The legendary Studio 54 in New York City was more than just a nightclub in the late 70s. It was a cultural phenomenon that only happens once in a lifetime. Brooklynites Ian Schrager & Steve Rubell created a totally fantasy venue that drew people from every walk of life. In its relatively short 33-month span, the hallowed walls of “54” drew celebrities from every corner of the globe. It was the place to see and be seen.
Schrager and Rubell met while in college at Syracuse University through their fraternity. The two were total opposites personality-wise. Schrager was a studious self-proclaimed introvert, and the very outgoing Rubell was definitely an extrovert. What started off as a friendship and then a lawyer-client relationship after graduation, quickly turned into a business partnership when they decided to do a nightclub together.
Schrager got the bug first, sensing that there was a big opportunity for a successful nightclub if done right. Rubell didn’t need much...