Studio 54 behind the velvet rope

Getting into Studio 54 in its heyday was a wild and comic gauntlet of desperation, hope, and rejection.

[@Woozler554]

I got in, in April or May of 1978. It was through a friend - that's how you had to do it. I was just graduating from college. There were five of us all together, My friend came up to the ropes, held up five fingers to the doorman you see here at 0:41 (I think his name was Mark), said "Five!", and the guy let the five of us in. I was 21 years old, dressed in a suit (not some polyester junk, but a nice beige one), and told by many in those days I was quite good-looking, which helped, I imagine. I'll you all another little story about this. Walking in was a thrill, but walking out was even a bigger thrill. Why? Because all the people being shut out (like the people in this film) would gawk at you. That's just what happened to me. We left kind of early for Studio - around 4:30 am (The place opened at 11:30 pm and closed around Noon the next day). There were a lot of mirrors in the entry hall, and just as we were leaving, this girl who was with us said "Fix yourself up". I said "Why?". "Just do it" she said. So I combed my thick, styled wavy blonde hair in front of the mirror. As we walked out, I could sense a lot of people looking at me and saying "Who is that??? Is he famous? I think I know him!". So for a second or two, I got to see what it was like being one of the "beautiful people".

[@Pun2404]

I wish there were infinite more footage like this. So cool!

[@eduardofagundes4793]

Who else wants Studio 54 to be reopened?

[@Masshole4life]

It could NEVER be the same

[@kconrad5893]

@@Masshole4life Of course it would never be the same, but I think it would at least be really cool to be inside an exact replica to at least get a taste of what it was like.

[@charliegeraldjr5926]

It's reopened as a theater

[@PinkPanther4958]

@@kconrad5893 We just need a club with mirror lights and decending pole lights with orange/red bulbs and siren lights at the bottom.

[@hardcorehouse]

Wouldn’t be anything like the 1977 to 1980 gem I experienced; they reopened it in the early 80s and it didn’t work then either. By then, it was filled with all the Bridge and Tunnel types who couldn’t get in the front door in the 70s

[@JayneTenn]

"to myself, i'm very famous" lol @2:40

[@beatrizpaez5797]

La más maravillosa música y un lugar espectacular!!! STEVE I LOVE YOU! Un genio junto con Ian...en el cielo bailan Disco!!!!

[@inthemixx65]

Great Video, Never been there but grew up with a brother that just played the hell out Disco and I loved it, around the age of 13 I became interested in becoming a Dee Jay and some day spin @ Studio 54, By the time I perfected my skill, Studio 54 was History, it's to bad because it would have been a great challenge for me to spin once even if it would have been 1 record. Thanks for the memories that could have been. If you happen to have move movies, I would love to see them.. Thanks again.

[@johnpauldeguzman823]

I love how the ladies talk differently back in the 70's

[@BreezesofConey]

I used to go there regularly, Stevie was so adorable and always treated me well.

[@hardcorehouse]

Steve was very cool; both of them understood how to make magic. Schrager still does

[@cisio64123]

Al Corley was a doorman at Studio 54 and can be seen talking at 1:11 . I didn't know he had worked at Studio 54, but recognized him immediately. I searched him to check, and yes it is him before his famous role as the original Steven Carrington on Dynasty.

[@JennaLeigh]

Dang!! Great catch!!

[@BeeBee-jf7ul]

He's the one who let us in.... great times!

[@BreezesofConey]

If you acted desperate they wouldn't let you in. Fortunately I usually went with people who also always got in, too. They didn't want desperate people, they wanted people who thought they were too good.

[@76footballlover]

Lol my mom and aunt were regulars there(they were into the art and fashion scene) she use to say when I came out to her" Honey I always known you were gay, I partied at Studio 54" lol RIP

[@savinggrace9844]

They should do a Studio 54 museum!

[@JennaLeigh]

I've seen you comment on a couple of Studio 54 videos. Sounds like you have some stories!

[@76footballlover]

@@JennaLeigh oh I do, I think I was born in the wrong time. Everytime I see these videos, and think about what went down in there..

[@JennaLeigh]

@@76footballlover I bet you could share some interesting tales! Would you be interested in doing a podcast about it? I am FAR FAR FAR from "famous", but I have a teeny tiny little channel on here and I'm looking to expand. I'm starting a podcast where I interview and chat with people I meet online, people who have unique experiences or stories to share.

[@76footballlover]

@C Hoc she had some too

[@bobhebel4116]

"The Lord doesn't turn anybody away." Indeed, Dorothy! Truer words have never been spoken. Safe passage back to Kansas.

[@TheKelvynator]

if you waited more then two minutes to get in you will never going to get in. You had to leave and come back another night. IF Mark did not see you from when you were getting out of the cab before you got to the crowd you were most likely not getting in. "Just act like you own the place" my brother use to say to me. I had my hair greased slick back and wore dark Fiorucci sunglasses & got in! I was about fifteen! back in long island told my friends i got in; no one cared or believed me!

[@andrewcharles1734]

If you made eye contact with the doorman then you would know. If you didn't gain entrance then ...forget it. Standing there was not going to help. People hated the doorman once they were denied. There were drive by egg throwings.

[@robertogarciajr.8618]

cool story bro..... u lucky u got to experience it.... how much was it to get in!?.... i kind of felt bad for ppl who never got in... but, do tell us more about Studio 54!?

[@Charlie7829]

it's funny how people are putting themselves down to get into a place full of depraved people.

[@lilianebeeckman2901]

Depraved moet ik even opzoeken maar ik kan mij er wel iets bij voorstellen.

[@JennaLeigh]

Those 2 loopy women were having an emotional breakdown over getting into a night club. I don't care who or what is happening in there, nothing is worth all of THAT!!

[@tatavega2217]

I think those two ladies are adorable.

[@samusaran181818]

Those two are so cute! :) I would of let them in!

[@rafafan045]

I love those 2

[@andrewcharles1734]

Bigger than life "Gotham City " clubs are not for everyone. But they sure were for me !! New York has had many many unforgettable clubs but nothing was equal to 54. But then came the Saint.....!

[@jucutan]

That's Steven from Dynasty.

[@JennaLeigh]

5:52 -- really? It's a damn club. Getting into a nightcub is sooooo not worth all of that! Get a bottle of whatever you like to drink, and grab your best friend. Go drink and talk all night.

[@robertogarciajr.8618]

...seriously get a nice bottle, drink n talk the nite away;) i actually felt badd, they werent able to get in, smh...

[@freeyomindandyoasswillfollow]

Fa real. Me and my friends could get a ihop lit. 🔥

[@jamescerne]

Those two women are actresses

[@idonotanswerquestions5110]

This was way before my time but I never had an issue getting in the Limelite, the tunnel, etc

[@MrMagicbymax]

I guess that I was part of the Bridge and Tunnel crowd that they hated...polyester and all. We always had two couples, and always got in. I do remember a line six people thick, the entire length of 54th Street, As you got closer to the door, you were so crushed, you could not raise your arms if you tried. At some point the crowd behind you was pushing forward, and bouncers were pushing back..you were standing, but at a 50 degree angle, you couldn't fall because there was other patrons crushing you from all sides. Like tall grass in a breeze. Years later I met a guy who did the videos, he probably has great stories.

[@RICHIECOQUI]

one of owners Steve Rubell was from Brooklyn and one of the former doorman said if steve didn't own the club he wouldn't be chosen get in !! LOL!!

[@joancollins54]

I went all the time. Never had to wear anything special either. I went there to dance and have fun and that's what I did. I liked STUDIO better than any club ever. There were other great clubs but this one suited me best. As they say be yourself which I was and I did not have to PRETEND to be someone I couldn't be elsewhere... but still enjoyed going to the other clubs.

[@paumiller74]

ken hammond that is wonderful you could be yourself. i was too but moved to Dallas Texas when i was young. my hometown didn't like gay people

[@FrankiexNYC]

Oh, the stories I have!

[@gustavoascencio9855]

fx I'd like to hear your stories

[@zehlua]

TELL US!!!

[@BlueBentley426]

It was so funny when the lady started crying. I hope she's doing ok today.

[@jp32pj24]

LOL this reminds me of the clubs now!! I walkstr8 in and ppl are like oh i'm with him. I look at the line and tell the bouncer ummm I dnt know those ppl.....which I don't!! THAT'S VIP LUV!!

[@agfagaevart]

Fantastic video! It's so good to see something like this, without some stupid commentary tart, just the people who were there telling their stories. Especially these two: 4:16 I would never have got into Studio 54, and probably wouldn't have given a shit, as I know from experience that some small back-street club would've been much more fun.

[@rhymeandreasoning]

Al Corley from DYNASTY fame starting at the 1:12 mark

[@LBJTV]

i dont think id ever have a problem gettin in hehe..steve would love me

[@greatwhiteshark9192]

This place wasn't a patch on paradise garage

[@petercofrancesco1620]

Why Of Course 😊 !

[@andrewwerner2061]

Sad for so many reasons

[@msvideobabi]

i don't know..i got in every time i went there...and then i became friends with mark and always got in..even when steve said no..mark would tell me to wait a few minutes..then after steve went back inside..he'd let me in...lol

[@ItsGonnaBeMay1]

it seems like this is a scripted video of the 2 Kansas City ladies. They just don't seem like everyone else in the video. Like they are faking it.

[@jenlmoss]

Hello: I am currently writing my Master's thesis on Studio 54, and I was wondering if there was a way I could contact you regarding this video, as it seems you had a hand in its creation. Thank you.

[@qdelmoral666]

Did you write it?

[@VRGalaxy_762]

"She's probably no one, but she was real pretty" bahahaha how shallow can people get, my god >.>

[@YadaYada8]

I only went to the one in Vegas? Does that count? 😂

[@francesca1386]

I do...I'm waiting at the door.

[@blackknowledge1638]

Even though House Wife U are Somebody!

[@theoryg]

I think there is a balance needed from now on. I think being selective is crucial for a clubs balance and success as well as to avoid problems and bad PR but with Studio 54 they seemed a little harsh. I think they should have referred their unlucky customers to other clubs with similar feel like Xenon, New York New York and atleast several others. Just because you didnt get into 54 doesnt have to be the whole nights loss. On a lighter note there is tomorrow.

[@CommanderLongJohn]

Lhin Doh Trust me, not getting in literally ruined the night. And I've walked past those velvet ropes well over two dozen times.

[@k33dog]

a lot of people got turned away

[@TheTurk56523]

I was too young to get in. I settled for Teen Discos.

[@Just_Charly]

Is it true, that if you enter once, you can enter any other day. or if you go with someone that did, you are allowed to go inside too?

[@shreve99]

+Chucky No...that is not true at all.

[@southsydesasha7268]

Nope.

[@warrensilverfox]

I would not let those two in either

[@dmarjonsey947]

Yea right Doris Ann and Pegg were religious ... they didn't even have real coffee in their thermos! These ladies were a couple of party animals! LOL

[@manuelrz65]

In LA I used to work for a guy that is on 0:41 Mark,he ran a great club in LA

[@massagetherapies]

Wow club history

[@brymilan]

Is that Patrick Cowley at 5:57-6:00 ?

[@troysierra5228]

They did have reputable guest DJ's all the time! Patrick Cowley was in his heyday around this time! There is some similarities...

[@sicilianmama1000]

WOW,lol amazing

[@CGwithEd]

Really! Stuido 54 was what it was but the GARAGE was the flavor of the day!

[@bostonjs]

Is this real footage?

[@zorbarec]

Real.

[@troysierra5228]

They always had great line up performers for their gay clientele. Lene Lovich, Grace Jones, Debra Harry, ect... It's been said that Disco group 'Chic' came up with the song 'Freak' when they were denied entrance one night!

[@wylier]

Those artists had appeal well beyond gay folks tho.

[@qdelmoral666]

"Let's go back to Kansas city "

[@jasonwhite7452]

Well.... I was a year old so you all had a better chance than me.

[@Masshole4life]

Too bad. You missed out.

[@muchomusiclibre]

Everybody knows the cool people were at CBGB's

[@tillgeraldtgmtmgmarquardtt1400]

BM ein Römer ging über 7 Brücken wie hieß diese Wandermaus

[@1978TVP]

at 01:11 Al Corley (Steven Carrington) what a punk!

[@ChristopherTrott]

personal hygiene was not a standard to get in...

[@BlueBentley426]

Yeah, they were probably FBI plants.

[@bfor42]

Why does everyone want in? I just want out!

[@AntiVaccine2]

see my ids&learn herb as pine,dill,dandelion,cayenne,coriander ETC :D

[@michaelterry1000]

The only time I would have wanted to get into Studio 54 is when they were shooting “What's my Line” there in the 50's & 60's.

[@Pat7629]

Is this real?

[@JennaLeigh]

Sadly yes.

[@melissacarterTS]

lol your thesis is Studio 54, lol, come on please! Hey, stop by Yale I'll be giving my dissertation on crack smoking.

[@tillgeraldtgmtmgmarquardtt1400]

Das Englische Buch ist Kacke

[@MRBurnett]

Now they should not let, you kill the party!