LA Hot Spots: Oscar Viewing Parties 2009

It’s that time of the year again, folks! The 81st Annual Academy Awards are coming our way this Sunday, February 22nd. Since not all of us are lucky enough to get a ticket to the Kodak theatre for the big show, I compiled a list of open-to-the-public Oscar viewing parties taking place around town that are sure to put you right smack in the middle of the glitz and glamour, and may even help you land some Academy-hopeful celebrity sightings:

“Night of 100 Stars” Party at the Beverly Hills Hotel
You'll find some of the celebrities who don't have tickets to the Kodak Theatre for the Academy Awards at the annual "Night of 100 Stars" party in the Chrystal Ballroom of this famed hotel. $1,000/person gets you a reserved table seating, dinner and open bar. Tickets are limited. Call (323) 874-0716 or email nightof100stars@aol.com for tickets and information.

APLA Fundraiser at The Abbey
Join celebrity host Jennifer Love Hewitt and party with the fun boys at APLA’s 8th Annual Oscar® viewing party at the Abbey Food and Bar in the heart of West Hollywood. Guests will enjoy a classic, red-carpet entrance, cocktails, buffet dinner and plasma-screen telecast viewing inside the city’s hottest nightspot. Proceeds will benefit APLA programs and services in Los Angeles and beyond. Limited number of seats available. To reserve your tickets or tables, or to get more information, please call (866) 679-0958.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation Party at the Beverly Hilton Hotel
Entertainer Connie Stevens will be honored by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Large screens and television monitors will show the awards program. Presenters are Jeff Trachta, Renee Taylor, Joseph Bologna and Merv Griffin. For $150/person, you get reserved seating, open bar and a elaborate buffet dinner. Call (213) 860-5200 for tickets or more information

PAL Fundraiser at the Hollywood Museum
This fundraiser for the Hollywood Police Athletic League is just about as close as you can get to the Oscars without being inside the Kodak Theatre – the museum is just a few steps from the red carpet. For $100 a person (plus service charges), the event includes museum admission, a champagne bar for the first 2 hours, a dinner buffet during the screening, and dancing after the awards. For tickets and Info call (323) 464-0808, ext. 10

“A Taste of Hollywood” Party at the Hollywood Entertainment Museum
``A Taste of Hollywood'' features a menu of food from various well-known LA restaurants, including Water Grill, Chasen's, Louise's, Wolfgang Puck Cafe, Hamburger Hamlet, Tidal Wave Seafood, Fabiolus, Fenix, Pangaea, Ocean Avenue Seafood, Fix and Ritz Carlton Marina del Rey Hotel. With giant screens, a montage of foods and prizes for game winners at $100/ticket for nonmembers, you can’t go wrong here. Tickets and more info at (213) 960-4806.

Viewing Party at The Bistro Garden
Located at 12950 Ventura Blvd. in Studio City, The Bistro Garden is setting up large TV monitors all over the venue and serving a grand buffet dinner. All inclusive price is $48/person. Call (818) 501-0202 for reservations.

Oscar party at Busby's East
Hosted by the Socal Movie Fanatics, fans who didn’t make the Kodak guest list will gather for the 2nd annual Oscar viewing party. $26/person will get you admission, a self-serve appetizer buffet, soft-drinks, and a chance to win prizes in the Oscar Ballot contest. The only thing not included is the booze, but luckily Busby's has a fantastic bar. For more information, call (323) 525-2615.

If you can’t get in to any of the above-mentioned parties, then sneak your way into any bar on the Sunset Strip. Check out the brand-new Andaz Hotel (formerly the “Riot” Hyatt), where Kate Bosworth is hosting a party Friday night or the infamous Sunset Tower Hotel, the venue for Vanity Fair’s post-Oscar bash.

Of course, if you’d rather judge the stars’ lavish looks from the comfort of your own living room, never underestimate the power of a house party. Download some Oscar ballots and bingo cards, invite over all your friends, and have a low-key night. Then smile knowing your feet won’t be killing you by the time they announce Best Picture winner, Slumdog Millionaire (don’t fret – it’s just my voteJ).