Webster Hall: A Nightlife Icon in NYC
Walking through the East Village, making your way to 11th Street, a classic marquee with bright red letters catches your eye. The words Webster Hall spark curiosity, so you look up who is playing a concert or what DJ is hosting a Lana Del Rey dance party next week. This is the spot to spend your night, just open the doors and find out.
Formerly known as The Ritz, this iconic music hall has been open since 1886, and still in 2024, it pulls a crowd almost every night of the week. Rising to popularity in the 1910s-1920s, the hall in the 19th century was used for union rallies and other political statements, then turned to the gay and lesbian communities who hosted masquerade balls and drag balls. In current days, the stage is graced with bands old and new, DJs, and singers who are new to the scene. The energy is contagious inside, and the team knows exactly how to pull in a crowd.
Today at the music hall, artists such as Cold War Kids, The Kills, Kacey Musgraves, Alicia Keys, and Briston Maroney have recently graced the stage. Coming up in the next few months, parties hosted by DJs will include an Emo Night as well as a Justin Bieber dance party. The realm of possibilities is an endless chasm ready to fill to multi-floor venue essesed with a disco ball. It is a spot that will be a good fit for anyone who wants to try it on any night in New York City.
The recent shows of The Kills and Cold War Kids were performances to remember with the electric crowd that was entranced by the music cascading over the heads of over 1,000 people. The Kills, a band originating in 2002 with an EP titled “Black Rooster” has made an impact on this space with two nights of sold-out shows. “God Games,” their album released in 2023 was the sound of the space. Two performers on stage, and they put the audience in a trance. The Cold War Kids also returned to the Webster Hall stage in February just one day after with two packed shows that were reminiscent of the days when their top hits like “Hang Me Out to Dry” released in 2007, which has remained popular as well as becoming one of the most recognizable intros in music. Not to mention the presence of the title in the hit movie Saltburn, which lead singer Nathan Willett mentioned proudly yet sarcastically to the crowd. The show was a wonder to anyone watching the band who have been performing together since 2004. The chemistry was sending electric waves through the crowd.
It is a crazy dichotomy to think that in 1980, Scott Ian, lead guitarist of Anthrax noted, while also stating how people loved it and couldn’t help but let loose. Though now it has a better reputation of being a cool spot, it still is a perfect place where people can feel the energy of an empowered community of music lovers and partygoers. After closing its doors in 2017 for renovations after years of good nights, Brooklyn’s own Jay-Z was the artist to open the doors again with a sold-out show to celebrate the occasion. The contagious spirit of this music hall has left its mark on NYC and every performer and audience member who has passed through the doors.
With mainly affordable tickets, and shows along with DJ sets popping up all the time, this is the spot to spend your nights. There is a strong community built within the walls and while navigating the many floors, you can feel the excitement seeping out of the walls and through the creaky floorboards. Take a walk along 11th Street, and see for yourself.
