Your guide to: everything you should know about partying at the Playboy Mansion

The Playboy Mansion is one of the most iconic homes in California—if not the whole of America. Known as being Playboy founder Hugh Hefner’s home, its rise to fame was due to the legendary parties held there. What started out as Hugh Hefner’s private playboy parties soon turned into debaucherous celebrations of excess with an exclusive guest list.

In this guide, we’ll give you a glimpse into the Playboy Mansion and the epic parties hosted on its grounds. We’ll also tell you secrets to getting invited, what to expect, and insider tips and tricks for when you’re there. So sit back and read on, we’ve got the inside scoop on the Playboy Mansion, and we’re sharing everything we know.

Section 1: The Mansion

"Bigger is better"

Entrace to the Playboy Mansion

Aerial view of the Playboy Mansion 

The living areas of the mansion are located on the ground floor, and include the dining room, kitchens, and main reception (and event) areas. The upstairs of the mansion houses Hugh’s “girlfriends” (also known as the “bunnies in residence”, and which can range anywhere from 3 to 15 women at a time), as well as the master bedroom, where Hugh sleeps.

The main staircase at the Playboy Mansion

The living room at the Playboy Mansion

The dining room at the Playboy Mansion

First Floor plan of the Playboy Mansion

Second Floor plan of the Playboy Mansion

While the house is not owned by Hugh himself (it is technically owned by Playboy Enterprises, to which hush pays an annual rent), Hugh has renovated it to better fit his needs to the tune of $15 million. While the mansion itself is impressive, the sprawling grounds are part of it’s charm, and play host to some of the biggest parties held at the mansion.

Section 2: How to get invited

"Flaunt what you've got, especially if it's HOT"

Hugh Hefner in his signature red robe 

While parties at the Playboy Mansion abound, getting invited to one isn’t so easy. To maintain the exclusivity of the parties, as well as some mystery around the Playboy lifestyle, the guest list is usually limited, and security is tight.

Parties held at the Mansion fall into three categories:

1) private parties hosted by Hugh,

2) private events hosted by a company other than Playboy Enterprises or charity that chooses to use the Playboy Mansion as their party location, and

3) public parties where an invitation is a bonus (but is not required) and tickets can be purchased (at a very high price).

Every day is an occasion for a party at the Playboy Mansion! While Hugh’s private parties are frequent, his main party—frequented by numerous celebrities—is his Midsummer Night’s Dream party which takes place every year. Hugh also hosts an annual Halloween party at the mansion (organized by a third-party, and for which tickets can be purchased), as well as numerous other parties such as the infamous lingerie & pajama party, the summer solstice party, the ‘fight night’ party, Grammy party, and Superbowl party.

In order to get invited to a party at the Playboy Mansion, here’s what you need to do:

For a private party:

• Have a personal invitation from Hugh himself, or any of his “girlfriends” or Playboy bunnies.
• Work for Playboy Enterprises or be employed by Hugh himself
• Be an attractive—and preferably scantily-clad—woman
• Be a known celebrity
• Win a ticket in the Playboy magazine sweepstakes

• Any of the above—or
• Buy a ticket!

The easiest party to get into at the Playboy Mansion is the annual Halloween party. This year, the party will be held on October 25^th, and tickets can be purchased online. Prices are on request only, but our understanding is they can range anywhere from $1,500 to $15,000. 

Section 3: What to expect at the party

"Beware: Playmates on the loose"

If you make it to the Playboy Mansion, there’s a lot you can expect to experience during your visit. 

First of all, only certain areas of the Mansion are designated party areas. Some areas may be off-limits, such as the second floor of the Mansion, which includes Hugh’s girlfriends’ rooms as well as the master bedroom.

Because the Mansion is located on sprawling grounds, expect the party (or at least part of it) to be held outdoors— pack your swimsuit just in case!

And while we’re on the topic of swimsuits: the famed grotto, located at the pool, is something you’ll definitely experience if you go swimming at the Mansion. The grotto is a secluded area in the pool created out of artificial rocks, and contains a Jacuzzi/hot-tub. It also features several mattresses for “napping”.

Parties at the Mansion are notorious for their over-the-top entertainment. There is usually a DJ, and anything from flame throwers to contortionists, to cage dancers. The Manson is also the only property in the county to have a fireworks license, as well as a zoo license. So definitely expect some of the entertainment to feature animals (snakes, birds, and monkeys—that we’ve heard of).

Midsummer Night’s Dream Party at the Playboy Mansion. August 3, 2013.

Bruno Mars Sex + Music Issue Release Party at the Playboy Mansion. March 2013. 

The Playboy Mansion is home to a 24-hour kitchen, with 12 full-time chefs that cater every meal and every party. Expect lots of carefully prepared dishes, as well as a selection of freshly baked treats (Hugh loves cookies!). Parties at the mansion almost always have an open bar, to keep the good times flowing.

While the Playboy Mansion has hosted some of the biggest celebrity names in Hollywood, it’s also known for keeping their guest list under wraps so the A-list can party without inhibitions or worrying about the paparazzi. Some stars like being seen, and here’s a few that have been snapped at the Mansion:

L-R: Stephen Dorff and Frankie Muniz, Neil Patrick Harris, Lindsay Lohan, Michael Bay and Mike Tyson, Paris Hilton, Anna Nicole Smith, Sean Combs, Kim Kardashian

Section 4: Insider tips

"What happens in the grotto, stays in the grotto"

First off, forget about driving yourself to a party at the Mansion. All vehicles that enter the property undergo a security check, and often vehicles belonging to people who aren’t associated with Hugh aren’t allowed to remain on the grounds. For large parties, you may be asked to leave your car at a nearby parking lot (usually UCLA Structure # 4 off of Sunset), and take a special shuttle to the Mansion. 

Many people who attend parties at the Playboy Mansion expect to hook up with attractive strangers. While this is often the case as there will be lots—and we mean lots—of beautiful, mostly-naked women at the party, most will not appreciate unsolicited touching, and many will not agree to be photographed. Hugh’s “girlfriends” are for Hugh’s enjoyment only, and rumor has it that he can be quite possessive and doesn’t care for sharing. To avoid embarrassment (or worse—being thrown out of the party), practice common courtesy with the ladies present, or risk getting un-lucky. 

Similarly, if you spot a celebrity, make sure to ask before you snap a pic—most celebrities like to keep what happens in the Playboy Mansion out of the public eye.

Section 5: Where to stay

"Wake up in style"

The address of the Playboy Mansion is 10236 Charing Cross Road, Los Angeles, California. If you’re heading out there, you’ll probably want somewhere you can stay at after the party. Here’s our top 5 picks for decadent digs within a 5-mile radius of the Mansion. 

Peninsula Beverly Hills

Stars: 5

Distance: 1.3 miles from the Playboy Mansion

Address: 9882 South Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Check it out here. 

Mondrian Los Angeles

Stars: 4

Distance: 3.4 miles from the Playboy Mansion

Address: 8440 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069

Check it out here.

W Los Angeles – Westwood

Stars: 4

Distance: 1.1 miles from the Playboy Mansion

Address: 930 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Check it out here.

Chateau Marmont

Stars: not classified

Distance: 3.8 miles from the Playboy Mansion

Address: Check it out here.

Check it out here.

Hotel Bel Air

Stars: 5

Distance: 1.2 miles from the Playboy Mansion

Address: 701 Stone Canyon Road, CA 90077

Check it out here. 

Section 6: Your Own Party at The Playboy Mansion

"Like a true Playboy"

Want to host a private party at the Playboy Mansion? All you have to do is contact Playboy Enterprises right here and inquire—make sure you know the date you’d like your party (plus some alternative dates), how many people will be in attendance, and if you have any special requirements (catering, entertainment, etc.). Good luck! 

More cool facts

• The Playboy Mansion is also known as ‘Playboy Mansion West’ as the original Playboy Mansion was where Hugh Hefner lived in Chicago.
• At the original Playboy Mansion in Chicago, there used to be a brass plate that read (in Latin) “If you don’t swing, don’t ring”.
• In 2011, the Playboy Mansion was valued at $54,000,000 (USD).
• The Playboy Mansion has appeared in the sixth season of The Apprentice, and the twelfth season of The Amazing Race (among many others).
• Playboy Enterprises owns the Playboy Mansion, and Hugh Hefner pays rent for living there.
• One of the rooms in the Playboy Mansion is designed and furnished to look like the back of a van.
• Hugh Hefner is known for having a sweet tooth. So much so that he has a special cookie drawer stocked daily with freshly-basked desserts from his kitchen.
• World-famous rock band U2 wrote a song called “Playboy Mansion” about—you guessed it—the Playboy Mansion.
• Archie is the Playboy Mansion house dog, and can often be spotted during a visit.
• The first issue of Playboy magazine came out in 1949 and was graced by Marilyn Monroe, who got paid a reported $50 for posing for the cover.