Justin Timberlake, Billy Idol among celebs seen in Las Vegas

By Melissa Arseniuk

Monday, April 13, 2009 | 10:37 a.m.

It has been a star-studded past few days in Las Vegas, as droves of celebrities were seen across town over the Easter holiday weekend.

Billy Idol, Justin Timberlake, Nicky Hilton, Dave Navarro and Debbie Harry were among the well-known faces spotted at various restaurants, nightclubs and events across the city, along with a smattering of NFL, NBA and MLB stars and a collection of comedians.

Justin Timberlake started his Vegas getaway with a late night visit to the Playboy Club.

The “Sexy Back” star was spotted, sans girlfriend Jessica Biel, at the Palms hotspot around 2 a.m., where he and a group of friends took in the sexy scenery from one of the club’s VIP tables.

Timberlake’s party spent most of the night talking, dancing and joking around while throwing back a few rounds of his new spirit, 901 tequila.

Also seen at the Playboy Club that night was MLB free agent Frank Thomas.

Other professional athletes spotted at the Palms on Friday night/Saturday morning included St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson, Cleveland Browns linebacker Willie McGinest Jr. and San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis, who was in town for a friend’s bachelor party. All three were spotted having dinner, separately, at N9NE.

The trio of NFL heavyweights enjoyed heavy meals at the swanky steakhouse.

McGinest dined on rock shrimp, lamb chops and lemon chicken. Jackson also had the lamb chops, along with had N9NE’s signature lobster mashed potatoes and mac and cheese, which he followed up with s’mores and homemade apple pie.

Meanwhile, Willis’ entourage started with rock shrimp, calamari and stuffed mushrooms before ordering surf with a side of the ever-popular lobster mashed potatoes for the entrée. The group then downed a round of espresso shots before heading up to a VIP table at Rain, then hitting up Ghostbar.

The following night, Chewy from “Chelsea Lately” put in a brief appearance at Rain, as well, after having dinner at Strip House at Planet Hollywood.

Also at N9NE on Friday night was “Transformers” star Anthony Anderson and his family.

Over on The Strip, Macy Gray enjoyed some dinnertime family time of her own on Friday. The singer took her two daughters for a quiet, private dinner in the upper dining room at Tao. The threesome reportedly ordered a range of Asian fare, including orange chicken, vegetable fried rice, maki rolls and lobster-filled wontons.

Further north on the Great Boulevard, at Planet Hollywood, multitalented producer Jermaine Dupri hosted the night’s party at Privé.

The professional athlete parade continued at the Palms on Saturday night, as disgraced MLB legend Pete Rose was seen having dinner at N9NE Steakhouse. He and his party of five shared a chilled shellfish platter and salad to start, while Rose ordered himself Kobe beef short ribs for the main course.

Later in the evening, a smartly-dressed Willie Colon partied with over a dozen friends upstairs at Moon. The Pittsburgh Steelers tackle was reportedly dressed to impress, donning a sport coat, designer jeans and jewelry.

Ricky Hatton and his manager enjoyed dinner at the Hard Rock on Saturday, taking a table at the newly-opened Rare 120 steakhouse.

“The Hills” star Stephanie Pratt also hit the Hard Rock that night, as she celebrated her birthday at Body English. Carey Hart, who recently rekindled his romance with his on-again/off-again ex-wife, Pink, popped by Pratt’s party to say hello. His punk-pop wife wasn’t with him.

Timberlake was at the Hard Rock, too, and he made the most of his second night on the town. JT enjoyed dinner at Nobu before trying his luck at the tables out on the casino floor. Later that night, however, he made his way to the Strip, where he was spotted in a VIP cabana at XS.

Not far away, at Lavo, comedian Eddie Griffin got similarly comfortable at a VIP table where he enjoyed Belvedere and cranberry cocktails with some friends. Meanwhile, NBA free agent Antoine Walker was seen mixing Moet Chandon Champagne with shots of Patron at a VIP table at Pure.

Further South on the Strip, actor and comedian Bill Bellamy celebrated his 44th birthday with a group of friends, including fellow comedian Tommy Ford and Grammy Award-winning singer Bobby Brown.

Bellamy’s birthday bash began with dinner at Company, where he toasted the fourth season of his TV One series, “Bill Bellamy’s Who’s Got Jokes?”

After the meal, the group moved next door to LAX, where they enjoyed Grey Goose cocktails and shots of Patron in a VIP loft. Later that night, victorious boxer Chris Arreola also showed up, fresh off his win against Jameel McCline. The undefeated heavyweight and a small group of friends celebrated on the VIP stage, toasting Arreola’s win with rounds of Grey Goose and Red Bull.

Back at the Venetian, defeated fighter Winky Wright followed up his twelfth round loss to Paul Williams at Tao with a 20-ounce steak. Comedian David Spade also dined at Tao that night, as did Mark McGrath.

“Terminator” director McG joined the Sugar Ray frontman for supper before McGrath headed over to the Mirage for what proved to be a very star-studded birthday party.

Bare pool hosted the most impressive collection of musically-inclined celebs on Saturday night, as rocker Perry Farrell celebrated his 50th year with a golden birthday bash for the record books.

Billy Idol, Audioslave/Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, Blondie lead vocalist Debbie Harry, Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath, and actress/vocalist Juliette Lewis were all there to celebrate.

The Cult’s Matt Sorum and Billy Morrison, and Sen Dog of Cypress Hill also took to the stage.

Members of both of Farrell’s bands, Jane’s Addiction and Porno for Pyros, came out for the party, too, including Dave Navarro, Eric Avery, Stephen Perkins, Martyn Lenoble and Peter Distefano.

The party didn’t stop after the show, however: The musicians all headed over to Revolution, where they kept things going and divvied up the Lollapalooza founder’s gigantic lollipop-shaped birthday cake.

Earlier that night, before “Perrypalooza” got underway, many of the performers, including Navarro, Morrisson, and Lewis, fueled up for their fun-filled night with dinner at Japonais.

Also on Saturday night, Nicky Hilton had dinner at Strip House at Planet Hollywood before heading up to Privé. Holly Madison also had dinner at the popular Planet Hollywood eatery the following evening.

While this past weekend was a busy one for local stargazers and paparazzi, VIP season is just getting started.

This coming week, look for LL Cool J at Tao on Thursday, and Lil John and a host of beauty queens – including the first and second runners-up to the Miss USA 2008 crown, Leah Laviano and Tiffany Andrade; current Miss Oklahoma 2008, Lindsey Jo Harrington; Former Miami Dolphins cheerleader and Miss Pennsylvania, LauRen Merola; and Miss California 2007, Meagan Tandy – at Privé on Friday.

Also on Friday, Las Vegas’ own alt-rockers, the Killers, will open the new Joint at the Hard Rock, while Stone Temple Pilots’ frontman Scott Weiland will perform at LAX.

On Saturday, Lauren Conrad of “The Hills” is slated to host opening day at Wet Republic, while Mandy Moore is will sun herself at Tao Beach’s season opener.

The poolside action will continue the following day, as Snoop Dogg hosts the opening of the Hard Rock’s notorious pool party, Rehab.

Last but certainly not least, knighted rocker, Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney, will close opening weekend at the Joint with a Sunday night show.