The Spider Club
Nestled inside the uber-club Avalon (formerly the not-so-hip Palace), this Moroccan themed hotspot has a big beautiful courtyard perfect for relaxing under the stars. The bar is a celebrity favorite and touted as one of the most exclusive clubs in Hollywood.
Behind a guarded door is a long stairway to the invitation-only Spider Club and only members or those on "the list" get in. The Hollywood bar puts its own spin on the members-only concept already prolific in London and New York clubs. Unlike the typical private clubs in NYC and London however, members do not pay dues but rather - stars, socialites and various other hip rich folks are given an exclusive leather membership cards.
We were therefore pretty surprised at the ease we had getting into the club last Friday night. Although I would say we are clearly fabulous, someone else might not immediately recognize our true celebrity/socialite potential.
We got to the Spider Club around 11 despite numerous warnings that the list we were on only guaranteed admittance until 10 (but how fabulous can a girl really look by 10?)
The line for Avalon was around the block filled with barely dressed girls carrying fake bags and ID's and overly cologned, tight t-shirt wearing boys carrying unwarranted large egos. Surprisingly however, the separate Spider Club line held only a few lonely patrons. Maybe it was so exclusive that people weren't even trying to get in. Boldly I walked up to the front of the line and gave the bouncer my name. Within seconds the cordial doorman scanned his list, checked us off, and up we went.
The club is designed to look like a '60s discotheque with a modern flair. Part-owner Steve Adelman said he wanted the Spider Club to bring back "the intimate experience of nightlife people enjoyed in the golden age of Hollywood." The gorgeous VIP club-within-a-club has sponge-painted walls, arches, hassocks, copper lanterns, and oversized pillows in the main room. There are also several intimate adjacent lounges, one of which includes a small dance floor.
The rooms were filled with hip, attractive, tanned Gucci girls and Prada boys sipping on large martinis. Within minutes of arriving we spotted Bruce Willis, casually dressed in a baseball hat and jeans. Random celebrities abounded throughout the night including Jeremy Piven, Jason Biggs and Pauley Shore. Yes, Pauley is still considered a celeb! The drinks, although certainly not cheap, were strong, the crowd was friendly and everyone looked like they were having a great time.
Donovan Leitch is the creative director behind this Moroccan fantasy and although you might not know his name right now, you probably will soon. The tall, dark, and stylish 'it' boy of the moment is a top model, rock artist, and an actor. The son of popular 1960s folk-rock star Donovan, Leitch (who claims he was conceived in the home of ex-Beatle George Harrison) and his sister, the beautiful actress Ione Skye (think the 80's super classic Say Anything), were raised by their mother, fashion model Enid Karl, in Los Angeles.
The club serves a French-bistro menu and the club promises that the staff won't ever forget your favorite dish or preferred table. Talk about VIP. This is one Hollywood hangout that should not be missed.
1735 N. Vine St.
Hollywood, 90028
(323) 462-8270
Cross Street: Hollywood Blvd.
Hours: Tue-Sat 8pm-2am
Published on Aug 03, 2004
