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Webster Hall

Webster Hall is a historic assembly hall and multi-purpose venue located at 119-125 East 11th Street in Manhattan's East Village, New York City.^[1]^[2] Constructed in 1886 to designs by architect Charles Rentz, the building exemplifies Queen Anne-style architecture with its brick and brownstone facade, terra cotta ornamentation, and original mansard roof.^[3]^[4] Originally developed as a social club facility by Charles Goldstein, it features a grand three-story ballroom measuring 70 by 100 feet, along with ancillary spaces for events ranging from dances and masquerade balls to political gatherings and performances.^[2]^[5] Designated a New York City landmark on March 18, 2008, by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, Webster Hall has endured as one of the city's oldest continuously operating event spaces, hosting diverse public functions since its opening.^[3]^[1] Over its history, the venue gained prominence for Bohemian balls in the early 20th century and later as a rock concert hall in the 1990s and 2000s, before undergoing major renovations in the 2010s to modernize its infrastructure while preserving architectural integrity.^[6]^[7] Its cultural significance stems from accommodating social, military, and musical events across more than 130 years, reflecting shifts in New York City's entertainment and assembly traditions.^[8]

Architecture and Design

Original Construction and Architect

Webster Hall was erected in 1886–1887 at 119–125 East 11th Street in Manhattan's East Village as a three-story assembly hall designed by architect Charles Rentz, Jr., in the Queen Anne style.^[3] The structure, measuring 70 feet wide with a main hall approximately 40 feet high, included a gallery, private boxes, and reception rooms, enabling its use for large social gatherings such as balls, receptions, Hebrew weddings, and sociables—reflecting the era's need for versatile public venues amid rapid urbanization and immigrant community growth in late 19th-century New York.^[9] Rentz's symmetrical facade featured pilasters, a modillioned cornice, and an original mansard roof, emphasizing eclectic ornamentation characteristic of Queen Anne architecture.^[3] The project was commissioned by Charles Goldstein, a cigarmaker who served as the initial proprietor, resided with his family in a first-story apartment, and explicitly planned the hall without a barroom to prioritize assembly functions.^[9] Construction plans were filed in July 1886 for a $65,000 edifice, with work commencing in August and completion by February 1887 at a reported total cost of $75,000.^[3] The exterior employed red Philadelphia pressed brick for the bearing walls, accented by brownstone trim and unglazed red terra cotta details likely sourced from manufacturers such as the Boston Terra Cotta Company or Perth Amboy Terra Cotta Company.^[9] Internally, spruce timbers provided framing, supported by iron columns and rolled iron beams, diverging from the fireproof construction prevalent in many contemporaneous buildings.^[3]

Structural Features and Capacity

Webster Hall comprises a three-story masonry structure centered around a grand ballroom measuring 70 feet by 100 feet, designed to accommodate large assemblies with an open floor plan and surrounding ancillary spaces.^[2] The building's load-bearing brick walls, clad in red Philadelphia pressed brick with brownstone trim and terra-cotta ornamentation, provided structural stability typical of late-19th-century assembly halls.^[10] The Renaissance Revival style is evident in features such as Corinthian pilasters, fluted bracketed cornices, and decorative panels, which extended to the interiors with ornate detailing and high ceilings approximately 40 feet tall in the main hall.^[2] ^[11] ^[10] These elements, including a wrap-around balcony and private boxes, enhanced spatial versatility while the vaulted ceiling height supported favorable acoustics for unamplified speeches and music through natural reverberation.^[11] The original configuration allowed for a capacity of approximately 1,500 persons in the grand ballroom, including balcony seating, enabling diverse uses from lectures to dances without requiring extensive reconfiguration.^[12] Early engineering incorporated standard fire safety measures of the era, such as multiple egress stairwells, though the venue experienced several fires due to wooden interior elements and electrical systems not fully fireproofed at construction.^[9]

Historical Overview

Founding and Early Use (1886–1910)

Webster Hall was erected between 1886 and 1887 at 125 East 11th Street in Manhattan's East Village, designed in the Queen Anne style by architect Charles Rentz, Jr., for Charles Goldstein, a Polish immigrant cigar manufacturer who served as its initial proprietor.^[3] ^[5] The four-story structure, built on leased land owned by Rutherfurd Stuyvesant at an annual rate of $2,000, featured a grand ballroom and ancillary spaces suited for multipurpose rental, targeting social assemblies among New York's burgeoning working-class and immigrant populations.^[3] The venue debuted in 1887 as a hall for hire, with its opening event—a grand ball on February 11 honoring the USS Atlanta cruiser's launch—attracting around 900 guests, including the ship's crew.^[5] ^[3] Subsequent programming emphasized non-political social functions, such as debutante-style balls, dances, receptions, public lectures, and fraternal society meetings, which drew diverse attendees seeking recreational outlets amid urban industrialization.^[3] These gatherings, often featuring music and communal dining, supported immigrant assimilation by fostering cultural familiarity and social networks in a neighborhood dense with Eastern European arrivals, though specific attendance figures beyond the inaugural event remain sparsely documented.^[3] Financial sustainability derived from steady rental income, with Goldstein implementing minor interior adjustments—like flexible staging and seating—to host varied events without major overhauls.^[3] Capacity expansions, including a 1892 annex addition, accommodated growing demand for fraternal and lecture series, reinforcing the hall's viability as a neutral venue for community bonding through the early 1900s.^[3]

Interwar Period and Diverse Events (1911–1940)

In the 1910s, Webster Hall expanded its programming to include cultural performances such as Hungarian opera concerts conducted by Ernö Rapée, alongside the growing popularity of masquerade balls that drew bohemian crowds from Greenwich Village.^[3] A pivotal event was the 1913 masquerade ball fundraiser, which set the stage for the venue's reputation for elaborate soirees in the subsequent decade, attracting diverse participants including artists and socialites seeking escapist entertainment.^[5] These events highlighted the hall's versatility, hosting both formal society gatherings and more unconventional Bohemian revelries that reflected the era's cultural experimentation without alignment to any singular ideological group.^[3] The 1920s saw Webster Hall adapt to Prohibition (1920–1933) by functioning as a speakeasy, where illicit alcohol service enabled continued nightlife amid national alcohol bans, fostering underground parties that amplified its nickname as a hub for hedonistic diversions.^[13] Concerts and dances persisted, with the venue accommodating varied crowds through these adaptations, though specific attendance figures from the period remain undocumented in primary records.^[3] This era underscored the hall's broad operational appeal, balancing high-society balls with accessible public entertainments that spanned economic and social divides. By the 1930s, economic strains from the Great Depression eroded patronage, compounded by a 1938 fire that severely damaged the structure, necessitating repairs before limited resumption of events.^[14] Operations continued sporadically into early 1940, with documented gatherings such as protests, but financial pressures and shifting urban entertainment patterns—favoring newer venues—ultimately led to the hall's closure that year, marking the end of its interwar phase.^[9] The decline reflected broader challenges for legacy assembly halls, where reduced disposable income curtailed large-scale event viability absent diversified revenue streams.

Post-War Reopening and Nightclub Era (1950–1979)

Following a destructive fire in 1949 that damaged much of the interior, Webster Hall underwent repairs and reopened under new ownership, transitioning from its pre-war role as a multipurpose hall to a specialized music facility amid post-World War II economic revitalization in New York City. In 1953, RCA Victor Records acquired the property, converting the Grand Ballroom into Webster Hall Studios, a premier recording venue praised for its superior acoustics due to the high ceilings and resonant design. This shift capitalized on the booming demand for recorded music driven by technological advances in vinyl and radio broadcasting, with the studio operating until 1968 and hosting sessions for a wide array of genres including jazz, pop, Latin, folk, and emerging rock 'n' roll.^[3]^[15] The studio era featured recordings by prominent artists such as Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Perry Como, and Elvis Presley, who tracked "Hound Dog" there in 1956, alongside Broadway cast albums like Julie Andrews' The Boy Friend in 1954 and classical works including Beverly Sills' Giulio Cesare in 1967. Complementing studio work, Webster Hall hosted live performances that reflected evolving entertainment trends, including 1950s folk "hootenannies" with Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie, which inspired the founding of the folk magazine Sing Out!, as well as jazz concerts in 1952 and Latin acts like Tito Rodriguez and Tito Puente. These events drew urban audiences seeking affordable, diverse nightlife amid the post-war cultural shift toward accessible popular music, though specific attendance figures remain undocumented in available records.^[3]^[15]^[13] By the late 1960s, as RCA ceased operations, the venue faced broader challenges from post-war suburbanization, which eroded central Manhattan's nightlife draw as middle-class residents relocated to outer boroughs and suburbs, favoring drive-in theaters and local clubs over downtown halls. Competition intensified from newer, specialized venues and the rise of television, reducing demand for large-scale live events, while zoning restrictions on noise and assembly in residential-adjacent areas occasionally hampered programming. In 1970, the property sold to Unity Gallega, repurposing it as Casa Galicia, a community space for Galician expatriates hosting cultural meetings rather than commercial nightlife, though it accommodated occasional events like a 1978 klezmer revival concert. This period marked a decline in high-profile music use, reflecting causal pressures from urban depopulation and economic decentralization rather than venue-specific failures.^[3]

Music Venue and Commercial Evolution (1980–2016)

In 1980, promoter Jerry Brandt transformed the Webster Hall building into The Ritz, a rock showcase venue that hosted performances by established and emerging artists including Eric Clapton with Keith Richards, Tina Turner, The Pretenders, Prince, Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Sting, and Mick Jagger.^[16]^[17] This era marked the site's resurgence as a key player in New York's rock scene, capitalizing on demand for mid-sized spaces amid the city's punk and new wave movements.^[18] The venue underwent a pivotal ownership change in 1989 when Canadian entrepreneurs Lon, Steve, and Doug Ballinger acquired it from prior operators, reopening as Webster Hall in 1992 after renovations that established a 1,400-person capacity focused on live music presentations.^[19]^[20] Under the Ballingers, who had experience in nightclub promotion, the hall evolved into a versatile concert space accommodating alternative rock, electronic, and diverse genres, adapting to market shifts toward genre-blended bookings and electronic dance events to attract broader audiences.^[21] This commercial strategy included integrating corporate events alongside concerts, enhancing revenue streams in a competitive landscape where live music venues faced rising real estate pressures.^[22] Further adaptations included a $3 million renovation completed in 2009, which upgraded the four-level facility's sound systems and layout to support intensified live programming, restoring emphasis on music after periods of mixed-use operation.^[23] By the mid-2010s, the venue's multi-room configuration—featuring a 1,500-capacity Grand Ballroom, 600-person Marlin Room, and 400-capacity Studio—facilitated over 250 annual events, contributing to New York City's live music ecosystem amid broader industry growth from $1.7 billion in North American revenue in 2000 to projections exceeding $9 billion by the decade's end.^[24]^[25] While some observers critiqued the shift toward commercial diversification as diluting artistic purity, the hall's sustained hosting of high-profile acts preserved accessible mid-tier performance spaces, countering the closure of smaller independent venues due to gentrification and economic consolidation.^[22]^[26]

Renovations and Modernization

2017 Closure and Ownership Change

In early 2017, the Ballinger family, which had operated Webster Hall for 27 years, sold the venue's operating rights, assets, and long-term lease to a partnership between Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment (BSE) and The Bowery Presents, a promoter recently acquired by AEG Presents.^[27]^[28] The transaction, announced on April 3, 2017, left the building's physical ownership with Unity Gallega while transferring control of booking, marketing, and daily operations to the new entities.^[29]^[30] BSE, owners of the Barclays Center, and AEG aimed to integrate Webster Hall into a broader portfolio of live entertainment venues, with Bowery Presents handling programming.^[27] The ownership shift prompted a temporary closure announcement in July 2017, with Webster Hall's final event under the prior format scheduled for August 5, 2017.^[31]^[24] Operators cited the venue's aging infrastructure, including outdated electrical systems and facilities not meeting contemporary safety and performance standards, as necessitating an extended shutdown for upgrades estimated at around $10 million.^[32] No public financial metrics on profitability were disclosed, though the Ballingers described the sale as a strategic exit after decades of management amid rising operational costs in Manhattan.^[27] Local reactions highlighted tensions over the transition to corporate stewardship of the 131-year-old landmark, with East Village residents and nightlife advocates expressing fears of over-commercialization and dilution of its independent ethos.^[33] Preservationists, noting Webster Hall's status as a New York City landmark, voiced concerns that the influx of large-scale promoters like AEG could prioritize high-volume bookings over the venue's historic intimacy, potentially altering its cultural role despite assurances of restoration.^[34]^[35] Some speculated on risks like prolonged closure or rebranding, amplifying community pushback against perceived homogenization of NYC's music scene.

Renovation Details and Reopening (2019–Present)

Webster Hall underwent a comprehensive renovation starting in late 2017, costing approximately $10 million, which modernized the venue while preserving its historic elements. Key upgrades included the installation of central air conditioning, expanded restrooms, and an enhanced HVAC system to improve comfort and air quality. Structural enhancements featured four new staircases for better crowd flow and egress, an elevator for accessibility and equipment loading, and a full sprinkler and fire alarm system to meet updated safety codes.^[36]^[37]^[38] Technical improvements focused on performance capabilities, with new acoustics, an L-Acoustics sound system comprising 12 Kara speakers for main hangs and six SB18 subwoofers, and upgraded lighting infrastructure. Additional amenities included new dressing rooms with direct stage access and a revamped entryway and lobby bar. These changes addressed prior deficiencies in mechanical systems and substandard spaces, replacing timber beams with steel for structural integrity and adding mechanical supports.^[39]^[40]^[38] The venue reopened in April 2019 with a capacity of approximately 1,400 in the main ballroom, enabling smoother operations and compliance with fire safety standards through improved egress paths. Initial programming featured high-profile concerts, including Jay-Z's opening performance and subsequent shows by artists such as Patti Smith and MGMT, generating over $1 million in gross revenue in May 2019 alone from nearly 30,000 tickets sold.^[41]^[36]^[42] Since reopening, Webster Hall has maintained viability through consistent event programming, including concerts in the 2020s amid broader recovery in live music attendance post-COVID-19 restrictions. The venue's upgraded safety features, such as sprinklers and additional stairwells, have supported full-capacity operations without reported major compliance issues. As of 2025, it continues to host regular shows, demonstrating sustained revenue potential from ticket sales and rentals in New York City's rebounding nightlife sector.^[43]^[44]^[38]

Cultural and Political Role

Notable Performances and Events

During its tenure as an RCA recording studio from 1953 to 1968, Webster Hall hosted significant sessions, including Elvis Presley's recording of "Hound Dog" on July 2, 1956, which required 31 takes and was released just 11 days later as a major hit.^[45] Bob Dylan contributed his first professional recording there on February 2, 1962, playing harmonica on the title track of Harry Belafonte's Midnight Special album.^[45] These sessions underscored the venue's early role in capturing pivotal moments in rock and folk music history. Reconfigured as The Ritz rock club starting May 1, 1980, Webster Hall emerged as a hub for emerging rock and punk acts, hosting U2's debut U.S. performance on December 6, 1980.^[45] The venue featured first major solo shows by Tina Turner and Sting, alongside appearances by Prince, Eric Clapton, The Pretenders, Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Aerosmith, and KISS through the 1980s, often drawing crowds near its 1,500-person capacity and fostering New York hardcore punk matinees.^[16]^[46] These events highlighted its acoustics, praised for clarity in live rock settings, though some accounts noted logistical challenges like tight spacing during high-demand shows.^[47] From the 1990s onward, following its reopening as Webster Hall in 1992, the venue expanded to diverse genres, incorporating electronic dance music (EDM) programming by 2004 with acts like Paul van Dyk.^[48] Modern headliners have included Linkin Park, whose 2007 filmed performance exemplified its adaptation for multimedia rock events, and recent EDM collaborations such as Paul Oakenfold and The Crystal Method in 2025, blending trance and breakbeat for sold-out nights.^[49]^[50] This evolution has positioned it as a versatile space for album launches and genre-crossing tours, with consistent attendance reflecting its enduring appeal in New York City's music scene.^[51]

Political Meetings and Activism History

In its early years following the 1886 opening, Webster Hall emerged as a favored rental space for labor unions and political organizations amid New York City's immigrant-heavy Lower East Side, where working-class radicals sought affordable venues for rallies and strategy sessions. The hall hosted frequent gatherings by garment trade unions, including the founding convention of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America in 1914, which established a key faction in the splintered needle trades movement. These events drew hundreds of attendees, leveraging the venue's capacity for mass assemblies while reflecting broader urban patterns of labor agitation rather than any inherent political affiliation of the hall itself.^[52]^[8]^[53] Anarchist and socialist activism intensified in the 1910s, with Emma Goldman organizing union rallies and women's rights conferences at the hall, capitalizing on its proximity to bohemian and radical networks in Greenwich Village and the East Village. In 1912, Greek immigrants rallied outside and within the venue against Ottoman forces during the Balkan Wars, underscoring its utility for ethnic nationalist causes intersecting with labor discontent. By 1916, during the heightened phase of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU) strikes, Webster Hall served as a temporary headquarters, accommodating organizers amid widespread walkouts involving over 60,000 workers citywide. Such uses highlighted the hall's adaptability for disruptive activism but constituted a minority of bookings, outnumbered by commercial dances, weddings, and lectures that sustained its operations.^[54]^[45]^[53] Interwar political meetings at Webster Hall leaned toward left-wing defense efforts, including 1920 sessions by the Sacco and Vanzetti Defense Committee, which mobilized thousands in support of the convicted Italian anarchists amid fears of judicial bias against radicals. No comparable records exist for conservative or anti-communist gatherings, aligning with the venue's documented appeal to proletarian and immigrant radicals over establishment groups. This pattern mirrored causal dynamics of early 20th-century New York radicalism—fueled by industrial unrest and ethnic enclaves—but did not eclipse the hall's primary commercial viability, as political rentals remained episodic amid dominant social events.^[45]^[15]^[1]

Criticisms and Controversies

In the early 20th century, Webster Hall faced scrutiny for hosting events associated with radical political groups, including socialist and anarchist gatherings that occasionally escalated into disorderly assemblies, prompting complaints from authorities about potential incitement to unrest.^[54] During the Prohibition era (1920–1933), the venue continued operating as a social club amid widespread illegal alcohol service in New York nightlife spaces, though specific enforcement actions against Webster Hall remain undocumented in primary records.^[55] Modern operational controversies have centered on crowd safety and management lapses. On May 29, 2016, a shooting outside the venue following a Chief Keef concert left one person dead and three wounded, reigniting debates over security protocols at rap events, with promoters citing tensions between fans, artists, and law enforcement as a contributing factor.^[56] Similarly, a June 2016 Kanye West pop-up show announcement drew over 4,000 fans, leading to cancellation, chaotic dispersal, and police intervention as crowds refused to leave and climbed structures.^[57] Safety incidents persisted post-2017 renovations under new ownership by AEG Presents and Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, which some staff and observers critiqued as prioritizing corporate scalability over the venue's independent ethos, resulting in workforce reductions of over 200 employees.^[58] On August 7, 2021, during a performance, a stage railing collapse forced evacuation of the crowd onto the street, highlighting ongoing structural risks despite upgrades.^[59] The COVID-19 pandemic closures from March 2020 onward, mandated citywide, amplified financial strains on venues like Webster Hall without unique controversies, though resumption of events in 2021 involved varying protocols like vaccine checks that drew patron complaints.^[60] Critics of the venue's political legacy argue its history of hosting ideologically extreme events fostered environments conducive to disruption rather than constructive discourse, with empirical records showing sporadic police interventions at early 20th-century rallies but no quantified long-term societal benefits from such associations outweighing risks of unrest.^[54] These issues underscore tensions between Webster Hall's role as a free-expression hub and practical demands for public safety.

Significance and Legacy

Landmark Status and Preservation

On March 18, 2008, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated Webster Hall and its annex at 119-125 East 11th Street as an official city landmark, citing the building's Queen Anne-style architecture—including brick facades, brownstone trim, and elaborate terra-cotta ornamentation designed by architect Charles Rentz, Jr.—alongside its historical significance as a venue for political rallies, labor meetings, and cultural events since its opening in 1887.^[3] The designation, proposed by the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation following public advocacy, protects the exterior from demolition or incompatible alterations, reflecting criteria under the New York City Landmarks Law that emphasize architectural merit and associative history over mere age or fame.^[1] Preservation efforts intensified in 2017 amid the venue's closure for renovations after its acquisition by AEG Presents and Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, with advocates raising concerns over potential threats to historic fabric from proposed interior work and facade modifications under commercial redevelopment pressures.^[34] The Landmarks Preservation Commission reviewed and approved targeted changes, such as installing accessible entrances, removing non-original fire escapes, and updating signage, while mandating retention of core features like the original canopy and sconces to ensure compliance with preservation standards favoring adaptive reuse over wholesale modernization.^[38] These approvals balanced economic viability with heritage protection, averting more aggressive alterations that could have compromised the landmark's integrity, as evidenced by the post-renovation retention of period details in the reopened structure.^[61]

Impact on New York City Nightlife

Webster Hall has solidified the East Village's status as a premier nightlife district in New York City by maintaining operations for over 135 years, a feat unmatched by most competitors in an industry plagued by high closure rates due to economic pressures and shifting tastes.^[62] Unlike numerous venues that folded during the 1970s fiscal crisis or post-2008 recession—such as smaller East Village clubs displaced by rising rents—Webster Hall's multi-room flexibility allowed it to host diverse programming, from rock shows at its incarnation as The Ritz starting in 1980 to contemporary electronic dance events, sustaining annual attendance rates exceeding 80% for hard-ticket productions in peak years.^[22]^[63] This endurance stems from pragmatic adaptations rather than nostalgia alone; operators pivoted formats to align with prevailing trends, such as converting spaces for scalable events that could "grow artists internally" across lounges like the Marlin Room, avoiding the stagnation that doomed rigid competitors.^[63]^[64] Economically, the venue has generated hundreds of jobs, employing over 200 staff members in operations, security, and production prior to its 2017 renovation, roles that persist under current management by AEG Presents.^[58] These positions, coupled with drawing thousands of patrons weekly for concerts and club nights, bolster local tourism by funneling visitors into surrounding bars, restaurants, and hotels in the East Village, a neighborhood that saw nightlife-related economic activity surge alongside venue revivals in the 2010s.^[65] However, this influx has drawn criticism for exacerbating gentrification; studies on New York rock clubs indicate that anchor venues like Webster Hall contribute to rising property values and displacement of lower-income residents by amplifying foot traffic and commercial demand, though direct causation for Webster remains correlative rather than empirically isolated.^[66] Critics of over-nostalgic preservation argue that Webster Hall's longevity risks prioritizing historic branding over innovation, potentially insulating it from disruptive trends like streaming's erosion of live attendance, yet its post-2019 reopening with modern amenities—such as expanded video screens and improved circulation—demonstrates a causal commitment to viability over sentiment.^[67] In balance, while fostering community authenticity and economic vitality, the venue's scale underscores nightlife's dual role in urban renewal: catalyzing investment that sustains hubs like the East Village against decline, even as it intensifies pressures on affordability.^[64]^[68]

References

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Webster Hall - Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation
Webster Hall was designated a New York City landmark on March 18, 2008.
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Webster Hall was constructed in 1886 to the design of Charles Rentz; a massive seventy by one hundred foot, three-story ballroom and concert hall,.
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[40]
Webster Hall Is Returning With Its Old Grit (and New Bathrooms)
Feb 21, 2019 · Webster Hall, housed in an 1886 building, part of which has been declared a landmark, is a rabbit warren of staircases and anterooms that ...Missing: "load- | Show results with:"load-
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Webster Hall renovations respect the iconic venue's 'amazing history'
May 6, 2019 · Jay-Z kicked off the re-grand opening of the hall on April 26. Upcoming shows include Halsey on Wednesday and Thursday, X Ambassadors on June 20 ...Missing: war 1953
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Jay-Z, Patti Smith & Vampire Weekend Lead Busy First Month for ...
Jul 1, 2019 · Among venues with a sellable capacity of 5,000 or less, Webster Hall ranked No. 13 in May, with a gross of $1.03 million and 29,820 tickets ...
[43]
Webster Hall
If you are using a screen reader and are having problems using this website, please call (888) 226-0076 for assistance. Please note, this number is for ...Shows · Tickets · Contact Us · Rentals & Private Events
[44]
Audience Snapshot: Four Years After Shutdown, a Mixed Recovery
Mar 12, 2024 · Covid brought live performance to a halt. Now the audience for pop concerts and sporting events has roared back, while attendance on ...Missing: Webster 2020s
[45]
The Top 10 Secrets of NYC's Webster Hall - Untapped New York
Feb 17, 2016 · Original owner and commissioner of the building, Charles Goldstein, leased the land from Rutherford Stuyvesant to create a hall that would be a ...Missing: Home | Show results with:Home
[46]
A Raucous Weekend for a Rock Club That's Long Gone
Jul 8, 2012 · During the 1980s the club was a home for even louder, faster, punker-than-punk New York hardcore, with all-ages matinee shows that turned into ...
[47]
Remembering the Ritz - Village Preservation
May 1, 2018 · The Ritz opened on May 1, 1980, and it was one of the first clubs to use video in conjunction with music, utilizing a 30 x 30 foot screen.
[48]
WEBSTER HALL // SINCE 1886 - DVNT CLOTHING
Built in 1886, Webster Hall is an iconic NYC landmark, a venue for political movements, a speakeasy, and now a large concert venue.Missing: founding | Show results with:founding
[49]
Webster Hall Facts for Kids
Jun 16, 2025 · The Early Years: 1886-1940. Webster Hall was built in 1886 by an ... The plan was for the venue to close for about two years for a big update.
[50]
NYC 10.03.25 Paul Oakenfold & The Crystal Method at Webster Hall ...
Sep 28, 2025 · NYC 10.03.25 ⚡ Paul Oakenfold & The Crystal Method at Webster Hall! From trance to breakbeat, this is a sonic journey through the golden era ...
[51]
https://www.ra.co/clubs/4380
[52]
Celebrate Good Times … At Webster Hall - Village Preservation
Oct 7, 2013 · Webster Hall often served as a rallying place for labor through the 20th century. The founding convention of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of ...Missing: interwar period
[53]
See where the labor movement took shape in New York City
Sep 2, 2016 · Webster Hall hosted labor rallies alongside weddings and lectures from the time it was built in 1886, but rose to prominence as a site ...Missing: interwar | Show results with:interwar
[54]
The return of Webster Hall: A tale of debauchery and activism in one ...
Apr 26, 2019 · The East Village nightclub Webster Hall reopens this evening with a concert by Jay-Z after an extensive interior renovation by new owner Barclays/Bowery ...Missing: fraternal | Show results with:fraternal
[55]
Rock 'n' renovation; Webster Hall is set to close for overhaul
Jul 13, 2017 · ... events since its earliest days, and operated as a club through Prohibition. ... illegal gambling schemes · An LIRR train at Far Rockaway in August ...
[56]
Rap Concert Shooting Renews a Racially Charged Debate on Safety
May 30, 2016 · Many concert promoters say a renewed scrutiny is adding to an already fraught relationship among fans, rap artists and law enforcement.
[57]
Kanye West pop-up show turns to chaos ... - New York Daily News
Jun 6, 2016 · The show was canceled, and West left, fans refused to budge, with officers yelling to the massive crowd, “go home, guys, party's over” as people climbed down.
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Webster Hall staff members reflect on the closure of the iconic venue
Aug 11, 2017 · The sale of the legendary Webster Hall to Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment and AEG Presents is a shift in party culture, but for the 200-plus people on payroll ...
[59]
Incident At Webster Hall Forces Crowd Onto Street - CBS New York
Aug 8, 2021 · A crowd at Webster Hall was forced onto the street during a performance overnight. We're told part of a metal railing around the stage might've collapsed.
[60]
NYC venues close temporarily, postpone shows amid coronavirus
Mar 12, 2020 · UPDATE: Mayor de Blasio is ordering all NYC venues and nightclubs closed, to go into effect Tuesday morning (3/17) at 9 AM.
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Webster Hall, 125 East 11th Street - Village Preservation
Application for three new doors at street level within the historic façade to improve ingress and egress, provide accessibility for the disabled.Missing: renovations compliance
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Webster Hall | Boutique Creative Agency NYC - Nimble Reality
Opened in 1886, Webster Hall is America's longest running nightclub and performance venue. It has earned it's “Landmark” status many times over.
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Webster Hall Team Hits The Ground Running - CelebrityAccess
The 53 shows produced by The Webster's in-house team saw hard-ticket attendance of 84%, with another ten shows booked by by Kenny Schachter, the 'electronic' ...Missing: headliners | Show results with:headliners
[64]
Lon Ballinger: Nightlife Insights and Legacy of Webster Hall
Sep 7, 2025 · Lon Ballinger is a nightlife legend who transformed Webster Hall into a must-visit venue, and his legacy emphasizes authenticity, community, ...
[65]
Webster Hall | AEG Worldwide
A legendary music and entertainment venue located in Manhattan's East Village, Webster Hall has operated as a venue since 1886.Missing: creation tourism
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[PDF] Rock Clubs and Gentrification in New York City - IASPM Journal
Abstract. This article offers a new analytical perspective on the relation between rock clubs and gentrification to illuminate broader changes in urbanism ...Missing: effects | Show results with:effects
[67]
2024 Industry Faves: Webster Hall - Event Marketer
Jul 1, 2024 · New features include expanded restrooms, additional stairwells for smoother entry and exit, venue-wide video screens, and the venue's ﬁrst-ever ...
[68]
What's in Webster Hall's Past - and Future? - Village Preservation
Aug 8, 2017 · When the LPC landmarked the building in 2008, they pledged that the grand facade and its enduring cultural legacy will be with us for decades, ...