Pavilion Nightclub Will Not Open As Scheduled

Wednesday May 22, 2013

In a statement on their Facebook page today, the owners of Fire Island Pines Ventures announced that long awaited opening of the newly constructed Pavilion Nightclub would not have its official grand opening weekend as planned.

An official statement from Fire Island Pines Ventures partner Matthew Blesso reads

"It is with great disappointment that we must announce the newly rebuilt Pavilion nightclub in the Pines will not be ready to open this weekend, as we had previously hoped. The rebuilding of this iconic nightclub was a tremendous undertaking which has almost fully come to fruition. Our patron's safety is our top priority, and we will not open the doors until we are certain the club is 100% ready to go. Although people will need to wait a little bit longer to see it come alive, we are excited for the moment we can share it with you all. We promise you will not be disappointed! We will keep you posted on the details of the opening date, which will not be far ahead."

Immortalized in Andrew Holleran's classic novel Dancer from the DanceThe Pavilion nightclub has long been a the center of Fire Island gay nightlife. Built over a former nightclub called "The Sandpiper," the original Pavilion building was torn down and rebuilt in 2004. In 20011 a fire destroyed the Pavilion and its neighboring nightclub Sip & Twirl.

Events scheduled for the Pavilion this Memorial Day weekend have been moved to the Pool Deck and Blue Whale Restaurant.