BUZZ CLUBS

Vine St. to get punk’d

Lots to be excited about. First of all, the buzz about downtown Hollywood is peaking as the Vine Street Lounge emerges to become one of the most vital live music venues the area has seen. To wit, they brought in veteran New York tour manager Ron Mesh to run the joint, and his ambition is to book as much punk rock as possible. The venue always had great potential but until now didn’t quite live up to it. As of last week, the Vine Street Lounge was boasting veteran Viper Room soundman Frank O’Riley as well as door girl Stephanie Mata. Its recent showcase of U.S. Bombs and Charley Horse showed the place can rock loud and proud. Duh. O’Riley was behind the knobs of the Viper since its inception.... Don’t forget Alexis Arquette is scheduled to host the semifinals of Beauty Bar’s Drop Dead Gorgeous Contest this Sunday night in Hollywood.... Head to the Hideout in Santa Monica for some good/bad karaoke on Tuesdays. Some of the friendly folks are country music veterans, while others butcher the heck out of artists like Sublime or Neil Diamond.... Last chance to catch former Quiet Riot/Great White bassist Sean McNabb in his acting debut as Death in “Flirting With Morty” at the Acme Comedy Theatre. The play ends Nov. 7.

It’s New Year’s Eve

Alt country promoter Shilah Morrow is throwing a New Year’s Eve bash at Pappy & Harriet’s in Pioneertown called “Moonbeams and Moonshine.” Expect rock, old-school country and outlaw spirit.... Heidi Klum had her first Halloween party in L.A. Tuesday. The sexy model usually hosts an annual spooky gala in NYC but opted for Privilege in WeHo.... In downtown L.A., the Standard holds an opening gala tonight for “Sunset & St. Marks,” an art exhibit at the hotel.... Come celebrate longtime scenester Franck Fortet’s going-away party tonight at Les Deux Cafe. The former Barfly GM is heading to gay Pa-ree.

Dog-gone ‘Dream’

Bumped into former firefighter Mike McColgan, the original singer of the Dropkick Murphys who’s now fronting the Street Dogs, at Whole Foods in Santa Monica. McColgan says he’s excited about the Street Dogs’ new album, “Fading American Dream,” which includes guest appearances by the Pogues and Flogging Molly. They bring their Boston Irish flavor to the House of Blues on the Strip on Friday night.