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Whether you’ve heard the stories, seen the movie, or even been there in person, the original Studio 54 has carried with it a reputation that no other club in history has. Known as the ultimate party spot for disco lovers in the 1970’s and early ‘80’s, the original Studio 54 was the place to be. Although things may have changed a little bit since then, the Studio 54 in Las Vegas has tried to keep the nostalgia and original all-night party atmosphere that the original club was famous for so many years ago. What happened at the original club? It might be an easier question to ask—what didn’t happen at the original Studio 54?
Studio 54 in New York was originally an opera house in 1927. The venue was later purchased by CBS and used as a recording studio titled Studio 52. From the 1950’s to the 1970’s the studio was home to famous shows such as The $64,000 Question, Captain Kangaroo, and The Johnny Carson Show. In 1976, CBS lost interest in the space and moved many of the shows to another studio that they had purchased around the corner. The space was then purchased by three owners Steven Rubell, Ian Schrager, and Jack Dushey. The disco was renamed to Studio 54 because the address was 254 West 54th street, which they thought would make it easier to remember for patrons. The opening of the club was advertised as "the biggest party to hit New York City in years." On opening night celebrities like Mick Jagger, Liza Minelli, Jerry Hall, Brooke Shields, Robin Leech, and Donald and Ivana Trump were all in attendance. The club was so crowded in fact that Warren Beaty, Cher, and Frank Sinatra were turned away at the door. After that night, the phenomenon had begun. Studio 54 was THE club to see and be seen at for every celebrity in town. Although there are some wild clubs almost everywhere across the country these days, for it’s time, Studio 54 was revolutionary and known for the wild and crazy antics that took place including nudity, sexuality, and drug use. In fact, the original club even had a photograph on the dance floor that included the Man on the Moon snorting cocaine. The club was closed down in 1978 when the owners were accused of pocketing money and knowingly allowing illegal activities to take place inside the establishment. The club was re-opened under new management in 1989 until it closed its doors for good in 1995 and became the home of the long-running Broadway musical Cabaret.
However, the public just couldn’t let it go and the club was moved to the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in 1997 with much of its original equipment and is almost an exact replica of the original club. The picture of the Man on the Moon is still displayed at the Las Vegas version. However, the man and the cocaine spoon are never displayed at the same time, which only alludes to drug use instead of making it obvious. The club even has aerial dancers, a disco ball, and many pictures and memorabilia from the original club.
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