Webster Hall: 1886-1938 (iv)

Now that we know a little background information on the history and rise of electronic music in the U.S., let’s focus on one of the most iconic nightclubs/concert halls in NYC, Webster Hall. Webster Hall was first erected in 1886 built by Charles Rentz and designed to Queen Anne style along with a mansard style roof. Ever since the hall was built it has alway been considered a “hall for hire” ready to host any sort of social event, formal or casual, big or small. For the first ten to fifteen year (1886-1911) of the existence of Webster Hall, it hosted all sorts of events like, labor union rallies, weddings, lectures, dances, military functions, concerts, fundraisers and other events all specifically geared towards the working class of the Lower East Side of Manhattan at the time. Despite the fact that Webster Hall also hosted many high-class events and parties catering to the “uptowners” at the time, it quickly gained an anarchist, socialist image from all the labor union rallies and other rowdy events that were hosted there. As the city moved further into the Twentieth Century, Webster Hall’s image moved along with it. By the 1920’s Webster was a popular spot for masquerade balls and other soirees reflecting the hedonism of the city’s Bohemians. Nicknamed “The Devil’s Playhouse” by the socialist magazine “The Masses” for its association with more risque and scandalous events that went on at Webster Hall. Artists and  like, Marcel Duchamp, Man Ray, Francis Picabia, Scott Fitzgerald and Bob Brown were all regularly attending and performing at Webster Hall parties around this time. As the 1920’s got more roarin’ and rompin’, along came prohibition which would make one think that partying decreased greatly in NYC. However, these laws didn’t stop the patrons of Webster Hall from continuing to have a great time, with police and law officials turning a blind eye to these activities at Webster, people carried on as if nothing changed. At a certain point in time Webster Hall was rumored to be own by the notorious mobster Al Capone. Once prohibition ended one of Webster Hall’s biggest parties was thrown known as “The Return of John Barleycorn”.