Bre Lembitz

For many, 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 at the venue, it is the end of a home away from home. Grown over decades, a community fondly referred to as the “WebsterFam” has become an indispensable part of many of the lives of the staff who work there. Many grew up within the walls of Webster Hall, attending club nights and concerts before they worked there. The guards and dancers have stories of sneaking in before they were 21, “Something I would never let pass now” grinned one guard as he showed off a collection of fake IDs. There were IDs from all over the world. Fanning them out like playing cards, he pulled one off the top. “This is by far the worst I got tonight. It’s legit just a piece of paper.” LaToya McKee, a long time security guard at Webster, grew up coming to concerts and club nights at Webster Hall. “It’s not a revolving door here.” she says, “Once you’re in, you’re in. I’ve always said I’m going to die here in these walls.” In the fast turnover era of the service industry in NYC, having a staff that has stuck around for so long is truly an accomplishment. One that is due in large part to the leadership of Gerard McNamee and Jon Santiago. “I like to hire the misfits; the freaks, the people who need a job but can’t really seem to fit themselves in anywhere else.” said McNamee on Saturday night. “It’s a privilege this position has given me.”