Studio 54 nightclub was considered one of the world’s most famous nightclubs during the 1970s. The club was located at 254 West 54th Street and became a hotspot for A-list celebrities and party-goers. Whether it was an award show after-party, a record release, a New Year’s Eve celebration, or just a regular club night, the former nightclub (now a nonprofit theater), was the place to be in New York City.
Studio 54 was originally built in 1927 as the Gallo Opera House. After a foreclosure in 1929 during the stock market crash, the building had several owners and eventually became the home to CBS radio and TV programs such as “The Jack Paar Show,” “The Jack Benny Show,” “The Johnny Carson Show” and “Captain Kangaroo.”
By the 1970s the building became the Studio 54 nightclub many people are familiar with. The club opened in 1977 and was owned and operated by entrepreneurs Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager. According to History.com, the two businessmen were college roommates and first launched a chain of steak restaurants. The two eventually went into the nightclub business after the restaurant venture proved to be unsuccessful.
The nightclub quickly became one of New York City’s most famous nightclubs with many A-listers at the time in attendance.
Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Grace Jones, Bianca Jagger, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross Liza Minnelli and other A-listers at the time would be there any given night at Studio 54.
New Year’s Eve party at Studio 54 in 1978
Halston, Bianca Jagger, Jack Haley Jr. and wife Liza Minnelli, Andy Warhol at Studio 54.
Bianca Jagger rides a horse at Studio 54
Bianca Jagger once rode a white horse to her own birthday party in 1977.
Laughing gas at Halloween Party, 1977
In 1977, guests inhaled nitrous oxide (laughing gas) during a Halloween party. According to the photo’s original caption, the laughing gas tanks could “descend from the ceiling” and then “rise again.” What a time.
