A 19-year-old Italian American named Anthony "Tony" Manero from Brooklyn, longs to escape his mundane life and escapes to the late '70s New York disco scene, where he hopes to make it big in dancing.
Anthony "Tony" Manero, a former disco king, acts on his brother's advice and his own dreams of dancing professionally. He is now living in a Manhattan flophouse (dosshouse), working as a dance instructor and waiter at a nightclub, searching for a big break in the modern dance productions on Broadway theater. The break from his Brooklyn life, family, and friends seem to have somewhat matured Tony and refined his personality, including his diminished New York City English, an avoidance of alcohol, and less use of profanity. Other attitudes remain unchanged, such as his disregard for his girlfriend, the forgiving Jackie, who is a dancer and rock music singer. Still acting immature, Tony maintains some of his other macho and childish double standards, such as seeing other women but being offended if he sees Jackie with other men.