At The Clubs : Motherlode Taps Into a Friendly Vein

We all know why Norm, Cliff, Frasier and the gang hung out regularly in the fictitious Cheers. There’s small-town comfort to be found in a big-city pub where everyone knows your name. That’s the quality that separates West Hollywood’s Motherlode from the pack.

The Motherlode, a gay bar on a stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard that’s chock-full of clubs, attracts regulars by the hundreds each night largely because it’s a comfortable neighborhood meeting spot. Longtime bartenders seem to know the name of nearly every guest, and West Hollywood entertainment and political coalitions hold weekly meetings at the Motherlode’s Sunday “Beer Bust” from 4 till 10 p.m.

The 7-year-old club, which was purchased two years ago by head deejay Bob Yacoubian and his partner Jerry McCarthy, is nearly always packed to capacity, with long lines stretching down the street. Another key draw is Yacoubian, who keeps the music pumping loud and clear throughout the venue, which consists of a long bar area and an upstairs room with seating.

During the popular “Beer Bust,” Yacoubian favors the divas of disco and soul. To a backdrop of video monitors featuring a concert sequence of Diana Ross, a recent energetic set included ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” and Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” with some spicy deviations toward Latin house and male disco hits (think the Trammps’ “Disco Inferno”). Now all that’s needed is a long-overdue dance floor, something the owners are currently looking into. In the meantime, there’s always the pogo.

* The Motherlode, 8944 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. 21 and over, no cover. (310) 659-9700.

Club Buzz: We told you West Hollywood’s “The Strip”--a Saturday night club offering “all you can drink for free” while failing to mention a $15 cover fee--wouldn’t be around long. Already in its place at Club 8240 is “The House of Flesh,” a Saturday night fetish club featuring industrial, alternative, house and techno music on two dance floors. The 18-and-over club was devised by the creators of Helter Skelter, Stigmata, Perversion, the Fetish Club and Velvet--so don’t forget your whips.

* “The House of Flesh,” (213) 462-7442.