Hyde Lounge
8029 Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA
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In 2005, two nightlife powerhouses joined forces -- Sam Nazarian's SBE Entertainment Group and Bolthouse Productions -- to bring L.A.'s fickle scenesters a lounge that only VVIPs could access. Although Hyde's exterior is non-descript -- just a white stone wall with a wooden door -- what lies inside is one of L.A.'s most exclusive parties. So exclusive, in fact, Tara Reid was once turned away at the door while blonde rival Paris Hilton strutted past her. And thanks to TMZ.com you can see the silly episode for yourself. "Jenifer Rosero will greet you with a scowl and her 'door bitch' look if you aren't Naomi Watts or at least sleeping with her," says one industry insider. The paparazzi are on permanent prowl out front, and there's lots of activity thanks to the lounge's don't-talk-to-media mystique. Ironic, then, that co-owner Brent Bolthouse is a fixture on that MTV reality series The Hills. We guess some press is worth exploiting yourself for. If you do get in, it's a lavish affair rich in brown leather banquettes and a leather-tufted wall (probably to soften the blow of the party crashers when they get the boot). We wish we could tell you more, but then we'd have to kill you.

Behind the velvet rope: Kate Bosworth, Adrien Brody, Joaquin Phoenix, Leonardo DiCaprio, Zach Braff, Orlando Bloom and Scarlett Johansson. Do we even need to say Paris and Lindsay?

VIP privileges: Since the place only holds 80 egos, there's no VIP room per se. Once inside, you can order from chef Katsuya Uechi's Asian-inspired menu. (Like anyone in this town actually eats.)

Photo: Courtesy of Hyde Lounge