Last night’s Barney’s Version party was on fire, literally

The hottest party in town on Sunday was Entertainment Tonight Canada’s salute to the adaptation of Mordecai Richler’s Barney’s Version, and only partially because Paul Giamatti, Minnie Driver, Rachelle Lefevre, and Scott Speedman were on hand (Dustin Hoffman sent his regrets). A generator caught fire on the street below, shooting six-foot flames, summoning fire trucks and leaving the Yorkville rooftop-parking-lot party unplugged for 20 minutes. But guests, choking through the smoke, continued mingling until a replacement generator was miraculously tracked down before the Stella Artois could even get warm.

Showcasing a panoramic view of the Yorkville streets below, the pimped-up parking lot was cleverly disguised. A tented dance floor hosted directors, agents, producers, and Labatt reps’ moms dancing to Top 40, with banquettes roped off for bottle service. At least one member of the Global TV staff was unfazed by the mini-disaster. “It just adds to it,” she said.

See our photo gallery from the premiere >>

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