thrived for several years. Then, as the popularity of skating began to fade, the space was revamped into a dance club in 1982.
Ruza Blue, a British expatriate nicknamed "Kool Lady Blue", founded an all-ages, all-races hip hop club in June 1982. Jon Baker, the future founder of Gee Street Records, worked the door. Hip hop pioneers Afrika Bambaataa began DJing there, and were soon joined by Grandmixer D.ST, Jazzy Jay, Grand Wizzard Theodore and Grandmaster Flash. The club sponsored MC battles, Zulu Nation gatherings, breakdancing competitions with the Rock Steady Crew, graffiti murals, and double Dutch competitions. The club had a major influence on the evolution of hip hop culture over the next few years. A performance at the club by Afrika Bambaattaa was featured in the 1984 film Beat Street.
The Roxy hosted one of New York City's largest weekly gay dance night, Roxy Saturdays, promoted by John Blair Productions, which has featured many famous DJs including Junior Vasquez, Manny Lehman, Hex Hector, Victor Calderone, Frankie Knuckles, Merritt, Offer Nissim, Hector Fonseca and Peter Rauhofer. Artists such as Cher, Madonna, Beyoncé, Bette Midler, Chaka Khan, Grace Jones, Yoko Ono, LL Cool J, Gloria Gaynor, and George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars have all performed at the Roxy.
Roxy had stopped for several weeks in the fall of 2006, but resumed operation once again on December 2, 2006. The club closed their doors for good on March 10, 2007. A documentary about the club's final party, entitled "Roxy: The Last Dance" premiered in August 2008 on the LOGO cable television network.
There were plans for the club to be demolished in order to make room for new residential apartments, however in July 2008 there was news that the Roxy would re-open under new management. The local community board that represents the interests of the residents near the club have stated that the club could re-open if it served the community in the long run.
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