Las Vegas Weekly

November 14, 2008 · 1:34 PM

From Gene Simmons to Ludacris to Dave Navarro, the rockers’ rule is to party like there’s no tomorrow

By Robin Leach

Carlos Quentin and Brian Anderson of the White Sox feel the love.

Photo: N9NE Group

Not a week goes by in our wonderful city that rock stars, racers and rebels don’t come to party. Now Rain at the Palms seems to be back in favor as a celebrity haunt all over again: fire-breathing, tongue-wagging, blood-spitting KISS star Gene Simmons turned up solo to join the fun one night and stuck to water, and racecar driver Danica Patrick also stuck to Fiji water when she showed up there for an Indy league race party.

Next door at the N9NE steakhouse, three-time Grammy winner Ludacris happily sat for dinner while cameras from BET filmed the action. Ludacris enjoyed Jack Daniels and Coke with his rock shrimp, calamari and crab cocktail, followed by the Dover sole all served family-style for his group of five friends, including manager Shaka Zulu.

Also dining at N9NE was Hulk Hogan’s son Nick, who had to stick to sodas as he’s only 18 and on probation, plus Detroit Tigers outfielder Gary Sheffield at separate adjoining tables. Gary picked double Grey Goose vodka with two limes to go with his Colorado lamb chops. Up at Moon nightclub, more racers, riders and rappers: former Dancing With the Stars winner and Indianapolis speed king Helio Castroneves; Todd Braun, owner of the NASCAR racing team Braun Racing; and race driver Denny Hamlin with 20-plus people in their entourage. They arrived at midnight and stayed until 3:30 a.m. before returning to their Palms Sky Villa suites.

Professional BMX rider Rick Thorne, who is also an actor and musician with a principal starring role in the new Kevin James comedy film Mall Cop, was there, too, plus Todd Shaw, better known by his official stage rapper’s name of Too Short, and sports stars Carlos Quentin and his pal Brian Anderson -- both from the Chicago White Sox. The two outfielders also went down one floor to play blackjack in the Playboy Club.

On the Strip at Jet in The Mirage, Super Cr3w, America’s Best Dance Crew season two champions, couldn’t resist the music and gave an impromptu dance floor performance in the midst of the nightclub party people. Also visiting Jet were NASCAR’s Robby Gordon, Justin Long and actor pal Chris Gartin and NFL stars Sean Phillips from the San Diego Chargers, along with Eric Green and Samari Rolle from the Arizona Cardinals. Revelers there were also treated to a performance by Bay Area rappers Federation.

At sister club The Bank in the Bellagio, rocker Dave Navarro stuck to water while chatting with female fans. Also there and celebrating the final leg of System of a Down’s world tour was lead singer Serj Tankanian sipping Opus One red wine with his table of L.A. hipsters. Retired boxing champion Floyd Mayweather was on hand when he and reality series star Janelle Perry of Sunset Tan were picked as winners of the Vegas Industry Election popularity contest. Famed world DJ Tiesto showed up to watch the election results!

Bluff Magazine celebrated its 4th anniversary at the Bank, with Christina Lindley and Lacey Jones handling the hosting duties. Also on the red carpet was Maria Ho, who was the last woman standing in the World Series of Poker tournament, and actresses Nicole Pettis and Tiffany Michaels.

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