SESH

Paragon was a legendary nightclub in New York City, celebrated primarily during the late 1980s and early 1990s as an epicenter of house and dance music culture in the United States. Originally situated in Chelsea, Manhattan, Paragon emerged at a time when New York was solidifying its status as a global capital of nightlife, diversity, and musical innovation. The club quickly gained a reputation as a haven for the city’s LGBTQ+ community and for dance music enthusiasts, becoming a cultural beacon much like the famed Paradise Garage or The Sound Factory.

Paragon’s standout feature was its immersive sound system, curated lighting, and unpretentious ethos, which created a sense of community and freedom on the dance floor. Over the years, as nightlife trends shifted and gentrification began to reshape New York’s urban landscape, Paragon underwent several changes. Management changed hands, the interior underwent occasional renovations to keep up with technological advances, and eventually the original location was shuttered in the mid-1990s.

Although newer venues attempted to capitalize on Paragon’s legacy—sometimes reviving the name or creating pop-up events—the original Paragon is remembered with nostalgia among club-goers and DJs as a formative space for the evolution of house, freestyle, disco, and early techno in New York. Notable artists who graced the Paragon decks and stage include Frankie Knuckles, Larry Levan, Junior Vasquez, and Tony Humphries. International acts such as David Morales and Masters At Work also played storied sets, while local New York talents like Jellybean Benitez, Danny Krivit, and Timmy Regisford were often featured.

The club was also known for surprise performances by vocalists like Jocelyn Brown and CeCe Rogers, cementing Paragon’s place in dance music history.