Celebrity bars are increasingly popular. They range from upscale lounges to neighborhood pubs. Many celebrities’ own bars due to their love of mixology or a desire to create a unique experience for fans. This article explores some of the top celebrity-owned bars worldwide.
The Pink taco, the Rusty Knot, the Dead Rabbit, the Dragonfly, and the Groucho Club are all bars that have one thing in common; they are all owned by celebrities. This makes them the kind of place that is very popular for people to visit.
We are always going to see a merge between celebrities and these types of locations. You can also find a list on general celebrity-owned business ventures.
The psychology behind the celebrity bar
There is a psychological effect that comes with the creation of a bar that is not owned by a regular person. Some people find it very exciting to eat or drink at a bar or restaurant that is owned by a celebrity. Needles to say, this makes them feel close to the glamour of the entertainment industry.
This means that there will always be more people who will show interest in going to these bars. There is much more appeal to this kind of establishment due to the fact that they are celebrity-owned.
We are usually drawn to people who have a celebrity status because they have fame, fortune, power, influence, etc. This is the reason why their lives seem to be so appealing to us. There is an undeniable love or success and for wealth and this s part of western culture.
There are people who prefer to visit a place that is owned by a celebrity even if it means paying more. The cost of food and drinks will usually be a bit higher, but it should still be accessible. There needs to be a balance in this sense. This is always going to be an important thing to keep in mind.
The most popular celebrity bars in the US and Europe:
- The Pink Taco – Los Angeles, USA: Owned by Pink Taco founder Harry Morton, it’s located on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. The Pink Taco has a unique menu that combines Mexican cuisine with American flavor. It offers an extensive selection of tequila and mezcal. Celebrities like Paris Hilton, Miley Cyrus, and Justin Bieber frequent the bar.
- Dead Rabbit – New York City, USA: It’s a multi-level bar in Lower Manhattan owned by Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry. It has won numerous awards for its innovative cocktails and exceptional service. The bar is named after a notorious Irish-American gang and has attracted actors like Bradley Cooper and Gerard Butler.
- The Rusty Knot – New York City, USA: Owned by actor and director Ken Marino, it’s a nautical-themed bar in the West Village of Manhattan. The bar serves classic cocktails, features an extensive beer selection, and has a menu of seafood-inspired bar bites. Celebrities like Jimmy Fallon and Sarah Jessica Parker have frequented the bar.
- The Dragonfly – Los Angeles, USA: Dave Navarro, the guitarist of Jane’s Addiction, owns this legendary rock club. It has hosted performances by some of the biggest names in rock, including Guns N’ Roses, Nirvana, and Rage Against the Machine amongst other important bands. The Dragonfly has a grungy, divey vibe and is popular among local musicians and music lovers.
- The Groucho Club – London, UK: A private members’ club in London’s Soho district owned by a group of actors and creatives. The Groucho Club has been a favorite haunt of British celebrities for decades. Its members include actors, writers, musicians, and artists. The club features a restaurant, bar, event spaces, a screening room, and a rooftop terrace.
Other examples of celebrities going into the business
Today, many celebrities have taken their love of bartending to the next level by opening their own bars and nightclubs. A prime example of this is the wildly successful Casamigos tequila brand, co-founded by George Clooney and his buddy Rande Gerber. The two pals had a passion for drinking and partying, and eventually decided to create their own tequila brand, which has become a massive hit.
Other famous figures who have ventured into the bar and restaurant industry include Jay-Z, co-owner of the trendy 40/40 Club in New York City, and Justin Timberlake, co-owner of the Southern Hospitality BBQ restaurant chain.
This is just a great reminder of how celebrity bars are big thing all over the world. While the focus of many of these bars is in the US, it is something that is not seen worldwide too. This makes it a very alluring and tempting type of thing for many investors.
You can also see how people of wealth who are not famous and teaming up with celebrities to create these new chains of bars and restaurants.
Planet Hollywood was the first big celebrity restaurant/bar in the business
Planet Hollywood is a well-known restaurant and entertainment chain that originated in New York City in 1991. The concept behind the chain was to offer an immersive dining experience with a Hollywood-inspired theme. The restaurant quickly became popular and expanded to locations all over the world.
One of the most interesting aspects of Planet Hollywood is its ownership history. The chain was originally founded by Robert Earl, a British entrepreneur who had previously worked for the Hard Rock Cafe. Earl teamed up with several Hollywood celebrities, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, and Sylvester Stallone, to invest in the chain.
Over the years, ownership of Planet Hollywood has changed hands several times. In 1999, the company went public and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange. However, the company struggled financially, and in 2001 it filed for bankruptcy. A group of investors, including Earl, purchased the company out of bankruptcy and took it private.
In 2006, the chain became part of a company called the Starwood Capital Group. Under Starwood’s ownership, Planet Hollywood underwent a significant expansion, opening new locations in Europe and Asia. However, the chain once again struggled financially, and in 2015 it filed for bankruptcy for the second time.
In 2016, a new group of investors purchased Planet Hollywood out of bankruptcy. The new owners included the investment firm Sailing Capital and the theme park operator Silverton Casino. Under their ownership, the chain has continued to expand, opening new locations in destinations such as Disney Springs in Orlando, Florida.
A wide choice of foods
In terms of dining options, Planet Hollywood offers a wide variety of American-style cuisine, including burgers, sandwiches, and salads. However, what sets the chain apart is its themed decor and memorabilia. Each location features displays of movie props, costumes, and other items from famous Hollywood productions.
Overall, Planet Hollywood has had a fascinating ownership history, with several changes in ownership and periods of financial difficulty. However, the chain has continued to endure and remains a popular destination for those looking for a unique dining experience with a Hollywood flair.
The connection between celebrities and bartenders
Bartenders and celebrities have a bond that is both alluring and perplexing. From the glamorous Hollywood image of bartenders serving movie stars, to the recent trend of celebrity-owned bars and nightclubs, the connection between these two worlds has been fascinating entertainment lovers for decades.
However, the relationship between bartenders and celebrities is not just about drinks. Often, bartenders become confidantes and even close friends with their famous customers, building a strong bond based on trust, discretion, and their shared passion for the art of bartending.
A legendary team
Perhaps the most legendary example of this bond is Frank Sinatra and his favorite bartender, Jilly Rizzo. Rizzo was a staple at Sinatra’s favorite bar, Jilly’s, and was renowned for serving the crooner his favorite drink, a Jack Daniel’s on the rocks. The two became inseparable friends, with Rizzo even serving as the best man at Sinatra’s wedding to Barbara Marx.
Another iconic celebrity-bartender duo is Humphrey Bogart and his favorite bartender, Eddie Clark. Clark was the head bartender at the swanky Hollywood restaurant Romanoff’s, which was a popular spot for celebrities in the 1940s and 1950s. Bogart was a regular at the bar and became close friends with Clark, often staying after hours to shoot the breeze with him and the other bartenders.
So why do celebrities have such a strong attraction to bartenders? Part of it is the nature of the job itself. Bartenders are often the first people customers meet when they enter a bar or nightclub, and thus they play a crucial role in setting the tone and creating a welcoming atmosphere. This requires a certain level of charm and charisma, which can be alluring to celebrities who enjoy a social lifestyle in many cases.
Another aspect is the intimacy of the bartender-customer relationship. When celebrities go out to a bar or nightclub, they are often seeking a place where they can let their guard down and relax. Skilled bartenders who can create a cozy and welcoming environment can help make this happen, providing a safe space where celebrities can unwind and be themselves. This is also the reason why we see so many bartenders in movies. They are fascinating to the stars.
Some of the advantages of celebrity-owned bars include:
- Celebrity-owned bars often have a unique atmosphere and decor that reflects the owner’s personality or interests.
- These bars can attract a wide range of clientele, including fans of the celebrity owner and locals who are curious about the bar.
- Celebrity-owned bars may have innovative cocktails and exceptional service, making them a popular destination for discerning drinkers.
- The celebrity owner may occasionally make appearances at the bar, providing fans with a chance to meet their favorite celebrity.
- Celebrity-owned bars can provide a boost in business due to the owner’s fame and notoriety, making them a potentially lucrative investment.
- Bars can be a marketing tool for the celebrity owner’s brand or other ventures.
Arranging an event at celebrity bars
If you are looking to book a celebrity bar, you will find that this is possible. With that said, you will be more likely to pay a higher price. First, you need to determine if the bar will be available for your event on the date you need it.
Once you establish that, you need to ask the amount of time for the event. This means the time you are planning to have your guest for and the kind of foods and drinks you want. Those are going to be key elements for you to keep in mind at all times.
There are also some situations when you are going to need to consider the kind of entertainment you want. Some of these bars provide live music, while others only have music DJs. In either case, you need to look for the ones that seem to offer the most reliable options. You always want to look for what is most accessible for the bar.
If you want, you can consider hiring external professionals that will bartend at the party in the venue you choose. This is always going to be a great way to handle things. All you need to do is look for a great team of bartenders and catering service providers if you prefer to rent the venue with external staff.
Negotiations and arrangements usually happen with the bar management and the people you hire externally. This is the reason why it can be a good idea to take your time with this process in order to ensure the best outcome. Do no rush into a decision and look into the options that you have for better results.
Party shakers offers top level services
At party Shakers, we offer the highest level of services for anyone who seeks to obtain optimal bartending services. Be it for a celebrity bar even or for a regular party, we have you covered. Our bartenders are the best in the business and we know exactly how to handle every aspect of this process.
Don’t forget that one of the main things that anyone can do is to work with the right team. The best bartenders in the world are people who work hard to achieve optimal results. In addition, we are a team that has specialized in the process of ensuring the best outcome.
Questions and answers
Why are celebrities drawn to investing in bars and restaurants?
These are industries that never go out of demand on a worldwide scale. This makes them evergreen as long as you know how to manage your business.
Are celebrity bars more likely to charge higher fees?
Celebrity bars need to think about the competitive market in order to make decisions. This means that they need to make sure that their prices are accessible to their target audience.
What is the cost of hiring a celebrity bartender?
There are some bartenders who have managed to achieve celebrity status due to their amazing skills. The cost of hiring these types of bartenders is always higher than those of hiring a regular bartender.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, celebrity-owned bars offer a unique and unforgettable experience. They are popular destinations for both celebrities and fans that are looking to get some food and drinks. Whether you’re looking for innovative cocktails, great music, or a chance to be in a location that is owned by celebrities who may visit the place from time to time, this is the right kind of bar to visit.
Now that you have a better idea of the celebrity bar life, you can higher elite level bartenders for your next event!
