Golden Globes 2020: Event Design Ideas From the Weekend's Biggest Bashes

Here's how Netflix, Amazon Studios, HBO, Disney, and more kicked off award season.

January 7, 2020

The typical first stop for winners was the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s after-party in the Beverly Hilton’s Wilshire Garden, co-hosted by Dick Clark Productions.Photo: Line 8 Photography. All rights reserved.LOS ANGELES—With a controversial hosting job by Ricky Gervais, impassioned speeches from Michelle Williams and Patricia Arquette, and unexpected wins for Sam Mendes’s 1917, the Golden Globes sure got people talking this year. The 77th annual ceremony, produced by Dick Clark Productions, drew roughly 18.3 million viewers, slightly down from its 2019 ratings. But the Beverly Hilton, which has hosted the Globes every year since 1961, still drew glittery A-listers—not to mention over-the-top after-parties chock full of design inspiration.

Inside the ballroom, the big news was the last-minute shift to an all-vegan menu—a first for a high-profile award show. Best Actor in a Drama winner Joaquin Phoenix was reportedly the force behind the revamped menu, which was created by the hotel’s executive chef, Matthew Morgan. The meat- and dairy-free offerings included chilled golden beet soup and oyster mushroom “scallops” with mushroom risotto, plus a vegan opera dome with praline Gunaja crumble and caramelized hazelnuts for dessert.

“First, I would like to thank the Hollywood Foreign Press for recognizing and acknowledging the link between animal agriculture and climate change—it’s a very bold move, making tonight plant-based,” the Joker star told press after his win.

As for the parties: The Sunday-night action stays centered around the Beverly Hilton, with the night’s six biggest after-parties taking over various areas of the hotel, making it easy for guests to party-hop post-ceremony. (In 2018, hotel manager Michael Robertson told BizBash what it takes to pull off the evening—including a whopping 6,000 staffers.)

Hollywood’s biggest agencies, meanwhile, hosted offsite bashes this year: CAA at the Sunset Tower Hotel, UTA at La Dolce Vita in Beverly Hills, and WME at the Chateau Marmont. A slew of parties took place earlier in the weekend, too—Saturday saw buzzy events from BAFTA Los Angeles; Showtime; and Vanity Fair and Amazon. That evening also marked the 13th annual Art of Elysium fund-raiser, a high-profile gathering that annually takes place during Globes weekend.

Here’s a look inside some of the weekend’s most show-stopping parties.

Typically one of the night’s buzziest bashes, the WarnerMedia and HBO post-award party took place at the hotel’s Circa55 restaurant and adjacent pool area. Produced by HBO’s Cindy Tenner and Ashley Covarrubias alongside longtime collaborator Billy Butchkavitz, the event drew around 1,500 people—including casts from Globes winners Succession and Chernobyl, plus other A-listers from Big Little Lies, Barry, and more. The indoor-outdoor gathering had a circular design theme, and a color palette of blush and honeysuckle pink, dove and charcoal gray, and assorted shades of gold.

Photo: Gabor Ekecs

Butchkavitz worked with Special Event Contractors to cover the pool, build perimeter walls that defined the event space, and create custom staging and bars. Agile Eye Solutions handled the large-scale decor elements, artwork, press walls, and drapery, and custom tenting came from SoCal Tents. Projection designer Bart Kresa blanketed the outdoor space with custom animated projections, which were complemented by lighting from Images by Lighting.

Photo: Gabor Ekecs

Rentals came from Town & Country Event Rentals, and additional custom furnishings, linens, tabletop decor, waitstaff uniforms, and more were designed and provided by Buchkavitz and his siblings/collaborators, Brian and Peggy.

Photo: Gabor Ekecs

The circular design pattern continued to the event’s press line. Emerging Entertainment handled audio, while Las Vegas-based DJ J. Bray performed. SLAY5 Media provided the photo activations, and there was a lipstick bar from Charlotte Tilbury.

Photo: Gabor Ekecs

Neflix After-Party

Stars from The Irishman, Marriage Story, The Crown, and more gathered in the Robinson-May Lot adjacent to the Beverly Hilton for the Netflix post-show party. The tented soiree, located at the end of the red carpet, was produced by Netflix’s Catherine McTiernan and Kelli Hill along with Best Events. Intended to celebrate the golden age of Hollywood—both past and present—decor was a modern twist on an Art Deco theme, according to organizers. The entrance courtyard featured a canopy of golden chandeliers, plus a custom bar menu with drinks from Casamigos and food from Craig’s and Crustacean. Another highlight: a shoe valet, where guests could trade their shoes for a comfortable pair of Netflix-branded slides, handed over in branded totes.

Photo: Melissa Kobe

Further into the space was a tiered ballroom, which featured a dance floor and entertainment by DJ Benjamin Walker (and later, actress and comedian Tiffany Haddish). Later in the evening Shake Shack provided late-night bites and Milk Bar provided an ice cream sundae bar and other desserts. There was also a photo booth from The Bosco, and Butterfly Floral & Event Design handled flowers. High-profile party attendees included Laura Dern, Olivia Coleman, Martin Scorsese, and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Photo: Melissa Kobe

The space also included a space dubbed the Refresh Lab, a partnership with Glossier and Moët where guests could get makeup touch-ups.

Photo: Melissa Kobe

Warner Bros. & InStyle After-Party

Warner Bros. Pictures and InStyle magazine hosted their 21st annual post-Golden Globes party in the Beverly Hilton’s Oasis Courtyard. The glamorous event, sponsored by L’Oréal Paris and Secret, drew the likes of Awkwafina, Connie Britton, Rami Malek, and many more. Designers and producers JOWY Productions covered the hotel’s fountain to create one connected space, which took on a mid-century modern, residential-style feel. A palette of rich blues, golds, cream, and white were used to complement a central gold-tiered Deco-style chandelier.

Photo: Gina Cholick

Studio D Decor collaborated on the event’s design, props, and other decor elements. Additional vendors included flowers from Mark’s Garden, fabric from SS Scenic, and additional props and specialty rentals from Theoni, Revelry Event Designers, and Mr. Foam & Scenic. La Tavola Fine Linen Rental provided linens for napkins, and rentals came from Bright Event Rentals.

Photo: Gina Cholick

DJ Michelle Pesce entertained the crowd, and Me3 Productions handled audiovisual production while Images by Lighting handled lighting.

Photo: Gina Cholick

Disney Golden Globes Viewing & After Party

After recent acquisitions, Disney took over what had once been known as the 21st Century Fox party on the Beverly Hilton roof deck. The large bash encompassed all Disney and Fox properties, plus ABC, Hulu, and National Geographic—so it’s no surprise it drew star-studded names such as Ramy Youssef, winner for best actor in a TV comedy, plus producer Ryan Murphy and actors Ben Platt and Billy Porter. The event was produced by 15/40 Productions.

Housed in a clear-top tent, the event’s decor featured neutral tones with pops of color and hanging greenery. Seating was a mix of plush couches and round tables. For food, the event offered a large sushi bar plus cheeseburger sliders and mini grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup.

Amazon Studios After-Party

Located in the hotel’s 3,700-square-foot Stardust Penthouse, the sleek Amazon Studios party celebrated big wins for comedy series Fleabag and its creator and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Event Eleven designed and produced the party, with floral design by Floral Crush Studio.

Snoop Dogg DJ-ed the event, which had a rowdy dance floor as the evening wore on. Additional vendors included Images by Lighting, plus CBC Technical for audiovisual production. Primo XL provided the carpet, and furniture came from Event Eleven and FormDecor.

Neon details illuminated the bar areas and Amazon Studios signage. Alpha & Omega Displays handled scenic design for the event, and Lab Creative handled drapery.

The HFPA’s Golden Globes Viewing & After-Party

The typical first stop for winners was the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s after-party in the Beverly Hilton’s Wilshire Garden, co-hosted by Dick Clark Productions.

Michelle Williams, Awkwafina, Joaquin Phoenix, and other winners got their trophies engraved in the rustic space, which was produced by 1540 Productions.

Art of Elysium’s Heaven Gala

An annual staple of Golden Globes weekend is Art of Elysium’s “Heaven” gala, held at the Hollywood Palladium on Saturday. The nonprofit’s 13th annual event was produced by Katie Limle of Event Eleven; it had a rock-and-roll theme from We Are Hear, an artist empowerment-focused label from Linda Perry and Kerry Brown. The producers worked with artist Kii Arens to execute their vision of heaven—which included performances from Dave Grohl, Marilyn Manson, Cheap Trick, and L7.

Ashley and Topher Grace were honored, and chef Eric Greenspan served elevated concert concessions such as duck fried rice, vegan “Chicago-style” hot dogs, and grilled “Greenspan” cheese. Additional vendors included Felix Lighting, Above AV, and Lab Creative.

Bafta Los Angeles Awards Season Tea Party

Bafta Los Angeles hosted its annual Tea Party on Saturday at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles. The event was presented by American Airlines, BBC America, and Jaguar Land Rover, and drew attendees including Patricia Arquette, Greta Gerwig, Robert De Niro, and many more. The gathering was designed and produced by MTA Events.

Photo: Courtesy of MTA Events