Webster Hall   

Webster Hall has more rooms than a funhouse, and a different groove happening in each of them. Decorated with thrift shop detritus -- marionettes, maritime junk, velvet paintings -- the place wears its history on its walls. Yet there's far more than meets the eye here. Built in 1863, Webster Hall counted among its early patrons playwright Eugene O'Neill (who outed himself here) and politico Teddy Roosevelt (who didn't). In the '20s it was the speakeasy of all speakeasies -- left to exist by the nod of the police, who had a secret station in the basement and tapped the wires in order to monitor the activity of Al Capone and other regulars. In the '40s it was an RCA studio, and the site of the first-ever stereophonic recording. The years since have seen a litany of big concerts, along with such debauch events as the Imperial Orgy, the American Go-Go Girl Championships, and the Clinton inauguration. But first and foremost, Webster Hall is the quintessential big nightclub experience, complete with glow sticks, a gift shop and a range of pricey drinks. -- Dan Glass