10 moments that defined Verboten's incredible first year

One year ago, veteran New York City party promoters Verboten opened their namesake club to a massive fanfare. Hotly anticipated and warmly welcomed, Verboten immediately helped reinvigorate the city's underground scene. And since the now-infamous opening party last March Verboten has received scores of plaudits, and is considered by many to be among the best clubs in the world.

Fashioned out of a former metalwork shop on the ragged fringes of Williamsburg, everything about Verboten is perfectly tailored to throwing incredible parties. With a booming Martin Audio soundsystem, consistently stacked line-ups, fabulous décor, surprisingly deft cocktails and an enormous, incongruous disco ball it's easy to understand why the Village Voice readers recently named Verboten 'Best Dance Club' in the city, and resident Matthew Dear even called it "the best club in the US". And all this after only a year in business.

In honor of their first birthday, this weekend sees the club host a series of events dubbed 'Verboten 001' that includes big parties from Damian Lazarus & The Ancient Moons, Pillowtalk, Bedouin, Luciano, Carl Craig, and Maya Jane Coles over three consecutive days starting March 12. In addition to throwing down a solid spread, the club is launching a membership program for their regulars, offering reduced admission to club nights, purchase rewards, and access to special events and merch.

We spoke to co-founders and owners Jen Schiffer and John Perez and asked them to look back on Verboten's first twelve months and share some of the best moments from the club's rise to the top.

Rebel Rave: Opening Night

"The very first night of the club was a bit ambitious, as we brought in Damian Lazarus' Rebel Rave party, along with Ida Engberg, Fur Coat, Francesca Lombardo and a giant projection mapped version of the Crosstown Rebels globe. It went off, and really set the tone for parties to come."

Matthew Dear's Subversions Party

"Verboten resident Matt Dear launched his new Subversions project at the club, which is a throwback to old school club kid nights with performers, masks, fresh flowers and weird illuminated day glow trees we install throughout the space. He curates all his own lineups; and has the humility to open the room himself sometimes so artists like Tiga, Roman Flugel or Daniel Avery can shine."

Maya Jane Coles

"Maya has been playing for Verboten since long before we opened the club, and it's been amazing to watch her grow as an artist. Her last gig here was the best we've ever seen her play! We can't wait to see what she does next."

French Express Label Night

"These guys, especially our good friend Moon Boots, always bring the party. Their disco-heavy sound had everyone in the club smiling and dancing non-stop, and was the perfect excuse for our light guy to work his magic on our massive disco ball."

Carl Craig's Residency Launch

"The first time the techno legend (and Verboten resident) played the club was pretty magical. No one wanted to leave, so he just kept playing! The entire staff wound up on the dancefloor as the rising sun streamed through the skylight over the DJ booth."

DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist

"As part of the Brooklyn Electronic Music Fest, these two iconic turntablists gave the club a history lesson in hip hop using only records borrowed from Afrika Bambaataa's extensive vinyl collection!"

Jamie Jones' Marathon 6.5 Hour Set

"This was definitely one of the biggest shows we've had here. We go way back with Jamie (we were the first ones to book Hot Natured in New York) and seeing an artist that big in a fairly intimate space like Verboten was pretty special. He played an amazing six and a half hours to a sold out crowd and the energy never let up."

Hercules & Love Affair Live

"This was one of our first truly live shows was also the debut of our new panoramic video wall. It was such a fun gig, and we'll be doing a lot more concerts and live events going forward."

Trouble & Bass and the Night Bass Tour

"The all-black clad Trouble & Bass crew are always so much fun, and when they teamed up with AC Slater, Jack Beats and Hannah Wants for the Night Bass Tour they gave our subwoofers their biggest workout yet."

Sasha

"We cut our clubbing teeth dancing to Sasha at Twilo back in the day, so to have him grace the Verboten decks in our first year felt like our rite of passage."

All images via Verboten. Photography credits: Mike Prieto, Alex Bershaw, Oliver Correa, Razberry Photography, Khadija Bhuiyan, Menbar Photos, Shoot People