Viper Room

WeHo's infamous club is still rocking on the Strip.

by Nancy Hunter at Citysearch

Small, dark and ultrahip, the Viper Room pulls in Hollywood locals, celebrities and tourists looking to hear live tunes, dance to DJ-spun beats or grab a drink. With only a few (typically reserved) black-vinyl booths lining the walls, the venue is generally standing room only. When not restricted to VIPs, the small downstairs lounge is relaxing, boasting plush seats and TVs simulcasting the upstairs action. This Sunset Strip haunt has become gradually more famous for its music and surprise celebrity appearances than for the shenanigans of young stars (typified most tragically by River Phoenix's death on the sidewalk outside the club in 1993). The small upstairs bar lends itself easily to intimate rock shows, which are especially memorable when the likes of Tom Petty, Pearl Jam and Iggy Pop decide to stop by and jam. The lounge is glitterati catnip; celebrity sightings are common, even with a maximum capacity of only 250.