Opened in 1988 by John Hitchcock, Down the Street became one of the defining gay discos of the Jersey Shore and, by the time it closed in 1999, was considered the longest-operating gay disco in New Jersey history.
Located in the middle of Asbury Park’s gritty late-’80s nightlife landscape, the club took its name from being literally “down the street” from other major gay venues like M&K and Odyssey. Inside, it was built for scale and escape: a large dance floor, five bars, elaborate light shows, drag contests, and an outdoor area complete with volleyball court and an additional lounge space known as The Clubhouse.
As Asbury Park declined through the late ’80s and ’90s, many clubs disappeared—but Down the Street survived, becoming a central gathering place for LGBTQ+ nightlife on the Shore. DJs like Billy Krauter helped define the club’s sound, while performers including Thelma Houston, Sybil, and Kristine W brought national club energy into the space.
The atmosphere reflected a very specific era of queer nightlife—pre-social media, pre-redevelopment Asbury Park—when bars and clubs still functioned as the center of community, escape, and weekend ritual.
