Favourite Clubs Details - Pascal's Music

As one of the main influences on my musical tastes evolution came from the Clubs and Bars I frequented, this section pays homage to my favourite ones throughout the years, including some memorabilia from them.

You can either scroll down to see everything or click on a particular club below to go see it directly:

From my Top 13:

From my Honorable Mentions:

As most of this is based on my memory, especially concerning dates, if you find any error or precision please let me know.

Lime Light (1254 Stanley, Montréal)

I started frequenting the Lime Light in 1976 when I moved to Montreal, first paying my dues on the second floor before establishing myself as a regular gaining access to the third floor reserved to them.

At that time Montreal was probably the world capital of Disco, only maybe rivaled by New York, and the Lime Light already well established before New York’s famous Studio 54 even opened. It not only had the best music, but its eclectic crowd made it so much fun, and its special permission to stay open until 6am, unlike other clubs in Montreal that had to close at 3am, ensured the party kept going.

With DJ Robert Ouimet, who I still personally consider the best DJ ever, who was not only playing kick-ass disco and pioneered beat-on-beat mixing, but later also started the New Wave craze in Montreal. I will always remember when he played the B-52’s Planet Claire for the first time, I think from a test pressing he obtained before its official release, with the new laser they had just installed. There was no better night for me than hanging around in the DJ booth and watch the master in action, with his light man Richard Joly perfectly working in harmony.

For more on the Lime Light I recommend this article.

1977 (approx) Lime Light (Montreal) from the street

1977 (approx) Lime Light (Montreal) inside empty

1977 (approx) Lime Light (Montreal) DJ Robert Ouimet in action

1977 (approx) Lime Light (Montreal) Matches

1977 (approx) Lime Light (Montreal) free passes

1978-09 Lime Light (Montreal) 5th Anniversary Souvenir Poster

1979-09-23 Lime Light (Montreal) 6th Anniversary Invitation

1979-09-23 Lime Light (Montreal) 6th Anniversary Poster

1979-12-24 Lime Light (Montreal) Christmas Eve ticket

1980 Lime Light (Montreal) 'Je Suis New-Wave' pin

1980 (approx) Lime Light (Montreal) free pass

1990-06-01 Lime Light (Montreal) Membership Card

If I remember well, when they tried to reopen the Lime Light in 1990.

Glace (1426 Stanley, Montréal)

When it opened, I think in 1979, Glace gradually became a bigger part of my nights after or before the Lime Light, which was practical as they were both located on the same street, about 500m apart, so I could walk from one to the other.

It played a perfect mix of New Wave, Ska and Reggae so you could be slam dancing on Madness’ One Step Beyond and on the next song gently sway to Eddie Grant’s Living On The Front Line, probably one of the few places that would play it in its entirety.

If you didn’t feel like dancing, they had this mini arcade in the front including the hypnotic and addictive Sundance game (see photo below) we never found anywhere else.

1980 (approx) Glace (Montreal) - Flyer

1980 (approx) Glace (Montreal) Sundance arcade game

1980-09 Glace (Montreal) Upcoming concerts - Poster

1981-08-05 (approx) Glace (Montreal) Arabian Nights - Flyer

1982-09-30 Glace (Montreal) - New Glace opening invitation

1982-10 (approx) Glace (Montreal) - Flyer

1982-10 (approx) Glace (Montreal) - Matches

Passeport (4156 St-Denis, Montréal)

I frequented the Passeport on and off from its opening in 1982 until the late 1990s when I was going back to Montreal, in the latter days mainly to see my doormen friends Marek and Nick.

Even though not as big as the other clubs, it played good varied music through the years and was a cosy place, where among others the staff of other bars liked to hang out during their night off, and during the heydays sample Colette’s famous kamikazes.

1982-07 (approx) Passeport (Montreal) - Matches

1982-07 (approx) Passeport (Montreal) - Coaster

1988 (maybe) Passeport (Montreal) Mardis Eclectiques - Poster

1988-06-12 Passeport (Montreal) 6th Anniversary - Invitation

1990-07-08 Passeport (Montreal) 8th Anniversary - Invitation

1997-09-14 Passeport (Montreal) 15th Anniversary - Poster

Le Cargo (4177 St-Denis (coin Rachel), Montréal)

I became a semi-regular of the Cargo, if memory serves from 1982 to 1984, during the heydays of Synth Pop, and saw some good concerts there (see my Memorabilia).

1982 (approx) Le Cargo (Montreal)

1982 (approx) Le Cargo (Montreal) - Matches

La Pleine Lune (5408 Avenue du Parc, Montréal)

In the early 1980s, especially in 1983, I also quite frequently went to La Pleine Lune, a mainly New Wave and Post-Punk bar, but that also had rockabilly nights and concerts there (see my Memorabilia).

1983-02-01 La Pleine Lune (Montreal) February Calendar of events - Flyer

Beat (968 Ste-Catherine Ouest, Montréal)

When the BEAT opened I think in June 1983, it not only immediately became my favourite club, but also the one for my friends that had scattered throughout the city due to different musical tastes, so it really became like my second home until its closure in 1986.

You add to that the facts: it played the best music in town, I befriended the DJs, especially Paul Raymer who would become a good friend and mentor, which allowed me to spend nights in the DJ booth.

1983-06 (approx) Beat (Montreal) - Matches

1983-06 (approx) Beat (Montreal) - Courtesy Card

1983-09-07 Beat (Montreal) Video Beat Calendar of events - Invitation

1984 (approx) Beat (Montreal) - Membership Card

1985-05-01 Beat (Montreal) 1st Annual Business Women Convention - Flyer

1985-06-03 Beat (Montreal) 2nd Anniversary - Invitation

1985-11-24 Beat (Montreal) Power Night Sundays & Acid Factory Tuesdays - Flyer

1985-11-26 Beat (Montreal) Acid Factory Tuesdays - Flyer

1985-12-18 Beat (Montreal) Christmas Cocktail - Invitation

1986 (maybe) Beat (Montreal) DJ Robby Jackson on Sundays - Flyer

1986 (maybe) Beat (Montreal) DJ Robert Ouimet on Sundays - Flyer

1986-03-05 Beat (Montreal) Happening Wednesdays - Flyer

1986-06-10 Beat (Montreal) - Invitation

Business (3500 St-Laurent, Montréal)

As stated in the article below, the Business opened in 1986 to fill the void left by the BEAT closure, and instantly became the hottest club in Montreal – and my favourite – playing mainly great House music.

Unfortunately, it didn’t last for very long, maybe a victim of its own popularity, and for me personally because of the Poodles opening.

1985 Business (Montreal) Promo poster before it opened in 1986

1986 Business (Montreal) Express Card

1986 Business (Montreal) Membership Card

1986 Business (Montreal) Article page 1

1986 Business (Montreal) Article page 2

1986 Business (Montreal) Tuesdays

1986 Business (Montreal) Wednesdays - Free Pass

1986 Business (Montreal) Thursdays - Free Pass

1986-11-18 Business (Montreal) Fashion Show - Invitation

1987-03-21 Business (Montreal) Soirées Taboo - Invitation

1987-04 Business (Montreal) Soirées Taboo - Invitation

Poodles (3999 St-Laurent, Montréal)

If memory serves me right the Poodles opened in January 1987 with my good friends DJ Paul Raymer (who had become a bit of a mentor and introduced me to various musical genres), Gaby Racine, Marek Friedl (the ever smiling doorman) and became my home club, where later that year I became a DJ.

One of the best things about the Poodles was that thanks to the mature, sophisticated, and knowledgeable crowd we could play an eclectic mix of music. You could play a House song, followed by the Beastie Boys, reggae, rock, etc. without emptying the dance floor.

The other great thing about the Poodles was the huge number of concerts from local to international bands, in a great cosy venue (see my Memorabilia).

Unfortunately, it closed at the beginning of 1989.

1987-01 (approx) Poodles (Montreal) - Matches

1987 (approx) Poodles (Montreal) - Free Pass 1

1987 (approx) Poodles (Montreal) - Free Pass 2

1987 (approx) Poodles (Montreal) - Free Pass 3

1987 (approx) Poodles (Montreal) - Free Pass 4

1987 (approx) Poodles (Montreal) - Free Pass 5

1987 or 1988 Poodles Sticker

1987-01-15 Poodles (Montreal) January Calendar of events - Flyer

1987-02 (approx) Poodles (Montreal) Houserockin' Tuesdays - Flyer

1987-04-01 Poodles (Montreal) April 1 - Flyer

1987-05-17 Poodles (Montreal) Maggie & Janet - Flyer

1987-05-24 Poodles (Montreal) Op Tait' Nait' - Flyer

1987-05-27 Poodles (Montreal) 3rd Annual Business Women Convention - Flyer

1987-06-11 Poodles (Montreal) June Calendar of events - Mailed Invitation 1

1987-06-11 Poodles (Montreal) June Calendar of events - Mailed Invitation 2

1987-06-21 Poodles (Montreal) New Decor Party - Flyer

1987-06-22 Poodles (Montreal) Naked Eye Cinema - Flyer

1987-07-12 Poodles (Montreal) Staff Pool Party

1987-08-09 Poodles (Montreal) Op Tait' Nait' - Flyer

1987-08-30 Poodles (Montreal) Op Tait' Nait' - Flyer

1987-10-01 Poodles (Montreal) Pascal's Birthday - Flyer

1987-10-26 Poodles (Montreal) Dutch New Cinema Reception - Invitation

1987-10-30 Poodles (Montreal) Halloween - Flyer

1987-11-25 Poodles (Montreal) New Decor Party - Flyer

1987-11-25 Poodles (Montreal) New Decor Party - Invitation

1988-01-17 Poodles (Montreal) Farewell Party - Flyer

1988-02-14 Poodles (Montreal) Valentine - Flyer

1988-03-15 Poodles (Montreal) March & April Calendar of events - Flyer

1988-03-20 Poodles (Montreal) Spring Celebration - Flyer

1988-04-03 Poodles (Montreal) Cabaret Sundays Launch - Ticket

1988-04-07 Poodles (Montreal) March & April Calendar of events - Flyer

1988-06-14 (probably) Poodles (Montreal) New Decor Party - Invitation

1988-06-14 (probably) Poodles (Montreal) New Decor Party - Poster

1989-05-19 (maybe) Punk Painter Jim Cummins (a.k.a. I Braineater) at Poodles (Montreal) - Flyer

Lézard (4177 St-Denis (coin Rachel), Montréal)

When it opened in 1987 the Lézard became my second favourite club after the Poodles, and then when the Poodles closed, my favourite one. I was there so much then that my doormen friends Marek and Nick asked me to work with them as the ‘diplomatic doorman’ on weekends to help sort out the long lineups 😂.

The music was eclectic but mainly what I loved most: great House and Techno.

Starting in 1992 when I had left Montreal, it was my first stop during my frequent visits, until it closed in 1994.

1988 (approx) Lézard (Montreal) - Matches

1987-05-28 Lézard (Montreal) Soirées Taboo - Invitation

1990 (approx) Lézard (Montreal) Invitation

1990 (approx) Lézard (Montreal) 50 Lézard Dollars

1990 (approx) Lézard (Montreal) 500 Lézard Dollars

Mekano (Mexico City)

When I first moved to Mexico City at the beginning of 1992 I went hunting for a club and was lucky to find the Mekano located in the vibrant Zona Rosa which happened to be walking distance from my place. At first the only problem was that it was like the hottest club in town with huge lineups, so I had to quickly establish myself as a regular to avoid them. When I returned to Mexico City in 1994 after a year away, I was happy to see that it still existed, and they remembered me 😅.

The music was pumping House and Techno, including latin ones like Ramirez and the likes.

1992 Mekano (Mexico City) - Coaster

1992 Mekano (Mexico City) - Key Chain

1992 Mekano (Mexico City) - Lighter

1992 Mekano (Mexico City) - Ticket

1992 Mekano (Mexico City) - Card

1994-07-14 (probably) Mekano (Mexico City) 3rd Anniversary - Lighter

Tanamur (Jalan Tanah Abang Timur No.14, Jakarta)

When I moved to Jakarta at the beginning of 1995, I was quick to visit this club opened in 1970 that already had an international reputation, and quickly became a regular.

With an official capacity of 800, but often more like 1000 people of all walks of life, they played great House music, I enjoyed at my favourite table right by the dance floor.

Unfortunately, in the new millennium I witnessed its decline and its eventual end in 2005, being probably its last customer.

In 2015 we attended a reunion of what would have been the Tanamur 45^th anniversary at De Leila, owned by the same owners’ family.

1995 (approx) Tanamur (Jakarta) - Entrance Sign

1995 (approx) Tanamur (Jakarta) - Dance floor and my favourite table

2000-12-31 Tanamur (Jakarta) New Year 2001 - Invitation

2001-02-10 Tanamur (Jakarta) 30th anniversary - Poster

2001-02-10 Tanamur (Jakarta) 30th anniversary - Invitation

2001-02-10 Tanamur (Jakarta) 30th anniversary - Flyer

2001-02-10 Tanamur (Jakarta) 30th anniversary - T-shirt

2015-12-12 Tanamur (Jakarta) 45 years reunion at DeLeila - Poster

2015-12-12 Tanamur (Jakarta) 45 years reunion at DeLeila - With Rob

2015-12-12 Tanamur (Jakarta) 45 years reunion at DeLeila - With King

Top 10 (Jakarta)

When in the late 1990s I discovered this little club at the end of the back alley behind the Stadium, playing cracking House music, I quickly became a regular.

One thing I liked about it, is unlike in most clubs in Jakarta, I was the only expat there, until I eventually brought a few friends with me.

2000 (approx) Top 10 (Jakarta) - Lighter

Stadium (Jalan Hayam Wuruk no. 111, Jakarta)

Even though it opened in 1997, I like many only started frequenting it in the early 2000s when it became the best club in town for House music, especially after 3am when all the other clubs closed.

Occupying four floors with a capacity of around 4000, the only place to be and that ever interested me was the 4^th floor with its huge dance floor. The party atmosphere was unparalleled, especially on weekends when the club stayed open 24 hours.

Unfortunately, around 2010 the music became too ‘trancy’ for me, so I basically stopped going, and it was eventually closed in May 2014 by the Jakarta Governor, but might have reopened under another name and entrance door in 2018.

2002 (approx) Stadium (Jakarta) - 4th floor 1

2002 (approx) Stadium (Jakarta) - 4th floor 2

2002-04-12 Stadium (Jakarta) - Ticket

2009-03-14 Stadium (Jakarta) - Ticket

2009-06-12 Stadium (Jakarta) - Ticket

2010-07-28 Stadium (Jakarta) - Ticket

La Folie (2015 De La Montagne, Montréal)

In 1979 when the Lime Light had started to take a less disco orientation, which I personally didn’t really mind, when I wanted to listen to pure disco I started frequenting La Folie, where a lot of my friends were also hanging out.

It allowed me to do my favourite activity: hang around the DJ booth with the DJ.

1979-03 (probably) La Folie (Montreal) - Membership Card

1979 La Folie (Montreal) - Matches

1979-10-09 La Folie (Montreal) Miss La Folie Contest - Invitation

1979-11-20 La Folie (Montreal) 1st Anniversary - Invitation

1980-03-20 Salon Disco 1980 (Montreal) - Ticket

In case you wonder why this is under La Folie, it’s because the reason why we went to it was that our good friend Gabriel as Mr La Folie was representing it at the finals of Mr Disco Montreal held there.

Studio 1 (968 Ste-Catherine Ouest, Montréal)

At the peak of the New Wave era, like in 1981, the Studio 1 had become our favourite club, where I also saw quite a few concerts (see my Memorabilia).

One good thing about it was that you could go downstairs to eat a burger at l’Habitant and look at the ceiling flowerpots moving up and down from the beat upstairs, and mingle with the eclectic crowd.

1981-04-19 Studio 1 (Montreal) Easter Party - Ticket

Danceteria (30 West 21st Street, New York City)

When visiting New York City in the early to mid-1980s my favourite club was the Danceteria, which with its 6 floors was sure to provide good music no matter the time of night.

1982 Danceteria (New York City)

Les Foufounes Electriques (97 Ste-Catherine Est, Montréal)

I couldn’t claim to have been a Foufounes regular, but through the years I liked to occasionally visit it for a different type of night or concert, including listening to DJs Mario ‘Canada’ Aria and Ted Cash who eventually became colleague and friends at Poodles.

1986-01-15 Les Foufounes Electriques (Montreal) Time Machine Groove - Flyer

1986-05-14 Les Foufounes Electriques (Montreal) Time Machine Beach Party - Invitation

Key Club (2049 St-Denis, Montréal)

Short lived little club that introduced an interesting concept for crowd selection, where with my member key I could actually open the front door to get in.

1986-03-18 Key Club (Montreal) Opening - Invitation

1986-03-28 Key Club (Montreal) Member Key

1986-03-28 Key Club (Montreal) Member Key Privileges - Letter

1986-05-02 Key Club (Montreal) Terrace Opening - Letter

1986-08-06 Key Club (Montreal) Beach Party - Invitation

Les Bobards (4328 St-Laurent, Montréal)

Not really a club, but more of a friendly neighbourhood bar, known for its homey atmosphere and peanut shells strewn on the floor, I started visiting more when my old friend Gaby started working there.

1989 Les Bobards (Montreal)

1989 (approx) Les Bobards (Montreal) - Matches

199x-12-28 Les Bobards (Montreal) Christmas - Flyer

1995 (approx) Les Bobards (Montreal) - Matches

Bar Milan (Milan 18, Mexico City)

Not really a club, but more of a hip little bar in Mexico City with good music, still open now, but was rather new when I enjoyed hanging around it in 1994, mainly with my friend and colleague Gustavo.

One interesting thing is that they have their own currency, so when customers enter they must change their pesos for the milagros, the bars own cash notes – translated in English as miracles (see photo below).

1994 Bar Milan (Mexico City)

1994 Bar Milan (Mexico City) - Dos Milagros

1994 Bar Milan (Mexico City) - Matches

Elvis (Gedung Arthaloka, Jakarta)

Not a club, but a friendly expat bar conveniently located a couple of hundred meters from my office, which allowed me to avoid the legendary Jakarta traffic, justifying my almost daily visits when I moved to Jakarta in early 1995.

The reason why it merits an honourable mention is not so much for its music, mainly rock or pop either by the bands or DJs, except when I managed to convince my DJ friends Aldin & Freddy to slip in a ‘more rhythmic song’, but because this is where I met a lot of my current friends and my wife. All the people from those days, agree that there was never another bar like it in Jakarta, where you could meet friendly people around a drink or the pool table.

1995 Elvis (Jakarta) - T-shirt

JJ Duit (Jl. Tanah Abang Timur No.16, Jakarta)

Conveniently located next door to Tanamur, JJ’s was ideal to end the evening or at least stop for a few drinks before heading up north, as when Tanamur was closing at around 4am and people from all over town gathered there, the place was packed and the music kept playing.

Parkir (Jakarta)

This underground club only lasted for a while, but boy was the House music good in there at 4am when people gathered from all the other clubs, I even met a group of Frenchmen there who said they came every weekend from Singapore just to be there.