Say Sayonara to Studio 54 This Weekend

After Feb. 5, the longest running nightclub in a casino shutters its doors to make way for the new Hakkasan at MGM Grand. Studio 54 sends along some of its memories through its 14-year tenure on the Strip under the moon.

Studio 54 opened as the first megaclub in Las Vegas in 1997 and launched the nightlife trend in Sin City. The club used to be a favorite among celebrities and pays tribute to its New York City namesake with original memorabilia including the hanging moon overseeing the dance floor.

The closing bash starts Saturday, Feb. 4, with LL Cool J hosting until the last line of coke is snorted. Several of Studio 54’s favorite deejays from past and present are scheduled to spin including DJ Frankie, DJ ROB, DJ Joey D, DJ Lisa Pittman and DJ Z-Trip.

As the longest-running nightclub in Sin City, Studio 54 created magical memories for Las Vegas locals and visitors that will remain long after the venue closes:

Changing Las Vegas. Studio 54 opened in December 1997 and was the first dedicated nightclub in a casino on the Strip.

Grand Opening Benefit. To celebrate its launch in Las Vegas, Studio 54 threw a grand opening party to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation with a private performance by Elton John Feb. 15, 1998. The event raised more than $1 million for the charity with dozens of celebrity guests in attendance including “I Will Survive” singer Gloria Gaynor.

Let Music Reign. Known for pushing the envelope with the ever-changing music scene, Studio 54 hosted many intimate concerts during its tenure including performances by Steven Tyler, Bruce Willis and the Accelerators, Vanilla Ice, LL Cool J and Snoop Dogg, among others.

Party Like It’s 1999. The artist formerly known as Prince personally picked Studio 54 to usher in 1999 with a New Year’s Eve performance of his celebrated anthem, “1999,” which Rolling Stone named as one of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”

Billboard Music Awards. Dozens of celebrities walked the Studio 54 halls when the club hosted the Billboard Music Awards’ pre-parties in the early 2000s including *NSYNC, Lee Ann Womack, Moby, Ashanti, Nelly, Bernie Mac, Shaggy and many more.

Got the Fever. Studio 54 played host to ABC Family’s dance competition show "Dance Fever," which filmed at the venue in 2003. Carmen Electra, Grammy Award-winner MC Hammer and choreographer Jamie King judged the show.

54 BELOW. Studio 54 threw a winter-themed ball “54 BELOW” to celebrate its 10-year anniversary. Hosted by longtime supporter Oscar De La Hoya, the list of celebrity attendees included Tyrese, Kid Rock, Will Ferrell, Bernard Hopkins, “Sugar” Shane Mosley, UFC president Dana White, Lennox Lewis, Juan Manuel Marquez, Bernard Hopkins, Andre Berto and Derrek Leon Lee, among others.

Legendary Birthdays. Studio 54 hosted Hugh Hefner’s 75th birthday celebration March 2, 2001, with his seven girlfriends. Vanilla Ice celebrated his birthday during Studio 54’s 13th Annual Nightmare on 54th Street Oct. 29, 2010. Avril Lavigne, Bam Margera, Nina Dobrev and Bow Wow also hosted birthday celebrations at the nightclub.

Let’s Go to the Movies. John Travolta hosted the Battlefield Earth movie premiere at the venue May 11, 2000. While at Studio 54, the star took a photo with his picture from the original Studio 54 in New York City that hangs on the wall at the Vegas nightclub. In 1998, Studio 54 hosted the premier for Studio 54 the movie starring Ryan Phillippe and Salma Hayek.

Trendsetters. Studio 54 was the first club to employ aerialists, which quickly became a highlight of the experience throughout the years.

Nights at 54. The iconic venue launched many popular industry nights and recurring experiences including EDEN (Erotically Delicious Entertainers’ Night), Influence, Dollhouse, Play, Freak Show with DJ Skribble and DJ Loczi’s Electric Dream.

Queen of Screams. Studio 54 became synonymous with Halloween after hosting 14 annual Nightmare on 54th Street events over the holiday weekend.

To Thee, I Wed. George Lucas’ daughter Amanda celebrated her wedding at Studio 54 on Aug. 21, 2010, with a private party.  

Celebrities, celebrities and more celebrities. The long list of celebrities who have partied at Studio 54 includes David Beckham, Elton John, Prince, Carmen Electra, Steven Tyler, Wilmer Valderrama, Kid Rock, Bridget Marquardt, Bow Wow, Will Ferrell, Common, Tyrese, Oscar De La Hoya, Chuck Liddell, LL Cool J, Flavor Flav, Pamela Anderson, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Tara Reid, Jenni “JWoww” Farley, Wanderlei Silva, Bubba Sparxxx, David Hasselhoff, Christian Audigier, Vanilla Ice, Hugh Hefner, Snoop Dogg, Bruce Willis and John Travolta, among others.

· All Coverage of Studio 54 [~ELV~]