Say the Secret Word for a Few Cheap Thrills

A Social Climes hot going-out tip: While the words cheap night out and Viper Room don’t normally go together in the minds of most people familiar with the two terms, we have been noticing many flyers lying around at clothing stores and cafes offering cut-rate admission to the upscale club.

Most economical is Monday night’s “Mr. Moo’s Grab Bag,” (reputed to be Sir Johnny D’s own concept, by the way) which is only $5 with the right flyer.

Also, word is that the hip mecca gives out passwords on some days, also good for discounts, to those who utter them at the door. We would have tested it out ourselves last week if we weren’t embarrassed about walking up to the velvet rope and saying “Mama.”

Opportunity Knocks: Any good advertisement takes into account the needs and concerns of its potential readers. Case in point: The Social Climes staff noticed this little sign at the Onyx/Sequel cafe, a bohemian coffeehouse in Los Feliz. “We have a job that will allow you to drink your coffee and smoke your cigarettes, talk about the arts and make lots of money. You will work part time, get off early enough to make it back to the Onyx to talk with all your friends.” This copy appeared under the fetching headline “Now You Have No Excuse.”

Traffic Alert: What’s next, the virtual Sig Alert? We’re happy to note Caltrans has installed its own World Wide Web page at www.scubed.com. The site allows anyone with an Internet connection to access reports, maps and information on all Southern California freeways that is literally up-to-the-minute. Could be great timesaver. But wouldn’t you know it? The cybertraffic on the Internet, especially at the Caltrans server, is about as hellish during rush hour as what’s actually happening on the freeways.