Jumping for Joya in Beverly Hills

It’s official: Beverly Hills is back on the map--thanks to Joya, a swanky new nightclub in the heart of the B.H. money district. In a mere four weeks, the fondue restaurant and late-night dance spot has given clubbers a viable party destination away from the Sunset Strip and Hollywood.

It’s a good thing too. The Strip in particular needs to check itself. Parking prices have gotten so out of hand, folks are coughing up some serious cash even on weeknights.

But at Joya, a bi-level club located at the old Tribeca, you can self-park for two bucks on a Saturday night and, once inside, be treated to some sexy fondue dining and an even sexier clientele. Put it this way: This is one nightclub where chicks arrive early.

The secret to its early success is its partners, Chris Pike, Brian Schillizzi and Brandon Bartlett--a youthful dream team. Pike, a nightclub entrepreneur and designer whose most recent achievement is Las Palmas in Hollywood, teamed up with Schillizzi, who’s worked as a general manager in such venues as the House of Blues, the Key Club and the Century Club. Bartlett, Joya’s restaurant and bar manager, owned a club with Pike 12 years ago, Loco Ranchero in San Luis Obispo. It was his idea to create a fondue nightclub, where people can get saucy with cheese, literally, and then work it off on the dance floor later.

In one month, they’ve managed to create a scene where people line up early and stay late. They took a chance on Beverly Hills, which hasn’t had a club scene since Tatou closed its doors in the mid-’90s, and created a venue that’s simple and elegant--as a postmodern Beverly Hills club should be. It’s intimate--holding about 300 people. The decor includes stone walls, high-beamed ceilings, plush red-velvet booths and loads of glass and mirrors. Joya, which is the middle name of Pike’s wife, Kimber, also includes a VIP lounge, an outdoor smoking patio and two spacious bars.

Currently, it’s open Tuesday through Saturday, with dinner served Wednesday through Saturday. Each night is hosted by different in-house promoters, who provide a danceable blend of hip-hop, disco and techno. Wednesdays and Fridays the club’s got a youthful Hollywood crowd, and they’ve dubbed Thursdays “Girls Night Out,” because women run the show. The doorman is a woman, the deejays are all women, as are the cocktail servers. On Saturdays, deejay Crash (who also doubles as the Playboy Mansion’s deejay) spins a wicked mix of old school disco, Latin fever and contemporary remixes of current hits. Looking around, the scene reminded me of Vertigo at its peak. Even though it’s a small space compared to that legendary ‘80s hot spot, the people were dressed to impress, looking to get lucky or at the very least, have a memorable mingling time.

Like any trendy nightspot, there are multiple guest lists, and if you’re not connected, I wouldn’t suggest showing up on a Friday at 11 p.m. You might get in, but you might not. You’re better off calling in advance or arriving at Joya early. For those who want to check it out away from the weekend clubbing cluster, try Tuesdays, when they open the doors early for a 5-8 p.m. happy hour.

People who want to sample the cheese can make dinner reservations--there are two seatings nightly and the upstairs level is open only to diners until 11 p.m.

The fondue concept is fun, so old school it’s new. And think about it: If you’re looking for a bit of romance--and most clubbers are--dipping delectable food in cheese over a hot flame to thumping disco just may work to your advantage. In other words, burn baby burn.

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* Joya, 242 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. 21 and older. No cover. Open Tuesday to Saturday, serving Wednesday to Saturday. Call in advance for dinner reservations and guest list inquiries. (310) 274-4440.