Studio 54

The Story

This building opened in 1927 as the Gallo Opera House and, after serving various purposes, including a CBS television studio, it became New York's most legendary discotheque on April 26, 1977. Andy Warhol, Liza Minnelli, and Bianca Jagger were regulars during the disco's golden era, when the club became synonymous with excess and glamour. After reopening under new management in the 80s, it hosted emerging artists like Culture Club, Duran Duran, Wham!, and Madonna, who performed regularly until the wee hours of the morning. Decades later, in the building's basement, now known as 54 Below, Madonna recorded some vocals for the Erotica album. Since 1998, the space has served as the theater for the Roundabout Theatre Company, retaining the name Studio 54, but no longer operating as a nightclub.

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