Lina LecaroThe stars were aligned in more ways than one last night in Hollywood… Nylon Magazine's “Young Hollywood” bash was a trendy pretties-packed affair that saw hordes at the door from the get-go (paparazzi and hispteratti). At this point, we'll give props to the NY-based mag: the pub gets the style sensibilities of both LA's edgy cliques and Hollywood glam gaggles, and brings them together in an appealing way… plus they throw some ebullient ragers here. (They should move their HQ to the West Coast at this point!) Still, after the swag area was swept clean and the freebie drinks were downed and all the cuties in tight dresses were clicked, we were thirsting for something more. And we got it later, just a couple blocks away at Thirst & Howl at Hemingways, a new gathering that we predict will be a hump night hot spot now that warmer nights are here.
Partying is in Nick Simmons' genes.; Credit: Lina Lecaro
First, a little more about Nylon. We don't watch Glee, but apparently there were a lot of people from the show there, as well as teen fare like Beverly Hills 90210 and Pretty Little Liars. We did recognize Nick Simmons (Gene's son) – how could we not, his head poked out from above the dance floor – American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, Peaches Geldof, and cover kids Emma Roberts and Rory Culkin.
Kathy Griffin and Paris Hilton rounded out the more seasoned attendees (and we're not even kidding when we say Kat was the more attractive of the two).
DJs included Benji Madden and Kelly Osbourne. Set-lists included nothing unexpected.
Foxy at Nylon's bash.; Credit: Lina Lecaro
Many from Nylon made their way over to nearby events like we did. (Doing so is the only way anyone can justify Avalon's $20 parking for a private event). Freak City around the corner offered a shindig called Neon Underground (with buzz bands ElekTrick City and Countre Black) and it was a planned third stop, but Hemingway's Thirst & Howl took hold, thanks to a suprise performance by Macy Gray. The new night from hosts Jin & Quinn (W Hotel jazz jams), Pamela Francesca, Ian Cripps, Kelly Cole, and Taylor Russell, to name a few, features burlesque vignettes throughout the evening, a live jazz combo and Cole spinning everything from James Brown to KISS on the decks. The crowd was as cool as the music mix.
DJ Kelly Cole (with host Noah Wallace) howlin' for you.; Credit: Lina Lecaro
Gray took the stage around midnight, crooning two relaxed yet exquisite covers: Bill Withers' “Aint No Sunshine” and Santana's “Black Magic Woman,” the second of which featured a sizzling burlesque performance. (Some of the band and dancers at the club came from Forty Deuce). With Gray as a host as well, we wouldn't be surprised if more stellar jams are in this gathering's future. Either way, the party's laid back vibe, inspired venue (if you haven't been to Hemingway's, you should, it's one of our favorite bars decor-wise) and sexy sights and sounds, make an evening that is indeed something to howl about.
More pictures in this week's Nightranger slideshow.
Follow Lina Lecaro on Twitter @L_in_A
Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.