Photo by Mantas Hesthaven
This article is based on initial reporting from EDM.com
A new chapter in New York City nightlife is unfolding in East Williamsburg, where Signal, a deliberately intimate club, is making a case for intentional design and distraction-free dancing.
Located on Morgan Avenue, Signal holds a firm stance on what matters: sound and connection. The venue, capped at 398 guests, has been meticulously crafted to serve as an immersive listening environment. From its floating wood floors and architectural skylights to sculptural walls designed to shape and reflect acoustics, every detail is engineered around sonic clarity and physical presence.
At the heart of Signal’s philosophy is a strict no-phones policy. The rule is central to the club’s identity, requiring guests to disengage from their screens and focus on the music and those around them.
“Signal’s no photo/video policy is key to preserving the essence of the experience,” explains co-founder Nick Spector. “By eliminating the distraction of phones, it enhances the moment for everyone—both for those tempted to record and for everyone else around them.”
“Picturing a room with 40 phones in the air sounds terrible,” Spector added. “When the option to record is there, you’re always weighing whether to capture the moment instead of just experiencing it.”
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Complementing the auditory experience is a robust food and beverage program. An outdoor garden space rounds out the venue, giving guests room to recharge between sets.
Programming at Signal reflects its underground ethos, focusing on house, techno, and disco. Its opening weekend featured UK deep house veteran Steve O’Sullivan, with follow-up performances from Dyed Soundorom and Byron The Aquarius. On July 6th, NYC favorite Eli Escobar will take the decks.
The venue’s stance, while not entirely novel, arrives at a crucial cultural moment. A 2024 study revealed that over half of music fans focus more on filming performances than enjoying them live, with only 13% returning to view those videos. Signal is offering an antidote to our dwindling ability to be in the moment.