BUZZ CLUBS

Opera was singing “Tequila” on Thursday night as the Alliance’s Josh Richman, Shane Powers and Hartwell threw a swell party at the Hollywood nightclub for a new brew of Sauza. The Hornitos crowd included Ashlee Simpson, Jeremy Piven and Lamar Odom. . . . In more Alliance news, Saturdays at Teddy’s at the Hotel Roosevelt seems to be pulsating with gusto. Mary-Kate Olsen, John Legend and Taryn Manning got an earful of DJ Samantha Ronson’s freaky stylings. . . . Meanwhile, at Opera’s other half, Crimson, Cuba Gooding Jr. showed everyone the finer side of break dancing on Monday night, while Wilmer Valderrama, Chris Evans and Leelee Sobieski took notes. . . . Can’t wait for this: Tony Gower and his partners at Bordello and Royal Claytons are readying their next spot downtown, a very gothic, fortress-like pub called the Bridge Tavern. The tavern’s beer garden offers a view of the 4th and 6th street bridges. Expect a late-fall opener.

It was a night of a thousand stars, all drawn to Avalon like bees to honey for one thing and one thing only: swag. The Maxim/Casio Style Awards on Sept. 18 brought out Ja Rule (with an enormous posse), Adrianne Curry, Junkie XL, Cisco Adler, Fred Willard, Brody Jenner and Hill Harper. Each sampled from a very generous gifting suite. The free Skyy Vodka and Bud beers weren’t too shabby either. . . . Just in time for Halloween season, Façade (formerly the Ivar) is debuting life in Hell, a new Wednesday night dance club enticing vixens and vampires with ample doses of hard-core electro and dark, dreary tracks from the ‘80s. . . . The Melrose Bar & Grill opened its doors this week. The spot is a stone’s throw from the Troubadour and offers late-night noshing. The official grand opening is set for Tuesday. . . . Freebie alert: Hot comedy at Barney’s Beanery in Pasadena every Monday night. Talent pool includes jokesters from “MADtv,” “Last Comic Standing,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and Spike TV. . . . This just in: Hugo’s/Highland Grounds owner Richard Brenner has been telling people he fathered Britney Spears’ children. Too much caffeine? . . . Seen on the scene: Noah Wyle dining at Il Dolce in Santa Monica. . . . And on the decks Friday night at Club 82 at Avalon will be Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Jesse Hughes of Eagles of Death Metal.

My final memory of South Bay punk rock promoter Darryl Potter is a good one. On Aug. 19, Potter was in a wheelchair in the pit, rocking out to Instigator in Torrance. The day was his, a nine-band benefit giving back to the guy who’d given so much to the music scene. He was surrounded by friends, and Instigator was singing its theme song, “Zero Days to Waste.” Got that right. Potter, 43, lost his battle with cancer on Monday, and a service is scheduled for Saturday at the Lawndale Christian Church. Rock in peace, bro.

Letting the new tequila flow

Undeniable lure of gifting suite

He helped the South Bay rock

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