Viper Room, Los Angeles

The Viper Room is a nightclub and live music venue situated along the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. It was given its current name in 1993 and was co-founded by actors Johnny Depp and Sal Jenco, both known for their roles in the TV series "21 Jump Street." Over the years, ownership of the Viper Room has changed hands, and it is currently owned by Viper Holdings, Ltd, under the leadership of CEO James Cooper. The venue continues to feature a wide range of musical genres, including metal, punk, and alternative rock. In addition to its reputation as a music venue, the Viper Room also boasts a lower level that houses a spacious whiskey bar.

In the same year the club opened, the Viper Room quickly became a popular hangout for emerging Hollywood actors and musicians. Notably, Adam Duritz, the lead singer of Counting Crows, worked as a bartender at the Viper Room in late 1994 and early 1995 as a way to escape his newfound fame.

At Johnny Depp's request, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers graced the club with their performance on its opening night. The legendary Johnny Cash also performed at the venue, presenting material that would later appear on his album "American Recordings" (1994). In 1997, the Viper Room hosted some early solo live shows by John Frusciante. Among the other notable performers who have graced its stage are Hot Mom, Avril Lavigne, Neurotic Outsiders, Keanu Reeves (with his band Dogstar in 1997), The Cult, Slash, X, Juliette and the Licks, Concrete Blonde, Green Day, Courtney Love, Hole, Joey Ramone, Tenacious D, The Strokes, and Cher.