Doing the J.C. Fandango

Banging bongos, clanging cowbells and blaring brass fuse, churning out some sweet salsa, cumbia and merengue to accompany shaking hips and fancy footwork at J.C. Fandango.

In the main room of the Anaheim club, you’ll hear live bands--such as Orquesta Macondo--every Friday and Saturday.

And you’ll see dressed-up dancers. Women at this elegant, Latin-themed nightclub wear short skirts and dresses; most of the men are decked out in their Sunday best.

In that main room, a thirtysomething crowd politely applauds after every song.

But you don’t need such fancy clothes or moves in Fandango’s smaller room. There, pop/rock en espanol, piped in through the speakers, induces college-aged dancers to revel like there’s no tomorrow, grooving to hits such as NEC’s “Laura.”

The club was established in 1986 by Jose Castellanos, who died in 1992; operations were taken over by his son Javier. (Brother Jesse is the general manager.) At first, tropical/Caribbean music was the main attraction. Later, rock and pop en espanol were added to the mix.

Looking to draw a wider range of Latino music fans, the club this month is adding a norteno theme for Monday nights.

Bottled domestic brews go for $4.50; imports are $5. Cocktails range from $4.50 to $6.

The smaller room will probably remain more casual than the main room, but look for a stricter dress code all around in the near future as the club suits up to match its clientele. To go with the spiffier crowd, the main room is being remodeled and will have new lighting and carpeting. A new sound system is in place, and fresh granite counters top the bars. Still to come: the velvet stage curtain.

Not everything is changing. The full kitchen--open 6 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Thursay through Sunday--will continue to offer entrees from Spanish-speaking countries. The specialty is Spanish paella, a dish of rice, lobster, crab, clams, chicken, pork, ham and sausage.

For those with lighter appetites, there’s picada colombiana, an appetizer made with marinated steak, sausage, fried plantains and two empanadas. Menu items range from $5.95 to $21.95.

J.C. Fandango also hosts a series of concerts. Among headliners scheduled are Mikel Erentxum from Spain (March 31), Argentine rock star Miguel Mateos (April 4 and 6) and rock groups Los Prisioneros (Chile) and Moenia (Mexico).

Says Javier Castellanos: “I’ll offer the classiest atmosphere possible.”

BE THERE

J.C. Fandango, 1086 N. State College Blvd., Anaheim. (714) 758-1057. Doors open at 9 p.m. and close at 2 a.m. Live salsa every Friday and Saturday. $10 cover charge on Fridays and Sundays; $12 on Saturdays. 18 and older.