New Club Discovers Power of the Blues

Blues harp master Rod Piazza stood atop a restaurant banquette, tapping his feet just inches from a patron’s head, during the blistering finale of a recent gig at the 2nd St. Blues Club.

Agile as a cat, Piazza never allowed his cool shades nor expressive gestures to threaten his balance.

Dancers here need to be equally nimble. Tables sit right next to the small, crowded dance floor--half the size of most local swing spots--and with one spin gone awry, you’re likely to topple someone’s Stoli or end up in somebody’s lap. Still, the space crunch is worth it.

Top-notch performers including Piazza regularly play this otherwise roomy venue, which has become popular since opening in January. Piazza sells out the place. Ensembles led by Carey Bell, Chris Cain and Walter Trout draw crowds too.

Live music is a rarity for West Coast Swing Dancers, but the club draws both West and East Coast Swingers. Hoofers also like fine acoustics and an admiring, captive audience that doesn’t smoke much.

Customers are generally 30 and over and tend to dress up a bit. You’ll see slacks, not Levi’s, a backless pants suit, a wide, 1950s skirt--nothing too fancy, but well-matched with the club’s stylish yet unostentatious look.

The cabaret-style room has a black-and-maroon color scheme and is minimally decorated with floor-to-ceiling mirrors along two walls. Unadorned pillars break up the well-lit interior. Candles flicker inside simple, faux-crystal holders. A glass partition, etched with a geometric, Art Deco design, rests atop the banquettes, separating the lower floor, with its raised stage and dance floor, from the upper, with more tables.

The menu is heavy on red meat but offers seafood, pasta and chicken dishes and meal-size salads. The food is better than typical club fare; portions are generous, and veggies are fresh.

A large, adjoining bar also has a dance floor--equally small--pool tables and a large-screen television displaying blues videos and documentaries. Lesser-known bands play during happy hour, when free hot and cold nibbles are served.

From 5 to 7 p.m., domestic beer goes for $1.50; imported beer, well drinks and wine run $1.75, and call drinks are $2.25. After 7, domestic beer goes up to $2.75; imported beer, wine and well drinks cost $3.50 and call drinks go for $4.25. Entrees, which come with vegetables, dinner salad and potato or rice, run from $6.95 for a burger to $19.95 for a New York steak.

* 2ND ST. BLUES CLUB

* In the Seaport Marina Hotel, 6400 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach.

* (310) 434-8451.

* Bar and club open every day, 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Live music Tuesday through Saturday.

* Club admission, after 7 p.m. is $3, Tuesday-Thursday; $7-$10, Friday and Saturday.