Steve Rubell

American entrepreneur

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July 22, 2026

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Steve Rubell was an American entrepreneur best known as the co-owner of the legendary New York City nightclub Studio 54. Alongside his partner Ian Schrager, Rubell opened the club in 1977. Studio 54 quickly became a mecca for celebrities and the glitterati, defining an era of glamour and excess in the late 1970s disco scene.12

Rubell and Schrager implemented a famously exclusive door policy, creating an aura of desirability around the club. Inside, Studio 54 was known for its elaborate productions, celebrity guests, and a vibrant atmosphere that fostered a sense of democracy on the dance floor, despite the strict entry requirements. The club's notoriety eventually led to legal troubles, and Rubell and Schrager were convicted of tax evasion, resulting in the closure of Studio 54 in 1980. Rubell passed away in 1989.1

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Studio 54
Opening Studio 54
Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell, two Brooklyn denizens who met as students at Syracuse University, opened Studio 54 on April 26, 1977. Schrager had spent a few years practicing law before going into the restaurant business with Rubell, who had started out operating a steakhouse franchise. Both saw…
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Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell, two Brooklyn denizens who met as students at Syracuse University, opened Studio 54 on April 26, 1977. Schrager had spent a few years practicing law before going into the restaurant business with Rubell, who had started out operating a steakhouse franchise. Both saw…
Read More