Witnesses said Niarchos dashed out of the club as soon as he saw the couple. The rocker reportedly has a beef with Niarchos, who wasn't taking any chances, given his hasty solo exit.

About 45 minutes earlier, Richie, who recently had a baby with Joel Madden, Benji's brother, was involved in a catfight in the valet area at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Security whisked Richie away, according to spies.

Hilton and Richie had attended the Good Charlotte concert at the Hard Rock pool before joining the Maddens and entertainment producer Jeff Beacher at Wasted Space, Carey Hart's new club at the hotel.

Richie, whose daughter is 5 months old, recently vowed she would not be getting in trouble anymore "because I want my child to look up to me. ... I want to show her the right path."

RED CARPET INTRIGUE

The Sarah Larson story is getting weirder.

No one connected to French designer Christian Audigier has come forward to explain why Larson wasn't at the opening of his same-named nightclub at Treasure Island on Friday.

And now we're hearing that she was in San Diego for the weekend. Her absence has fueled speculation that something's amiss with her recent deal to become the face of Audigier's clothing line.

Meanwhile, the New York Post's Page Six column reported that Larson underwent breast enlargement about the time that she and George Clooney split. Word is he advised her not to go through with it.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

A quick trip through the parking lot outside the Rio convention center, site of the World Series of Poker, yielded a couple of vanity-plate gems: A11-1N, HOTEMPR on a red Mercedes with Arizona plates, ONADRAW (Idaho plates) and 4TIPS on a Black Mercedes with Nevada plates.

SIGHTINGS

Pamela Anderson, having Mario Barth, the owner of Starlight Tattoo, paint "Just Too Hot" on her leg during her birthday party at LAX (Luxor) on Saturday. Also at the party: French superstar singer Johnny Hallyday. ... Forrest Griffin, celebrating his UFC win over Quinton "Rampage" Jackson with an appearance at Jet nightclub (Mirage) on Saturday. A limping Jackson made an appearance at Privé (Planet Hollywood Resort). ... Bette Midler, her choreographer Toni Basil and some of the dancers from "The Showgirl Must Go On," in the audience at "Bite!' (Stratosphere) on Saturday. They were there to support Michelle "Boston" DiTerlizzi, who dances in both shows. ... Audrina Patridge, a star of MTV's hit "The Hills," dining with Palms owner George Maloof, her sister and friends at N9NE Steakhouse (Palms) on Saturday. Patridge and her party showed up at the Playboy Club at 3:30 a.m. after attending Good Charlotte's concert. ... At Tao Asian Bistro (Venetian) on Saturday: actor Billy Zane, dining with George Chanos, former attorney general of Nevada. At separate tables: actor Damon Wayans and Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons. At Tao nightclub: UFC lightweight champion BJ Penn and WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber, joined by UFC ring girl Arianny Celeste at their private skybox. Also there: Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson. About 3 a.m., R&B singer Tyrese performed for 45 minutes. ... Sylvester Stallone, stopping at Starlight Tattoo to go over some new tattoo design work with Barth and his wife, Carol. ... At Tryst (Wynn) on Saturday: Tyrese, Marlon Wayans and UFC fighter Josh Koscheck. On Friday: Zane, Andy Dick, Charlotte Bobcats standout Emeka Okafor and Playboy model Shannon Sunderlin. ... Chuck Liddell, hosting a UFC after-fight party at Studio 54 (MGM Grand) on Saturday. Earlier, he made a special appearance at the Hard Rock Hotel as a guest blackjack dealer. ... At the Planet Hollywood Resort boxing event Saturday: boxing promoter Bob Arum with New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs, singers Steve Lawrence and Clint Holmes, former 'N Sync manager Johnny Wright and Mike Tyson. ... Sunset Tan's Janelle Perry, taking the mobile unit to Paris Hilton and Benji Madden's room at the Mirage villas to give them both an airbrushed tan. ... New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush, watching the UFC fight at the 40/40 Club at Palazzo on Saturday.

THE PUNCH LINE

"You turn on a television and see a live feed of your shower." -- From David Letterman's Top Ten Signs the Government is Spying on You.

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.