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Avalon's exclusive Spider Club was quite the blockbuster success when it opened in the early 2000s, with Brent Bolthouse hosting weekly parties for headline-making celebs like Lindsay Lohan, during her chain-smoking-teen-terror phase, and Brangelina, who haunted the club before they were out as a couple (or so claims a bartender I interviewed in 2005).
As Hollywood nightlife tales often go, however, the Spider Club ran its course, taking its final bow in the form of a cameo on the "90210" premiere in September. A few weeks later it came back to life as Bardot, its former identity a distant memory immortalized in Us Weekly back issues.
Remember the Moroccan-inspired decor, earthy tiles and DJ booth? All gone! The venue now feels like an art deco relic, thanks to gold-colored walls, elaborate white crown molding, indoor trees, black-and-white pinstriped couches, oil paintings, and burlesque dancers performing along to Big Willie's upbeat jazz. Women clad in trench coats and Veronica Lake hairstyles mingle with mustachioed artist types. There are models, writers, flacks-even the celebs still come around, only now you're as likely to see them DJ'ing, like Ryan Gosling, who recently played a Motown-inspired set.
Of course, Bardot wouldn't be anything without its team of power players orchestrating all the elements, from personal invites to "promiscuous dining" to a rotating cast of musical characters including Dhani Harrison (son of George) and Devendra Banhart. Sure, regular club nights are on the books for Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, but all events are subject to change, in keeping with the club's aura of transformation and change.
See pics from Bardot's grand opening party»
Learn more about Bardot's special events»
Find Badot's address»
Alexandra Le Tellier is Bars & Clubs editor for Metromix Los Angeles.
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