the viper room haunted
Although illegal in the city of Los Angeles, gambling flourished on the Sunset Strip. In an interview with USA Today, Duritz recalls continuing to work at the Viper Room after hitting it big because of the happening scene. Fans have left flowers, candles and notes at the spot where he. 945 Fairfield Rd, Yeerongpilly QLD 4105 07 3426 8126 Open Hours: 24/7 . [6] Tom Waits also had a hand in redeveloping the spot. But everything changed in 1951, when local officials folded to pressure to bring the Strip's laws into synch with that of the city. Located on Los Angeles Sunset Strip, it is one of the oldest remaining structures. Depp wanted to open a venue where he could hang out with his famous friends and where he could play guitar away from the prying eyes (and lens) of the paparazzi. In 1972, River Phoenixs parents decided to join the Children of God cult. Hollywood, Los Angeles, California: 1993 - Tributes to River Phoenix outside The Viper Room - the club owned by Johnny Depp where the 23-year-old actor died on October 31st 'The drug routine . In the 1990s and earlier 2000s, the Viper Room was a hotbed of illegal activity involving drugs and high-stakes gambling. Since he disappeared so close to the day he was to testify, some believe that Depp exercised his power and is somehow responsible. The Viper Room is known for the drug-fueled debauchery that ensued inside its doors during the '90s. I am not sure what happened next but I do know that someone had pulled the plug on the music and was calling for an ambulance. Regular attendee and card aficionado, Houston Curtis tells it differently in his book,Billion Dollar Hollywood Heist, as highlighted by the New York Post. They very politely handcuffed me and sat me on the curb right outside the Viper Room. Jennifer Anniston and a friend arrive at The Viper Room, 1999. Despite all its history, The Viper Room is set to be developed into a high-rise starting in 2023. Phoenix's death was a tragedy that brought fans and . As a mixed use development, 8850 Sunset Boulevard will also house multiple eateries, cafes, retail spaces. According to Jimmy Cooper, a director atREM Finance, no demolition or development plans currently exist for the site. Oh yeah, theyre grabby, the guy ghosts. The ring often included other actors such as Ben Affleck, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Matt Damon. The redesigned Viper Room. [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. But before Phoenix entered Hollywood, his early life was a humble one and quite unconventional. The call was later leaked to news stations. It marked the launch of Johnny Depp and his business partners' Viper Room, the site of some of the most notorious happenings in Los Angeles. DeVille of Poison. But Rivers tragic passing wasnt the first. Samantha Mathis, Phoenix's girlfriend, and his siblings, Rain and Leaf (a.k.a. And during Prohibition, the back rooms of local businesses never quit pouring booze. The 1980s brought another name change to The Central. US Ghost Adventures offers entertaining, historic, and authentic ghost tours of the United States Directors, producers, and silver screen stars demanded luxuries and depravities alike, from exclusive boutiques to high-end cafes, gambling halls to alcohol-fueled speakeasies. Donovan described the harrowing incident in his memoir Between the Lines: My Story Uncut. But those who go there know it. He was already gone, but was pronounced dead later at the hospital. The location was originally a grocery store, from 1921 into the 1940s. Tragically, it was what happened on Halloween 1993 with one such young celebrity that's made The Viper Room infamous. Born Wilfried Bartsch in Berlin, McNasty and his brother, Wolfgang, relocated to America in 1956, finding work in the restaurant business before acquiring and revamping the Melody Lounge. According to LAist, The Viper Room is closing it's doors (for now) and will be remodeled as part of a 12-story high rise. The four guys travel around the globe and go on lockdown from dusk until dawn at various places that we'd never set foot in. After calling for medical attention, River later died in the hospital. Fans have left flowers, candles and notes at the spot where he collapsed on November 1, 1993 in Los Angeles, California. 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. From drug overdoses to violent scuffles, illegal poker games to whispers of murder, the past two decades have yielded up some of the club's most shocking and salacious rumors, thanks to the Hollywood big names frequenting the joint. Probably most famous for being the site where River Phoenix lost his life, The Viper Room goes back way before that fateful day in 1993 when he collapsed out front. Curtis claims he and Maguire used Bloom as a distraction so that players wouldn't get alarmed by their losses at the table. Scala Productions/Sluizer FilmsRiver Phoenix in his last film, Dark Blood, which was released nearly 20 years after his death. A former bartender also had strange experiences in the bottom bar when he felt pressure on his chest and glasses flying off the bar. The iconic music venue was once co-owned by Johnny Depp, and is known for its Rock concerts. 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. "[13] Additionally, there is a legal brothel in Brisbane, Australia called "The Viper Room". Ghost Adventures: The Viper Room Next stop with the Ghost Adventures crew: the infamous Viper Room on West Hollywood's Sunset Strip. August of 1993 is when it finally became The Viper Room after Johnny Depp became a co-owner and majority stockholder. But the building boasts a rich heritage as one of the oldest commercial buildings on the Sunset Strip, erected in 1921. And sadly, these two drugs would spell his end at The Viper Room. The building went through several name changes, though since the 1940s it remained some sort of nightclub. Located at 8852 Sunset Boulevard, The Viper Room's storied address has a surprisingly long history behind it. Just days before he was to testify, the Edward Scissorhands actor mysteriously disappeared, along with his truck and .38 caliber rifle. 373K views, 4.8K likes, 1K loves, 474 comments, 1K shares, Facebook Watch Videos from BuzzFeed Unsolved: This infamous club on Sunset Boulevard has been home to countless famous faces in its nearly. By the decade's end, the Greenwich Village Inn closed, and the Rue Angel briefly filled its spot. A recent slew of development projects along Sunset Boulevard has further exacerbated these concerns. Prior to Phoenix's passing, the troubled actor allegedly went on adays-long drug binge with John Frusciante, the notorious drug-addicted guitarist from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The Viper Room has also been the site of some rather unsavory activity it was a place that put sex, drugs, and rock n roll on a pedestal. That same year, River Phoenix died of a drug overdose right outside the club. First, smoke crack or shoot coke directly into a vein for that ninety-second, electric brain-bell jangle., Then shoot heroin to get a grip and come down enough to be able to carry on a conversation for a few minutes before you start the cycle again.. The LA-based firm Silver Creek Development will turn the legendary 8852 West Sunset Boulevard into a residential building with cafes, restaurants, and a luxury hotel. The Caf Continentale, associated withEast Coast mobster Mickey Cohen and located on Santa Monica, also came under fire, as did Billy Berg's on Vine, where jazz legends such as Billie Holiday crooned. The disappearance remains a mystery. The day after the Last Call closed, Mickey Cohen received an indictment on charges of tax evasion. [7], Despite the death of River Phoenix the year the venue opened, the club became and remained a hangout for Hollywood's most popular young actors and musicians. It was established as The Viper Room in 1993 [citation needed] and was partly owned by actor Johnny Depp. At just 23-years-old, River Phoenix was one of the most beloved stars of the 1990s. Inside The Tragic Death Of River Phoenix And The Downward Spiral That Preceded It. As Filthy McNasty's, the establishment attracted eclectic public figures like Elvis Presley, Phyllis Diller, Mick Jagger, Evel Knievel, and Tom Waits. Last Night at the Viper Room tells the heart-shredding story of how this haunted actor left such a big impression in such a brief time." Rob Sheffield, New York Times bestselling author of Love Is a Mix Tape He reportedly stayed sober for two months while filming the movie Dark Blood in Utah and New Mexico. I wanted to reach out and say hello because he was this great mystery and wed never met, said DiCaprio. She later remembered that something was wrong that night, something I didnt understand. To see such a promising young actor die so suddenly was heartbreaking, especially for his loved ones. So despite its divey and dingey reputation, it was a haven for celebrities to escape the limelight and kick back like civilians. Before the untimely death of River Phoenix, he had been struggling with cocaine and heroin abuse. Few movie stars of the early 1990s were as beloved as River Phoenix. The Pussycat Dolls performed at The Viper Room until 2001. Tragically, this would culminate in his death outside the notorious Viper Room nightclub. Law enforcement arrested Sam Farkas, Mickey Cohen's bodyguard, according to the Green Bench Monthly, on suspicion of robbery. Famous for his acting talent as well as his good looks, he seemed like he was destined for greatness. But theres a chick ghost too, she was texting me once from a dead number. Visitors to the club today say yes, and the stories that still emanate from this serpentine structure surely corroborate those claims. River Phoenix died just outside the nightclub. In 1995, choreographer Robin Antin put together a modern burlesque group called The Pussycat Dolls. These are the guys from all corners of the United States that make up the critically-acclaimed Travel Channel hit, Ghost Adventures. By then, the actor was already a common sight at drug-fueled parties. Given the history of drugs and rock n roll, this is an interesting one to visit. Since its stellar opening in 1993, the world-famous Viper Room (also known as Johnny Depp's joint) has hosted the likes of Johnny Cash, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Stone Temple Pilots, Bruce Springsteen, Oasis, Queens of The Stone Age, Courtney Love, Natalie Cole, Elvis Costello, Pete Yorn, Lenny Kravitz, Pearl Jam, The Strokes, Weezer, Maroon 5, John Mayer, Iggy Pop and Sheryl Crow, as . The other part owner was Sal Jenco who starred in 21 Jump Street with Depp. By the late 1920s, the market, neighborhood, and winding "County Strip" thoroughfare became the site of transformation, according to Playground to the Stars. "But from the beginning, The Viper Room was a place where drug dealers flourished. The most famous of these vipers, Louis Armstrong, peppered songs with the term, including 1928's "Muggles," as did Cab Calloway in his iconic "Reefer Man" from 1932 (via Jazziz). After the tragedy, his brother's 911 call was broadcast all over the world. I tried to speak but couldn't. Many people associate 8852 Sunset with Cohen's headquarters, Michael's Exclusive Haberdashery, although the haberdashery sat one block east at 8804 Sunset. According to witnesses, a tabloid cameraman bore the brunt of the attack after Lee allegedly threw him to the ground, damaging the man's hip. If one could hop in a time-traveling DeLorean DMC-12, a night at this divey hotspot might yield a tete-a-tete with young celebs like Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Aniston, or Uma Thurman chokers, flannel, and all. Things were not . Learn more River Phoenix was tipped to become one of Hollywood's biggest stars before he died at the age of 23 after collapsing outside Hollywood nightclub The Viper Room on Halloween night. View The Gallery 1 / 11 Ghost Adventures Crew The artist was admittedly "hammered" when his friend daredhim to kick his foot through the glass window of the famed LA club. The original Viper Room is fading to black. At the time, the Sunset Boulevard venue was partly owned by Johnny Depp. Charlize Theron hugs Keanu Reeves outside The Viper Room after his performance with his band, Dogstar. Rivers unfortunate drug-related death isnt the only upsetting story linked with The Viper Room. Friends knew that River Phoenix had been abusing drugs, but his fatal overdose still came as a shock to many people. In the early 1990s, no hotter ticket existed than the Viper Room on West Hollywood's notorious Sunset Strip. Tragically, on Halloween 1993, Depp's friend, actor River Phoenix , died outside the club after injecting heroin . A crowd had circled round me and Michael [Hutchenceof INXS] was standing over me trying to empty my trouser pockets. Both have origins in the New Orleans jazz scene of the 1920s and 1930s. The club earned a reputation for being one of the few places where the audience often proved more famous than the entertainers. a lot of fun, finished up doing a double with another lady absolutely blew my mind!!!!. Credit: The Viper Room. Join 1000s of subscribers and receive the best Vintage News in your mailbox for FREE, The Party Scene Before Social Media Candid Photos of Wild Early 90s Hollywood, Baskin-Robbins Just Unveiled Its First Rebrand in 20 Years, Researchers Unearthed an Astonishing 20-Million-Year-Old Petrified Tree in Greece, Police arrest a 72-year-old suburban grandfather suspected of being the Golden State Killer, Im not dead yet: some Buddhist monks followed self-mummification, Project Azorian: Howard Hughes secret mission, 1960s U.S. satellite that started transmitting again in 2013, The Walk of Shame in Game of Thrones historical inspiration, The only unsolved skyjacking case in U.S. history might have a break, Kurt Gdel became too paranoid to eat and died of starvation, Little Ease: One of the most feared torture devices in the Tower of London, The humble English girl who became Cora Pearl, Walt Disney softened the original Snow White story. But it was River Phoenixs role in the 1986 movie Stand By Me that really got Hollywoods attention. Adam Duritz, the lead singer of Counting Crows, worked as a Viper Room bartender in late 1994 and early 1995 to escape his newfound fame. It grew from a farm-to-market route into a vital artery connecting Hollywood to Beverly Hills. However, there are rumors that the new complex will feature original Viper Room memorabilia throughout the building. Simoni King), a former sex worker and madam. Even today, the property is plagued by rumors of ghosts and missing bodies hidden within the bar's black exterior. That fateful night, a bouncer had escorted Phoenix outside the nightclub where he instantly dropped to the ground. THE VIPER ROOM - 257 Photos & 398 Reviews - 8852 W Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, California - Music Venues - Phone Number - Offerings - Yelp Restaurants Home Services Auto Services The Viper Room 398 reviews Claimed $$ Music Venues, Dance Clubs, Bars Closed See hours See all 271 photos Write a review Add photo Offerings View offerings After all, his former boss was dogged by law enforcement and in and out of prison oncharges of tax evasion. Sadly, hard drugs and Hollywood nightlife shattered that dream and led to River Phoenixs death on October 31, 1993, at the age of just 23. The Viper Room Zak and the crew investigate the infamous Viper Room on West Hollywood's Sunset Strip. The Viper Room is known for the drug-fueled debauchery that ensued inside its doors during the '90s. Soon, the Viper Room's siren call attracted a steady stream of A-Listers and music legends. The passing of Hollywood star River Phoenix cemented the Viper Rooms sordid reputation. The Viper Room that we know today first opened on the Sunset Strip in 1993. It shatters and I turn around and there is a cop car sitting right at the red light. Where: Viper Room, 8852 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. From his fans across the globe to his famous friends, everyone felt a visceral loss. After the tragedy, his brothers 911 call was broadcast all over the world. Actors Johnny Depp and Sal Jenco owned the nightclub. Maguire won nearly every week, and according to Curtis, they used Leonardo DiCaprio (unbeknownst to him)as a lure to draw other players. On the night River overdosed, he drank a speedball a mix of heroin and cocaine dissolved into a drink and chased it with Valium. The night club's reputation has calmed in recent years aftershifting ownership and focusingon breaking underground talent rather than housing well-known rock stars like John Frusciante, who performed a bizarre, drug-fueled set in the '90s, and Queens of the Stone Age, who played for free after they already hit it big. LA's Creepiest Haunted Hotels. Though tragic, River Phoenix's Viper Room death was just onemark on the property's sordid history, which includes cash-embezzling mobsters, mysterious disappearances, numerous drugoverdoses, and an illegal, multi-million dollar gambling ring. It's not a haunted house; it's not a horror show at all." If you want to go to 'Clown Bar' When: 8 p.m. Nov. 11 and 12. Some locals fear the worst, an encounter with the wrecking ball. His skin began to gray, and he allegedly told Forrest, "I don't feel so good. I didnt see anyone doing drugs but he was high in a way that made me feel uncomfortable I was in way over my head. On the evening of October 30, Mathis went to the bathroom. Kate Moss's21st birthday wasn't an exception which could be expected from the model whoselook basically inspired the term "heroin chic.". Every Thursday night, the Pussycat Dolls would perform at the club. Phoenix collapsed outside of the club in front of his brother and sister, Joaquin and Rain Phoenix;Rain. During the party, Donovan overdosed on cocaine with nearly fatal consequences. [4][5] This nightclub was close to shutting down before Chuck E. Weiss, who had performed there for years, suggested to Depp that he should revitalize the spot and rename it "The Viper Room". As the oldest of five children including Oscar-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix River had perhaps the most bohemian childhood of them all. Getty ImagesBefore the untimely death of River Phoenix, he had been struggling with cocaine and heroin abuse. Some claim that the bar is the site of a portal, an opening to the spirit world that cant be seen. The Sunset Strip was born. They were very cool about it. The Viper Room has a reputation for being cursed, and its venom can prove deadly. Johnny Depp Interviews Hunter S. Thompson at the Viper Room in Los Angeles, California on September 7, 1996. She received her Bachelors of Arts in history and her Masters of Arts degree in history both from the University of Western Ontario in Canada. [18] In 1997, the Viper Room was also a place of a few early solo live performances by John Frusciante at the time of his bad physical condition caused by drug abuse. The city's growing pains came with a resurgence of interest in the unincorporated Sunset Strip's dealings and increasing public scrutiny. [River] stayed with John for the next few days, and probably didnt get a minute of sleep, Forrest wrote in his book Running with Monsters. The eponymous nightclub paid homage to West Hollywood's most eclectic character, Filthy McNasty, a true man about town. Despite the much-publicized death, the Viper Room persisted as a star-studded hangout throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. But the so-called "Poker Princess" ducked prison time, according to the New York Daily News, and still fondly recalls her lucky break at the Viper Room. Although photos of the hedonistic event prove rare, tales (and fashion) from the party remain the stuff of legends, according to Vogue. Hes having seizures! he shouted. Have the dark energies of Hollywoods past endured a century of time? As the old nightclub is set to be demolished, we thought wed look back at The Viper Rooms illustrious history. Of course, times have changed since the club's height, and events have made for a precarious future. In 2004, Johnny Depp sold his stake in The Viper Room. Kate Moss's21st birthday wasn't an exception which could be expected from the model whoselook basically, Donovan described the harrowing incident in his memoir, Donovan eventuallyturned his life around,at least partially due to the encouragement of Johnny Depp, who, River Phoenix Tragically Overdosed Outside Of The Viper Room, Slipknot's Corey Taylor Was Thrown In Jail After Purposely Smashing A Viper Room Window, Jason Donovan Was Carried Out Of The Viper Room In A Stretcher During Kate Moss's Birthday Party. Before the club is set to be demolished early next year, it is worth remembering the tragic Halloween night nearly 30 years ago - staff claiming ghosts from the past still haunt the venue. While he rarely spoke about the Children of God in public, his mother once quoted him as saying, Theyre disgusting. He chased it with Valium. Browse 5,793 viper room photos and images available, or search for vip room or los angeles to find more great photos and pictures. Drea de Matteo attends a performance by The Cult at The Viper Room in Los Angeles on . It started out as a grocery store, but soon turned into a nightclub called The Cotton Club, then the Greenwich Village Inn before becoming The Melody Room in the 1950s. Celebrities Connected to . Sadly, when he returned to Los Angeles in late October 1993, he almost immediately went on a massive drug binge. Phoenix collapsed outside of the club in front of his brother and sister, Joaquin and Rain Phoenix;Rainsat onRiver's chest to try and stop his convulsing. In 1995, alittle more than a year after River Phoenix died from an overdose outside of the infamous club, Johnny Depp threw a birthday party for his then-girlfriend Kate Moss. The original building where the club is currently located is slated to be demolished by 2023, to make way for a replacement club, retail and a five star hotel tower. Samantha Mathis felt like something wasnt right. Then, just a couple of years later, rock star Michael Hutchence played at the club mere days before he died by suicide. went back to the Viper the other night great line up of ladies, chose a really sexy lady Brittany stunning blonde E cup really cheeky. Messed Up Things That Happened At The Viper Room, University of Southern California Libraries. While Joaquin and Rain didnt notice anything unusual, Mathis had a feeling that something was off with River. Despite River Phoenixs tragic death outside the nightclub, it continued to be a hotspot for celebrities throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s. But according to the Chicago Tribune, a violent scuffle would put a negative spotlight on the Viper Room on Sept. 29, 1996. The new businesses will be joined by a . The music venue quickly became a gathering spot for. According to his autobiography,Between the Lines: My Story Uncut, as highlighted in The Mirror, Donovan had a near-death experience at the Viper Room after succumbing to cocaine-induced seizures.
