Leviticus nightclub
Leviticus nightclub was located at 45 W. 33rd Street in midtown Manhattan[1] and operated from November 1974 until October 1988. It was primarily a disco but live music was added in the late 70s. Leviticus attracted a diverse audience, but was attended primarily by middle class African Americans, many of whom worked in the midtown area.[2]
Leviticus was built, owned and operated by The Best of Friends, Inc.[3] an organization that also owned Justine's on W. 38th Street, Bogard's on E. 48th Street, Orpheus on Washington Ave. in Brooklyn and Lucifer's on Linden Blvd. in Queens.
By 1977, when dancing became less popular in the club, well-known musical acts were added to augment the disco experience. Performers included Rick James, The Whispers, Cuba Gooding and the Main Ingredient, Ashford & Simpson, Blue Magic, The Pointer Sisters, Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, The Originals, Mtume, Taste of Honey, The Dells, Phyllis Hyman, Leon Thomas, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Bootsy Collins & The Rubber Band, Chic featuring Nile Rogers, and many more.[4]
A strict dress code was enforced: jackets were required, no sneakers or jeans and men had to remove hats. The Best of Friends avoided radio advertising and chose to promote their clubs by using their mailing list and making personal invitations.
Many celebrities visited Leviticus and other clubs owned by The Best of Friends, including Andy Warhol, Elizabeth Taylor, Stevie Wonder, fashion designer Valentino, many of the New York Knicks and popular radio personalities including Vaughn Harper, Frankie Crocker, G. Keith Alexander and Ken "Spyder" Webb. Vaughn Harper worked at Leviticus as MC at the start of his career, but quickly became one of the top DJs on WBLS radio in New York. Even after his success on radio, Vaughn occasionally returned to Leviticus to serve as MC for the live shows.[5]
The Best of Friends, Inc. was comprised of Tony Cooper, Danny Berry, Charles “CP” Perry, Mal Woolfolk, Harry Felder, Wayne Scarbrough, Andre Smith and Noel Hankin.[6]
[1] The New York Times, January 3, 1976, “The New Discotheque Scene: Like Going to a Big House Party” by Shawn G. Kennedy
[2] NY Amsterdam News, Arts and Entertainment Section, April 9, 1975, “Eight Young Businessmen Capture The Leisure Hours of Midtown Workers,” by James F. Murray (Cover Story “Come Party With Us”)
[3] NY Amsterdam News, Arts and Entertainment Section, April 9, 1975, “Eight Young Businessmen Capture The Leisure Hours of Midtown Workers,” by James F. Murray
[4] Bustle, February 18, 2015, “Is Leviticus From 'Empire' A Real Club? Its Origins Could Stem From Disco Or The Bible” by Jefferson Grubbs =
[5] Amsterdam News, July 11, 2016, “Vaughn Harper, WBLS & ‘Quiet Storm’ Pioneer, Dies at 71”
[6] NY Amsterdam News, Arts and Entertainment Section, April 9, 1975, “Eight Young Businessmen Capture The Leisure Hours of Midtown Workers,” by James F. Murray (Cover Story “Come Party With Us”)
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