47 West 20th Street @ 6th Avenue
NYC, NY
(212) 807-7059

Limelight itself is the titanic heart of the New York City club scene. Built within the shell of a vast stone church, it features a massive stage, video screens, stained glass windows, an outdoor garden, several dancefloors, a DJ booth/party room suspended over the cavernous main dancefloor, numerous futuristic bar stations, and a coat check larger than many other clubs' dancefloors. It is the club which all other clubs are compared to, across the United States and much of the world.

Primary entry to Limelight is provided through a dark and understated entrance, in front of which the wealthy, creative, and young elite of NYC line up around the block every night. Through the dark, one winds up a narrow spiral staircase into the box office area decorated with artwork, dozens of video monitors, and sinister lighting. Beyond is a tunnel-like area with a wall composed of backlit electron micrographs, access to the back areas through a dark tunnel, and a large mouth-like opening to the right leading to where the pews once were— the main dancefloor.

Packed with hundreds of flailing bodies and speakers of breathtaking size and power, the main dancefloor of Limelight has given the venue a nickname: "The Church of Thump-Thump-Thump." The ceiling stretches up about four stories tall over the gyrating penitents, permitting a large volume of air to circulate and keep the temperature and air quality fairly comfortable. Two tiers made of black metal circle around the main dancefloor as balconies for the voyeuristically inclined, decorated with countless backlit stained glass windows. Over the stage hangs a huge glitter ball, with two life-sized chrome Christs crucified back-to-back around it. Towards the rear is a large ground-level bar and access to alcoves. Five staircases ring the main chamber and lead to the balconies and DJ booth.

Yet this is just the tip of the iceberg. One goes behind the stage to the left and it leads to a futuristic lounge, and "chapel" area acting as a second dancefloor. Through yet another narrow entrance one procedes to a Roman-styled space with tiles and columns (where Interim is being held) and access to the Limelight lavatory, which— contrasting the old days— is lavish and features stalls with one-way panels displaying blown up photographs of impressive full-body tattoo artwork.

Above these back areas is a veritable labyrinth of VIP rooms and fantastically styled lounges, including the world-famous H.R.Giger Room. This room was designed by the artist, and has blow-ups of his artwork embedded in the walls, stylized alien designs in the tops of the cafe tables, a textured grid of biomechanoid circuitry supporting the bar, and sleek art-deco inspired gargoyles hanging over the all-too-human revellers.

Only recently has Limelight come back into our scene. Though one of the longest lasting and influential events for Gothic and Industrial in NYC was Communion Tuesdays @ Limelight, the mayor especially targeted this beautiful space in his crackdown on crime (mostly drug-related.) Limelight remained closed for years; and the reopening has been gradual and very cautious, as its international celebrity owner Peter Gatien has attempted to keep the clientele uncontroversial.

This is beginning to change, and our scene is finally beginning to take back the strangest and most monstrous fruit of of American Nightlife— The Limelight.

101 Avenue A / 6th Street
NYC, NY

Pyramid has undergone many incarnations throughout its history, filling the intimate three room space with the broadest cast of odd characters. The groundbreaking Industrial-Fetish event Stigmata and the equally remarkable Apocalyptic Folk event Därk Wävë were hosted here in the very early nineties, and after their respective demises and departures Pyramid hosted popular gay nights for several years. The stay of Exedor following its tenure at The Bank and sojourn at Coney Island High revitalized the ebbing interest in the venue. Today, Pyramid is the only venue in New York whose primary focus seems to be the Gothic-Industrial scene. Many consider it a sanctuary.

The entry space itself is deceptively humble and has the general layout of a corner bar, with all the layers of black caking paint that you'd expect from such a place. The narrow entryway leads to an even narrower bar area, which is roughly four people wide, and twenty to thirty long. The bar itself is extremely well-stocked and reasonably priced. At its far end is the stair to the basement, the bathrooms, coatcheck (not always open), and the opening to the main dancefloor and stage.

Recent attempts to redecorate the upstairs bar area have been encouraging; the walls are a better color and smoother, and the drink ledge on the far side of the bar now has a texture made from a transparent resin, with shiny trinkets embedded in it. Christmas lights knot around the drinks behind the bartenders amidst Halloween decorations and the occasional vandalized stuffed animal. The clownfish with a Hitler moustache and swastika armband is especially charming. Yes children; this is the rumpus room of Belial.

The dancefloor is medium sized and stark. A square space with a dusty black tile floor with benches on either side, Pyramid makes up for the sparse decor with lighting and the mood the clientele bring to the event. This simplicity allows the space to be decorated amazingly and temporarily when the effort is made. The stage is plain and wooden, but the sound system is excellent. The plainess of the environment keeps it adaptable, and some of the most visually stimulating performances at Pyramid have benefitted immensely by this flexibility.

Downstairs is not always open; but when it is, it has a smaller bar, a sofa, some cafe tables and soft chairs in key spots, and a raised portion of the floor on the southern side of the room with a variety of comfortable chairs (mostly for friends of the acting DJ.) The entire downstairs has flaws; a low ceiling, minimal ventilation, and shadowy beyond the needs of style— yet this also gives it a more gothic feel than upstairs. Cracks in the ceiling with lights inserted sometimes give it an otherworldly menace reminiscent of the Hellraiser movies. Occasionally you feel like you're in a building which has recently recovered from a massive fire, in which most of the lightbulbs have exploded, and everything is saturated with carbon and smoke (an impression which I personally find to be rather cool.)

Both the main and basement lavatories suffer from the repeated misusage from thrashing drunks with recalcitrant bladders and tumultuous digestive tracts. The downstairs bathroom is compact to the point that it doesn't adequately serve long legged or flabby people, and is notorious for backing up and spewing putrescences onto the basement dancefloor. This is an inescapable byproduct of a venue which takes a vast amount of wear and tear from serious revelry.

Don't let that discourage you for one moment. New Yorkers often relish the rough edges of their nightspots— for many, it is the veritable seal of credibility. Grittiness, perhaps, is the purest expression of the spirit of the NY scene— it connotates everything taboo, outcast, and mysterious. Pyramid is, to be wordy, a chthonic experience; a roughly hewn underworld populated by strange beings, haunting sounds, and wild ideas.

194 Avenue A @ East 12th Street
NYC, NY

Raven Cafe is a small bar run by the former owners of Ace Bar, who were DJs when that same location used to be The Mission (the legendary 21+ alternative hangout of the 80s.) They now have a full liquor license, and have one of the best jukeboxes in the city.

11 East 33rd Street
NYC, NY
(212) 685-3880 or (212) 685-3881

A one stop shop for all your gaming needs, the Compleat Strategist is one of those stores that brings back the warm memories of childhood games of Dungeons and Dragons, begging your mother to take you to a store just like this, so you could buy a little silver figurine. This is the same dark, cramped, slightly dusty, and somewhat magical place you remember from those days.

Walking in there today, one can't help but feel that something special is going on. The Compleat Strategist is one of those no-frills kind of stores that tries to carry every relevant product to the gaming industry; this is something the fans and gamers surely appreciate. The front half of the store is mainly filled with books from just about every game out there: Dungeons and Dragons, Vampire The Masquerade and Dark Ages, Werewolf, Changeling, Cthulhu, Mage, Wraith, and many, many more. Of course, Magic The Gathering, as well as other Collectible Card Games are well stocked, with all of the current decks and booster packs readily available.

The back half of the store is mainly figurines (tiny, yet the most detailed little critters), hobby paints and kits for those who want to create high quality character additions to their games. Some of the figures are one of a kinds that aren't for sale, but are absolutely worth taking a peek at.

The store is densely packed, full of secrets and wonderful pieces to add to any game, be it a brand new game or one that has been played routinely, every Wednesday night for the last ten years.

You won't miss this store — it's always got the most outrageous window displays on the block, and that's saying a lot for the East Village. A stainless-steel penis doubles as a handle on the heavy steel-bolted door, making a vist to Body Worship worth the time, just to give the steel dick a few strokes.

Unfortunately, the selection is generally worse and the prices much higher than Purple Passion. The one area where Body Worship "stands out" is dildos and strap-ons, however, so if you're in the market for a rubber dong, this is your place. Body Worship also has a decent array of restraints, though again, the prices can easily be, well... beat. A few specialty items catch the eye — really spiky collars fashioned from wrought iron, for example — but are usually unaffordable, or something you might wear once and never again.

The staff are usually tattooed and pierced leatherboys, who are good-natured and helpful, but your money is usually worth more elsewhere.

5 St Marks Place
NYC, NY
(212) 420-1857

Ians is another one of those boutique stores with a distinctive gothic/industrial feel to it. Spread out over the almost immaculate store are clothing, shoes and jewelry that will likely catch the eye of the person that walks into this store, which looks rather unassuming from the street.

Walk down the two steps out front and enter the almost classy, yet somewhat trashy boutique. Tulle skirts, bustiers, vests and tight, slinky dresses mesh together on the racks, looking like a closet from hell. Lacy items mix with rubber ones, stiletto heeled boots stand right across the room from them. The jewelry counter at the front of the store holds piercing jewelry, beads, and trinkets.

The prices are fair, when comparing to other shops with similar wares in the neighbourhood. While the selection could be larger, the staff is often helpful and friendly, and the atmosphere of this small shop can not be beat.

18 W 8th st.
NYC, NY, 10011
(212) 533-3963
11:30AM-8:00PM

This store is a wonderful amalgamation of the $10 store and the classic store that sells Indian clothing and jewelry. This large, two floor store is located in the heart of 8th street, alongside the trendy shops selling South Park T-shirts and huge skeleton hand belt buckles. It is absolutely a hit and miss shopping experience, but when they're "on", bargains can really be found.

Every shopping experience in this store is different. Sometimes the upstairs (full priced) merchandise includes velvet cloaks and sheer tops, as well as black flowing dresses, alongside natural coloured pants and spangled tops. It varies, and for that reason alone, time permitting, monthly visits to the shop are a good idea. The jewelry mainly consists of low priced traditional Indian styled pieces, including rings, bracelets, necklaces, and beads. The quality is decent, and you'll get more than the low price tag would imply.

The basement is where the "everything $10" merchandise is kept. Sometimes, the bright yellow skirts are all that is left. Other times, lovely lace-up black on black embroidered tops are on many racks, next to ruffled shirts and long, flowing black skirts. Again, frequent checking, and a discriminating eye are the key to shopping at this store. While Khazana is not a thrift store, use thrifting shopping savvy, and you will probably get along just fine with this store.

Purple Passion has become the darling of fetishists-in-the-know over the last few years almost exclusively by word of mouth. A selection of fetish "toys", restraints and clothing more diverse than almost any other store in New York is crammed into a tiny shop now so packed with merchandise it"s difficult for more than two or three customers to be inside it at once (the stock has nearly tripled in the last year). Particularly rich in the corset department, Purple Passion has definitively the best selection and stock of sizes (from 14" all the way up to 38", and custom sizing available) in the New York metropolitan area. Other specialties include PVC clothing in various colors, floggers, clamps, and unusual fetish items such as rubber gasmasks and bodybags. Prices are unbeatable — most items are at least 25% cheaper here than at any other local fetish store, and the staff and management are friendly, helpful and goth-supportive.

Located on St. Mark's Place — an area practically littered with trendy boutiques catering to the fetish/goth/industrial scene, what distinguishes "Religious Sex" from its competition is the sense that you are not walking into the East Village version of "Hot Topic", but a store that carefully selects its wares for style and substance.

Upon entering the store, you will notice it is divided into two rooms, each with sub sections. To your left you will find a good selection of fetish gear, embroidered corsets, petticoats, goth essentials (velvet dresses, sheer tops) and beautiful floor length renaissance-style gowns. Further back on the left side you'll find the shoe section - although fairly well limited to stilettos, and platforms.

On the entrance side of the store, along with the dressing rooms, is a wide selection of vinyl and PVC pants (in an assortment of sizes, colours and textures) , men's shirts, sale items and varied accessories (feather boas, rings, PVC gloves). By the door you may also find passes and flyers for current club events.

This is not the store where you will find that perfect pair of Doc Martens or a Bauhaus T-shirt. It is however the place where you will find an outfit that makes you feel seductive and beguiling. One caveat — Religious Sex is not for those who are on a very strict budget. Their clothing prices can run anywhere from under $50 for a top to over $900 for a dress, with most items averaging around $100 to $200. They carry a wide range of designers and lines that will fit into most budgets. On the expensive side, they carry Ghost and Jane Booke. While Eva Delgrande, Catherine Coatney and Lip Service represent the more moderate price ranges. Most budgets and body-sizes will be able to find something delicious at Religious Sex, especially if you're willing to use a little patience and ingenuity!

On the down-side, the store can be overrun on weekends by suburban alterna-kids looking for that perfect prom dress, or the ren-fair couple looking for a new outfit for their next medieval gathering. However, the beautiful yet lethal-looking sales associates do their best to help you get in and out of the store with your sanity, if not your wallet intact.

And there's nothing like walking down Broadway carrying a purple shopping bag with "Religious Sex" emblazoned in gold on it. The looks you get will be worth the prices alone!

306 East 6th Street
NYC, NY
(212) 260-7010
Mon 1:00-9:30PM / Tues-Thurs 12-10:30PM
Fri-Sat 12-11:30PM / Sun 2:00PM-10:30PM

Back From Guatemala is a store providing trinkets and clothing from the Far East and South America. The store is small, and located on the Western edge of Little India; though interestingly enough, the artifacts put lesser priority on Indian artifacts.

What you will discover from the first moment you enter are rows upon rows of grotesque masks, just above arms reach, in two lines stretching from the front door to the very back. Most of these masks are Balinese, though some are Mexican and a few are Chinese— but all are exquisitely evil looking, most being skeletal or demonic.

As you enter, to the right is a glass cabinet filled with Mexican Day of the Dead figurines and Egyptian statuettes of brass, soapstone, and turquoise. To the left is a much larger cabinet containing the widest diversity of mythological figures and gods that can be found; dozens of Shinto, Vedic, Balinese, and Aztec divinities in a wide variety of materials and sizes— some quite large, and many carved from semiprecious stones. Behind you is a smaller glass case filled with several kinds of incense.

A glass case next to the cash register has a diversity of silver and gold artifacts; mostly pendants and earrings, from countless regions and cryptic designs. Saris, sashes, babooshkas, sweaters, ponchos, and a diversity of exotic textiles hang across from it, while distinctly non-Christian angelic sculptures and shaggy marionettes depend from strings. Towards the back are bendable wooden snakes in baskets, the largest statues and the dressing room.

Back From Guatemala is one of my favorite stores; it is my staple for grim birthday gifts. You really never know for certain what you will find there, but for certain you'll see several amazing items just barely within your price range. I find the staff tends to be largely courteous and helpful, and a number of them can tell you a bit about the histories and origins of their rare wonders.

5th Avenue and 25th Street
Brooklyn, NY
[Accessible via the F Train
to Fort Hamilton Parkway]

Commissioned in 1838, Green-Wood was constructed not merely as a vast graveyard, but as a memorial park in the true victorian sense of the word: it was a quiet, pastoral enclave where visitors could sit over tea and finger sandwiches to contemplate nature and mortality. Replete with twisting paths, reflecting pools and stunning statuary, Green-Wood defies description.

By the mid-1800's, it had gained incredible celebrity for its organic and architectural beauty, inspiring the city to create a contest for a similar park in Manhattan. Two prominent architects and urban planners, Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmstead, used Green-Wood as the basis for their entry, a park called "Greenslaw," which would later evolve into Central Park. Among the notables resting here are New York mobsters Joey Gallo and Albert Anastasia; politico William Marcy "Boss" Tweed; composer Leonard Bernstein; and birth control advocate Margaret Sanger.

A necropolis of proportions perhaps only a New Yorker can appreciate, Green-Wood serves as a repository for over half a million corpses. Its tombs, monuments and mausoleums display a wide range of aesthetic tastes from Gothic Revival and Italian Renaissance to Belle-Epoque and Art Deco. If you've ever longed (and admit it— you know you have!) to have your picture snapped in a grim repose with mournful stone seraphs and pleurants in the background, prepare yourself for the ultimate photo safari of death. There is little point in trying to give directions to specific graves or monuments. You will undoubtedly become lost, and this is half the fun of the trip! Simply walk through the massive gothic gateway at 5th Avenue and 25th Street, and go where your fancy leads you.

A Few Caveats: Officially, Green-Wood does not allow any photography on the grounds, so please store your cameras discreetly when entering and exiting, lest they are confiscated by the often surly grounds keepers. The park closes well before dusk— often as early as 4:30 pm, so be sure to leave yourself plenty of time for exploring. I also advise bringing bug repellant for summer visits, as there are ten times as many mosquitos as corpses, and a jacket during the rest of the year. For reasons either mundane or supernatural, there often seems to be a chill breeze around Brooklyn's dead.