Secrets Inside The Viper Room
By Juliet Smith
1 year ago
Actor River Phoenix Famously Died Outside Of The Viper Room
Image Source / www.biography.comRiver Phoenix was only 23 years old when he tragically overdosed outside the Viper Room, and it's this death which the club is perhaps most famous for. Phoenix was an Oscar nominee who should have had a long and successful career, but he collapsed outside of the club infront of siblings Joaquin Phoenix and Rain Phoenix.CCTV Tapes Of The Night Phoenix Died Were Allegedly Destroyed
Image Source / All That's InterestingJohnny Depp Said He Shouldn't Be Blamed For Phoenix's Overdose
Image Source / Showbiz Cheat SheetSpeaking about the tragic death, Depp apparently spoke out to say that neither he or his club should be blamed for the actor's death. He said that the media made out that he'd died because Depp allowed people to do drugs in his club and that it was all lies.Slipknot Singer Corey Taylor Smashed A Viper Room Window
Image Source / Grunge
And was thrown in jail for it! When the band Slipknot had a run in with the cops in a club across the street, they drunkenly ventured into the Viper Room instead. Corey was then dared by friends to kick a glass window - which he of course did. He paid a fine to avoid any further charges.
Actor And Singer Jason Donovan Was Wheeled Out On A Stretcher
Image Source / The BragAnd it happened during model Kate Moss's birthday party. With the club's reputation for drug-fuelled actions, Donovan was just one victim of it. He collapsed due to cocaine usage and was wheeled out of the club on a stretcher after an ambulance was called. He vowed to 'take it easy' after that!There Was An Illegal High-Stakes Poker Ring For Hollywood Elite
Image Source / New York PostAmongst the illegal activity the Viper Room took part in was high-stakes gambling for the likes of Hollywood celebs like Leonardo DiCaprio. The club hosted one of the highest-rolling poker games of all time, including a $50,000 buy in.Co-Owner Of The Club Went Missing Days Before He Planned To Testify Against Johnny Depp
Image Source / WikipediaAnthony Fox was the Viper Room business partner of Johnny Depp, and back in 1999, he was supposed to testify against Depp after alleging Depp and others had committed fraud. But a few days before, Fox disappeared, and his body has never been found - only his truck a few weeks after his disappearance. Depp was suspected, but he later settled the lawsuit and gave his share of the club to Fox's daughter.Lead Singer Of The Counting Crows Bartended At The Club
Image Source / Showbiz Cheat SheetThe band Counting Crows had huge success in the early 90s, but the leader singer still wanted an everyday job - so much so he ended up bartending at the Viper Room. Apparently he found the job fun because he was only hanging out with his LA mates in the club anyway, even if he was serving them drinks.
Guitarist Of The Red Hot Chili Peppers Played A Weird Drug-Fuelled Set
Image Source / YouTube
On the same night that River Phoenix overdosed, guitarist John Frusciante was playing a rather disastrous set at the club - namely, getting through one song before throwing up and then leaving the stage. He later returned to the club to play again, but at the height of his drug addiction, he struggled to perform.
The Viper Room Used To Be A Strip Club Owned By A Gangster
Image Source / Mob Museum
In the 1950s, the Viper Room was owned by gangster Mickey Cohen. He bought the property and turned it into a jazz club called The Cotton Club. It was also a front for his gangster operations in the basement. Later, it was rebranded as a strip club following a fire.
The Pussycat Dolls Used To Perform A Burlesque Show Every Week
Image Source / Pinterest
Pussycat Dolls founder Robin Antin showcased the group's first burlesque routine in the Viper Room. Owner Johnny Depp was impressed enough that he signed the Dolls on to perform their routine every week. It became popular enough that other celebs like Gwen Stefani wanted a piece of the action. They would later catch the eye of record executive Jimmy Iovine who would sign them to Interscope Records.
The Club Featured On An Episode Of Ghost Adventures
Image Source / www.viperroom.com
Due to the club's history of tragic deaths and being owned by a gangster, it's no surprise some people would suspect paranormal activity or restless souls hanging around. Ghost Adventures decided to check out the club back in 2017. They ended up catching voices on tape - one of which the club's ticket booth operator was convinced was River Phoenix himself. Other workers at the club had also reported their own experiences of the spooky phenomena of the club.
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers Was The First Ever Band To Perform At The Club
Image Source / Snap Galleries
The band appeared for the club's debut performance in August 1993, and it was also this time that Johnny Depp himself appeared in their video for the song 'Into The Great Wide Open'. He must have been fan enough of the band - and vice versa - to arrange their gig at the club.
The Club Has A Secret Whiskey Bar
Image Source / TripAdvisor
Hidden downstairs in the Viper Room is a secret whiskey bar, and it's open every night. It's located past the cashier and is - surprisingly - free to get in, too. It has a load of top-end whiskey options for the true connoisseurs.
The Backstage Area Includes A Stripper Pole
Image Source / Thrillist
You'd expect to find something interesting in the backstage area at a club like this, and the Viper Room doesn't disappoint. There's a stripper pole found backstage, which may or may not be chosen to be used... maybe some of the celeb partyers give it a go.
The Viper Room Isn't As Unique As It Might Think
Image Source / PeopleThe Viper Room is a pretty cool name, there's no doubt about that - but apparently other people in the world think so, too. There's another club in Portland, USA, called the Viper Room, and a brothel in Australia with the same name, too. A club in the Netherlands has also tried to completely copy the Viper Room.
Queens Of The Stone Age Was Paid $20 And Beer To Play There
Image Source / uDiscoverMusicThis was when the band was already famous and not even trying to find exposure! The band apparently got paid with 20 Coronas and 20 bucks to play in 2005, under the stage name 'The Clocks'. They must've just been happy to play at the club so some beers are a bonus!
The Club's Art Was Supplied By Famous Artist Louis Carreon
Image Source / ObserverCarreon added art to both inside and outside the club. Inside, in the hallway, you can see a wall of graffiti which includes peace signs and quotes. Outside the club, there's massive artwork of a man smoking a cigarette. The art inside the club also includes 'RIP River Phoenix'.
The Viper Room Has Also Released Its Own Merch
Image Source / Shop Viper RoomBecause it doesn't make enough money as it is, the club decided to also release a line of licensed merchandise - high-end, of course, so you'd need the big bucks. The Viper Room merch line includes t-shirts (naturally) and even underwear.
The Theories About How The Viper Room Got Its Name
Image Source / www.viperroom.comThere are two main legends about how the club got its name. The first is that Johnny Depp named the club after a Louisiana jazz club, but the second is that it refers to the 'pot-smoking' musicians of the jazz scene of that era. One of these famous 'vipers' was Louis Armstrong.Despite Its Jazz Origins, It's Always Focused On Rock And Metal
Image Source / Music Connection MagazineYou'd think with all this talk of, and appreciation for, jazz that the club would specialise in jazz music and performers, but all it's been known for is drug-fuelled metal and rock. The club also specialises in its attendees being more famous than the performers themselves!Tommy Lee And Pamela Anderson Had A Run In With Paparazzi Outside The Club
Image Source / FlickrThe club was once again thrust into the spotlight for a more negative reason when drummer of the band Mötley Crüe Tommy Lee, there with his bae Pamela Anderson, got into a violent standoff with a member of the paparazzi outside the Viper Club. Tommy apparently threw the man to the ground and later had to settle the lawsuit.The Viper Club Was Originally A Grocery Store
Image Source / Los Angeles Daily NewsLong before its days of debauchery, the building was a grocery store named Young's Market. The building itself is one of the oldest commercial buildings located on the Sunset Strip. It was built in 1921, and the grocery store supplied the residents of a railroad community known as Sherman.The Club Hosted Crazy Theme Nights
Image Source / VarietyThe 'theme' nights might not even have any recognisable theme, but it was certainly something. One time the club covered all the walls in foil (for a... foil theme, maybe?). Another saw the interior of the club transformed into the inside of an airplane. Because why not.Rock Star Michael Hutchence Played His Last Ever Show Before Suicide
Image Source / PinterestMichael Hutchence, Australian singer of the rock band INXS, played at the club in 1997 - and it would be his last ever show he'd play just days before he'd be found dead. His death was ruled a suicide when he was found hanged in his hotel room.The Viper Room Lost Its Appeal After Johnny Depp Left
Image Source / TwitterAfter Depp had handed over ownership, movie and rock stars began to find other places to party. In more modern times, the club has seen new types of celebrities, looking for more fame rather than a place to hide, such as socialites. The fact that the Viper Room had previously been branded as a 'safe haven' to hide was becoming obsolete to celebs who wanted to be seen out and about.There Were Fears That The Iconic Nightclub Would Be Closed
There Are Rumours Of Bodies Hidden In The Walls
Image Source / The SunDue to the club's criminal and tragic history, there are many rumours flying about - including that there are bodies hidden in the walls, as well as more than one ghost running rampant around the club. It's no surprise creepy rumours start about this place.The Club Was Supposed To Be A Safe Haven For Hollywood To Hide
Image Source / Yahoo UKDespite its huge notoriety these days, The Viper Room was supposed to be a place where the young Hollywood elite could go to relax in private and stay away from paparazzi or fame. Johnny Depp wanted to 'protect' up-and-coming famous people by providing somewhere they could party in private.Famous Guitarist Rocky George Claimed He'd Been Attacked By The Club's Security Guards
Image Source / Ibanez guitarsShaw, the head of security at the club, was liked by many, but one man - Fishbone guitarist Rocky George - ended up filing a lawsuit against the club after he claimed that he was attacked by Shaw, as well as several other security guards. He was apparently punched and kicked to the ground, and ended up receiving a payout in compensation.What To Read Next
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