There were no red carpets, but there were a few Oscar-worthy outfits worn by celebrities in New York City on Sunday night at various viewing parties, reports PEOPLE. At Entertainment Weekly's 8th Annual Academy Awards party at Elaine's on the Upper East Side, dress ran the gamut from ultra casual (an unshaven David Spade in a sloppy shirt and baseball cap) to glamorous (Candace Bushnell in a peach satin gown and furry vest). The atmosphere was decidedly low-key as guests including Chris Noth, Joey McIntyre, Deborah Gibson and Bill O'Reilly noshed and gabbed about the West Coast proceedings. Downtown at the Tribeca Hotel the celebrity guest list included Ricki Lake, Christopher Meloni of "Oz" and "Law & Order SVU," Kelly Ripa's husband, Mark Consuelos of "All My Children," Monica Lewinsky, and Sonia Braga (who costarred with Jennifer Lopez in 2001's "Angel Eyes"). The group was amazingly prescient in guessing the night's big winners. Before the show started, Christopher Meloni told PEOPLE, "I'm looking forward to Denzel winning (for Best Actor.) That's just kinda of my gut thing." As for the Best Actress honor, " Halle Berry should win this year," predicted Sonia Braga. At a swanky affair at Le Cirque given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, guests mingled while sipping cocktails and predicting winners. James Lipton, host of A&E's "Inside the Actor's Studio," commented on the number of African-American nominees: "Just imagine, Whoopi's the host, Denzel, Will, Halle -- something could happen tonight that could be historic, and every time one of those doors breaks open like that, it makes it easier for other people in the future. That's my hope." Here's to wishes coming true.