Super Bowl parties sizzle despite economic downturn

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Despite fewer venues offering events for celebrities and fans, many still found ways to party during Super Bowl week in Tampa.

TAMPA -- Strutting across the bass-filled dance floor at the Venue nightclub Wednesday, several females wearing nothing but body paint helped prove with vivid authority that even an economic crisis can be overcome at the Super Bowl.

After all, a little bit of paint can go a long way.

Regardless of the stories that have been flying out of Tampa regarding the impact on the nightlife at the Super Bowl, event planners still had no problems filling venues with the necessary ingredients to keep the party popping.

''The party itself was incredible,'' said Jennifer Beaver, who helped orchestrate the MOVES Magazine party, which featured models painted in the jerseys of the star players in Sunday's game. ``We didn't have as many sponsors as we would have liked, but from a turnout standpoint, we had everyone from Evander Holyfield to Ray Lewis.''

No doubt, the economic impact was felt. Playboy and Sports Illustrated -- two of the premier events from years past -- both canceled their parties. But the absence of both parties instead simply caused a shift toward other events for the weekend.

Maxim and ESPN both maintained their stronghold as the week's top parties, while a few newcomers benefited from the supply-and-demand effect from the limited number of other events.

But by Friday night, the buzz from Playboy's absence was replaced by the growing steam of one of the Super Bowl's newer parties, dubbed Leather and Laces. In its sixth year, the party was hosted by Jenny McCarthy, Carmen Electra and Kim Kardashian.

Just hours before the event, Julie Fogel of The Patton Group received confirmations from the biggest names in town, including Michael Phelps, Reggie Bush, Clinton Portis, Derek Jeter and dozens of others.

Beyond the celebrity element, the Leather and Laces party also was among the more affordable for the public to gain entrance, making for an ideal way to please both the public and the A-list attendees. Tickets could be purchased for $275, which included an open premium bar.

Carol Bell, co-president of The Patton Group, said she felt like the party actually benefited from the impact that caused other parties to fold.

''We're the last one standing because it's a good value and we've become a consistently good party every year,'' Bell said. ``Our reputation has been growing.''

Suddenly, it has been the parties like Leather and Laces, which are newer to the scene, that are causing a shift in the Super Bowl nightlife landscape.

Like the MOVES party on Wednesday night, EA Sports was still a constant force among the Super Bowl parties, maintaining its hold as the top party of Thursday night. Held at the Honey Pot in Ybor City, this year's event did have a slight difference from last year's party in Phoenix: The VIP area was thriving, but the main floor wasn't nearly as solid.

The scene downstairs couldn't compare to the happenings behind the velvet ropes, where Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb and Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens partied within a few feet of one another. Several Dolphins players also attended.

So while the economy will no doubt continue to have an impact on the attendance to many events throughout the week, the parties that managed to still exist proved that it only takes a few key ingredients to keep everyone happy.

Celebrities. Booze. And a little bit of paint.