New York City’s Meatpacking District has only recently evolved in to the chic and stylish neighborhood that you visit on our Chelsea Market/ Meatpacking District Tour. The Meatpacking District was originally just that, a meatpacking district; in 1900, there were over 150 slaughterhouses and meatpacking plants. The meatpackers worked from 3am to 3pm every day leaving the neighborhood empty and desolate after hours.

From 1972 to 1984 the neighborhood became known as center for drug dealing, prostitution (particularly transsexuals), and gay sex clubs. That long run of dangerous times began to end in 1985 with the peak of the AIDS epidemic and the health department shut down the clubs.

Below are some photos we have found from the era… at least the ones with a “PG” rating…