WEBSTER HALL // SINCE 1886

August 20, 2024

Webster Hall is known today as an event venue that's seen its fair share of big nights. Built in 1886 and still going strong the Webster has become an iconic New York City landmark. With a long and colourful history that has ingrained itself into the NYC night life scene its easy to understand why! Buckle-in for a brief summary of the fascinating history of this world-famous building!

1886
The building was commissioned by Polish-born cigar maker Charles Goldstein and designed by architect Charles Rentz.

1910
Throughout this era Webster Hall was an epicentre for left-leaning social and political movements, driven by the growing socialist mindset of the immigrant and working-class populations in the city. Labor rallies, Anarchist meetings and radical political events took place regularly at Webster Hall during this time.

1920
By the 1920's, the politically charged nature of events at Webster Hall gave way to outlandish masquerade balls. These hedonistic parties took inspiration from the bacchanals of Paris and were given names like "Pagan Romps" and "Art Model Frolicks".

With the onset of prohibition, one would imagine that the masquerade balls and soirees would run dry. The opposite proved to be true however: Webster Hall transformed into a speakeasy - the legends of it’s parties continuing to grow even as liquor consumption was driven underground.

1930
The eventual repeal of Prohibition was cause for one of Webster Hall's most famous and outlandish celebrations – a large ball called The Return of John Barleycorn, thrown on New Year's Eve.

1949
A massive blaze caused by a lit cigarette burned for 2 days, destroying the original roof and most of the interior of Webster Hall.

1950
The onset of The Great Depression and WWII brought an end to the lavish parties, but Webster Hall continued as a venue for emerging Latin artists like Tito Puente and Tito Rodriguez.

1953
The building was purchased by RCA Records and rebuilt in full art deco fashion. Equipped with a state-of-the-art acoustically treated ballroom, Webster Hall became RCA’s East Coast recording studio. Full orchestras were recorded live from the stage, and stereophonic recording technology was largely invented in these studios in the subsequent years.

1980
Webster Hall reemerged on May 1, 1980 as The Ritz nightclub, which would go on to become the leading rock venue in New York City throughout the early and mid 80’s.

1989  

In 1989 the Ballinger Brothers, nightclub and venue operators from Toronto Canada, took control of the premises. With a full building-wide makeover and a return to the original name and in Webster Hall was again reborn as New York City’s largest nightclub and concert venue on October 2nd 1992.

2000
Maintaining it's world-famous weekend parties, Webster Hall reinvented itself once again by introducing live concert programming to it's calendar in 2004. Webster Hall currently hosts performances by the greatest musical artists on the planet seven days a week.

2007
Webster Hall was accepted as a New York City landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Today, Webster Hall remains at the forefront of NYC nightlife with unforgettable events featuring world-famous DJs, breathtaking aerial acts and non-stop energy. From here, the sky is the limit for this landmarked New York City institution.

 RE-POST FROM: https://websterhallhistory.com/

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