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Starter archiveClosedApproximateClub1972–1990s
Better Days
316 West 49th Street · Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan40.7616° N / 73.9876° W
Overview
Long-running club often cited within Black gay nightlife and the gospel-inflected side of New York dance music.
Better Days is often cited within histories of Black gay nightlife in New York and the gospel-inflected, soulful end of the dance spectrum. It is associated with resident DJs who shaped the city's garage and disco sound across two decades. Documentation remains thin and more oral histories are needed.
Oral histories & archival media
Audio · oral history sought
Better Days, in your words
Documentation of Better Days is thin. We're seeking oral histories of its Black queer dancefloor and its DJs.
Record a memoryArchive plates
Flyer placeholder
FlyerPL.01
Pending acquisition
Photograph placeholder
PhotographPL.02
Pending acquisition
Document placeholder
DocumentPL.03
Pending acquisition
Placeholder plates — cleared scans drop in here
Sonic profile
garagediscohouse
Cultural role
Black queer dancefloorgospel-house lineage
DJs, promoters & people
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Tags
#Blackgaynightlife#soulful#long-running#West49th