Located at 254 West 54^th Street, what started as a Broadway theatre, later serving as a CBS TV & Radio studio, played home to the most famous discotheque in world history. Serving as the uninhibited party headquarters for Manhattan’s elite, Studio 54 was characterized by its high profile guest list, anything goes atmosphere and ultimately questionable financial practices. The club’s opening on April 26, 1977 was an epic success, drawing in a who’s who of celebrities including Mick Jagger, Brooke Shields, Salvador Dali, Cher, the Trumps, the Hiltons, Liza Minnelli, among many more.Only a month after its grand opening, Studio 54 would see its first encounter with law enforcement as it was raided for improperly serving alcohol without a liquor license. Amounting to little more than a misunderstanding (the club had been using daily caterer’s permits while its license processed when the state chose to deny its license the day of the raid), the incident would foreshadow more serious events to come with Studio 54 often finding itself on the opposite side of state and federal authorities. Read the rest of this entry »