License to Sell

When Social Climes gets a party invitation, we usually give it a quick once-over--you know how it is, so many fetes, so little time. But the party co-hosted by Interview magazine at the Chateau Marmont last Tuesday had us doing a double take.

“It’s the end of Prohibition!” the invitation exclaimed. “After more than 60 dry years, we have our liquor license.” We couldn’t imagine the noir -ish Chateau surviving six decades without so much as a drop of alcohol available, so we called General Manager Philip Truelove for the lowdown.

“We have had a wine and beer license,” he said, “but not hard liquor. I think the reason nobody had pursued it in the past was that this has been more of a residential hotel. The hotel changed hands two years ago, and they’ve been restoring it and basically improving its services, and we think that one service we should offer is a complete liquor license.”

It took a year and a half to obtain the license, but Truelove said guests never had a problem with the dearth of hard alcohol: “I think the majority of the people who come to us know the hotel and know the situation.”

Besides, he added, they could always buy it at a local liquor store and take it up to their rooms.

Block Party

The 8000 block of Beverly Boulevard has recently gotten a serious dose of hipness. (Of course, it already boasts Jan’s coffee shop, the fave hangout of many of Los Angeles’ Finest). Last week, Monkey Bar--the restaurant that boasts chef Gordon Naccarato, formerly of Gordon’s of Aspen--made its debut. With the ink on the menu barely dry, it’s already drawing such celebs as Kiefer Sutherland, Forest Whitaker, Don Henley and Jack Nicholson. We hear that the place is so hot that during peak times, the only people allowed at the bar are those waiting for tables. No drinks-only loiterers here.

Just down the street is Ava’s, a new supper club that had its grand opening Tuesday. Invitations featured a come-hither picture of glam proprietress Ava Fabian, which have us convinced that the beautiful people will never be without a place to party.