Studio 54 opens doors to everyone while still hosting celebrity-driven events

What wasn’t arguable, though, was how exclusive Studio 54 was back then. While everybody knew about it — People magazine seemed to serve as Studio 54’s de facto company newsletter — the odds of actually stepping through the door were slim for those whose names weren’t Mick, Bianca, Elton or Liza.

Now, jump ahead to whatever pop culture historians will end up calling this first decade of the 21st century, and we of the not-so-famous persuasion are in luck: Studio 54, the place where the A-listers used to play, not only has been reinvented in the more accessible locale of Las Vegas, but it’s open to absolutely everybody.

In Las Vegas, just as in New York City, Studio 54 is a pioneering kind of place. When it opened at the MGM Grand in December 1997, Las Vegas’ Studio 54 was an early harbinger of the Strip’s evolution into mega-nightclub paradise.

The two-story club sprawls over about 22,000 square feet of space, offering a party environment for about 2,000 revelers at a time (some of whom, no doubt, will be found in the upstairs VIP area). The club casts an industrial sort of vibe, and amenities include a mix of modern and classic, even nostalgic, touches as the iconic Studio 54 sign.

Visual excitement is offered up by a cast of live dancers, while aural excitement comes courtesy of a roster of resident and guest DJs working a state-of-the-art sound system. Occasionally, Studio 54 even will mix it up with a schedule of celebrity-driven events.

Best of all, unlike its Manhattan progenitor, Las Vegas’ Studio 54 welcomes everybody, and most especially locals, who are admitted free before midnight.

Studio 54 opens at 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and the party typically runs until 3 or 4 a.m. weekdays and 5 or 6 a.m. weekends. Cover is $20 for men and $10 for ladies on weekdays and $20 for both on weekends. Table reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 891-7279. For general information, call 891-7254.