Starcatcher: A Guide To Surviving New York Nightlife

By Freddie Cosmo

For anyone out there who's interested in the topsy-turvy world of nightclubs I hope this story is both inspiring and cautionary. Nightlife may forever be the land of make believe but (trust me on this one, kids) you'll never be able to run away from who you really are.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Freddie Cosmo
• Release date: Jan 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9798764088860

Book preview

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I think I was 19 or 20, during college, when I promised myself that I would never become two things: I would never be a Residential Advisor on campus and I would never become a club promoter. By 21 years old, obviously, I’d become both. The Universe will ensure that you end up eating your words but you’re the one who gets to decide what they taste like.

And so I have woven in and out of this 14 year journey through ‘clubland’ in both Miami and New York having been a part of every type of party you could possibly think of (and yes I do mean every single type), either as a bartender, coordinator, dancer, host, cocktail server, assistant, intern, DJ, promoter or patron. Hey, a party boy’s gotta make a living.

So first I want to acknowledge myself and my journey. Writing this moment in time has been a reckoning. I’ve had to learn to forgive myself, love myself, care for myself and most importantly as of late, trust myself all while purging a very personal piece of my journey into words and expression. Most of the events in this story I have either lived or witnessed over a decade and a half and until writing this acknowledgement, I never thought I’d be happy to have gone through so much strife.

I want to dig back to the first two South Beach titans I ever worked for who gave a very shy, very wet-behind-the-ears, very nervous young man an internship in 2007: Tommy Pooch and Alan Roth and the whole team at the now defunct Tai Entertainment. From the very first day of working I was enchanted with this industry and it was because of you all: Tommy, Alan, Michelle, Melissa and DJ Danny Stern, the young kid in me will always be in awe.

To my work family at the Stonewall Inn in the West Village, a place that I truly call home, there’s far too many of you to name and you’ve all shown me your unending support, encouragement and confidence. For a boy who moved here looking for a place to be, longing for opportunity and desperate for safety, I give each and every one of you my infinite gratitude.

To DJ Marc Smooth, a true New York nightlife veteran, although our relationship began during a pandemic, I believe that our paths crossing was no accident at all. In the few conversations that we’ve had, you’ve opened my mind and my eyes, you’ve schooled me, you’ve given me chances, you’ve made me proud to be a young Black man in this industry. One day we’ll have our ‘cheers’.

Lastly, the man who two years ago inspired me to bring this story to life in one of our many, very casual conversations: Dr. Kenny Jones. When you’re a kid, you don’t think about how your teachers are investing in you, you’re just living your life. When you’re a young adult you don’t always realize how important it is to invest in your friendships, you assume you’ll be young forever. When you’re starting a career you don’t always understand right away how important it is to draw from the prior two relationships. Dr. Jones, you’ve checked off all of these boxes, the personal and professional work you’ve done, the growth we’ve both had and the joy that we’ve manifested is nothing short of phenomenal.

For anyone out there who’s interested in the topsy-turvy world of nightclubs I hope this story is both inspiring and cautionary. Nightlife may forever be the land of make believe but (trust me on this one, kids) you’ll never be able to run away from who you really are.

Chapter 1 -

How To Get In

Summers were particularly unforgiving in Brooklyn. Steam that massaged the creases of your skin, forcing you to face defeat, the taste of the air that suffocated your senses. An intense sunshine meant to preserve, to nurture, to help him grow only drained him. Forcing the life from him in the middle of the day.

Abe's living situation, a small bedroom inside of what may or may not be an illegal apartment, certainly didn't offer any respite. With temperatures at record highs, a medium-sized fan as his only sense of relief and loud and questionable housemates who he barely knew to begin with - he realized while sweating it out on the subway in his button down shirt and slacks, that even though he’d come so far, sacrificing everything about his very being to move to Brooklyn, he still hadn't found his place. He couldn't just hang out in the shared kitchen all day anyway but was the train platform that much better?

Abe loosened his tie just a touch and looked at his phone again to make sure he knew the exact address. He was still getting used to getting around in the city. He didn't want to miss his stop. More than anything, he was so tired of losing his way.

'Dong dong'.

The subway ride only offered a few moments of relief for Abe. Luckily, Club Kensington was right outside of the train station. Probably why it was so easily accessible for young kids to get to. Even though it was pretty far out from Manhattan or ‘the city’ as it was usually referred to, the super-club - too small for a mega club but too big for a lounge - was a huge attraction for artists, socialites and club kids from all over New York. Kensington welcomed everyone: gay or straight, old or young, rich or poor and everything in between. And Abe hoped desperately that by the end of the afternoon, he would be officially christened as the newest intern to the club's locally famous and formerly 'reality show famous' team. He’d had a lot of great talks with Jenn, one of the managers of the club both through emails and phone calls during the spring. Even though the summer internship was supposed to start a few weeks earlier, he persuaded Jenn to let him start a little late, she was impressed with his sense of professionalism at such a young age.

It was the longest half a block he ever walked. The early summer day seemed to be especially aware of Abe's nerves, beating the sweat from him with every pace closer.

Abe's small frame seemed especially small as he approached Bruce, the bouncer. Why was there a bouncer in the middle of the day?

My name's Abe. He started. I'm the new intern.

ID. Bruce said.

Abe handed him a passport. I lost my license, so I hope this is okay.

Bruce looked Abe in the eyes, mouth closed, with a serious and unwelcoming nod.

Why did Abe feel like he was trying to get into a club instead of going into work? It was already intimidating enough.

Abe moused past the large man and walked through the main entrance into the sweeping, yet dim grand room. Even though he'd looked at pictures on social media and did all the research he could possibly do, it still felt overwhelming.

He was, in his mind, still a kid after all. 23 really wasn't that old. His professional experience was very limited, mainly in the service industry as a busboy. He thought of himself as street smart, but only smart enough to get by. Yet somehow through a random social media exchange, living in some fly-over state for the past 6 years that he'd rather forget about. It was only a few weeks ago that he'd arrived in Brooklyn but in these few seconds of stepping into his favorite place in the trendiest city in the world, Abe felt like he had arrived.

Seconds felt like hours as he took in the unique visuals. An indoor electric garden theme in the main room with colorful 3D flowers, illuminated with LED lights dazzling from the walls. An electric fountain centerpiece that sprouted a mini-light show instead of water.

It was everything Abe had dreamed and it was real. The LED lights may have been off at the moment but the light inside of Abe's heart burned bright.

Oh great, you're here. A familiar voice said from the balcony.

Abe snapped out of his daze immediately, bringing his focus back to the present moment as his heart continued to flutter.

You're in New York now. Abe said softly to himself. This is not the time to be starstruck.

The click clack of fancy high heels descended to meet him. Abe, I'm Jenn, we spoke on the phone. She said, nearly gliding over to meet him.

Yes, nice to meet you. He put his hand out to shake hers -

Come. You need to fill out your paperwork. She said, guiding him to the office.

Abe practically chased her into the office as her high heels continued to command the space. She was just as glamorous as she'd seemed over the phone. We have a huge party tonight so there's not a lot of time and my photographer cancelled last minute, so you’re just going to be working alongside some of the other guys when they get here.

Jenn took a second to look him up and down. Abe noticed the sweat beads again, scattered on his shirt making him look like a nervous dalmation. Not to mention, he was clearly overdressed.

Don't be nervous. Jenn started, calmly. We like you.

The reassurance gave Abe a quick sense of calm and the two paused for a moment.

So, what exactly am I doing here? Abe asked.

Well that depends on you. We're always looking for new help, new things to be done, new ideas... Jenn raised her eyebrows, nonchalantly. There was nothing about nightlife that she hadn't seen before.

Abe stood there, wide-eyed and still a little confused, trying to take it all in. He still wasn't quite sure what she meant. He stood there, patiently waiting for her to explain.

Jenn took one last look at him before turning around. You'll have to find your way.

Chapter 2 -

How To Read The Room

Abe met Dylan and Davey first, the twins (as they were known on the scene.). They were tall, brown-skinned, identical brothers who mirrored each other so well that it was almost creepy. Dylan and Davey never left each other's side even while giving Abe the official tour of the club.

So this is the VIP area, obviously. Dylan started as they looked around upstairs.

You'll probably be doing a bunch of shit in the beginning. Davey chimed in, without missing a beat. Bussing, some admin, street team,

The good thing about working here is that you'll get a taste of everything once you start promoting. Dylan said, while adjusting some of the stools.

Abe simply nodded and tried to follow along. He was familiar with the club of course, but it was nothing like he'd imagined while studying it online. It had a particular smell for starters - clean but somehow wafty. Like there was some leftover stench from the night before. It had a strange calm while no one was there but at the same time it never felt peaceful.

Abe envisioned the celebrities from the blogs who'd taken photos on these very couches. The reality shows that were shot in the very area he was standing.