As Angelenos know, the Viper Room on Sunset Boulevard is somewhat of an institution in L.A.  Best known as the place where actor River Phoenix died of a drug overdose, the tiny West Hollywood club has remained on the local radar for the past 15 years.

The Viper Room was founded in 1993 by young nightlife mogul Harry Morton, and was partly owned by Johnny Depp until 2004.   The Sunset strip space had taken on various incarnations and names in the decades prior, including “The Melody Room” in the 40s, a jazz bar frequented by ganster Bugsy Malone, and a dive bar called “Filthy McNasty” in the early 70s.  Over the years, the intimate venue has hosted some of the top names in music,  including The Doors, Johnny Cash, Iggy Pop, and Bruce Springsteen.

But perhaps what the club is more notorious for is the scandal associated with it.  Aside from witnessing the tragic death of River Phoenix in 1993, the Viper Room has been the backdrop for countless Hollywood incidents, including a cat fight involving Baywatch star Nicole Eggert in 1993, and altercations with photographers and Mick Jagger and Tommy Lee, both in 1996.

In spite of (or because of?) the scandal, the Viper Room has remained a must-go live music venue in Hollywood. In 1999, the club was renovated, and transformed from a dingy, all-black dive into a dimly-lit, still cozy space with an Art Deco motif.  Stars continue to gravitate toward the Viper Room, whether on the stage or in the audience.  The iconic club is a favorite place for big names to give impromptu or “secret” performances, while celebrities are frequently spotted in the crowd, probably thanks in part to the venue’s no-camera policy.

Combine tip-tier music with an intimate vibe and infamous history and you’ve got a Hollywood landmark– one that the L.A. Times has called “the most consistently hip club in L.A.”