Las Vegas’ newly opened nightlife destination Hakkasan at the MGM Grand continued its grand opening weekend festivities with a star-studded affair as Grammy Award-winning Calvin Harris launched his exclusive residency and spun his widely popular hits to a room full of celebrities and thousands of guests on Saturday night.
To kick off the night, Hakkasan and GQ Magazine hosted a private VIP event in the restaurant. Champagne, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres welcomed guests such as Jennifer Lopez and Casper Smart, Vanessa Hudgens and Austin Butler, Pharrell Williams, Calvin Harris, Tiësto, Mark Salling, Tom Welling, Cheryl Burke and many more.
Around midnight, Calvin Harris, took his place behind the turntables and began his heart-pumping set. Confetti dropped and bottles popped as Harris entertained the crowd with “Sweet Nothing,” “Feel So Close, “We Found Love” and many more. Even electronic dance music maven and Hakkasan resident deejay Tiësto got in on the action, joining Calvin Harris to rock out behind the DJ booth for a few songs.
Earlier in the day, the deejay returned to Wet Republic, as he manned the decks and spun his hits for the masses. Full of energy, Harris had guests flooding the pool decks as they danced into the early hours of the evening.
In Hakkasan’s Ling Ling Club, singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams celebrated his 40th birthday as DJ Irie spun his beats. Thoroughly enjoying the music and company of his friends, Williams was completely surprised around 1 a.m. as the Hakkasan Lcocktail servers brought out a three-tiered ombre blue and gold birthday cake, complete with champagne to toast. When asked about why he chose Hakkasan to celebrate his birthday he replied, “First and foremost, the food is amazing. And second of all, I feel like they are ambitious in a great way — they want to change things up.”
Meanwhile, Jennifer Lopez and boyfriend Casper Smart held court at a front and center VIP table located on the stage in the main room directly beside Calvin Harris and the DJ booth. Dressed in a beautiful, short black dress and complete with red lipstick, Lopez was spotted toasting champagne with her group of friends and dancing into the evening with a red-jacket clad Casper.
Fresh off of two weekends at the Coachella Valley Music Festival, actress Vanessa Hudgens and actor boyfriend Austin Butler of “The Carrie Diaries” continued their quest for great live music, dancing into the late hours of the night in a shimmery blue All Saints mini dress to Calvin Harris in Hakkasan Nightclub’s main room. The young couple seemed to be notably in-love, taking breaks from their raucous evening of dancing to cuddle and kiss in the corner of the table. Vanessa was clearly excited to check out the new nightclub as she gushed: “There is so much that has gone into this club – I am so excited to check it out, but I’ve only heard the most magnificent things!”
Also spotted partying at Hakkasan Nightclub’s main room was Tom Welling star of the former CW hit series “Smallville,” who was visibly excited to be celebrating his birthday with friends. Arriving around 10:30pm and sitting at a table on the dance floor, Welling and his group made a toast and blew out birthday candles around midnight.
Also seen dancing the night away in the DJ booth was Paris Hilton, who donned a gold dress and blinged out sunglasses. Sitting with boyfriend River Viiperi, who proudly boasted a black hat that read PARIS in large letters across the front, and good pals Brandon Davis and Jeff Beacher, the group sat with friends at a center table, so as not to miss any of the action.
“Dancing With The Stars” pro Cheryl Burke was seen showing off her moves with a group of girl friends, while “Glee” star Mark Salling was also spotted sipping cocktails throughout the evening and dancing into the early hours of the morning with close pals.
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