There was a Porsche, a Ferrari and an Acura NSX parked outside Van Dome’s entrance when we arrived, but in a town whose most famous Ferrari was really a Corvette underneath, we never know what these things augur for inside.
As it turns out, Van Dome is Rolls-Royce elegant. It is the club where you are likely to see more fashion shows and a regular retinue of models (or “wannabes”) here on their off time.
Downstairs is subdued opulence, an expansive Edwardian-era decor of ornate burnished wood, subdued lighting and plush, dark-hued fabrics. Upstairs is bright and cozy, with a small bar, some couches, and a balcony with tables overlooking the stage.
A bar winds along one side of the room downstairs. Behind it are two giant lava lamps glowing red, and a dozen magnum bottles of champagne. The room’s sections are separated by crimson velvet drapes gathered at the sides.
There is a cozy room in back of the main dining area, its ceiling painted in oil depicting pale blue sky and cotton clouds. Tiffany glass houses the lights over the dance floor.
Customers are mostly under 40, with women favoring tight black dresses. Men are in jackets or at least crisply casual.
Jazz is offered from 9 until 11 p.m. weekends. We caught Raul Belmidon, a vocalist backed by a drummer and guitarist. Belmidon, blind and in dark glasses, sings with soulful passion not fully appreciated by a crowd who dances to disco played between sets and after 11 p.m.
In addition to a regular run of fashion shows and benefit events, musical entertainment varies. The Covergirls, a dance music group, recently performed.
Nightlife news
Ron Lan’ Gel is such a great Bobby Darin fan that when he opened the Harbor Light Cafe, 100 Kings Point Drive, North Miami Beach, he turned his restaurant into a supper club on Saturdays. At 7:30 p.m. dinner is served; at 9 p.m. Lan’ Gel performs his one-man tribute to Darin.
— The second Saturday of every month the Folk Club of South Florida presents its Acoustic Underground Monthly Concert Series at Miami Institute of the Expanding Light (MIEL), 8905 SW 87th Ave., South Miami.
Performing 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday are Ron and Bari Litschauer and Southern Moon. Admission is $5 for members, $6 for non-members. MIEl is a new venue for the Folk Club and a little hard to find. Look for it on the southeast corner of 89th Avenue and 89th Street, one block south of Kendall Drive. The entrance to the building is in the rear, and MIEL is on the 14th floor.
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IMPACT, a leadership organization for young professionals supporting the Diabetes Research Institute, hosts a Feast Among the Grapes party starting at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Port of Miami, Terminal 12.
The evening will be filled with food and wine tasting, auctions, light jazz, ice sculpting, magic and dancing. At 10 p.m. Raw B Jae and the Liquid Funk are scheduled to perform. Admission is $35. All proceeds benefit the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine.
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Want to rock ‘n’ roll? Palm Beach Ale House and Raw Bar, 2161 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., West Palm Beach, showcases rock bands Thursday through Sunday evenings.
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The Green Room at the Bermuda Pub, 3850 Northlake Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, is open.
The tropical bar and grill’s sports and entertainment room has billiards, darts, drink special, free appetizers at 6 p.m. and live entertainment starting at 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
The Pub is in the Crossroads Plaza across from Home Depot.
The Nightlife News portion of this column is written by Joan Brazer.
