Webster Hall, New York City

It is probably very likely that in 1886 when the architect Charles Rentz built his building on E. 11th St that he couldn't have imagined that names as legendary as Tito Puente, Woody Guthrie, Julie Andrews, Harry Belafonte, Elvis Presley, and Frank Sinatra; names as evocative as Madonna, Mick Jagger, Bill Clinton, Tina Turner, Prince, Usher, and Alicia Keys; folks as talented as Bobby Flay, Massaharu Morimoto, John Mayer, Eric Clapton, and Sting could have all shared the same space. But it is a fact that Webster Hall at one time or another in its history has played host to all of these artists and personalities. It is also a fact that Webster Hall, with more than 120 years of history at its tail, has become a landmark building in New York City. It is also true that Webster Hall continues to bring in talented artists and performers all the while.

Webster Hall quickly became the United States first modern nightclub. It struggled for definition at the outset as the nightclub phenomenon was brand-new in this country and everybody wanted a turn at the bully pulpit. So it was not at all unusual for there to be political rallies one night and black-tie dinners the next.

Webster Hall was also a location where people would be able to go and escape the terrors of prohibition. During this dicey age in our country's history it was rumored that Webster Hall was owned at part or in whole by reputed mobster Al Capone.

However for most fans of Webster Hall it has always been about the music. There have been so many talented musical acts which have come through Webster Hall in its history that is tough to be able to quantify them all. The truth is that many of the best musicians we currently know and love actually got their start at Webster Hall or had a big breakthrough moments there early on in their career. It is also true that many musical icons triumphantly return to Webster Hall later on in their career to show their appreciation to their early fans.

The Webster Hall of today is much more known for its edgy, forward leaning tone. This is reflected in the artists who have played their recently such as Joss Stone, Linkin Park, Good Charlotte, The Hives, Modest Mouse, and Dispatch among many others. Webster Hall also often plays host to other local area events such as the Tribeca film Festival as it did in 2008.