Hollywood Haunts...The Chateau Marmont....

Went out last night to Hollywood. My sister Cindy's screenwriting friend Tracy, from NY, had flown in and wanted a girl's night on the town. I haven't gone to Hollywood in quite awhile and since I didn't have to worry about driving I figured I'd come along.

We decided to go the Chateau Marmont Hotel on Sunset blvd, which has a bar called Bar Marmont. I was curious about the place, for all its history and prestige (the home and hang out of many of Hollywood's bygone stars from the 1920's onward). In all my years living in L.A., I'd never gone.

Its funny about Hollywood hotspots, you hear so much hype that you expect them to be some grand place where you'll have some grand experience. That is, if you're "special" enough to get inside the doors at these places, in which case you should consider yourself, well, "special". Can I say that I'm only slightly curious about these places and once I've made it through the doors I'm usually disappointed, or wondering, "Okay, what the heck was that hype all about?"

However, I must confess that if you do make it into these places you can expect some sort of adventure, and expect to meet some interesting, unique characters who make for a great story afterwards, (hence today's blog).

When we arrived at the BAR MARMONT (which is next door to the legendary hotel in the pic above) we decided to valet the car (a whopping $18, which Tracy insisted on paying, gracious gal, plus I have no money to spend extravagantly, you know what they say about starving artists & their pocketbooks) When we got to the red doors of Bar Marmont we were met an attractive, young actor-type doorman, who gave us a thorough look over. Makes you feel like a lil' maiden being sent as sacrifice to the alter, or an actor before an audition, hoping you're good enough pass the test, whatever that test might be. And after all, we were dressed in all our finery and jewels(if you count costume jewelry as being jewels, I sure do, hehe), we were three foxy ladies, how could any man turn us down?

The doorman asked how many of us there were, (it was obvious there were three of us) then looking us over once more he tilted his head up with an air of importance(haha) and said "Alright" and ushered us through. 1 point for the Foxy ladies!

Ironically enough, when we got inside the BAR MARMONT and restaurant, it was smaller than imagined. The entrance was smokey (it was the designated smoking-area) but the general vibe of the place was cool, very Euro, but with an Asian influence. We turned left and went into another area that was for dining (Bar Marmont is also a restaurant) and then down the staircase to hang by the bar.

It was 10:30 then and there was about 30 people in the place, so relatively empty for these kind of establishments. It was an eclectic crowd of rock-emo-types, (shaggy hair, scarfs around their necks, skin-tight jeans) would-be surfers,(same shaggy hair but T-shirt and shorts ensembles) some sophisticated European-types, and a few young, trendy things bouncing around. I remember thinking, "Jeez, where's Leo DiCaprio? Maybe I should call him on his cell to stop by." Just kidding, don't even know the man. But there was a guy who looked strikingly similar to Owen Wilson and kept his head down a lot under a baseball cap. I never gave him a closer inspection, cause well, I'm not like that.

Inside the Bar Marmont

Anyway, we tried to make ourselves comfortable, and attempted at socializing. Me, I was already past my bedtime (I've been going to bed very early lately) and so was already feeling tired and in a bit of a dreamlike state. Plus, I just don't do these places anymore, am out of practice, am beyond it, am something. The music was great though, and kept me awake with a very unique mix of 80's, 90's pop/rock (lots of British stuff, my fave) and even shockingly, a Spice Girls tune, (which I also shockingly knew the words to, courtesy of my 9th grade affinity for them, hahaha) As time passed more people filtered through, several good-looking gents appeared through the door (who always ended up being attached by the hand with their girlfriends or dates, blah!!).

Admittedly I was happy with a tall, tan guy, late 20's with a sophisticated black ensemble walked down the stairs and looked at me. He was unique and had a friendly vibe about him. He began to make eyes at me and me, being out of practice, would only share his gaze quickly and sporadically. Okay, so I'm definitely out of practice in flirting, like a young schoolgirl, but I've just spent so much time focusing on my goals and traumas, that I have not been out and about like most single and vivacious ladies my age. Besides, I know more than ever what type of guy I want and haven't felt too secure that I would find him in a bar, lets be realistic. But you never know!

I felt certain that Mr. Sophisticate would come up to me to chat, but then I also find I tend to intimidate guys sometimes. What's a gal to do? My sis Cindy kept catching him staring at me and wanted to go over to him and introduce me. No no! Call me old-fashioned but I like when a man comes up to me and says hello, even if he is scared. I'll smile at him a little, come on, isn't that enough? Perhaps that's why I'm drawn to guys in their 30's, they tend to be more confident and approach a woman more easily, and that is attractive to me. They usually come up to me, talk to me, ask me out, no problem.

Anyway, I didn't have a chance to chat with Mr. Sophisticate. He moved to a different area of the bar with his friends. It's alright though, nice to be part of the mutual admiration society, if only momentarily.

Some other highlights of the evening. There were two British guys there that night, two polar opposites. One was covered head to toe in tattoos, super tan, had his head shaved into a Mohawk (he was about 45, so it was quite a sight), and wore funky colored sunglasses and gold chains around his neck a la Mr. T. He was so funny, tried to dance with Cindy's friend Tracy, and kept making pop and lock dance moves. But I have to say, I admire his individuality, he had nice manners and didn't care what anyone thought of him.

The next guy, now what a character, he was your typical British rocker (as described above, blond shaggy hair, neck scarf, skin tight jeans, a fedora hat). He called himself Charlie, and I guess during a conversation with my sister Cindy proclaimed himself to be the singer Sting's son. Yes, you heard me. "Sting's son" then trotted off as Cindy proceeded to tell me of his declaration. I just laughed skeptically. Granted, Charlie did look a little like the singer, but come on, who declares something so casually? Perhaps it was the liquor talking, or just pure b.s., haha. I wasn't too worried, I generally am skeptical before proven otherwise.

Later on Charlie came back and began talking with me. He looked at me and said I looked strikingly familiar. He couldn't get over it. Cindy told him I was a musician, a Singer/Songwriter. He said he was in a band and was a songwriter,too. He said, "Songwriting is really hard, isn't it?" I said, "No, I just do what I love." I don't consider it work, its pure and exhilarating to write music, otherwise I wouldn't do it.

Anyway, when we finally arrived home, I was SOOO tired but Cindy said, "Hey, let's check out that Charlie guy, see if he's for real." So we googled. And Sting does have a son, except his name is Joe. But when we saw a pic of Joe we gasped. He bore an uncanny resemblance to the guy we met. We had to get a second opinion so we kept looking at other pictures, and more gasps. Then we saw a youtube.com video and we are about 85% sure it was him. (I leave the other 15% part of my opinion free, just in case) He's either the real deal, or a twin from another mother but it really made us laugh, lol. So perhaps it will remain a mystery....


SOME FUN FACTS ABOUT THE CHATEAU MARMONT HOTEL:
* It was once the temporary home of Marilyn Monroe, Howard Hughes, Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, Montgomery Clift, Errol Flynn, Paul Newman, Jean Harlow, Boris Karloff, and Jim Morrison. (The list goes on!!)

*The legendary hotel is also considered "haunted". By who, or whom, I'm not sure. Probably half of old Hollywood who had affairs at that place, haha.

*Forbes.com has dubbed Bar Marmont one of the Hollywood's TOP 10 Hotspots (Oh we should have felt so special last night then, hahaha)