Pete Davidson Halts Performance After Catching Venue Staff Filming; Claims He Spends $10K to Enforce Phone Restrictions

During his comedy show at City Winery in New York City on Thursday, November 2, Pete Davidson, who enforces a strict "no phones" rule, didn't hesitate to confront a venue staff member who was caught using their phone.

From his stage position, Davidson halted his performance to acknowledge the staff member recording and bellowed, "F—k you," as reported by an eyewitness.

Following this, the former Saturday Night Live cast member instructed his security guard to escort the individual out of the venue. Davidson asserted that he typically pays a hefty sum of $10,000 to ensure attendees refrain from using their phones, before proceeding with his planned set. No further attention was given to this incident for the duration of the performance. (Similar to many other comedians, Davidson has embraced a phone-free atmosphere at his live shows, necessitating audience members to secure their devices in sealed Yondr pouches.)

City Winery revealed on Tuesday, October 31, that Davidson would be showcasing his acclaimed comedy series "Pete Davidson & Friends" at their venue on Thursday. Due to overwhelming demand, a second showing was scheduled for 10:30 p.m.

Throughout the performance, Davidson captivated the audience with captivating anecdotes, delving into his personal journey of triumphs and tribulations. From his battle with addiction to amusing tales of attempting to find a suitable partner for his mother, Amy Davidson, he even light-heartedly mentioned his quest for positive media coverage following his car accident.

Pete Davidson Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Pete and his then-girlfriend Chase Sui Wonders made headlines in March after being involved in a car accident in a residential area of Beverly Hills. Pete lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the side of a house. Following the incident, the couple decided to end their relationship five months later.

The Los Angeles District Attorney's office expressed their belief that Pete engaged in reckless driving, leading to the serious collision with the house. Fortunately, no one sustained severe injuries as a result of the accident. The office also highlighted the devastating consequences of reckless driving, citing the record-high number of traffic fatalities in Los Angeles in 2022, which have reached levels not seen in the past 20 years.

In June, it was confirmed by the US that Pete had been charged with a misdemeanor count of reckless driving. He was subsequently sentenced to 50 hours of community service and 12 hours of traffic school.

During a recent revelation on Thursday, Pete disclosed that this incident marked his first time being sober in almost 15 years. In a light-hearted manner, he jokingly mentioned that he is now open to volunteering for Make-A-Wish requests to obtain positive publicity, especially after crashing into a house.

We has reached out to City Winery for comment.