You can't work the door at a nightclub without personality—you have to be charmingly unapproachable, or perhaps bold and fearlessly critical. Or just a total bitch.
Harriet Halloway is a native New Yorker who came up through the club scene and blossomed into a raunchy, modern-day Mae West -- between working the door or performing at burlesque shows, she is a pro at working a crowd, haters or celebrators.
Backed by years of experience from working parties at the Hole and Opaline -- a career she began well under the drinking age back in the late 90s -- her self-deprecating monologues are constantly a big hit with audiences, and like many funny women of our time (Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler), she found an audience with the gays. Our interview took place at Coffeeshop in Union Square. Upon entering, she took a look at a tall, handsome blond guy sitting with a young woman and said "We can't sit inside, I fucked that guy."
You grew up on the Upper East Side; how did you get started in nightlife?
I was young, I was 16, I was taken out with a fake ID by a friend who is of the homosexual persuasion. I met all of these crazy people and I guess they fell in love with me?
So you're personable then?
Yeah, I guess that's a nice way of saying that I'm a slut. I'm gregarious!
What was the your first hosting gig?
Do you remember the Hole? Where the Cock is now? I used to host a party with DJ Corey Tut and it was called Big Gulp -- $10 all you can drink, all night! There were kids from NYU, it was a cool party since it was a lot of gay guys and straight girls -- mixed because everyone wants to get drunk for 10 bucks.
So when was this? You were 16 years old for this?
It was about 10 years ago -- I was a baby! I lied and told them I went to FIT.
What does a hostess do? And how did being one change your life?
They get paid to get wasted and wear really fancy outfits... really! What's crazy is that people always see you out and the crazier you are, the more people will pay to see it.
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