Cruise had to skip Connor’s DJ gig at the Darby in Chelsea, we’re told, due to security concerns. But he rolled to hipster haven Le Baron farther downtown, where guests were slack-jawed to see him stay till closing.
The “Jack Reacher” star appeared on the David Letterman show Monday, and Connor accompanied him to an afternoon taping to hang out and see musical guests MNDR. Connor was scheduled to DJ later at a Darby after-party for the electronic duo, and word spread that papa Cruise would be in the house.
“It was planned in advance for days that Tom was going to be there,” said a spy, adding that security swept through the club Monday afternoon, and later a private area was roped off for him.
“But at 11 p.m.,” a spy says, with the place packed and Cruise en route, “More security showed up. They realized there was no back exit. They contacted Tom and said the area wasn’t secure enough to get him into the club, seated, then get him out. They told him to abort the mission.”
Connor went on a half-hour later for guests including Michael Strahan and Kevin Connolly, who wound up watching Cruise’s “Late Show” appearance on muted TV screens.
But Cruise had cruised on to Andre Saraiva’s Le Baron and stayed till 4 a.m., hanging with artists Nate Lowman and Aaron Young.
“It was great to see a big movie star hang out in the pit of Chinatown with the arty crowd,” said a gobsmacked guest. “Tom arrived at around 11:30 p.m. and stayed till closing. He was dancing the whole time. Andre introduced himself, followed by Nate and Aaron. It was like boys’ night out.”
Another guest added, “Apparently [Tom] read about [the] party at Le Baron on Friday in Page Six and wanted to go check it out since he had never been there.” But a source close to Cruise said, “Someone else made the plan.”
Cruise is due in Pittsburgh today for a premiere of “Jack Reacher.” His rep declined to comment.
