Club for Latinos Rocks in Any Language

The Latino population continues to surge, but most mainstream nightclubs here have all but ignored it. To dance to salsa, banda or musica Espanol, locals have to frequent a handful of specialty bars and clubs, or travel outside the county.

But that may change when Metropolis’ competitors hear about the huge hit the club in Irvine scored last Friday with the premier of Baby Rock, a night of rock and pop Espanol targeting YHLs (young hip Latinos). The place brimmed with an energy and salero reminiscent of the trendier hot spots in Miami, Madrid or Mexico City.

An infectious enthusiasm floated, creating a welcoming party atmosphere that (excuse the generalization) is hard to find at most Anglo clubs. Indeed, it must be experienced to be believed. Patrons cheered and applauded wildly at the beginning and end of their favorite tunes. In between, the mass on the dance floor would cheer/yell/sing collectively, continuing a cappella whenever the disc jockey would halt a song at the refrain.

The Hanour brothers, who own Metropolis, decided to introduce Baby Rock at the persistent suggestion of their kitchen manager, Faustino Garcia (who soon will leave for his native Mexico to start his own trendy restaurant and club).

The debut was augmented by a new laser light system and the assistance of Spanish radio station K-LOVE, which was still broadcasting live reports at midnight. (As a result, several hundred 18-and-overs stood outside waiting to join in the marcha well after Friday night officially was over).

People inside may have been surprised to see at least half the pool tables sitting unused, but the mystery was cleared up once one got within eyeshot of the dance area, which was bursting with patrons. Deejays Marcus, Beltran and Jack Daniel provided the beats--reggae, pop, ballads, new wave and techno; all the songs were sung in Spanish.

If you were neither born nor raised with the ability to move Latin style, don’t fret: Someone was always willing to walk and talk you through in the name of fun. And if you just want to watch, you can always join those assembled around Shaheen, a live percussionist who embellishes the recorded sounds with hypnotic rhythms.

Although Spanish conversations buzzed through much of the crowd, this is a bilingual scene. Besides, music is the universal language, and it doesn’t matter much what’s being said when you can’t hear over the sound system anyway. So just get up and dance.

As always, there are $2 drink specials till 10 p.m. Billiard tables cost $15 per hour.

* Baby Rock at Metropolis.

* 18 and over

* 4255 Campus Drive, Irvine.

* (714) 725-0300. In Spanish: (714) 509-7640.

* Fridays only, 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.

* Cover: $10.