Hot Times in the City

So there I was at the Hollywood Canteen, sandwiched between five supermodels. As I sucked down some raspberry apple tobacco from an enormous hookah pipe, I realized that it’s gonna be a rockin’ summer.

Not only has a stellar array of new venues opened up just in time for the warm weather crush, but they’re attracting a sharp new wave of cropped-top clubgoers, each angling for some hot times in the city.

At the head of the summertime sizzle are such venues as Moomba, the Hollywood Canteen, Joya, Belly, Joseph’s Cafe and Las Palmas. Such rock and dance promotions as Make-Up and Cherry also are planning big things, like this Sunday’s Vacation in Hollywood--the new name for summer’s traditional kick-off, the Memorial Day Massive. L.A.’s best and brightest glam, goth and mod promoters take over the Hollywood Athletic Club for a freaky beach blanket babylon party, and the event always draws a huge crowd of rockers of all stripes. Make-Up’s June gala, a tribute to Marilyn Monroe at the El Rey Theatre, probably will raise the bar on good glam times as well.

But truly, when L.A. clubbers think summer, they think outdoor patios. Currently, the venues with the most cake include Moomba (665 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood, [310] 652-6364), the month-old restaurant and nightclub at the old LunaPark in West Hollywood. The red-hot restaurant, which first opened in New York before stabbing westward, is attracting a wide variety of night owls, including the band, Stabbing Westward, which performed a few weeks ago in Moomba’s 200-capacity nightclub. One reason to check out Moomba is to scope out the vintage wallpaper in the stairwell leading to a downstairs billiards lounge. Geometry never seemed so cool.

Another weekend hot spot is Joya (242 Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, [310] 274-4440), a brand-new fondue nightclub. A venture by Las Palmas co-owner Chris Pike, it’s putting Beverly Hills back on the clubland map. The two-level venue has dancing upstairs and serves dinner on Fridays and Saturdays.

But my current new favorite is the Hollywood Canteen (1006 N. Seward St., Hollywood, [323] 465-0961), and not just cuz of the supermodels. The Hollywood Canteen has been around for a decade but owner John Kim recently partnered up with young promoter Michael Sutton and the club’s grand reopening has been a huge success. The Canteen is now a sexy open-air spot with a comfy outdoor patio and a VIP lounge that is actually a vintage mobile home (which hosted private parties by Leo and Hugh Hefner last week). The Canteen has loads of interesting quirks. For example, a sake lounge has real grass in lieu of a carpet, and each dining table comes with an enormous hookah pipe--guests are invited to sample fruit-flavored tobacco. The “Alice in Wonderland” appeal is accented by nightly deejays, including such local powerhouses as Sean Perry, Scott Oster, Ethan Brown and DJ Hier.

Those looking to chill any night of the week may want to try Belly (7929 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, [323] 692-1068), the new tapas lounge. It’s open seven nights a week and has an easy-access door policy, with a variety of deejays piling on heaps of soul and funk for a super-friendly crowd.

On Monday nights, it’s a Hollywood doubleheader between the newly renovated Joseph’s Cafe and Snatch, a Monday night hip-hop party. Joseph’s Cafe (1775 Ivar St., Hollywood, [323] 462-8967), a once-dingy Greek restaurant, just revamped itself to the top. After sprucing up an outdoor patio and creating a dance floor, its owners invited promoter Brent Bolthouse to take over on Mondays, and now it’s where to be seen on the scene that night. Its limited capacity, around 200, makes it a tight ship, so those who get on the guest list early and arrive early are treated to one of the best parties in town. (Bolthouse also throws the big Wednesday bash at Las Palmas restaurant and a Friday-night dance party at Blue [1642 Las Palmas Ave., Hollywood, (323) 848-9300]--both sure-fire summer hits as well.)

Snatch, located at Papaz nightclub (1716 Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, [323] 461-9190), looks like it’s going to be the big summer hoedown for the hip-hop set. Judging by the growing lines outside each week and the first-rate performers--including a recent surprise performance by Wyclef Jean--the promotion’s just gaining steam.

The way cool Hollywood lounge Beauty Bar (1638 Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, [323] 464-7676) also has added some summertime spice to its nightly lineup. Mondays are now punk night, and Thursdays B.B. invites guest celebrity deejays to take a turn at the turntable. Its proximity to the Burgundy Room (1621 Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, [323] 465-7530), Hotel Cafe (1623 1/2 Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, [323] 461-2040) and the Catalina Bar & Grill only make it more inviting.

The rock ‘n’ roll powerhouse Scream is set to return in early July, when the Play Room on Highland Avenue reopens after last year’s fire. Shows already are being scheduled with Union Underground, Godhead and there’s even a possibility Stone Temple Pilots might play in August.

You can also count on such rock spots as the Viper Room (8852 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, [310] 358-1880) and Dragonfly (6510 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, [323] 466-6111) for great live shows this summer. The Viper Room’s Camaro Club on Mondays and International Society for Good Music on Tuesday nights offer must-see rock. And Dragonfly’s Pretty Ugly Club on Wednesdays is only getting bigger, better and more rock-us.

And lastly, with the bar at the Standard (8300 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, [323] 650-9090) finally making its much-anticipated appearance, count the hot Sunset Strip hotel in for some splish-splash fun.

Now get outta my way, cuz it’s time to slap on some baby oil and load up on the Sun-In. This is one endless summer I’m not gonna miss.