What Was Really Happening at Studio 54

Since its inception in 1977, NYC’s Studio 54 grew to become one of the most infamous nightclubs in history. To this day, the stories from behind those walls continue to excite and enthrall. Apart from being located in the Big Apple, the studio constantly housed a list of elite celebrities and global icons from that era. If there is a golden era of disco today, it exists because of Studio 54.

Nowadays, it might have boiled to a regular New York theater. Still, it is difficult to forget the incidents that transpired inside this notorious establishment. Prepare to discover a handful of the most surreal and wildest moments from Studio 54, a nightclub not meant for the “average.”

Opening Night Chaos

Despite Studio 54 being relatively empty when Nikki Haskell and Donald Trump entered it, the place’s vibe shifted drastically throughout the night. It started as a low-key, slow stream of people dancing in a dark bar to a full-of-life party as numerous celebrities graced the occasion.

Thousands of “commoners” found a place inside the club. In contrast, many of Hollywood’s brightest stars could not even cross the bar’s entrance gate. Brooke Shield and Cher made it inside while famous musician Frank Sinatra was left outside the bar, stuck inside his limo, which could not be opened on the crowded street.

Simon Says: Let’s Party

What does this fun kid’s game have anything to do with Studio 54? Interestingly enough, the launch party for this game was organized at the renowned bar in ’78. It is pretty worrying when we think of how a children’s game was introduced at a nightclub where so much R-rated activity goes on daily. Turns out, it worked.

The game’s makers thought that their choice of location was utterly appropriate as the colorful lights and loud music inside reminded them of a disco. They went a bit overboard and placed a big 4′ model of the game straight on top of the dancing customers.

Fall Through

Even though the nightclub was targeted at A-listers of the 1970s, the bar was disintegrating on opening night. Almost an hour before the doors were officially opened, employees were busy establishing back flooring to give the club the craving vibe.

When their first patrons entered through the gates, the interior lights were blinking, and the music was not working. The lights behind the bar turned off completely, pushing the workers to buy candles from neighboring shops to light the place up. When Donald Trump came in, no one could even hear him. All significant locations have their fair share of hiccups, it seems.

A Sea of Glitter

Nobody likes glitter as much as people did in the ’70s. Everything glitzy, glamorous, and gorgeous was the trend – the unspoken standard. Naturally, Studio 54 had to level up their game on one of the biggest nights in the country – New Year’s Eve. But for a place that was always partying, how would the officials ensure an extra special night? Ian Schrager says the answer lies in fine glitter.

On New Year’s Eve, the inside of Studio 54 shone brighter than ever when the owners ordered a whopping 4 tons of glitter to be spread across the floor. Schrager said it felt like dancing on stardust. We all know how stubborn glitter can be to clean. So, even after the wildest night of the year ended, the glitter hung around the place for a couple of months.