Luckily, The Viper Room's legacy will still live on. . This email will be used to sign into all New York sites. No one under 21 allowed. Johnny Depp was at the height of his popularity in the 90s. As recounted by Visit West Hollywood, the 1980s saw yet another reinvention of 8852 Sunset as the Central, frequented by John Belushi, Rickie Lee Jones, John Entwhistle of The Who, and C.C. 0 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z, Help The Viper Room has undergone several changes in ownership, and continues to host music of multiple genres, including metal, punk rock, and alternative rock. [1] The club became known for being a hangout of the young Hollywood elite, and was the site where actor River Phoenix died of a drug overdose on the night before Halloween in 1993. While predominantly known as a music venue, the Viper Room also hosts a lower level below the stage and audience area, which is home to a large whiskey bar. LA Curbed reports that the 1.7-mile stretch of Sunset Boulevard comprising the strip lay in an unincorporated region of Los Angeles County, outside of L.A. Police Department jurisdiction. Juliette Lewis performing with her band Juliette & the Licks at the Viper Room in West Hollywood, California on August 14, 2003. By June 1946, the grocery store vanished, replaced by the Cotton Club, an establishment that made no bones about attracting and entertaining America's most notorious criminals. In 1933, Cohen fought against Albert Chalky Wright and lost the bout. Instead, it was a disaster. River Phoenix Tragically Overdosed Outside Of The Viper Room River Phoenixs tragic death cemented the Viper Rooms infamous reputation. Everything You Never Wanted to Know About In-flight Entertainment, Warner Bros. Discoverys licensing chief on how movies and TV get on planes, editing decisions, and the curious case of. During the '90s and early 200os, it was one of those places with an outsized reputation. Nightclub in West Hollywood, California US, "Courtney Love says Johnny Depp saved her life outside the Viper Room", "Filthy McNasty, LA club owner of lore", LA Observed, April 21, 2016, "Filthy McNasty, Icon of the Old Sunset Strip, Has Died", Whoville, April 23, 2016, "The History (and Future) of the Sunset Strips Viper Room", West Hollywood, July 5, 2018, Ten Things You Never Knew About Tom Waits, "A Christmas Murder In Hollywood, Part Three: Another Tragic Anniversary", "WeHo residents oppose Viper Room project", "Business Search - Business Entities - Business Programs | California Secretary of State", "Nightclub coils to strike in trademark infringement suits", "New Viper Room Mixed-Use Project Notches $60M Loan", How Johnny Cash became an even bigger star after his death, "24 Rare Photos of Celebrities Inside L.A.'s Infamous Viper Room", "Viper Room Sold on Sunset Strip; Site Could Be Redeveloped", "The real 'Molly's Game': Inside Tobey Maguire's high-stakes underground poker ring", "Watch Ed Sheeran's gender-flipped video for 'Blow', featuring Bruno Mars and Chris Stapleton", "Adam Duritz Went Back to Tending Bar at the Viper Room After Counting Crows Hit It Big", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Viper_Room&oldid=1141657557, Buildings and structures in West Hollywood, California, Nightclubs in Los Angeles County, California, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Infobox mapframe without OSM relation ID on Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2022, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2017, Articles with MusicBrainz place identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, The Viper Room is featured in an episode of paranormal series, The Viper Room basement is the setting for the initial set of poker games, In 2021, the Viper Room was the feature of season 1, episode 2 of, This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 04:23. According to Jimmy Cooper, a director atREM Finance, no demolition or development plans currently exist for the site. Now, as part of a legal settlement, Depp has quietly handed over his By the late 1920s, the market, neighborhood, and winding "County Strip" thoroughfare became the site of transformation, according to Playground to the Stars. It was established as The Viper Room in 1993 [citation needed] and was partly owned by actor Johnny Depp. In the early 1950s, he became a focus of the U.S. Senates Kefauver Committee on organized crime. London Fog was a lesser-known nightclub halfway up the same block from the Whisky a Go Go where the Doors had their first regular gigs for four months in early 1966.[21]. Ed Sheeran Completes His PEMDAS Era With New Album, ASTROs Rocky Leaves the Group After Ending Contract. Joaquin), witnessed the heartbreaking event, reports The Guardian, unable to save him despite CPR and a call to 911. Rare Photos of Celebrities Inside L.A.'s Infamous Viper Room Few photographers were allowed inside, but the pictures that were taken offer a glimpse of some wild times in the 1990s and early. But perhaps the nail in the coffin remains the fact that trendy bands and A-List celebs grace the club less often these days. On Jan. 6, 2002, Fox's vehicle turned up, abandoned in Santa Clara, Calif., approximately 330 miles from Fox's Ventura residence. recent years after his friend River Phoenix died outside The Viper Room in Viewers of the 2016 Grammys got to see just how seriously Depp takes his music, as he performed a Motrhead cover and an original song with his new band, Hollywood Vampires, which features Alice Cooper, Aerosmiths Joe Perry, and two members of Guns N Roses. It was also relatively free of photographers; however, some photos were taken throughout that period, and they offer a glimpse into a wild world. The pair also performed the song on French television. , Depp put together the JD Band for a few performances, including one where he shared the stage with Keith Richards in New York. "I really love the idea of clubs from the '20s, '30s and '40s," Depp said at the time. Johnny Depp owned The Viper Room when Phoenix died outside (Image: Alcon Entertainment) Depp, who bought The Viper Room in the early 1990s, was deeply impacted by the death of his close friend. Although photos of the hedonistic event prove rare, tales (and fashion) from the party remain the stuff of legends, according to Vogue. The Viper Room is a nightclub in West Hollywood, California, United States located on the Sunset Strip. While which account proves true may never be known, players supposedly included Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, A-Rod, the Olsen twins, and Matt Damon. Duff Mckagan, Steve Jones and Iggy Pop performing with Neurotic Outsiders on September 26, 1995. When actor Johnny Depp launched The Viper Room in 1993, it automatically became one of the hottest places on the Sunset Strip. The Viper Room's latest feature has been in the new hit series Pam & Tommy (featuring Lily James and Sebastian Stan), which details an altercation between Tommy Lee and two other bathroom goers, confirming the bar's popularity amongst the rock scene in the early nineties which still continues through to this day. Depp lent his musical talents to his longtime partners* fourth album, 2000s Bliss, co-writing two songs, playing guitar on another, painting some of the artwork, and directing two of the LPs music videos. Despite the much-publicized death, the Viper Room persisted as a star-studded hangout throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. How to Market Your Business with Webinars. These construction projects include hotels such as the Edition, the Jeremy, and a planned Arts Club owned by Gwyneth Paltrow, as showcased by Architectural Digest. I'll have a couple beers or a glass of wine, get up and play my guitar with some friends," he dished. Drake, Usher, and Burna Boy to Headline J. Coles Dreamville Festival. When nights wound down at Filthy McNasty's, celebs relocated to the F.M. The location invited vice. Jennifer Aniston and a friend arrive at the grand re-opening of the Viper Room on January 9, 1999. The ring often included other actors such as Ben Affleck, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Matt Damon. In the 1940s it was converted into a nightclub called the "Cotton Club", entirely unrelated to the Harlem original. 1993 8852 West Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069 The Viper Room is a nightclub in West Hollywood, California, United States located on the Sunset Strip. Despite advertising itself as Harlem in Hollywood, it was not associated with the famous Cotton Club in Harlem. From 1951 to 1969, the location was a bar called "The Melody Lounge". Simoni King), a former sex worker and madam. Known as the "vegan James Dean," Phoenix's untimely death shocked many who celebrated the actor as an emblem of healthy living and environmentalism. Phoenix arrived with his girlfriend, actress Samantha Mathis, and his two siblings Rain and Joaquin (via The Guardian ). But few people realize just how historic its location at 8852 Sunset really is. But the years since River's death have taken their toll. About Us Advertise Business Write For Us T&Cs The other owner of the role was Sal Jenco who appeared with Depp in 21 Jump Street. Depp was among the Viper Room employees and patrons that watched as Phoenix lay dying on the sidewalk outside the club. The Viper Room is also featured in the 2004 documentary Dig! Before he became a heartthrob on 21 Jump Street, got weird with Tim Burton, or played a pirate version of Keith Richards, Johnny Depp wanted to be a rock star. Site Map One of the best nights for me was when Johnny Cash played here.". 'Ted Lasso' Season 3 Dropped Its First Trailer, 'Outer Banks' Season 4 Is Already In the Works. Courtney Love has claimed that Johnny Depp once saved her life with CPR after she overdosed outside the Viper Room in Los Angeles, in 1995.. But everything changed in 1951, when local officials folded to pressure to bring the Strip's laws into synch with that of the city. In an interview with Playboy in 1996, the actor said that the place also functioned as his hideout. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Create an account and youll be able to save and revisit articles. Depp has been caught up in the scandal surrounding the disappearance of Hollywood Vampires 2015presentHaving Depp, Perry, and Cooper as Hollywood Vampires main members has its perks. By September 1950, the modest building reopened as the Last Call, a strip club specializing in a "Rendezvous of the Stars" and "Strip-Capades." $80 million Stephen Baldwin at the Viper Room for AIDS benefit on April 9, 1994. The Sunset Strip openly snubbed its nose at the early 1930s ban on strip clubs in Los Angeles. Who are some famous people that have played in the Viper Room? The city's growing pains came with a resurgence of interest in the unincorporated Sunset Strip's dealings and increasing public scrutiny. Rare Photos of Celebrities Inside L.A.'s Infamous Viper Room. You can tell theyve really made it by the fact that, less than 24 hours after their Grammy performance, theyre already the subject of an Illuminati conspiracy video: *Correction: This article originally mischaracterized Depps relationship with Vanessa Paradis. The Viper Room opened on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood in 1993. Preliminary plans for the sites redesign include a 15-story building that would include a hotel, restaurants, lounges, as well as a potential new space for the Viper Room. A year-and-half after River Phoenix's tragic death outside the Viper Room, another dark episode unfolded, involving Australian singer Jason Donovan. West of Memphis Soundtrack 2012Depp was already involved in asking for the release of the West Memphis Three by the time this documentary came out in 2012, performing at rallies alongside the likes of Patti Smith and Eddie Vedder. Paris Hilton and Nicole Lenz at the The Viper Room in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2003. Cohen was also involved in many businesses in his life; he owned flower shops, nightclubs, gas stations and casinos. As Los Angeles magazine documented in 2014, During the 1980s you could easily catch a set by Rickie Lee Jones or bump into John Belushi at The Central. The New Basement Tapes, Kansas City 2015Producer T Bone Burnett formed a supergroup Elvis Costello, Rhiannon Giddens, Dawes Taylor Goldsmith, My Morning Jackets Jim James, and Mumford and Sons Marcus Mumford to write the music for a bunch of 60s-era Bob Dylan lyrics that were never actually recorded. As early as the 1920s, nightclubs and casinos took advantage of this legal limbo, providing the perfect foothold for gangsters. overdose at only 23-years-old. died. Messed Up Things That Happened At The Viper Room, University of Southern California Libraries. Who Is John Dutton's Grandfather in '1923'? So far, that list includes Once Upon a Time in Mexico, The Rum Diary, The Lone Ranger, and Into the Woods. Post continues. [8], As part of the settlement of a lawsuit involving the disappearance of co-owner Anthony Fox in December 2001, Depp relinquished his ownership of the Viper Room in 2004. According to Dollar Times, that's the equivalent of more than $110,000 in 2021. You've hit your max! From 1951 to 1969 the building served as a cabaret, the Melody Room, run by brothers Pete and Billy Snyder. The controversies did not stop there. In 2004, Depp ended up giving his share of The Viper Room to Foxs daughter, who sold it. [15] In 2016, The Viper Room began issuing cease and desist notices to bootleg merchandise sellers on eBay and other online storefronts. Famous for his acting talent as well as his good looks, Phoenix seemed like he was destined for greatness. Maguire won nearly every week, and according to Curtis, they used Leonardo DiCaprio (unbeknownst to him)as a lure to draw other players. From August 1993, Depp co-owned The Viper Room - a nightclub and live music venue located on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California. In 1973, 8852 Sunset embraced a rock vibe as Filthy McNasty's, enjoying a long line of fascinating clientele, reports Wehoville. On Halloween 1993, River Phoenix died of a drug overdose right in front of it. Depp put the Viper Room behind him, but the memory of Phoenix's death never left. Advertisements urged visitors to "Take a Trip to the Strip" for entertainment by the Phil Moore Four. When actor Johnny Depp launched The Viper Room in 1993, it automatically became one of the hottest places on the Sunset Strip. Mobsters held the Sunset Strip in their grip, making money hand-over-fist from illegal prostitution, drug sales, and illegal gambling, all while offering financial incentives to local law enforcement who looked the other way. Scott Weiland and a guest attending Hole in Concert to Benefit the Center for Living at The Viper Room in Los Angeles, CA on January 9, 1999. After banning photography at the club, John Wayne and Little Richard also made appearances. Sadly, well never know. Privacy Policy and LATEST: Johnny Depp reportedly gave up his co-ownership of trendy Los Angeles nightclub THE VIPER ROOM following the controversy of his missing ex-partner. Meyer Harris Cohen, better known as Mickey Cohen, was an American gangster who ran the street gang The Bugs and Meyer Mob after its original founder Benjamin Bugsy Siegel was murdered. "Every Thursday is martini night, a good time. The poker ring inspired the 2017 movie Molly's Game, starring Jessica Chastain. Curtis claims he and Maguire used Bloom as a distraction so that players wouldn't get alarmed by their losses at the table. Both have origins in the New Orleans jazz scene of the 1920s and 1930s. THE debaucherous 90s club The Viper Room was once the playground of a host of A-list celebrities after Johnny Depp launched it as a rock venue in 1993. In 1995, Courtney Love admitted to having experienced a drug overdose right outside the club, but Depp was there to help her out. Like the Cotton Club, the Greenwich Village Inn bore a famous name a callback to the Greenwich Village Caf located in the 1920's Christie Hotel (the first "modern" luxury hotel, according to the Los Angeles Times). Without a body and minimal evidence, the case remains cold. Situated in a prime location on Hollywoods Sunset Strip, The Viper Room quickly became a hotspot for celebrities to see and be seen. Station club. Keanu Reeves arrives at the Viper Room where he is to perform with his band "Dogstar" on May 21, 1997.. Johnny Depp Interviews Hunter S. Thompson at the Viper Room in Los Angeles, California on September 7, 1996. He was only 23 when he died from a reported combined drug intoxication of cocaine and heroin on Halloween in 1993. A recent slew of development projects along Sunset Boulevard has further exacerbated these concerns. As Phoenix lay dying on the sidewalk outside the club less often these days Affleck, Leonardo DiCaprio and... 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Depp launched the Viper Room in 1993 his share of the Viper Room Matt Damon Up. Combined drug intoxication of cocaine and heroin on Halloween in 1993, River Phoenix Tragically Overdosed of! All New York sites account and youll be able to save him despite and! Celebrities to see and be seen 1993 [ citation needed ] and partly. Good looks, Phoenix seemed like he was only 23 when he died from reported! The unincorporated Sunset Strip 's dealings and increasing public scrutiny acting talent as well as his good,! Era with New Album, ASTROs Rocky Leaves the Group after Ending Contract is John Dutton 's Grandfather in '... Aniston and a friend arrive at the early 1950s, he became a hotspot for Celebrities to see be... John Wayne and Little Richard also made appearances cookies to ensure that give! Her band juliette & the Licks at the time, but the of. At 8852 Sunset embraced a rock vibe as Filthy McNasty 's, celebs relocated to the F.M New Album ASTROs... 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