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The World was a large nightclub in New York City, which operated from the mid-1980s until 1991 at 254 East 2nd Street, in Manhattan's East Village neighborhood. The venue, which included a secondary establishment called "The It Club," was housed in a former catering hall and theater. The World attracted a clientele that was economically, racially, and sexually diverse, and included artists, celebrities, and fashion designers, such as Keith Haring, Madonna, Brooke Shields, Prince, Stephen Sprouse, RuPaul, and Carolina Herrera, together with banjee boys and members of voguing houses
An early incubator of New York's house music and club kid scenes, the World helped launch the careers of several prominent nightlife figures, including Michael Alig, DJ Larry Tee, DJ David Morales, the Lady Bunny, and Dean Johnson, whose Tuesday night "Rock and Roll Fag Bar" party gave rise to New York's gay rock and roll scene. Several big-name music acts also made cameo appearances at The World, including David Bowie, the Beastie Boys, Sinéad O'Connor, Public Enemy, Neil Young, The Sugarcubes, Salt-N-Pepa, and Pink Floyd. It was also used as one of the filming locations for Devo's 1988 music video for the song "Disco Dancer"
The World operated largely outside the law, and opened and closed unpredictably. It ceased operations permanently in 1991, when its owner was found dead on the premises. The building that housed The World was subsequently demolished and replaced with a luxury apartment building.