Alan Cumming, the host of the New York City nightclub Club Cumming, recently shared an unforgettable night involving Emma Stone and Paul McCartney. The evening took place after a Paul McCartney concert at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, when Stone and tennis legend Billie Jean King stopped by Club Cumming for a nightcap. Cumming’s vivid recollection brings to light the unpredictable but thrilling encounters that happen at his eclectic venue.
Emma Stone club night stories like these highlight how close-knit and surprising celebrity experiences can be in New York nightlife. Stone, who played Billie Jean King in the 2017 film Battle of the Sexes, had a personal connection to the night’s guests, making the encounter all the more extraordinary. Alan Cumming appeared as Ted Tinling, a tennis official, in the same movie, which dramatized King’s famous 1973 tennis match against Bobby Riggs, played by Steve Carell.
The Night Unfolds: Famous Guests Arrive in Style
Cumming told patrons in advance to expect the arrival of some stars, urging them to “be cool.” What he did not anticipate was the arrival of Paul McCartney himself as an unexpected plus-one. After Stone and King met the former Beatle backstage, McCartney inquired about their plans, then decided to join them for the night.
“So, three black SUVs arrive to our tiny little club,”
Cumming recalled.
“It’s like a joke: Paul McCartney, Emma Stone, and Billie Jean King walk into a bar.”
The imagery of such prominent figures entering a small nightclub set the tone for an extraordinary evening filled with spontaneous moments.
A Night of Music and Surprises on Stage
As the night progressed, the scene became even more remarkable when patrons began singing along with a piano player, a regular occurrence at Club Cumming. Cumming invited McCartney to sing, but the musician demurred, saying he had already performed for three hours at the concert earlier that evening. However, McCartney then offered to accompany Cumming on the piano, showcasing his willingness to contribute despite fatigue.
“It was one of the nights where people get up and have a sing, and there’s a guy playing the piano,”
Cumming said.
“I said to Paul, ‘Would you like to sing a song?’ And he went, ‘No! I just spent three hours singing at the Barclays Center.’ And I was like, ‘Alright, that was a yes or no question.’ And then he must have felt bad, cause he said, ‘But I’d accompany you, if you’d like, Alan.’”
Embracing the moment, Cumming and Emma Stone performed “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid, with McCartney accompanying them on harmonica. Cumming described the moment as a dream come true, highlighting the surreal nature of artist collaborations born spontaneously on intimate stages.
“Emma Stone and I got up on stage and sang ‘Part of Your World’ from The Little Mermaid,”
he said.
“And Paul McCartney accompanied us on a harmonica. Dreams do come true.”
Club Cumming’s Role as a Cultural Hub and Upcoming Docuseries
Club Cumming is more than just a nightlife spot; it functions as a vital space for artistic expression and community gathering, especially for the LGBTQ+ community. According to Cumming, the club aims to recreate the inclusive spirit of historic New York nightlife, welcoming all ages, genders, colors, and sexualities in a safe and dynamic environment. It serves as a cabaret, dance, drag, and art club, alongside its role as a community center.
“My vision for Club Cumming has always been to create the ethos of old New York nightlife: A place for all ages, all genders, all colors, all sexualities, where kindness is all and anything can happen,”
Cumming stated.
“It’s a cabaret club but also a dance club, a drag club, an art club, a community center, a safe space – it’s whatever the LGBTQ+ community needs and wants it to be. I’m so happy that World of Wonder and WOW Presents Plus is making this show about our Club Cumming tribe and showcasing the talents and the stories and the lives of these queer icons of tomorrow.”
An upcoming docuseries produced by World of Wonder and WOW Presents Plus will capture the vibrant life inside Club Cumming, featuring the unique personalities and stories that define the club’s atmosphere. This series promises to offer viewers an authentic glimpse into the nightclub’s significance within New York’s nightlife and queer culture.
