As we’ve said, getting inside the doors of Studio 54 was nothing short of a miracle. However, it was about much more than notoriety. Owner Steve Rubell explained that he wanted a mix of guests in his club, which led to his subjective picking and choosing of random patrons that lined up outside the door.
Rubell didn’t care if a normal person mixed with his A-listers, but they had to bring something unique to the table. From certain energy to a festive outfit, any random attribute could be enough to grant you access to the world’s most famous club.
Diane Von Furstenberg Loved Attending Studio 54
Joining the ranks of other A-listers who found a home at Studio 54, Diane Von Furstenberg was a regular at the club. The famous fashion designer enjoyed the freeing environment of Studio 54, where she would often strut around in her latest designs with confidence. Von Furstenberg once told Vanity Fair that she had more fun at Studio 54 than any other nightclub in the world.
That’s quite the glowing recommendation for the short-lived disco. The fashion designer even held her own fashion show at the venue, which was a first for Studio 54. The show, which featured her iconic wrap dresses and other designs, was attended by some of the biggest names in fashion and entertainment.
Ignoring the Haters
The doors to Studio 54 were constantly met with masses of people hoping to get in and see a little bit of the action. But this hotspot wasn't everybody's cup of tea. The wild parties and hedonistic practices that infamously took place there had many people shaking their heads. Schrager recalls facing great backlash and resentment. People pegged the Studio as the poster boy for everything that was wrong with the younger generation, the economy, nightlife, and more.
Apparently, that didn't stop the place from holding more epic parties until the very end. Studio 54 remained a mecca for partygoers until the day it closed its doors. Its reputation as a den of debauchery only fueled the curiosity of those who wished to experience the wild, hedonistic atmosphere for themselves.
Cocktails, Dancing, and Nitrous Tanks
Back in the '70s, people took their partying very seriously. And in Studio 54, people took the concept of partying even further. Below is a group of young party-goers having fun with some laughing gas at a Halloween party in 1978. Ah, the good old days when you could just take a huge tank of nitrous oxide onto the dance floor.
The use of laughing gas at Studio 54 was just one of the many examples of the rampant culture in the disco scene, and despite the dangers, Studio 54 continued to attract a crowd that was looking for a wild and indulgent time.
Steve Rubell Gave Andy Warhol a Trash Can Full of Cash For His Birthday
Despite the club’s shady business practices, the owners could also be very generous. For Andy Warhol’s birthday, Steve Rubell gifted his club regular 5,000 free drink tickets and a trash can full of money. When opened, the silver garbage can revealed $1,000 dollars worth of crisp, new $1 bills. Excited club-goers tipped the trash can over Warhol’s head to celebrate, but he wanted to keep the cash.
He scrambled to pick up the fluttering bills before they disappeared into the busy crowd. Rubell and Schrager also allowed their VIP guests to throw their own private parties in the club's basement, and these secret soirées allowed the owners to continue making money after the club's official closing time.