An alarming opening

Deepa Bharath

The martinis were flowing as rhinestones, velvet and diamonds flashed

in passing. The air was filled with a melange of perfumes. Glasses

clinked. Music pulsated.

It finally happened. Costa Mesa is partying like it’s Vegas.

The Vegas nightclub, in the basement of 1901 Newport Blvd., opened

its doors Friday night. A long line snaked outside the gate as the

anticipation mounted to a crescendo and eager guests wondered what it

would be like inside.

Kim Doleman, who didn’t expect the long wait, said she hoped there

would be “lots of dancing,” which would make it worth the wait.

“And of course, the martinis and the cute boys,” she said with a

laugh.

Inside, the people who had already gotten past the ropes had big

smiles on their faces.

They walked past the Stardust Lounge and marveled at the 6-foot

martini glass that welcomed them to the bar.

“I love the martini glass,” Cassie Broemmer said. “It’s really

original.”

Jo-E Lopez couldn’t wait to get on the dance floor, which was blue

and kidney-shaped.

“It shimmers like a pool under the lights too,” she said.

Vegas, a reflection of the fabulous Las Vegas of the 1950s, is a

nice change from other commonplace bars in the area, April Beres

said.

“I love the way it looks,” she said. “They’ve been very creative

with the colors. I like it.”

Minutes before the guests showed up, the sensational dance floor

was still covered in plastic as workers checked the lights and the

wiring.

Club owner James Raven finally got his building permit in May, six

months and thousands of design dollars after he had gotten initial

approval from the Planning Commission. Despite those bigger

obstacles, opening night is not opening night without those

last-minute hiccups.

Raven said he got a call at 9 p.m. Thursday night informing him

that one of his two resident DJs was going under the knife to have

his appendix removed.

“And just minutes ago, we had one of our porters have a seizure,”

he said. “It’s not funny. But it was our first 911 call. We got it

out of the way.”

They weren’t done for the night, though. Just after 9 p.m., the

fire alarm went off and security guards started to ask the guests to

evacuate the building. They soon learned it was a false alarm and

everybody was allowed back in.

“When everybody’s happy and they’re having a good time, they’ll

tolerate pretty much anything,” Raven said.

Raven said he’s delighted to open the nightclub of his dreams at

last.

“Thank God the wait is over,” he said.

But once the crowd flowed in, there was little indication of the

pre-opening jitters.

“It’s beautiful,” Jules Syperda said. “It’s the best thing that’s

happened to Orange County. There’s nothing quite like it around

here.”

Michele Wagoner said she believes the club will attract more of

the “younger crowd.”

“This looks and feels like L.A.,” she said. “I think Orange County

is ready for it.”

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at [email protected].