Club One leaves Jefferson St. after nearly 40 years; managers say move is ‘bittersweet’

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Club One is temporarily closing its doors at One Jefferson Street and relocating one block away to 301 Williamson St., manager Trey Norris confirmed Thursday. The final night at the Jefferson Street location is set for April 27.

The nightclub opened in 1988 and has operated as a staple of Savannah’s LGBTQ+ community for 38 years. Norris said the move is driven by a desire to update the space.

“Club One has been in this space, like I said, for almost forty years. It’s time for a revamp, it’s time for a refresh and we’re excited to bring it to ya’,” Norris said.

The new space at 301 Williamson St. is approximately 450 feet from the current location. Planned upgrades include a larger performing area, a fully accessible space, and updated lighting and sound equipment. The new address puts Club One adjacent to other downtown nightlife venues, including Smiling Pianos and Staffords.

“That building is an entertainment Mecca for the downtown area,” Norris said. “It was a natural fit for us.”

Club One’s leadership, staff, and performers will not change with the move. Management described the club’s stage as a sacred space, open to any performer who wants to use it — a tradition they say will continue at the new venue.

“It’s important for us to carry that on and keep that stage so everybody feels that they have a platform to stand on when they want to, to show their art, to be expressive,” Norris said.

Club One gained national recognition following the release of “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” The novel and film featured the Lady Chablis, a drag queen living in Savannah who worked at Club One. Management said she was the first performer to appear on the club’s stage. Plans are in the works to honor Lady Chablis and preserve that history at the new location.

Travis Coles, who worked at Club One for 21 years before becoming area coach for Pride Holdings Group, said the club served as a safe haven during the AIDS crisis and has maintained that role throughout its history.

“This was one of the spaces that you could come to and people didn’t look at you like you were a leper. It was a safe space for people to come, discuss the issues, and it still is,” Coles said.

Club One recently formed a partnership with Pride Holdings Group, which acquired the nightclub and helped make the relocation possible. Coles addressed community concerns about the new ownership.

“The club will continue to keep its character. That’s why they were interested in Club One, was that it had such a storied past,” Coles said. “This isn’t some multi-national crazy large cooperation that doesn’t have personal relationships with the companies they’re acquiring.”

Club One is hosting several shows and events at the Jefferson Street location leading up to April 27. Management said it hopes to be fully moved into the new space by the beginning of June.