Denim & Diamonds Is Country Gem

Trend watchers might already have their sights locked Northwest for influences on fashion, food and music, but fans of the Southwest don’t appear to be making any immediate plans to exchange their cockroach-killer boots and Stetsons for clunky work boots and knit beanies. Certainly the popularity of country dance clubs seems to indicate that cowboy is here to stay--at least for a while.

As country singers continue to shoot up the pop charts in record numbers, suburbanite executives still are running to their local Thieve’s Markets, gold cards in hand, so they too can dress like good ol’ boys or girls. While some nightclubs have added a “country night” to cater to this bunch, others have gone all out with ultra-countrified environments and full-time offerings of twangy tunes to two-step to.

One such a place is Denim & Diamonds in Huntington Beach, where patrons get wall-to-wall Wild West, from the cowhide barstools and booths to the endless rodeo footage running on several large screens. Besides the mighty bull horns over the entrance, other head-gear-decor includes stuffed boar, ram and deer heads, the ever-trendy cow skull and great chandelier-type lamps fashioned from entangled antlers.

Remember John Travolta and that electric bull? This time around, fortunately, the simulated bucking bovine is not part of the trend; partner dancing is. The floor stays packed throughout the night--no song is too slow, nor apparently too pop. Even Madonna’s old disco hit “Burning Up” apparently worked the other night for the Tumbleweed line dancers. (Is this what the owners mean with their “shot of country with a splash of rock ‘n’ roll” motto?

Although a few undoubtedly are mate-searching, most of these wanna-be cowpokes see the dancing as a way to interact socially without strings attached. Even the disc jockey encourages changing partners--a move called “California Style.”

For those who’d like a bit more room or privacy while doing the Cowboy Cha Cha or while Slapping Leather (hey, it’s a dance!), there’s an upper level complete with a small bar, dance floor and seating.

Free dance lessons are given seven nights a week, Mondays through Saturdays at 7 and 8 p.m. and Sundays from 5 to 7 p.m. The classes tend to fill the club and the dance floor early, especially on weekend nights when “D&D;,” as the regulars call it, attracts about 450 country fans (about half that many tend to show up during the week).

Other reasons to come early:

- The very popular happy hours, every weekday from 4 to 8 p.m.;

- Getting there before 8 on Friday and Saturday nights gets you out of paying the $5 cover.

A fully stocked bar serves domestic beer for $3, imports for $3.75, well drinks for $3.25 and premium brands for between $4.25 and $5.50. Some drink specials occasionally are available. There are full lunch and dinner menus, with appetizers starting at $4.50 and burgers for $4.95 and prime rib for $12.95.

A game area features two pool tables, foosball and a “blackjack” area where $10 buys you about $3,000 worth of chips--but don’t expect any returns. It’s all for fun.

Actually, there’s a lot of fun to be had around here, where Attitude doesn’t prevail the way it does at dance clubs featuring other musical genres. 21-year-olds all the way to seniors will set, dance and drink side by side, although the younger crew tends to stay later. Underage buckaroos are welcome before 8 p.m. daily, but they’re branded with a wristband.

And don’t be intimidated by the “diamond” in this nightspot’s name. Some show up looking downright fancy in fringed boots or rhinestone hatbands, while others show up looking right down silly with leather chaps--didn’t see your horse outside!--or sheriff’s badges.

But even on Saturday nights, dress is mostly casual, mostly denim, with both sexes squeezing into some of the tightest Wranglers they can rustle up. And, not surprisingly, there are plenty of black brims and pointy kickers.

* DENIM & DIAMONDS

7979 Center Ave., Huntington Beach.

(714) 892-3316.

Mondays through Fridays 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Saturdays 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., Sundays 4:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.

$5 cover charged on Friday and Saturday evenings only, after 8.