Columnist Kate Maddox: Baby’s at Hard Rock rocked hard

Kate Maddox

Friday, May 19, 2000 | 9:16 a.m.

Kate Maddox's column appears Fridays, Sundays and Tuesdays. Reach her at kmaddox@lasvegassun.com.

Things heated up this week at Baby's nightclub at the Hard Rock hotel-casino. After a monthlong investigation by Metro Police into alleged drug dealings at the underground night spot, hotel management rearranged the club's top brass, firing famed L.A. night-life guru Sean MacPhearson and his Las Vegas-based management crew.

According to insiders at the hotel, drugs -- especially the raver-fave Ecstasy -- were a problem, as they are to some degree at most after-hours dance clubs.

However, the real issues uncovered at Baby's had more to do with management improprieties than with dealers pushing illegal party favors. Apparently, guests were being allowed in without having to pay a cover charge and some bartenders were overcharging for cocktails while management and security looked the other way.

After all was said and done, the ax had to fall on someone, and MacPhearson -- who splits ownership of the club 50-50 with the hotel -- and his crew were turned out ASAP. MacPhearson owns and operates at least five night spots in Los Angeles, which are often hangouts for the "beautiful people" and celebrities.

Hotel sources claim that rumors of a drug bust and of massive firings have been grossly exaggerated and insist that only Baby's managers, Ryan Doherty and Richard Chu, along with one member of a security team, were let go immediately. "We're still looking into keeping some of the other employees on board," one source at the Hard Rock said. "Despite all of this, we still have a club to run."

The rumors about drug-taking and drug-dealing at Baby's got the police's attention after a former Hard Rock employee was allegedly busted when cops found him with a large amount of Ecstasy. Those tuned in to Las Vegas' club scene admit that Baby's is probably just the first stop on a longer list of clubs being targeted by police for illegal drug use and distribution.

Hard Rock management declined to comment on specific facts regarding the police investigation but insist that Baby's will be up and running again. In fact, everything was set for a regular Thursday night party with resident DJ and Baby's creative director Mike Fuller this week. Baby's is open Thursdays through Sundays.

Details regarding the dissolution of the partnership between MacPhearson and the hotel are still being worked out, but the Hard Rock apparently wants this guy and his team gone -- for good. "A gaming license is not something you want to mess around with," one insider said. "The hotel just doesn't need the liability of what was going on down there (at Baby's)."

Doherty and Chu, however, are apparently fielding calls about future employment opportunities in Las Vegas. Neither of them could be reached for comment.

Mickey Rooney is coming to town at the end of the month. Rooney, along with wife No. 8, Jan Chamberlin, will take the stage at the Sahara's Congo Room while "The Rat Pack Is Back" takes a break. Rooney and Chamberlin will put on a show featuring more than 25 songs and, one can assume, a healthy dose of schtick.

Rooney, who is 80 years old, performed a New Year's show a couple of years back at the Gold Coast. His run at the Sahara begins May 30 and runs through June 5.

After rumors of intense contract negotiations and unhappiness with his current arrangement, "EFX" star Tommy Tune has reportedly signed on for one more year of starring in the production. Buzz up and down the Strip had the MGM anxious about the future of its big production star, but it looks like Tune decided to give things another chance.

You've still got that chance to mingle with the stars on the set of "The Mexican" when the feature production -- which stars Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts and James Gandolfini -- comes to town in a few weeks. Baskow & Associates will be holding a special open casting call for extras and walk-ons from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. May 27 at the Alexis Park Hotel.