Nocturnal Admissions - Behind the Scenes at Tunnel, Limelight, Avalon, and Other Legendary Nightclubs

"Steve Adelman's humorous and engaging memoir reflects on his years as the director and owner of some of the world's most popular nightclubs, including the Roxy, Limelight, Tunnel, and Palladium in the heyday of clubs in New York City during the 1980s and 1990s, followed by Avalon (Boston, Hollywood, NYC, and Singapore locations), and the New Daisy Theatre in Memphis. Nocturnal Admissions is a timely, unconventional look at one of pop culture's most outwardly glamorous, yet misunderstood industries, bringing the reader backstage into the world of nightlife at its highest level. Wearing the multiple hats of ringmaster, entrepreneur, guidance counselor, multimillion-dollar dealmaker, and music soothsayer, Adelman chronicles an improbable journey from small town to big city, filled with a cast of characters he could never have imagined: People named Hedda Lettuce, Jenetalia, Maxi Min, and Jiggy, who collide with and around the likes of Jack Nicholson, Bruce Willis, Sir Richard Branson, Leonardo DiCaprio, RuPaul, Rudy Giuliani, and Snoop Dogg, among many, many others. Navigating city crackdowns, crazed partners, and cultural differences, Adelman relates how he watched his Nana out-dance an ex-NFL lineman, was chastised by Bob Dylan, launched the EDM cultural movement, helped created the "mash-up" with Perry Farrell, butted heads with Jerry Falwell, rang in the New Year with Matt Damon's mother, leveraged porn star Jenna Jameson, relied on advice from felons, almost pancaked Prince, and built the world's most lavish nightclub."--Provided by publisher.

About the author

Widely recognized as the cofounder of the Avalon nightlife brand, Steve Adelman began his career in the early ’90s, moving to New York City to become the director of the Roxy nightclub. Only two years later he was tabbed as a director of the iconic Limelight and then increased his role at Manhattan’s four largest nightclubs, including the Tunnel and Palladium.
In 1997, Adelman launched Avalon on Lansdowne Street in Boston, which quickly became a national success. Over the next four years, he led a team to develop six venues on the famed street, turning it into the ultimate one-stop entertainment destination.
In 2002, Adelman purchased the Palace Theatre in Hollywood and Limelight in New York City, the same venue he directed ten years earlier. After a year of construction and renovations, he expanded the Avalon brand on both coasts, along with the ultra-exclusive Spider Club. This “club within a club” became the ultimate celebrity haunt and one of the country’s most sought-after nightlife experiences.
Always striving to be one step ahead and break new ground, he expanded his focus to Singapore, opening Avalon as part of the Marina Bay Sands Resort and Casino, becoming the first U.S. entertainment brand of its kind in Asia. Returning to the States, Adelman set his sights on famed Beale Street in Memphis, restoring the historic New Daisy Theatre. He now lives in Memphis with his wife and dog Milton.
The Last Party: Studio 54, Disco & the Culture of the Night (William Morrow & Co.) and Author Steve Adelman and his team have successfully achieved major publicity for their clubs over the years, including coverage in The New York Times, Esquire, USA Today, Rolling Stone, People magazine, and many others. We expect the book to attract a similar level of coverage.

Author Steve Adelman and his team are preparing to launch a comprehensive online campaign in conjunction with the release of the book, branded: "Send us your Nocturnal Admissions", a contest where people send in their nightlife stories. The ones voted best win sponsored trips to Vegas, LA, NYC and Boston for large launch events. Remember that Steve is extremely experienced at launching massive online events for his nightclubs. He will apply the same skills to building an audience for his book.

An estimated 10 million people have visited Adelman’s venues since 2000. Avalon Hollywood, the longest running major nightclub in the country, averaged over 10,000 guests per week pre-pandemic. 

Media partners such as EDM.com, Mixmag, and Avalon will help promote the book, and their social media channels reach over 5 million followers. Additionally, the author will be sending out email marketing blasts to over 500,000 opt-in addresses in partnership with these organizations.

Additional text

“With his 30 years of experience running the world's biggest nightclubs, Steve Adelman takes you behind the velvet rope to a world of celebrity, power, debauchery, and, most of all, fun. With his dishy yarns and observational humor, he transports you so you're right there basking under the lights of a disco ball with him.”—Kevin Fallon, Daily Beast 

“Steve Adelman knows nightlife. His customers might not remember much, but Adelman does. In Nocturnal Admissions, he takes us on a youthful adventure into the depths of dancing and drugging and hooking up—without ever losing his sense of wonder.”—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News

“Nocturnal Admissions chronicles a great time to be alive. In the late ’90s and early 2000s, American nightlife got a second wind and in the thick of it was Steve Adelman with clubs in New York, Boston, and Los Angeles. Playing for Steve at the Avalon clubs in Boston and L.A. was always one of the highlights on a stateside tour for me, with sold-out nights and lines around the block. Steve’s clubs set the standard for the events that take place now.”—John Digweed, DJ and record producer

"For three decades Adelman has been a nightlife innovator at the highest level. Whether it be mega-clubs in NYC or dance clubs in Boston and Hollywood, he has set the trend for others to follow. Nocturnal Admissions goes behind the scenes into his world and feels like a funhouse where you can't help but anticipate what's around the corner.”—Jodi Goodman, president, Live Nation Entertainment, Northern California

“Electronic music in America in the early 2000s went through a renaissance period, with parties and rave events selling out every single weekend. People would come to these club shows in droves, hinting at a sign that there was an eventual EDM boom looming about a decade later. During this time, I was performing often at renowned venue Avalon in both Los Angeles and Boston, run by industry legend Steve Adelman. The production, energy, and overall vibe when I played there was, and still is to this day, absolutely unmatched. Sander van Doorn, DJ and record producer

“The world after dark I’ve photographed for over four decades is a place unique to our culture. One where its inhabitants are free to be themselves, without restriction, societal standing or sexual orientation. Nocturnal Admissions captures the humor, commonality and lessons learned from the crazy, fun, glamorous, at times outrageous, ever-changing and essential gathering place we call nightlife.”—Patrick McMullan, celebrity photographer

“Nocturnal Admissions is a can’t-put-it-down book exploring the world that I’ve lived and breathed all my adult life, told in fascinating style through the eyes of one of the scene’s most important players.”—Judge Jules, DJ and record producer

“Electronic dance music culture has blossomed and transformed over the years, but its mythos runs through Steve and his seminal contributions to nightlife. Even in the aftermath of 9/11 and the throes of a devastating pandemic, he has proven that the bonds cultivated in clubs are vital for human nature. If the past can speak to the future, Adelman’s work is the cell tower. And Nocturnal Admissions is the carrier.”—Jason Heffler, EDM.com 

“An insightful love letter to a magical era in nightclubbing history. If you were lucky enough to be there, you will bubble over with nostalgia, and if you weren't, you will be inspired to start on your own nightlife journey.”—David Ireland, founder, Magnetic Magazine

“While reading Nocturnal Admissions, I laughed, I cried, but mostly I hoped…that someday Steve would get a real job.”—Myrna Adelman, Steve’s mom

“Playing the dark Avalon nightclub in Los Angeles was like evoking a mysterious live energy inside a classic architectural masterpiece. Nocturnal Admissions goes behind the scenes, documenting everything that goes into running venues like Avalon, and how the environments Adelman created brought out the best of a DJ’s creativity while performing to a crowd desperately waiting on every mix. When I played clubs like Avalon, I felt a responsibility to deliver.”—Steve Lawler, DJ and music producer
“As a photographer for the likes of Details, Max, Photo, and Stern in New York City during the '80s and '90s, I found the nightclubs and underground scene a fascinating place to capture so many unguarded and honest portraits of both celebrities and unknowns, unchained from the daily grind. Steve Adelman’s sanity and sharp wit during those wild times enabled him to thrive in the surrounding chaos. In Nocturnal Admissions, he brings this diverse cast of nightlife characters vividly back to life for all to enjoy with warmth and humour.”—Stephan Lupino, multimedia artist 
"Steve Adelman is a master at creating spectacular nocturnal playgrounds, many of which I was fortunate to be a part of. However, In Nocturnal Admissions, it becomes clear that his talent for creating captivating environments extends beyond the world of nightlife and into his wonderful gift of storytelling. Steve is a keen observer of culture and deftly injects his personal adventures with insightful political, societal and historical context. In Nocturnal Admissions, Steve brilliantly captures one of the most exciting periods in contemporary music history in a way that is personal, humorous and thoroughly engaging."—Christopher Lawrence, DJ and music producer

Past Praise for Steve Adelman and His Nightclubs:

“Adelman sets the scene, from Old World clubs to hipsters.”—The New York Times 

“’Excitement’ is a word to describe Adelman's clubs.”—Variety 

“A Hollywood innovator.”—Los Angeles Times 

“The game is played at different levels and Adelman is in the big leagues.”—Inc.

“Adelman creates a sense of dazzle and delight.”—The Boston Globe

Product details

• Authors: Steve Adelman
• Assisted by: Anthony Haden-Guest (Foreword)
• Publisher: Ingram Publishers Services
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 07.06.2022, delayed
• EAN: 9781595801142
• ISBN: 978-1-59580-114-2
• No. of pages: 264
• Illustrations: 50 Photos
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Art > Theatre, ballet; SOCIAL SCIENCE / Popular Culture, MUSIC / Business Aspects, PERFORMING ARTS / Business Aspects, MUSIC / Genres & Styles / Dance