Shadow   

229 W 28th St # 1
New York, NY 10001
212-268-5415

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Club owner Steven Juliano has a system that works. Twenty years ago, he founded the legendary black club Bentley's, which has become the city's longest continually running club. Now he brings a loyal base of regulars to the Shadow, a large, two-floor, art-deco-inspired space on the West Side. A mature black crowd returns faithfully to hear classic R&B on the main dance floor, switching occasionally to the smaller but equally energetic soca, reggae, and calypso room, from which cheers erupt occasionally as the DJ spins. Aside from the music, Steve says, people come for the no-hassle atmosphere, helped in part by the strict dress code. Energy is put into hooking up instead. "It's boy meets girl, girl meets boy," he says unashamedly. And for those who can't show up in person, they can listen to the Shadow's live broadcasts on WBLS on Fridays from midnight-1AM and Saturdays from 10-11PM. . Try to catch one of their Bentley reunion nights, when old schoolers like Doug E. Fresh and Force MD's play live for a true back-in-the-day experience.