Smokin’ Johnnie’s Leaves Out an Entree--the Blues

When Smokin’ Johnnie’s Barbeque opened its doors six months ago, its marquee proudly boasted “Booze, Blues & BBQ’s.” Well, two out of three isn’t bad. Despite the presence of barbecue entrees and alcoholic beverages, the Studio City venue has about as much in common with the blues as Sin-A-Matic has with the 700 Club.

True, some blues bands do perform on the tiny stage, but the atmosphere, decor, layout and much of the music booked here offer little hint of the blues.

The bar area, which is separate from the restaurant and stage, isn’t distinctive, but the main club space attempts a classy look with its red-carpeted, two-room restaurant and mix of candle-lit tables for two and picnic tables. Nearby, a patio area features bamboo fences and lanterns.

The confusion of this design is aggravated by an arrangement of seemingly random objects such as a cowboy dummy at a table, a potbelly stove in the center of the restaurant area and a large Tahitian-style painting in the performance room.

Between sets, the sounds of radio station KOST-FM are piped over the speakers, and the limp songs of Mariah Carey and Billy Ocean often fare better than the live acts. Regular performer Jeff Naideau, whose music is possibly an antonym of the blues (think lounge without the shtick), inadvertently offered a summary of the club between numbers one recent night: “You can’t tell what direction the train is running by looking at the tracks.” Yeah, but you know if it’s been derailed.

To get it on the right track, someone at Johnnie’s needs to make a decision on what exactly they’d like this club to be, and then focus on it.

* Smokin’ Johnnie’s Barbeque, 11720 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. All ages, no cover. (818) 760-6631.

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Club Buzz: Martini hosted the Hollywood party to crash last week. The Melrose Avenue club was the site of Joan Osborne’s “after-tour” party, which attracted such guests as members of the Fugees, Grant Lee Buffalo, R.E.M. and the Posies. Although none of them opted to take the stage, the party managed to last till the wee hours of the morning. . . . In Hell’s Gate news, rumors that the alternative nightspot, located at Hollywood’s notoriously crime-plagued area of Yucca Street and Wilcox Avenue, will be closing its doors within two weeks are being battled by club owner Steve Edelson, who says the reports are “lies, and totally premature.”

* Martini, (213) 467-4068. Hell’s Gate, (213) 463-9661.