Wild Things

If you missed last weekend’s annual “Fetish Ball” at downtown’s Variety Arts Center, don’t fear. There’s still plenty of cheeky, freaky weekly action.

Cherry at Love Lounge on Fridays, 657 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood, (310) 652-0611. It’s not just the glammed-up men (and women) in drag that make this weekly dance club so utterly colorful, it’s the feeling that anything goes and/or is possible. For example, you might be treated to a listening party for an upcoming release--like the impromptu post-punk performance Courtney Love recently gave (sans top) for Hole’s album. 21 and over, $10 cover.

Escandalo at Axis on Wednesdays, 652 N. La Peer Ave., West Hollywood, (310) 659-0472. A gay Latin dance club with heaps of house music and passionate hombres. Need we say more? . . . 21 and over, $5 cover.

Fang Club at LunaPark on Sundays, 665 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood, (818) 848-7937 and (310) 652-0611. Looking for a club you can sink your teeth into? The Fang Club recently revived its living-dead motif at LunaPark, giving the Gothic set yet another dance club to call its own (with live music and weekly themes). 21 and over, $6 cover.

Fenix at the Argyle Hotel, 8358 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, (213) 848-6677 or (213) 654-7100. Maybe being raised in the Playboy Mansion gave promoter Rick Calamaro an edge in Hollywood, but he’s recently invited the cocktail set to join him nightly at the Fenix Room in this posh Strip hotel. Those who want to make the scene have to get on a guest list (by calling in advance) and/or schmooze the host. 21 and over, no cover.

Matterhorn Chef, 13726 Oxnard Ave., Van Nuys, (818) 781-4330. On Fridays and Saturdays, let Fritz--a veritable one-man musical army--take you on a stroll through pop music’s past at this venerable Swiss-themed eatery, where he gives new meaning to the term Swiss cheese. 21 and over, no cover.

Punk Rock Karaoke at Dragonfly on Tuesday, 6510 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, (213) 466-6111. Put a bunch of punk rock veterans on stage together, performing to a house filled with rowdy, erstwhile rebels and all you can do is duck for cover. 21 and over, $5 cover.

Queen Mary, 12449 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, (818) 506-5619. As transvestite clubs go, the Queen Mary should be sporting a well-earned tiara (nearly 40 years in the female impersonation biz and still tickling). 21 and over, cover varies.

Sin-A-Matic at 7969 on Saturdays, 7969 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, (213) 654-0280. Naughty dance clubs come and go, but Sin-A-Matic--now nearing its eighth year--offers proof-positive that the fetish subculture is less “sub” than one might think. 21 and over, $10 cover.