Club80Miami.com originated as a fan site, in facebook, we wanted to increase its platform through this medium which is in it’s in its infancy stage.
We started interviewing DJ’s, & it snow balled into Artists, and the movers & shakers from the 80’s in Miami. The founder is Wilson Alvarez, Class of 1984, South Miami Senior High. He lived the 80’s nightlife pretty aggressively which is the reason why he wanted to reminisce and document it (before we all forget).
At the age of 15, he started partying at the Legendary Pete & Lenny’s which was a frequent stop on Saturday nights. His weekends would start on Wednesday nights at Casanova’s, Thursday’s was at Fire & Ice & Stefano’s, Friday nights he would alternate between Infinity, & Club Z (or 1235), and there was not a Saturday night that Backstreets would not see him. Sunday’s was Sunday’s in the Bay in Key Biscayne and he would wrap up the night at Casanova’s. The after party was usually at mystique’s or Zigfields’ in 57th avenue. (Considering that Mystique would close at 3am) La Palma was a regular stop every night for churros and hot chocolate, and of course, the famous Fritas. The occasional run for a Sunkist was always a famous one with Wilson’s friends at U-totem. Wilson was not the only one doing this. There was a specific culture that gravitated to these clubs from all over Miami. Fashion was a big thing back then, people would always be with their best attire. Fiorucci’s, Willie Wear, Giorgio Brutini’s, Capezio’s, Espadrille’s, Girbaud Jeans, Europa shoes for the ladies, the GQ element was always at its best. We could never forget “Las Chaperonas” at the Forest (Any Forestecas out there?) We had great clean fun (at worst, semi-clean fun).
These moments will never come back. My vision is to try to preserve those moments and document them as much as possible. As I interview DJ’s and individuals, there is no doubt in my mind that the Club scene in Miami during the 80’s was special.