Inside Signal, Brooklyn's Intimate New Club With a Strict No-Phones Policy

Spread the love

An ambitious new player in New York’s club scene is raising the bar in East Williamsburg.

Signal is an intimate club on Morgan Avenue where everything is designed around one thing: sound. Every element, from the floating wood floor and open skylights to its sculptural walls, was chosen to shape and reflect sound with intention. The result is an immersive audio environment that puts the music first.

Perhaps most striking is the club’s strict no-photos, no-videos policy, which encourages genuine experiences and connection by requiring guests to keep their phones off the dancefloor. With a full venue capacity of 398, the space is built for authentic electronic music lovers who want a club night free of distractions.

“Signal’s no photo/video policy is key to preserving the essence of the experience,” Signal co-founder Nick Spector tells EDM.com. “By eliminating the distraction of phones, it enhances the moment for everyone; both for those who might be tempted to record and for everyone else around them.”

Inside Signal, Brooklyn's Intimate New Club With a Strict No-Phones Policy — Bill Patrick/Signal

The club’s opening arrives during a cultural flashpoint with regard to smartphone usage on dancefloors. A recent study indicated that 55% of music fans focus more on recording performances than enjoying them in the moment, despite 13% admitting they rarely go back to watch the videos they captured.

Clearly Signal isn’t about being seen, but more about being present. In a city where nightlife tends to lean performative, Signal offers a more grounded space built for listening—something NYC nightlife has been missing.

“Picturing a room with 40 phones in the air sounds terrible,” he continues. “This rule also minimizes phone use on the dancefloor. When the option to record is there, you’re always weighing whether to capture the moment instead of just experiencing it.”

Signal also features a full food and beverage program available until 9pm, led by chef Josh Cohen (The Flower Shop, Gem NYC) and mixologist Sean Struss (Little Ways, Beef Bar). The menu includes playful takes on Spanish tapas, specialty cocktails, natural wines and zero-proof cocktails, plus an outdoor garden space for unwinding between sets.

Weekends bring day-to-night programming focused on underground house, techno and disco. The opening weekend featured UK house vet Steve O’Sullivan, followed by recent sets from Dyed Soundorom and Byron The Aquarius. On July 6th, Eli Escobar joins the lineup.

You can purchase tickets for upcoming events at Signal here.