An OG DJ and scenester from one of New York nightlife’s greatest eras, Ryan McKnight is now making all the music happen at a true hotspot in Brooklyn. [Cover photo: Maeghan Donohue]
Thotyssey: Ryan, hello! Happy Day After Christmas! Did you celebrate at all?
Ryan McKnight: I did, kinda. I wasn’t feeling well, but spent time with my brother and mother.
Nice and low key! Were you ever the sort to go out and party on Christmas night? That might be becoming a lost tradition.
I really don’t celebrate “holidays” in a traditional way, so no. However, I do go out and dance and honor the solstice.
When you’re not working, what kind of vibe are you looking for when you’re going out for a night on the town?
I’ve been going out and working in nightlife for 30 years. So for me, it’s always about being around my friends and fam in the biz. I limit how much I go out these days when I’m not working; I just try to find where the best music is!
How about when you are working? What is your sound in the DJ booth generally like?
Well, since I both book DJs at The Exley and DJ myself… it’s all over! When I’m playing I try to find songs that make you feel, but also are lil’ cunty, lol. When I book DJs I just try make sure no matter who the DJ is, they make the space feel inviting and not intrusive. Each night I book is curated a little different.
I have some Exley questions, but before we get there we should jump back to your origin story! Where are you from originally, and was music always a part of your life?
I was born in Queens raised in Long Island; I started going to raves and clubs at 14 in ’94, so I was a baby club kid / raver. I started working at raves in ’95 at 15, then worked at Limelight and Twilo and Tunnel. There’s a lot of back story, as it turned into me working in fashion as a makeup artist — then I was DJing and working in fashion at the same time.
I have a really insane background that most who go out now don’t know about, but all the old school NYC folks know me. I was even an extra in the movie Kids.
OMG! Did you meet Chloe Sevigny!?
Chloe worked at Liquid Sky and Rave Record Store, and worked at NASA doing the door, if I recall. I wasn’t friends with her, but was always out. It was very different time then.
The young folks of today are very “nostalgic” for that time, even though they weren’t born yet. The stories you must have!
To be honest, my stories are kinda unreal… most don’t believe them. I don’t know really how to approach it, but my stories are crazy. I’ve been behind a lot, and many don’t know. So trying to give you things without going crazy… if I went down that road, you’d be writing for days!
When we finally revive our podcast, you gotta come on and try to share some of those! How and where did you start DJing, exactly?
I was taught by drum and bass DJ Odi in ’97, but my first DJ gig out was a party Mistress Formika did in 2002. I was the VIP room DJ the first night — it was me and Boy George DJing. Flawless Sabrina was the host and Dina Delicious did the door to get in VIP. Nita Aviance was upstairs in the house room, JohnJohn was on the pop floor and Miss Guy in the basement rock room! Right after that I was a resident DJ for Susanne Bartsch’s party “Happy Valley” that lasted a year.
Do you totally dislike the way nightlife has changed in recent years, or is it better now in some ways?
I am asked the question a lot. I’m so impressed by some of the younger DJs and how much there is going on. There is no such thing as “better” or “worse” in nightlife for me; it’s all about finding the best in the time you are in. What makes nightlife amazing is that it’s always evolving and changing.
Definitely! The Exley in Brooklyn is one of those newer venues that emphasize vibes and good music over a lot of the generic stuff that’s been oversaturating the gay bar scene for decades. How did you become a part of The Exley — and what is it that they are doing so right?
I was on a retirement from DJing, but was playing at my friend’s bar for her. Then I went over to Exley after and jumped on decks, which led to me DJing more of an industry-focused Tuesday there for a year. Then I took over booking rotating DJs last year.
I love what Exley represents. It has a lot of heart — and though it’s not dancey, the guest love to come and vibe. It was a great vibe when I started; I am glad I can continue what was set when I got there. I think we [at The Exley] are authentic to us. We just want people to feel good and connect, and to be a place where all aspects of our community are welcomed and celebrated.
You’ll be back DJing there on New Years Eve with Silent H. That should be a damn good time!
Oh yes, it’s going to just be super happy and fun! Whether people stop by before or after the ball drop or stay the whole night, it’s definitely going to be a fun time.
What else is coming up for you?
I haven’t been DJing that much other places. I just opened up for Dragonette, The Knocks and Aquaria‘s show at Irving Plaza, which was a lot of fun. So sparked my interest in playing more gigs in 2026.
Looking forward to that! Okay lastly… anything you might be excited to see or hear to 2026 in regards to music or nightlife?
Yes! I’m excited to hear people get back to hearing dance music. There are a lot of younger DJs out there that are learning from the old school and making it fun. Also, I am excited to hear really experimental things as well. Usually in hard times like we are experiencing now, we get some of the best music — people fighting back through sound.
Fight the good fight! Happy New Year, Ryan!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Ryan McKnight’s upcoming appearances, and follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Soundcloud and Mixcloud,
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