Nightclubs

Studio 54 Las Vegas Details

• Hours of operation:
  Studio 54 is closing Feb. 4, 2012. Tuesday - Saturday, 10 p.m. to the early morning hours.
• Cover price:
  • Front of the line pass, includes admission (Wednesday, Thursday): $30, per night.
  • Front of the line pass, includes admission (Tuesday, Friday, Saturday): $40, per night.
• Payment information:
  Cash, all major credit cards.
• Location:
  Inside the MGM Grand.
• Music:
  Hip-hop, Top 40, house music.
• Resident DJs:
  DJs Eric Forbes, Loczi, Gusto and Scene.
• Clientele/Age Group:
  21 and older.
• Attire:
  No T-shirts, tank tops, baggy jeans, flannel shirts, hats, tennis shoes or work boots. Dress funky not junky.
• Occupancy:
  2022.
• Parking:
  Garage parking and hotel valet.
• Reservations:
  The club can be rented out for private functions for groups of 100 to 2,000.
• Seating:
  Yes.
• Handicapped accessible:
  Yes.
• ATM:
  Outside the club.
• Special events:
  • Tuesday: "Influence," provides a weekly home for the entertainment industry to gather and party.
  • Friday: "DJ Loczi's Electric Dream," a DJ set with aerial dancers, wall climbers, video and more.
  • Feb. 4: Studio 54 closes with LL Cool J.

Studio 54 Las Vegas Review

Everyone has that crazy family member. It may be an eclectic cousin, a hippie aunt or just a kooky uncle with all kinds of over-the-top stories.

Those stories can range from a busted parachute while base jumping in South America or how he once caught a great white shark while marlin fishing. And for a few others it could be some crazy talk about a nightclub in New York full of epic nights that would make Charlie Sheen blush.

That club would be Studio 54. The iconic club has carved out a special spot in the memories of everyone who attended one if its infamous parties.

The party palace was shut down more than 30 years ago, but the spirit of Studio 54 still lives on inside the MGM Grand. It is a near replica of the original, with two stories of action, aerial dancers, nearly naked go-go dancers and enough lighting to rival an arena-sized concert.  

Getting into today's Studio 54 is much easier than the original, which was known to have odd admission standards that left the likes of Frank Sinatra standing outside for hours, while a guy in a "F--- Studio 54," T-shirt was let in. Now, it's as simple as coming dressed properly and paying a cover charge.

Upon entering you might feel inclined to break out your "Saturday Night Fever," outfit because of the club's retro look -- a loft feel, exposed metal beams and black and white photos from the original club -- but aside from the aesthetics, this club is as modern as any.

Studio 54 recently kicked off a new show entitled, "DJ Loczi's Electric Dream," which combines the music samplings of the San Diego-based DJ with a massive LED stage, a live band, along with go-go and aerial dancers.

Once you walk through the foyer, you are greeted by a bar to the right (and the restrooms when you need them later) and a row of VIP booths to the left. In between is the dance floor, which also houses several more VIP booths and the platforms for the go-go dancers.

The sheer size of the club hits you when you see an aerial dancer descending from the sky. There are two levels of revelry, but the ceiling is more than three stories up. The club is 22,000 square feet, which makes it fit nicely between the size of the city's mega-clubs and lounges.

Two stairways are located behind the DJ booth (or outside of the club if you're going straight to your table), which leads to the second floor and mostly VIP booths. There is another bar up here, which is usually the best place to grab a drink when the club is busy.

The second floor also offers a great view of the party. Think of it like the skyboxes at sporting event.

The crowd is a little atypical as far as Vegas nightclubs go. Sure, you'll likely see a crop of beautiful people, but you'll also find an eclectic crowd that includes the tattooed, pierced and, wait…is that your uncle?

Maybe those stories weren't all just talk after all. Just like that kooky uncle, Studio 54 is full of surprises.

-- Review by Justin Lawson