Inside Page Six’s starry VIP party at Ray’s Hometown Bar filled with ‘Housewives,’ trucker hats and more

By Page Six | Created at 2024-11-21 17:21:37 | Updated at 2024-11-21 21:27:07 4 hours ago
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Celebrities, influencers and tastemakers descended on Page Six’s buzzy collaboration celebration at Ray’s Hometown Bar on the Lower East Side of New York City on Wednesday night.

VIPs at the lively event — sponsored by Jose Cuervo and Great Jones Distilling Co. — were seen partying on the exclusive lower level of the vibey establishment and treated to a menu of signature craft cocktails and delectable bar bites.

Celebrities, including podcaster Sofia Franklyn (pictured), descended on Page Six’s buzzy collaboration celebration at Ray’s Hometown Bar on Wednesday. Weston Kloefkorn for Page Six
Franklin posed with the special trucker cap in front of a custom “Page Six Famous” sign. Weston Kloefkorn for Page Six
“RHONY” stars Jessel Taank (left) and Rebecca Minkoff (center) celebrated the night with Page Six “Virtual Reali-Tea” co-hosts Evan Real (left) and Danny Murphy (right). Weston Kloefkorn for Page Six
“RHONJ” cast member Jenn Fessler (left) mingled with Taank. Weston Kloefkorn for Page Six
Celebrity chef Anne Burrell and her husband, Stuart Claxton, sipped on drinks and chatted with partygoers. Weston Kloefkorn for Page Six

Notable attendees included “The Real Housewives of New York City” stars Jessel Taank and Rebecca Minkoff, “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Jennifer Fessler, Food Network personality Anne Burrell and podcast host Sofia Franklyn.

The soirée was decked out with Page Six decor, including a pink neon sign that read, “Page Six Famous,” as well as custom cocktail napkins and branded matchboxes and pillows.

The “Sofia with an F” host, 32, was seen perusing the specialty cocktail menu — which featured a Jose Cuervo margarita served in a disco ball tumbler and a Great Jones straight bourbon (W)hiskey (T)ango (F)oxtrot — while Burrell, 55, was spotted having a photo shoot in the famous shag carpet-covered stairwell leading to the private space.

Ray’s private downstairs room, where VIPs hung out throughout the evening, was adorned with a “Page Six Famous” neon sign. Brian Zak/Page Six
The basement staircase’s shag-lined walls made for a perfect photoshoot backdrop. Weston Kloefkorn for Page Six
Burrell jumped on the opportunity. Brian Zak/Page Six
Ray’s co-owner Carlos Quirarte also posed for photos. Weston Kloefkorn for Page Six

Several content creators, including fitness influencer Isaac Boots and TikTok stars Audrey Jongens and Maeghan Radice of the VIP List, were seen snapping photos in front of the neon sign in the hidden haven.

Meanwhile, podcaster Taylor Strecker schmoozed with Minkoff, 43, and Taank, 45, and even posed for an Instagram photo with the duo.

Guests devoured flavorful french fries and sliders from the bar’s innovative dinner menu dreamed up by Michelin-starred chef team Jeremiah Stone and Fabian von Hauske.

Podcaster Taylor Strecker rocked the Ray’s x Page Six hat while socializing with Minkoff and Taank. Weston Kloefkorn for Page Six
“The VIP List” restaurant critics Audrey Jongens (left) and Meg Radice (right) struck a pose in the caps. Weston Kloefkorn for Page Six
Celebrity trainer Isaac Boots didn’t miss the photo opp either. Weston Kloefkorn for Page Six
Model Dominique Spindler sipped on a cocktail in a Page Six disco ball cup. Weston Kloefkorn for Page Six

Partying patrons were also spotted rocking limited-edition Ray’s x Page Six trucker hats, which dropped just days before the event and are available for purchase on the venue’s online shop.

Fessler, 54, excitedly rocked the trendy grayscale cap while bopping around the room.

She chatted up Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” co-hosts Danny Murphy and Evan Real in addition to Minkoff and Taank.

Fessler was another big fan of the sign. Brian Zak/Page Six
Radice and Jongens used the upstairs pool table as a prop for some epic pictures. Brian Zak/Page Six
Nicholas Braun’s musician brother, Chris, squeezed pal Quirarte as they enjoyed the evening. Weston Kloefkorn for Page Six

Ray’s x Page Six Trucker Hat

Ray's x Page Six Trucker Hat

“As a New Yorker of 25 years, whenever I leave the city and see a copy of Page Six, it feels like I’m at home,” the bar’s co-owner, Carlos Quirarte, previously told us.

“This feeling ties me to the city that I call home, and it’s the same energy we hope to emulate when guests walk into a Ray’s. It’s synonymous with New York — same as the Page Six we know and love.”

Quirarte — who kicked it with his “Raygulars” in the merch throughout the evening — recently gave Page Six an exclusive tour of the watering hole while regaling stories of A-list visitors, including Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa, Jimmy Kimmel, Zach Bryan, Justin Theroux, Zoë Kravitz and Post Malone.

Bartenders rocked the special hats as they poured delicious Page Six-themed drinks for guests. Weston Kloefkorn for Page Six
The “Disco-rita” — a cocktail made of Jose Cuervo tequila, lime, orange liqueur and agave syrup — was served in a special disco ball cup. Brian Zak/Page Six
The “Iconic Manhattan” contained Great Jones bourbon, vermouth, bitters and brandied cherry. Weston Kloefkorn for Page Six
Other beverages included the “Hot Take,” named after Page Six’s weekly video series, and the “(W)hiskey (T)ango (F)oxtrot.” Brian Zak/Page Six
In additon to the flavorful drinks, guests also enjoyed food from the bar’s innovative dinner menu dreamed up by Michelin-starred chef team Jeremiah Stone and Fabian von Hauske. Weston Kloefkorn for Page Six

The dark and moody Big Apple haunt — backed by “Succession” actor Nicholas Braun — is known for attracting a cool clientele with little interest in Manhattan’s ever-growing members-only scene.

“Everything seems like it’s a private club or headed that way, where I think that [Ray’s] just creates a familiarity that’s calming to people,” Quirarte told us while reflecting on why the glitterati gravitates toward the casual hotspot.

Ray’s — founded by Quirarte and his Authentic Hospitality partners Matt Kliegman and Matthew Charles in 2019 — elicits a dive-bar feel thanks to its retro finishes and charmingly kitsch decor.

The vibe of the VIP area was cozy-chic, complete with dim mood lighting and special decor. Weston Kloefkorn for Page Six
Custom Page Six pillows adorned the downstairs lounge. Brian Zak/Page Six
Franklyn was a big fan of the pillows — and even took one home! Brian Zak/Page Six
Hats, matchbooks and napkins were also spread throughout the area. Weston Kloefkorn for Page Six

“You obviously can’t open a dive bar because you have to become a dive bar,” the nightlife impresario explained. “But how do we create something that is going to create those feelings?”

The answer, he said, is by making the bar feel “lived-in” and comfortable for all who enter.

Other influential attendees at the fête included musician Josh Tepper, choreographer Danielle Polanco and model Dominique Spindler.

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