In an interview with “Business Insider,” the former disco co-owner Ian Schrager said that establishing another club in the spirit of Studio 54 would be much harder than it initially was. One reason for that is that it would be significantly more expensive. When he had his first steps into the nightlife world, Schrager started his first nightclub with an initial capital of $27,000. To open Studio 54 cost him $400,000.
To his estimate, opening a nightclub today would require at least a million-dollar investment. Schrager also notes that the nightclub industry has evolved and changed drastically over the years. Social media has made it easier for people to create their own buzz, and the competition is much steeper than it was in the ’70s.
The Iconic '60s Drag Queens — Hibiscus and Angel Jack
It is known that Studio 54 was a safe haven for trans people, who were often spotted at the club. But the photo below is not of any trans partygoers; these are legendary drag queens Angel Jack and Hibiscus. For those that didn't live through the '60s or '70s, Hibiscus was one of the famous founders of the iconic avant-garde, psychedelic theater group, The Cockettes. The group lived in a commune in the famous Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco.
Angel Jack was a known member of Hibiscus's other theater group, called The Angels of Light. They were insanely creative and very well-known in 1970's California. Angel Jack also gave regular performances at Studio 54. The happy drag queens are seen above in glamorous feathered and sequined costumes, at the re-opening party of the club, on September 15, 1981.
Funny Girl's Night Out
Even Yentl attended Studio 54! Wearing a beautiful '70s fur coat and her trademark curly hair is the legendary Barbra Streisand. The man beside her is Jon Peters, an American film producer that worked on some of the most famous movies of the '80s and '90s, including "Rain Man," "The Color Purple," "Flashdance," and countless more. The smiling friends were photographed entering the nightclub back in 1977. What a time!
It's not just singers and actors who visited Studio 54, even politicians made their way to the iconic club. The former first lady of the United States, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, was reportedly seen at the club alongside her son, John F. Kennedy Jr.
Bianca Jagger Rode a Live Horse Into the Club
As if debauchery and dancing weren’t enough, Studio 54 always managed to take things one step further. In order to get into the club, the bouncer would determine if you were worthy of entry based on your wardrobe and overall vibe. While many people were turned away, one four-legged patron was often allowed inside: a live horse.
Pictures from Studio 54 show Bianca Jagger, the then-wife of Mick Jagger, straddling a stunning white beast in her nightclub attire. There’s not much to say about that interesting snapshot except that the lady certainly knows how to make a grand entrance.
Diana Ross Often Took Over the DJ Booth
A huge fan of the loose environment in Studio 54, Diana Ross was a frequent patron of the club. Though she often made her way to the DJ booth, she could also be found tearing it up on the dance floor and belting out the lyrics to her favorite tunes. Before the club closed for good, Diana Ross attended the final party.
She serenaded the club owners one last time and fully embraced the carefree energy that was almost palpable within Studio 54. She was seen dancing the night away and soaking up the last moments of the carefree atmosphere that made the place so iconic.