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The hype -

Studio 54 opened its doors on April 26, 1977, at 254 West 54th Street, Manhattan, New York City. Crowds of people would try to get past the restrictive and selective door policy.

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Street orgy -

Reportedly, on the opening night, a doctor— also queuing up—started distributing Quaaludes (a prescription sedative drug with hypnotic effects) to people waiting to get in.  A few minutes later, strangers started to touch each other sexually. Right in the middle of the street!

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Donald Trump attended the club opening -

Reportedly, Donald and Ivana Trump arrived early at the club and managed to get in. This was even before he built the Trump Tower.

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Door policy -

Doorman Marc Benecke became one of the most powerful figures in the New York nightclub scene. People would try to bribe him to get in at any cost. He got offered everything, from money to sex.

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People would wear all sorts of outfits to try to get in -

Studio 54 was a place where you could wear whatever you wanted, no matter how bizarre it was. You just had to get through the door.

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People would die to get in... literally -

A man tried to sneak into Studio 54 through an air vent and got stuck. He was later found dead.

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Even being famous didn't mean you'd get in -

A few celebs were refused entry at Studio 54. Neil Rodgers and Bernard Edwards—from the disco group Chic—were reportedly refused entry.

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But it was all a misunderstanding -

The disco legends had been invited for a New Year's Eve party by Grace Jones, but the guest list had not been updated. They ended up writing their hit 'Le Freak' as a result.

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Bianca Jagger's birthday bash -

This was perhaps one of the most extravagant events at Studio 54. Pictures of Bianca Jagger riding a horse in the club soon hit the papers and contributed to the club's hype.

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Lady Godivas -

Inspired by Bianca Jagger photos, one Halloween two women took out a US$500 loan to rent a horse, which they rode with no clothes on. The horse was granted entry but the women were not, recalls Drew Barrymore's mother, actress Jaid Barrymore.

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They really had a thing with horses -

What better way to celebrate a visit by Dolly Parton than turning the club into a farm? That's exactly what the club owners did. Horses, donkeys, and chickens included!

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Staff -

According to former employee Scott Taylor, most bartenders at Studio 54 were muscular gay men. This was reportedly because co-owner Steve Rubell was gay.

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Famous staff -

Actor Alec Baldwin worked at Studio 54 for two months as a waiter.

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Every Dj wanted to play there -

Studio 54 had an amazing sound system, a cool horseshoe-shaped DJ booth, and the best party people in the city.

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There were "private areas" -

Grace Jones told Elle magazine that people would get up to all sorts of things in the balcony area and in the "Rubber Room."

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There was a lot of physical touch -

This was the late '70s, before AIDS ruined the party for everyone.

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And there were lots of illegal substances -

Especially cocaine, which was the new kid on the block and freely consumed at the club.

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No booze -

Studio 54 didn't have a permanent liquor license. They'd apply for temporary ones often, but one day this eventually stopped working. So, they put up notices apologizing and people drank juice instead!

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LGBTQ+ -

In a time when members of the LGBTQ+ community had to stay under the radar, they found in Studio 54 a welcoming and inclusive space.

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Star-studded clientele -

Studio 54 was the place to see and be seen. The club was the hottest hang out spot for the coolest celebs.

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Andy Warhol was given US$1,000 in a trash can -

For Andy Warhol's 50th birthday, club co-owner Steve Rubell gave him a silver trash can full of a thousand US$1 bills. And he also threw in 5,000 free drink tickets.

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Andy Warhol on the club's success -

"The key of the success of Studio 54 is that it’s a dictatorship at the door and a democracy on the dance floor," the artist once said that.

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It was all illegal -

Studio 54 was skimming 80% of profits. The club owners were investigated by the IRS and eventually convicted for tax evasion. They even had cocaine sales on the books, listed as "party favors."

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End of an era -

It would all come to an end, but not before they threw one last big party, where Diana Ross and Liza Minnelli performed.

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Regulars -

Pictured: Michael Jackson and Steven Tyler at the club.

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Regulars -

Mick Jagger was a regular at Studio 54.

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Regulars -

Sylvester and Sasha Stallone are seen here at Studio 54.

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Regulars -

Brooke Shields and Mariel Hemingway liked to party at Studio 54.

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Mark Fleischman -

Mark Fleischman, former owner of the legendary space, has chosen to end his life after an eight-year battle with an undiagnosable neurological disease. Fleischman took over Studio 54 in 1978 after the two original owners were arrested for tax evasion, although the club closed its doors for good in 1986. Fleischman began to develop symptoms of his illness in 2016, including reduced motor skills and difficulty speaking, which grew worse as time went on. No doctors were able to give a name to the disease, but his condition worsened to the point that he was unable to walk or do anything for himself. He made the choice to end his suffering and flew to Switzerland to proceed with an assisted suicide with the help of the non-profit organization Dignitas. He informed the media of his decision in advance, telling the New York Post, "I am taking a gentle way out. It is the easiest way out for me."

He reportedly ended his life on July 13 2022, at the age of 82, by taking a lethal dose of barbiturates under the care of medical professionals. 

See also: The wildest parties in history

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