9 photos capturing the essence of New York's disco era

The work of photographer Bill Bernstein is currently on display at the Museum of Sex in New York City, offering a glimpse of the debauchery that took place during the disco era.

The exhibition, dubbed Night Fever: New York Disco 1977–1979, The Bill Bernstein Photographs, features 40 photographs taken at iconic venues during the late 70s, including Studio 54, Paradise Garage, Electric Circus, GG’s Barnum Room, Le Clique, Xenon, Ice Palace, Crisco Disco, The Fun House, and Hurrah.

On the disco era, Bernstein expresses how it was simply a pleasure to be surrounded by an atmosphere of inclusivity.

"I am just happy that I was there, in the late 1970s, with my camera, to document this amazing time of acceptance and celebration of individuality. It was a 'sneak- peak' at a world of inclusion that we are just beginning to see in our culture today.”

Along with the photographs, Night Fever offers an immersive experience. The decor is modeled after a pop-up disco, complete with an original Richard Long Audio System, similar to what was featured at clubs like Studio 54 and Paradise Garage.

Attendees can enjoy performances by guest DJs from the disco era and enjoy a full bar offering a retro 70s cocktail menu. Find out more here.

View select photographs from the exhibition via the gallery above.

On Thursday July 27, Mixmag, Casablanca Records and Smirnoff Sound Collective will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of Giorgio Moroder, Donna Summer and Pete Bellotte's seminal disco anthem 'I Feel Love'.

I Feel Love 40 will take place at Schimanski New York featuring Giorgio Moroder, François K, PillowTalk (DJ set), Eli Escobar, Natasha Diggs, David Paglia and Smirnoff Sound Collective artists Cry Baby and Nomi Ruiz. Paying homage to the late Donna Summer and the epic disco era.

I Feel Love 40 is free and open to the public through RSVP on IFeelLove40.net.

Harrison is Mixmag's East Coast Editor. Follow him on Twitter here