Inside NYC’s vibrant secret dance parties where a bodega turns into a rave – literally overnight

Under the cover of darkness, an ordinary bodega in the South Bronx transformed Friday into a secret dance club that only the most in-the-know New Yorkers got the chance to attend.

A line of eager party-goers snaked around the Port Morris corner store, swayed by the excitement of dancers crowding a makeshift floor that is usually decorated with dining tables and merchandise shelves.

Standing behind the counter were three DJs, collectively known as Mundo, who served up “rawness” instead of bacon, egg and cheese – but revelers who stayed long enough for an all-night rave. Got a chance to enjoy both.

“I don’t know what you’re here to do, but if you’re not dancing the door’s right here!” Ordered DJ Flaco from under a neon “Order Here” sign.

Post attended the summer’s last “Bodega Rave” on Friday, the finale of a five-part series of secret dance parties that invaded the deli, providing chicken wraps and cups of Joe to blue-collar workers during the day. Was.

The parties are the brainchild of Flacco, 33, and fellow Mundo members Emilio Guarri Quinones, 31, and Rich Pascasio, 28, who said they are on a mission to bring a vibrant nightlife scene back to Boogie Down.

The New York-born group of DJs have taken their Latin fusion dance music to venues around the world, but have struggled to find opportunities to play in their hometown. They considered settling in dance halls in Brooklyn or Manhattan until they connected with a South Bronx bodega owner, whom Flacko described as “a Hungarian guy living the American dream.”

The location — which the Post swore to secrecy — provides the perfect scene for the trio’s mission: a counter to serve as a DJ booth, plenty of room to move around and hang out, and one with a legal liquor license. Attached bar.

Plus, according to partygoers, there’s nothing more authentic than a Big Apple deli.

“It has a feel of the real New York and the way it used to be. That real, raw energy. The real soul of it,” Pascasio, 28, said.

Flacco, who goes by only his stage name, said: “It’s really despicable. It’s just us Bronx people coming down.”

However, during the day, visitors will never see any indication that the deli hosts such parties. The location is kept a top secret until the day of the blockbuster party, when MUNDO briefly releases party details for those joining via its social media channels.

But getting an invitation doesn’t mean you’ll get in. The parties have exploded since its inaugural celebration earlier this summer and regularly draws revelers from all five boroughs and beyond for the chance to join the dance troupe.

“It’s really good to see that we’re growing a dance scene in the Bronx,” said Guari Quinones.

After hearing about the parties on social media, friends Marisa Fu and Noni Suki, 24, drove to Koreatown to see for themselves.

“It’s great. Holding concerts in bodega is not as common as going to clubs. “It’s a cool experience and we want to explore it,” Suki said.

Melania Garrido told The Post that she has braved the 90-minute trip from Yonkers four times this summer to experience Secret Waves.

Many of the attendees are fellow musicians who are deeply involved in the DJ scene, and they told The Post that the parties are much more meaningful than an excuse to drink and dance.

“It’s a family affair,” said fellow DJ Dada Kozmik. “Many of us have gone anywhere around the world and coming back to this little corner of our hometown means everything. We all come from different places and gathering here tells us that the essence of who we are is where we are from.

Each show in the series is slightly different from its predecessors. Mundo has invited a rotating setlist of DJs to join in on the action, and Friday’s party included a surprise appearance from Jay Noah, a rising rapper born in the Dominican Republic.

The styles and themes also rotate throughout the night between reggaeton, juke and more, which is a major draw for Bronx natives who are tired of hearing the same Top 40.

“I just love seeing everyone together, everyone having fun and everyone being together as a community with different types of music. It’s very hard to find a place where you feel connected to other people,” said Irene Ozzie, 27, of Park Slope, calling the night a “collective experience.”

Ozzy was encouraged to make the trip across town on Friday by friend Christina Madera, 29, who said bodega waves fostered a “safe space” and a community mentality.

“These guys care about each other,” Madera said. “There’s nothing weird there. No one is trying to touch. It’s very special, people respect each other and try to have genuine fun.”

Dance parties usually last all night – with no sign of stopping until the law forces a liquor shutdown at 4 a.m.

That’s when the Mundo team packs it up and drags the dining tables and merchandise shelves back to the dancefloor.

Promptly at 6 a.m., the grill comes back on and the bodega returns to its normal state, ready to serve early risers heading to work.