THE NEW RITZ CLUB - GRAND OPENING PARTY - APRIL 5, 1989 - CHAMPAGNE GALA. (INVITATION IN FIRST PHOTO ONLY FOR SALE)

NEIL COHEN & JOHN SCHER

CORDIALLY INVITE YOU

TO A PRIVATE PRE-OPENING

CHAMPAGNE GALA

AT THE NEW

RITZ

254 WEST 54TH STREET

NEW YORK CITY

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5

8 PM TO MIDNIGHT

The Ritz was founded in 1980 by Jerry Brandt in the historic Webster Hall ballroom and concert space on 11th Street between Third and Fourth Avenues in the East Village neighborhood of New York City. The address was 119 East 11th Street. The Ritz focused primarily on live performances, often of newer acts, but also featured dancing. The Ritz was one of the first clubs to incorporate video screens into the club experience with a 30' screen and a projector which cost $120,000. MTV made its debut at The Ritz. In April 1989, The Ritz moved to the site of the former Studio 54 on 254 West 54th Street, where it was called "The New Ritz" and continued to host concerts for several years. From 1990 onward it reverted to the name "The Ritz." The original 11th Street space is now known as Webster Hall.