For four months I traveled Manhattan to find the very spots where tabloid history was made, here’s my journey!
As some of my readers know, last fall I started college in Manhattan. Admittedly, I wasn’t well-acquainted with the Big Apple before I started my freshman year, so I figured what better way to learn the lay of the land than by scoping out all of its historical landmarks - the very spots where phones were tossed, careers were lost, and where Courtney Love probably did something incredibly fucked-up. So from September through this past week, here are the many stops I’ve made on my four-month journey through tabloid history!
(Thankfully Lilo was not driving down any New York streets during my journey… or I wouldn’t be writing this post right now!)
Nello
696 Madison Ave
History: In December 2006, Paris Hilton was spotted leaving this Madison Avenue restaurant with pal Brandon “Firecrotch” Davis when photographers noticed a suspicious white substance in her nostril.
The subsequent day’s Page Six made note:
Parasite’s super-publicist Elliot Mintz ran to her defense with one of his many brilliant excuses (See Also: The Greatest Celeb Excuses Of All Time):
“I can tell you Paris does not use narcotics. I would imagine [it’s] something like whipped cream or a sugary substance from dessert. Something that naturally might have found it’s way to onto her face if she touched her nose or whatever. I’d label it a stray dessert.”
Today: Paris continues to leave “desserts” in her nostril.
Dark Room
165 Ludlow St
History: Lindsay Lohan and Kate Moss walk into a bar, and what happens next? They decorate the bathroom stall with a love letter to Scarlett Johansson!
~Close-Up~
While Lilo was making a bathroom trip during this January 2006 night on the town, she asked a fellow patron for a sharpie & scribbled, “Scarlett is a bloody cunt / L / Peace and love / fucker” on the wall. As for the purported reasoning behind the Johansson/Lohan feud, LL was peeved that Scarlett had also dated Jared Leto, and she was also pissed that Scarlett could go to clubs & still be considered a ’real actress’ while Lindsay was just a ’party girl.’ This incident certainly didn’t help change that image.
Today: The club closed its doors this past February after a twelve-year run.
Confessions of a Broken Heart Set
114 W 26th St
History: Few artists have a discography as timeless as Lilo’s, and even fewer have as impressive of a videography to match. While gearing up to release her second chart-topping masterpiece A Little More Personal (Raw) in 2005, LL directed a music video to her powerful Grammy-snubbed ballad Confessions of a Broken Heart (Daughter to Father) at this Chelsea storefront, the reasoning for the setting being: “It’s in a storefront, on display, because my life is on display.” A true artist!
Today: Confessions is now recognized as one of the greatest music videos of all time, and there’s a plaque commemorating Lindsay’s artistic endeavors outside the buildi– I’ll keep dreaming.
500 Park Tower
500 Park Ave
History: While preparing for an Oprah interview in her Upper East Side apartment one morning in April 2006, Naomi Campbell realized she was missing a pair of jeans. When she asked her housekeeper Ana Scolavino about the jeans’ whereabouts, Ana responded that she had no clue, prompting Naomi to shout that she was a “fucking bitch"… and then hurling a crystal-encrusted Blackberry at Ana’s head.
Naomi reportedly told her staff to tell cops that Ana had hurt herself falling, but Ana told staffers at Lenox Hill Hospital that Naomi had hit her. After being taken in for questioning, Naomi claimed that Scolavino was trying to ”extort“ her, but the ex-housekeeper fired back, claiming she had no idea of Campbell’s abusive history until the building’s doorman warned her one day to be ”very careful.“ Naomi was charged with second-degree assault, and later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.
Today: Naomi sold the battleground for $4.5 million in 2007.
Little Cupcake Bakeshop
30 Prince St
History: In November 2012, a sunglasses-clad Amanda Bynes walked into this SoHo bakery before spending an hour-and-a-half eating the shop’s ”Dreaming Princess“ cupcake. After finishing, she beelined for the bathroom, where she hid for half-an-hour. After 10 minutes, another patron hoping to use the bathroom knocked on the door… no response. About 15 minutes in, a firefighter who believed Bynes was unconscious began banging on the door. After police were called, Amanda finally exited and said: ”Oh, excuse me. I was doing my makeup.“
Today: Unlike Amanda, I opted for a ”Brooklyn Blackout“ cupcake during my visit!
The Biltmore
217 W 47th St
History: A little over a year after her first arrest, Amanda Bynes was busted, again, in May 2013 after police responded to a call from her apartment building’s doorman, claiming that the actress had been smoking weed in the lobby. When police arrived at Bynes’ 36th floor pad, she grabbed a bong sitting in plain sight and tossed it out the window. During a court hearing the following day, though, Amanda clarified the incident to a judge… explaining that the bong she tossed was ”just a vase!“
Today: Amanda was evicted from her apartment shortly after the arrest.
Barney’s
660 Madison Ave
History: Just when you thought Amanda Bynes’ reign of terror over Manhattan had come to an end, she made a comeback in October 2014 when she was caught pulling a Winona at this Madison Avenue Barney’s. Shortly after 2PM, security stopped Bynes after she tried to leave while wearing a $200 hat she hadn’t paid for. When police arrived at the scene, she explained that she had only left without paying because fans were chasing her. She later told People she was banned from the store: “I basically just had to leave. They said, ‘Please, just don’t shop at Barney’s anymore.’ But oh well. It’s fine.”
Today: Amanda continues to shop at Barney's… in LA.
Bloomie Nails
219 8th Ave
History: In August 2004, Foxy Brown asked for a manicure and pedicure at this Chelsea salon. When she only got the manicure, and ended up being charged for both, things went awry. Employees at the salon claimed Foxy hit and kicked the manager, Sun Ji Song, before slugging a phone at another worker. Foxy claimed, however, that the alleged tussle never happened and the salon was just trying to take advantage of her celebrity. She was later sentenced to anger management classes and three years’ probation.
Today: The salon is still in business. Foxy? Not so much.
Courtney Love’s Old Apartment
30 Crosby St
History: Back in the America’s Sweetheart days, Courtney Love terrorized tenants of this SoHo apartment building - tossing bottles from her window, trashing the lobby, wandering around naked, and reportedly harassing Nicole Kidman in an elevator (Back when Nicole was dating one of Love’s neighbors, Lenny Kravitz). Her most notable incident, however, was a meltdown on her 40th birthday in July 2004, resulting in her being hauled off to Bellevue Hospital for a 72-hour hold.
Today: After a stint in rehab, Courtney sold the infamous loft for $5.25 million in 2006.
Wendy’s
20 E 14th St
History: After a wild March 17, 2004 appearance on The Late Show With David Letterman, a barefoot Courtney Love made an impromptu late-night stop at this Union Square Wendy’s where she flashed her breasts, and even let a guy suck her tit! The mystery man, Kofi Asare, later said in an interview: “She was flashing everybody her breasts and we took a picture and I asked her, ‘Courtney, one last flash.’ She obliged and I just went for it. It was less than a second. By the time I turned my face the photographer flashed the shot. And there you have it. It was a classic New York City rock star moment.”
Today: I was disappointed to find there was no plaque to commemorate this historical landmark.
Plaid Nightclub
76 E 13th St
History: After the Wendy’s incident, Courtney Love popped up at this former club for an unscheduled 1AM miniconcert, which she started by announcing: “I’m not on drugs.” After rambling through a six-song set, Courtney tossed her guitar and a metal microphone stand into the crowd, smacking a concertgoer and splitting open his scalp. She was hauled off to the 9th Precinct where she was booked on misdemeanor assault and endangerment charges.
Today: The club closed its doors for good shortly after the bloody performance.
Mercer Hotel
147 Mercer St
History: In June 2005, Russell Crowe tried, with no success, to make a long-distance call from this SoHo hotel to his wife in Australia. After unplugging the phone from the wall, Crowe angrily confronted a lobby desk clerk, Nestor Estrada, before slugging him with it. During his arrest, Crowe told cops: “I really didn’t mean to hit the guy. I just wanted to get the fucking phone to work.” He ended up settling the case for $11 million and later ripped a page from the Naomi Campbell playbook, claiming in a 2014 interview that he had never thrown the phone, but rather the desk clerk hurt himself by slipping and hitting his head. Uhh… sure.
Today: The hotel is still a celebrity favorite, and thankfully Russell has yet to return.
Club One
26 Little W 12th St
History: Days before shaving her head in February 2007, Britney Spears visited this former Meatpacking District club where she drank tequila straight from the bottle and wandered naked into the dancers’ dressing rooms, swapping her dress for some fishnets and underwear. She later stole a T-shirt off of one of the club’s waiters and partied 'till 4AM.
Today: The club has since transformed into a racist bistro.
Hayden Hall
33 Washington Square West
History: Back in their short-lived NYU days, Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen were frequent visitors of this party dorm, where legend has it that one night in 2004, MK was seen running through the halls as a pal shouted: “Look, it’s Michelle Tanner, and she’s on coke!”
Today: The building was renamed Lipton Hall this past summer.
Mary-Kate & Ashley’s Old Apartment
100 Morton St
History: Shortly before Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen began classes at NYU, the girls snatched up four penthouse apartments at this West Village condominium for $7.3 million in August 2004, combining them into one massive dorm room. Isn’t it fun being rich?
Today: After dropping out of school, the girls listed the pad for $11 million in 2005, but later sold it for $7.7 million in 2010.
NBC Studios
30 Rockefeller Plaza
History: While many famous faces have graced Saturday Night Live, one of the show’s most infamous incidents involved an October 23, 2004 appearance from Ashlee Simpson. The singer/actress/American icon was promoting her debut album, Autobiography (Buy it on iTunes!), when she was busted lip-syncing her smash hit Pieces Of Me. Instead of trying to bust out a note or two, Ashlee resorted to doing a jig before fleeing the stage in embarrassment. At the end of the show, she blamed the snafu on her band “playing the wrong song,” but two days later she came up with a more creative excuse: acid reflux.
Today: SNL’s yet to top to this historic moment.
Dream Downtown
355 W 16th St
History: Throughout the early 2010s, Lindsay Lohan transformed this Chelsea hotel into her Manhattan 'Chateau Marmont’ with a string of Page Six-ready scandals. From crashing a fashion week after party, to fighting the hotel owner’s model wife, to then being photographed with the hotel owner looking like… this:
- all culminating in a September 2012 incident in which she hit a pedestrian outside the hotel with her Porsche Cayenne.
Today: The hotel owner, Vikram Chatwal, was most recently arrested for trying to light a dog on fire. Lilo picks 'em well.
The Ritz-Carlton
50 Central Park S
History: During a May 2006 visit to the Big Apple, Britney Spears was infamously snapped stumbling on the sidewalk of this hotel, nearly dropping her 8-month-old son Sean Preston - the latest in a series of parenting mishaps that year, ranging from driving with Sean on her lap to reportedly watching him fall out of his high chair. Also, Mischa Barton called her mom “retarded” in the hotel’s elevator once.
Today: Mischa wishes she could afford to stay in a hotel again.
Plaza Hotel
768 5th Ave
History: From a coked-up Daniel Baldwin running through the halls naked to Donald Trump’s nuptials to Marla Maples, this iconic hotel has welcomed its fair share of unflattering sights, but the most memorable was an October 2010 drug-fueled Hollywood meltdown, courtesy of Charlie Sheen of couse! While his daughters stayed with ex-wife Saint Denise Richards across the hall, a fresh-out-of-rehab Charlie did a few lines, threw a few chairs, and left a terrified porn star locked in the bathroom as he frantically searched for a missing wallet. The next day, Charlie’s rep explained the incident as him simply having an “adverse allergic reaction to some medication.”
Today: A woman accused ex-governor Eliot Spitzer of attacking her at the hotel last year… but apparently she lied? Never a dull moment at the Plaza!
1Oak
453 W 17th St #1
History: While I’m sure quite a few wayward starlets have done lines in the bathroom, this club’s most important moment - fact, not opinion - was a January 2008 fur theft by Lindsay Lohan. While attending a party hosted by a friend of Stavros Niarchos, Columbia co-ed Masha Markova noticed a $12,000 fur coat she’d left in a bin had vanished. Two weeks later, Markova found the missing fur… draped around Lilo in a Feb. 11 issue of Ok! When she complained about the coat-jacking to 1Oak’s owners, they told her: “We’re going to bring you something.” Two days later, the coat arrived at Markova’s apartment, reeking of booze and cigarettes - and without an apology note.
Today: Feel free to check it out, but without Lilo stealing your valuables… is there even a point in going?
Bowery Hotel
515 W 27th St
History: While this SoHo hotel has welcomed its fair share of tabloid tidbits, its claim to my heart is a September 2008 incident in which an agitated Lilo hit a paparazzo with her bag as he camped outside her temporary abode to snap pictures of Marc Anthony’s 40th birthday party. While police were called to the scene, a report wasn’t filed. The incident wasn’t the last time Lilo caused a ruckus at the Bowery, however. The following year, cops had to drag her out of the building after she tossed a room service tray at someone’s door during a bust-up with Samantha Ronson. True love!
Today: Lilo’s returned to her old stomping grounds the few times she’s raised enough money escorting to book a US-bound flight.
Marquee
289 10th Ave
History: For over a decade, this club has been a staple of Manhattan nightlife & tabloid drama, with the likes of Lindsay Lohan, breakdown Brit Brit, and a pole-dancing Paris Hilton gracing its banquettes.
Today: Paris racked up a $230K booze bill at the club a couple of years ago, and a year before that Diddy ordered a bottle of Ciroc for every table!
Maritime Hotel
363 W 16th St
History: Next door from Dream Downtown is yet another Lilo terror zone, which became the scene of a diary-snatching in January 2006 when LL left a journal of her deepest & darkest secrets behind at the hotel’s bar. The person who recovered it transcribed some of her personal musings for the Internet, which included an anecdote about how Jared Leto’s dick is so big that having sex with him is like trying to fit into “tiny new Jimmy Choos.” Shakespeare should take notes!
Today: It’s as busy as ever, but with Lilo in Dubai, I doubt you’ll find anything juicy left behind at the bar.
Butter
415 Lafayette St
History: Anyone who’s watched an episode of Gossip Girl will know this former hotspot by heart. While Blair and Little J sparred on its grounds as Kylie Minogue blared in the background on TV, their real life it-girl counterparts also got down and dirty at the former party-girl haven.
Ashley Olsen and Ashlee Simpson used to date co-owner Scott Sartiano, while MK Olsen and Lindsay Lohan were linked to Richie Akiva. But things didn’t end on good terms between Richie and Lindsay. According to urban legend, Lilo was spotted pelting champagne glasses at her ex-beau one June 2006 night. She also got into a tiff with Diddy that same week after abandoning her table to throw down with Parasite Hilton. When she returned, she found his posse had swiped her seat, and after a brief war of the words, his security kicked her onto the sidewalk - harsh!
Today: It closed its doors in 2013 and now the space is occupied by Asia De Cuba.
Avenue
116 10th Ave
History: In November 2012, Lindsay Lohan was led away from this Chelsea club in cuffs after punching a palm reader in the face. The reasoning? Lilo told the other woman that she needed some “space.”
This wasn’t the first time Lilo stirred up trouble at Avenue, though. Back in June 2009 she took to Twitter after spotting Timberdouche at the club… sans Jessica Biel:
Today: NBA’s Matt Barnes was busted for choking a woman at the club last December.
Tenjune
26 Little W 12th St
History: On any given night in 2007, you could witness Lilo working the turntables with Steve Aoki, or Paris Hilton making out with Elisha Cuthbert - and even a drunk Hilary Duff giving lapdances as Successica Simpson straddles Dane Cook in the corner, all the while Britney Spears is puking for a swarm of flip phone cameras.
Today: Long after its celebrity peak, the club closed its doors in 2014.
Bungalow 8
515 W 27th St
History: Like any good mid-00s haunt, Bungalow 8 welcomed its share of Lohan, Hilton, and Olsen drama. The onetime hotspot welcomed a brawl between MK Olsen and Alexandra Richards, a battle between Jeremy Piven and Stephen Dorff over a bathroom line, Nicole Richie stabbing someone in the eye, and a distraught Paris being turned away from the door:
Lilo also partied it up with Vanessa Minnillo at the club one night in June 2006. Afterwards, the duo retreated to Sean Lennon’s Greenwich Village apartment… and we all remember what happened next:
Today: Like pop culture, Bungalow 8 was laid to rest in 2009.
Nyla
52 E 41st St
History: After opening to fanfare in June 2002, Brit Brit’s Louisiana-themed eatery faced health-code violations, high staff turnover, countless unpaid bills, and an endless string of bad publicity, causing her to jump ship after less than six months.
Today: The failed restaurant’s space at the Dylan Hotel was filled by a steakhouse.
SoHo Grand
310 W Broadway
History: This hotel was the site of quite a few Successica Simpson/John Mayer hookups in 2007, and it was also the very spot where Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson had their first rendezvous back in 2006. Pete told Howard Stern years later: “It was the single best sexual encounter I’ve ever had. We were in the Soho Grand Hotel, and there was a mirror, and I was like, 'Oh my God, you’re banging the girl of your dreams and you’re watching it right now.’ ” It gets better, though. At the time of the hookup, he was dating Michelle Trachtenberg, prompting a brawl three years later between Michelle & Ashlee, complete with a classic: “I hope you know, the whole time you were dating Pete, I was fucking him!”
Today: The hotel lasted, Ashlee and Pete didn’t.
Stereo
512 W 29th St
History: This former Chelsea club was another favorite of Hilton and Lohan - the two girls even got into a reported dance battle there back in 2006! The hotspot also welcomed a Barron Hilton mugging on its sidewalk (No word if it was Lilo approved), Simon Rex pissing in the hallway, and Axl Rose fleeing in tears after a fan accidentally spit in his contact lenses. Former Miss USA Tara Conner was also supposed to have a splashy post-rehab coming home party at the club in 2007, but backed out for obvious reasons.
Today: It closed its doors for good in 2008 following a string of legal mishaps - shootings, drug busts, the usual.
Gramercy Park Hotel
2 Lexington Avenue
History: In October 2007, the Post spotted Ashley Olsen canoodling with Lance Armstrong at the hotel’s Rose Bar: “Ashley drank red wine, sat on his lap and they were making out all night.” Paris Hilton was also reportedly left teary-eyed the previous year when she was denied entry to the hotel after then-owner Ian Schrager declared “the likes of Paris Hilton and her ilk are not welcome here.” And for my NYC Prep fans, this is where PC was spotted getting “super touchy-feely” with Paris’ little brother Barron Hilton in 2009.
Today: Paris isn’t relevant enough to be banned from anywhere anymore.
Four Seasons
57 E 57th Street
History: Before that whole Madonna fling, most of Alex Rodriguez’s extramarital affair took place at this Midtown hotel, with Manhattan madame Kristin Davis reportedly sending more than a half-dozen dates his way.
Today: The spirit of empty Valtrex bottles continues to linger on throughout the hotel.
Beatrice Inn
285 W 12th St
History: This former West Village hotspot was a staple for coked-up tabloid fixtures like the Olsens, Ronsons, Josh Hartnett, Lindsay Lohan, and Kirsten Dunst. And in its 2007 glory days, the club welcomed quite a few hookups, from Miranda Kerr making out with Brandon Davis, to Lilo being spotted with everyone from Heath Ledger to Brody Jenner - and she even got into a verbal sparring with Ashley Olsen one night after Ashley greeted Samantha Ronson. Lindsay’s response? “Get your 15-year-old 'Full House’ ass away from my girlfriend!”
Today: The mounds of blow have been swapped for fine cuisine. It’s a ~classy~ restaurant now, but if an Olsen isn’t there, then who honestly cares?
Waverly Inn
16 Bank St
History: This Greenwich Village haunt was another celebrity favorite, with everyone from Beyonce to Renee Zellweger being snapped exiting its doors throughout the late 2000s. This was also the site of another Olsen/Armstrong hookup in 2007, but one Z-Lister who isn’t a fan? Lydia Hearst. According to her, anyone who goes to the Waverly is in “search of power” - except for her, she’s just in search of food… and crack, probably.
Today: It’s since gained another celebrity detractor in Donald Trump, so even more of a reason to give it a peek! And if you see Olivia Palermo passing your table, please give her a smile… she really needs it.
Whole Foods
250 7th Ave
History: If there are two things I can talk about all day, it’s Lindsay Lohan and Scientology, so this Chelsea Whole Foods was a must-see for me! During her historic 2012 escape from Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes was frequently snapped by paparazzi perusing the grocer’s aisles with her fashion superstar/alleged extraterrestrial daughter Suri, but the snappers often wondered how Katie got in to begin with, as she was never seen using the only public entrance.
Well, after some tireless investigation, it was later revealed that Katie had a secret entrance from her apartment building next door - the Chelsea Mercantile - to the market, a critical strategy to evading Xenu. Who would’ve thunk that Joey from Dawson’s Creek would be the one to take on David Miscavige?
Today: Katie and Suri have since fled the Big Apple for Calabasas.
Nobu 57
40 W 57th St
History: After auctioning off a dinner to benefit VH1’s Save the Music Foundation, Beyonce was surprised to find that the two winners were members of PETA. While dining at this Manhattan restaurant in June 2006, the auction winners whipped out a portable DVD player and started showing the singer - who used fur in her House of Dereon clothing line - graphic footage of animals being killed. Security swiftly escorted out the duo, and B remained straight-faced through the rest of her meal.
Today: In recent awkward run-ins, Rosie O'Donnell bumped into Ivanka Trump at the restaurant last October.
Club New York
252 W 43rd St
History: On December 28, 1999, Diddy and Jennifer Lopez were at this former club celebrating a soon-to-be-released debut by Shyne, who was signed to Diddy’s Bad Boy Records, when Diddy accidentally bumped into one of the club’s patrons. What followed was a brief altercation, gunshots, and three people injured. JLo and Diddy were both busted fleeing the scene with a gun stashed in the trunk of their Lincoln Navigator, but in the end it was Shyne who got jail time while his former mentor got off scot-free.
#neverforget
Today: It’s a strip club!
TriBeCa Grand
History: Back in the Glitter days, Mariah Carey reportedly suffered a nervous breakdown at this hotel, complete with plate smashing and glass throwing! Once her bodyguards heard the hysterics, Mimi paid a much-needed visit to Silver Hill Hospital and the rest is history… and a classic TRL moment.
Today: The hotel changed its name to the Roxy in 2015.
The Carlyle
35 E 76th St
History: This Upper East Side hotel was Suri Cruise’s go-to for tea parties circa her terrible twos, and during her February 2007 pre-rehab party spree, Britney Spears also shacked up at the hotel, but the pop star wasn’t a fan according to one Page Six report. She was overhead in the bathroom complaining, “This place feels old!”
Another star who isn’t a fan? Nicole Kidman, probably. After all, this happened on the sidewalk:
Today: Britney has since opted to stay at The London.
Happy Endings
302 Broome St
History: Yes, we all love the usual Lohan & Olsen messiness, but the Bush Twins had a few solid scandals in their aughts heyday, too! Back in 2005, Jenna Bush accidentally left her UT-Austin ID with a coke dealer at this Lower East Side bar after helping him “clean up” following a long night of partying. A blogger who was recording footage of the bar that night sat the mystery man down for a brief interview in which he insinuated that he shared more than just drinks with the First Daughter, and then bragged that he was also totally down with the band Interpol.
Today: We’ve swapped one coked-out First Daughter for two more.
Cipriani
55 Wall St
History: While many stars have graced its grounds, there’s one moment that will stand the test of time and that’s a November 2004 wardrobe malfunction courtesy of Tara Reid! While working the red carpet for Diddy’s 35th birthday bash, the actress suffered a nip slip for the ages, unveiling a botched boob job to a crowd of photographers… all the while she was probably too wasted to even realize what was happening. She reflected on the incident in a FHM interview the following year: “People act like it was the worst crime in the world. It was a mistake, you know! You would think my boob had popped out and shot Gandhi!”
Today: Tara’s continued to go under the knife… with slightly better results.
And that’s a wrap!
I can proudly say that after these past four months, I’ve finally been able to get around Manhattan without pulling up Google Maps on my phone every five seconds. It’s true, celebrity gossip can sometimes be educational! Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed the post and like always, if any of you gossip fiends are also NYC-based and want to meet up and talk shit about Paris, just send me a message!