BUZZ CLUBS

Chinois still has it

Hung out with Wolfgang Puck last week. The famed chef was making the rounds at Chinois, his Santa Monica restaurant and bar. Chinois, which celebrates its 25th anniversary next year, hasn’t changed a lick since its debut. Startling, when you think of how often the decor of the Asian-fusion lounge has been knocked off in recent years. From ancient stone deities that flank the bar (a la Mood) to its wide-open kitchen, Chinois continues to set trends. In addition, most of its staff, including manager Bella Lantsman, has been there from the get-go. Among the lounge’s recent guests were Harrison Ford, Lauren Bacall, Anthony Hopkins, Phil Jackson and Gwyneth Paltrow, who’s been going there since she was a wee one.

Hip hello again

Montmartre Lounge’s grand reopening party on Friday brought out Shannen Doherty, Melissa Rivers, Rory Cochrane and loads of Hollywood hipsters who rocked out to DJ Samantha Ronson and Ringside, among others. Friday night, Cisco Adler’s band, Whitestarr, headlines the revamped Hollywood nightclub.... The Penthouse at the Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica was visited by Keyshawn Johnson, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Tara Reid over the weekend.... And actress Kate Bosworth celebrated a pal’s birthday party at the Prime Grill in Beverly Hills on Saturday. Also on hand to help blow out the candles were James Blunt, Leelee Sobieski and Frankie Muniz.... Brent Bolthouse promoter Allison Melnick celebrates her birthday tonight at Area nightclub, with DJ Frankie Inglesias providing the verve.

Upswing downtown

The one-time dive Five Stars on Main Street downtown is being renovated and should be dusted off in time for a late June opener.... Look for the Crocker Club, a speak-easy-style bar in Chinatown, to open in late summer.... Then there is Church & State, a restaurant/lounge scheduled to open next month in the Biscuit Co. Lofts building on Industrial Street.... Also pencil in the Brewer’s Gallery, a small beer joint set to open on Traction Avenue later this year.... Sean Penn kicked it at Zanzibar in SaMo last Thursday at the fourth anniversary party for AfroFunke.... Also seen on the scene: Rage Against the Machine’s Zack de la Rocha at the French Market Cafe in Venice on Sunday.... Before heading off to the big house, Paris Hilton hit Les Deux in Hollywood on Friday with her sister, Nicky, and a few pals. Also in the house were Jamie Foxx and Vince Vaughn.... Sweets lovers may want to get a lick at “Kandyland,” a Playboy Mansion party hosted by DASK Productions on June 23 promising to be one part “Alice in Wonderland” and two parts “Willy Wonka.” Yum.