Although severe inflation and a messy stock market made day-to-day life dismal, Studio 54 boasted a carefree environment. The club encouraged its patrons to leave all their worries at the door. When the rich, successful, and beautiful show up to the party, the outside world is temporarily forgotten.
Embracing the opportunity to live that feel-good lifestyle, Grace Jones frequented the dance floor at Studio 54. Unwilling to fade into the background, Jones often arrived in eccentric costumes. She debuted many of her forward-thinking outfits at the disco, ensuring that she lived up to her name as a fashion icon.
A Silent Movie Star and a True Crime Writer Go to a Club...
Clearly, the true-crime writer Capote had a little bit too much to drink that night. However, he does look fabulous with that classy white hat on his face. Taken on June 22, 1978, the photo below features a young Kate Harrington ("Love Story," "Child's Play"), a passed-out Truman Capote, and the legendary silent movie star Gloria Swanson.
Swanson made history for being the silent films' most successful and highest-paid star. And she was still partying hard at age 79! The photo captures a moment in time when Hollywood royalty mingled with New York's elite, and Studio 54 was the epicenter of the disco universe.
Clubgoers Danced On Four Tons of Glitter On New Year’s Eve
Of course, Studio 54 had to step things up on New Year’s Eve. But if you’re the ultimate party destination every other night, how do you ensure that the wildest night of the year is truly special? Accordingly, to Ian Schrager, the secret lies in ample glitter. On New Year’s ever, the club owners brought in four tons of glitter to spread across the dance floor.
Schrager described it as “dancing on stardust.” Although it made for a great night, it also stuck around for quite a few months after New Year’s Eve ended. The memory of Studio 54 and its glittering dance floor still captivates the imagination and serves as a reminder of a time when there were no boundaries and everything was within limits.
The Party Never Dies. Not Even When the IRS Hits
Studio 54 was the epitome of nightlife partying for a few glorious years. When it did close its front doors for good, it wasn't due to lack of popularity, but it would be unfair to say nobody saw it coming. Owners Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager weren't exactly the kind of people who follow the rules or do things by the book. Not only that. But they bragged about it too. A 1978 interview in the Independent literally quoted Rubell saying, "Only the Mafia made more money" the previous year.
The club's success was fueled by the disco era's excesses and its owners' willingness to push the boundaries of what was considered acceptable. Despite its short-lived run, Studio 54 remains a cultural touchstone, a symbol of a time when anything was possible, and the party never seemed to end.
The Club’s Opening Night Quickly Turned to Mayhem
Although Studio 54 was empty when Donald Trump arrived alongside Nikki Haskell, the vibe inside the place changed as the night went on. What started as a slow stream of party people into an unlit bar quickly transformed into a flood of newcomers as more and more celebrities swarmed to the building.
Thousands of people made their way to the club, and some of Hollywood’s biggest stars couldn’t even make it through the door. Cher and Brooke Shields made it inside, but famous singer Frank Sinatra was stuck outside the club, unable to exit his limo on the busy street.