Party Stays Strong to the Finish at Popeye’s

In response to the oft-asked query, “Where da party at?” I’m going to let you in on a secret: The party’s at Popeye’s Chicken on Hollywood Boulevard at Cahuenga. Ever since Cahuenga became party central, Popeye’s is the last-call grub of choice, a nightly cinema verite starring scenesters, bums and cross dressers.

One recent Saturday, I ran into Motochrist’s Danny Nordahl, Long Beach Dub All-Stars manager Jon Philips and Goatsnake’s Greg Anderson, all at Popeye’s.... Part of Cahuenga’s new excitement is Blest, a hot retail shop next to Beauty Bar that fully represents the scene by spotlighting its many young designers.... Chatted up “That ‘70s Show” star Mila Kunis at Tattoo Mania on the Strip. Don’t worry, mom. She was only observing.... Stopped by a recent Sony PlayStation 2 shindig at Hollywood and Vine. Two times, I was told I couldn’t walk on the sidewalk. Let’s forget about guest lists for a moment and consider the following fact: Sidewalks are public spaces.... I’d like to go to tonight’s Alliance party for PlayStation 2 in Century City, featuring a performance by Alicia Keys. But the little notation at the bottom of the invite where it says, “Space is limited and not guaranteed” is making me queasy.... Sought refuge in Oxnard by holing up at the Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Hotel. While I was floating in its ocean-side Jacuzzi at dusk, who should stroll by but John Stamos in a tux? In a life rich with random star sightings (buying cheesecake behind Angelyne at the market being numero uno ), Stamos in a tux in Oxnard pretty much rules.

Designer Ricki Kline tells me he’s snooping around Eagle Rock and East Hollywood, scouting locations for neighborhood watering holes.... North/3 Clubs owner Marc Smith tells me he and his partners, Cedd Moses and Johnny Camacho, are having success with their 3-month-old downtown coffee shop Acapulco Gold. In addition, they’re in the process of whipping up a good downtown bar at 400 S. Main St. (on the ground floor of the San Fernando Building), and he says the El Dorado Hotel project (at 416 S. Spring St.) has taken on a new shape, with plans to opt for “business sleek” over “boutique chic,” its original game plan. Muy inteligente .

Fans of deejay Johnnie Nixon can catch him regularly at Star Shoes, where he’s a partner.... Fans of Motochrist’s Ricky Vodka can hang with him on Tuesdays at Beauty Bar, where he’s promoting a new rocker night.... A plea to Serj from System of a Down. Call me, bro. In light of recent world events, the L.A. band’s new single, “Chop Suey,” is lyrically chilling. In the words of Tom Petty, I need to know, yo.