No Waiting in the Wings

Fashionable attire is the norm at Wings Nightclub in West Covina. OK? So, don’t be strutting in with any Levi’s, Nikes or T-shirts.

And every Saturday, rock en espanol--with a sprinkling of flashback alternative classics--is king here. Got it?

Good.

That’s practically all you need to know to have a good time, because everything else--from valet parking to a coat check, and hit tunes for your dancing feet--will be taken care of by the club.

DJ Eddie and DJ Santi, both from “Superestrella” 97.5 FM, take turns spinning discs. Eddie and Santi form part of a six-deejay rotation that also covers Giggles in Glendale, Wings’ sister club.

On a recent Saturday, rock en espanol fans in the house were dancing it up to hit songs from Mana, Los enanitos verdes and Jaguares on the cozy dance floor.

The Los Angeles County club--it’s a 15- to 20-minute drive from the Orange County line, just off the San Bernardino Freeway--also plays Top 40 on Fridays. But its reputation as a popular rock en espanol venue rules; it attracts partyers from as far as Palm Desert.

“There’s more singles here, and that’s cool because at the [Palm Springs] clubs . . . you’ll see mostly couples,” said patron Cindy Rodriguez.

When they’re not dancing the night away, Wings partyers relax in plenty of booths surrounding portions of the club. Or they can chat--make that yell--with friends who are also enjoying the deafening blast of rock.

Fully stocked bars are at opposite ends of the club. Bottled domestic and foreign brews go for $3.50 and $4 respectively, while well drinks set you back $3.50, call drinks $4.50.

Long Island iced teas and Blue Hawaiians were the most popular beverages with the party crowd on a recent night.

The nightspot made the San Gabriel Valley its home in 1985, according to its owners, brothers Garnik and Edmund Galoostian. Garnik Galoostian said Wings--which recently hosted its 14th annual New Year’s bash--was one of the first clubs to make rock en espanol its primary music category.

Oh, yeah. There’s one more thing you need to know to have a good time there. Unlike some other clubs, Wings does not rely on any outside promoters for publicity.

So, if you want to keep up with its special events, listen for commercial spots on Spanish-language radio or sign up for the Wings mailing list. Then you’ll know for sure when it’s a great night to take flight toward Wings.

BE THERE

Wings Nightclub, 2934 E. Garvey Ave. South, West Covina. (626) 966-0544. Doors open at 9 p.m. and close at 2 a.m. $10 cover charge, 21 and over. Top 40 on Fridays, rock en espanol on Saturdays.