Hip, happening and way over 30

Here’s a twist: You need a fake ID for this party only if you’re under 30. That’s because this bash, even though it’s smack in the middle of young Hollywood, is not about the scene, velvet-rope madness or being discovered. It’s about having fun in its purest sense -- a good time sans the angst over being hip enough, thin enough and, yes, young enough.

Hollywood’s new 30-and-over Boomer club night at Boardner’s on Cherokee Avenue is thrown by a couple of party animals for “not an older but a wiser, wilder crowd.”

“I’ve been a music lover all of my life, and I saw a need for people I know who are young at heart but are older chronologically and have nowhere to go,” said 47-year-old Mark Campbell, who created Boomer night. “Clubs in L.A. are geared for people under 30. People who are older don’t have the same kind of energy to stay up all night, and we also have more responsibilities and commitments. But that’s no reason to be excommunicated from the dance world. We shouldn’t just have to have a wedding or bar mitzvah to be able to get together and dance.”

Held the last Sunday of the month, a band such as the Shea Welsh Group kicks off the night on Boardner’s back patio before go-go girls appear and move the dance party inside with music that spans four decades, beginning with the 1950s.

Last month, about 150 people attended, including L.A. Tennis Club members, comedy writers and comedians, actors, entrepreneurs and a psychic who read tarot cards at a side table.

“You can be single, married, gay, straight, vegetarian or vegan, and even fruitarians are invited,” Campbell joked.

“I’m sick of going out and seeing half-naked kids,” said a 40-ish Jill Galloway, who was grooving to the B-52’s with a friend, Annie White. “Going out in L.A. is always such a big production. I’m from New Orleans, where the night life is so varied and not closed to certain age groups. If club owners were smart, they’d go where the money is. This age group is a good business demographic.”

That makes sense to Boardner’s co-owner, Tricia LaBelle, who says she didn’t hesitate when Campbell approached her about designating a club night for adults at Hollywood’s oldest bar.

“These are couples, people with jobs,” said LaBelle, 36. “They come in and let their hair down and spend time with their peers without being intimidated.... And we don’t need security on a night like this. They’re too old to yell at! This is the generation that taught us how to party, that got us all in trouble with sex, drugs and rock ‘n’roll. They deserve to get a little back.”

What they merit, quips Jeff -- a 45-year-old single man who does not want his last name published -- is a better name. “Boomer is the Newsweek cover story circa 1972,” he says. “What a terrible name. It should be something more honest. Aren’t we in the age of honesty where gays call themselves queers? That aside, I walked in the door and fell in love. People were hugging each other. It’s a very friendly atmosphere.”

Revelers were so comfortable, in fact, that the standard greeting among friends in the courtyard was, “Are you that old?” referring to the faux 30-and-older age requirement.

“We’re not asking people for IDs, but if they’re not over 30, they better have fake ones,” joked Melissa Carrey, 43, who helped promote the first two events. “I wanted to be a part of this because I love to have a good time, but when I go out, everybody is too young. Just because we’re in our 40s doesn’t mean we’re dead.”

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Boomer night

Where: Boardner’s, 1652 N. Cherokee Ave., Hollywood

When: The last Sunday of each month. Next up: Sunday, 6 p.m. until the last partygoer leaves.

Info: (323) 462-9621 or www.boardners.com/boomer