Studio 54

Studio 54 was a New York City discotheque that opened on April 26, 1977, at 254 West 54th Street. Founded by Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell, it became one of the most famous nightclubs in the world, known for its celebrity guest lists, selective door policy, extravagant events, and openly hedonistic atmosphere. It was a mecca of the disco era, a genre with deep roots in Black, Latino, and gay communities, and it offered a rare space where queer patrons could gather at a time when LGBTQ+ social life was heavily policed. The club closed in 1980 after its owners were convicted of tax evasion. The space was later renovated and now operates as a Broadway theater.