Johnny Depp's Notorious Nightclub | DARK SIDE OF THE 90's

In 1993, Johnny Depp opened The Viper Room – a gathering spot in Hollywood for the rich and famous. Actor River Phoenix overdosed on cocaine and heroin and died outside it that same year.

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[wayneeast]

River was such a huge talent at the time. He could have been one of the greats but his performance on Stand by me alone was stellar. Truly an old soul.

[Al-ouso]

The narcissism in that club must’ve been unbearable. No wonder Kurt hated the “grunge” label by the end of his life. Hollywood was putting it’s dirty paws all over it.

[patrickhartmann]

I worked for Johnnys business manager in my 20’s. For some reason I was responsible for overseeing the opening, end of night till and other weird stuff. I remember Johnny wanting to open the bar to start making money, but Tom Petty wanted to keep it closed an extra night so he could take a night to rehearse. I remember being the only one in the room while the band rehearsed and being young and salty over he blowing a night of earnings for Johnny, I got up in the middle of a song and turned my back to the band and went back to work in the office. I also had to fire the 60 year old British music scout who was a super nice guy. Was propositioned there numerous times and chased Heroin users out of the bathroom more than once. Johnny sat behind a one way mirror next to the dance floor. Don’t remember him ever touching a drink or drugs, just cigarettes. The scene was way too weird for an accountant, so I quit after a month or so. Nothing but nice things to say about Johnny. He loved his mother very much.

[jimbojimbo]

The highs this man reached are simply unattainable man

What a life

[mariobasic]

Just imagine how much Coke was sniffed in those clebrity noses lol

[om-njhw]

This should of been so much longer, so fun and interesting.

[briansegura]

Leonardo walking down the street eating Chips now that’s something you won’t see now a days.

[thebat]

Need a longer documentary than 3mins 😩

[MrBootsauceTV]

Happy to say that I played this club a few months before they decided to corporatize it along with the rest of LA. Seeing my artist name on that iconic marquee was on my bucket list. So sad to see it go now.

[swisstrader]

Counting Crows dude dating Jennifer Aniston always cracked me up. What a great band that was and with lead singer as the bartender!!

[LuigiL]

This is brilliant…this is old school VICE…we need MORE!!!

[buzzfunk]

I was there the night River died. It was my first night out at the Viper since moving to LA in 1993. I still went after many times during the 90s and 2000s. Good times.

[rickybobby]

I remember one time in 1993 I wasn't even born yet so I didn't get to go to the Viper Room with Johnny Depp

[aleksandarteodorovic]

I've been to this club in the 90ies several times, I even saw quiet Johnny once on the nearby parking lot, a small nod was exchanged. Through a mutual friend, I know that Johnny was privately a very nice, unpretentious person who will even give you a hand if needed. That is not typical Hollywood attitude. It was a regular LA club on a good spot. Nothing unusual was happening there that it didn't happen in other similar venues. Try Chateau Mаrmont or Dresden, more filth was happening there.

[IM-iwwd]

A time with no phones, no video, no cameras. Privacy at its finest.

[Boozer]

Had the privilege to play The Viper Room. May it Rest In Peace…

[Praetor_Fenix]

The Viper Room was awesome! So much fun! They would have a lot of surprise guests. The had tumblers of cigarettes on the bar so you never had to bum a smoke.

[rauldiaz]

Imagine the level of narcissim there was in the Viper Room

[ryguy]

Haha counting crows dude not letting the interview end without him letting everyone know he hooked up with Jennifer Aniston 🤣 😄

[patrickdoyle]

The smart phone has ruined scenes like that. No privacy, no subculture, no secrets.