THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 27, 1994 TAG: 9408260117
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUE SMALLWOOD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
NEWS FROM the nocturnal zoo:
From the outside and in the daylight, one might mistake the gray, hulking Abyss on 19th Street as the Oceanfront's own version of Nauticus. By moonbeam, though, there's no mistaking: Here's a new nightclub with definite success potential.
Atmosphere's half the battle in the nightlife game; the Abyss' very dark, stark ambience and looming, industrial-esque appointments - loads o' chain link, corrugated metal, steel pipe and atmospheric fog - are unlike any in the area.
The two-story Abyss also features a unique sunken dance pit with a large rear gangway that doubles as a roomy stage, banks of blinding strobes and synchronized Intellibeam lights and a booming sound system blasting the likes of the Breeders, Tool and Nirvana early in the eve, then throbbing techno 'til the wee hours.
The admirals at the Abyss have shunned the traditional media hoopla attendant with a club opening, hoping instead to develop an underground credibility through streetwise word of mouth.
``The goal of it is to be a modern rock place where you can dance,'' said Abyss general manager Ken MacDonald. ``The whole concept is just to introduce people to new music'' through alterna-rock deejays and an eclectic live music schedule. Since opening earlier this month, the 18-and-up, beer-only Abyss has hosted concerts from Soulhat, 700 Miles, the Proclaimers and 311. Upcoming shows include Collective Soul, the Specials and Drivin' N Cryin'.
A recent Friday night visit revealed a pesky problem, though: When the vast Abyss is not fully crowded, it's resoundingly empty. But we don't doubt that will change in the weeks to come.
The Abyss is at 1065 19th St., Virginia Beach. Call 422-0748. Open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m.
Across 19th Street from the Abyss in the Radisson Hotel is the Bayou, another upstart nightspot which has already developed a sizable clientele. New Orleans is the schtick here, with Spanish moss (or some facsimile thereof) hanging from the ceiling, Big Easy street scenes painted on the walls and gaslamp-topped signposts - Bourbon St., etc. - dressing up what would otherwise be just another hotel lounge.
Two bars, pool and foosball tables and a smallish dance floor with a stage tucked on one end round out the barroom. Beach faves Plastic Eddie were booked the night we stopped by; the place was stiflingly packed. The Bayou at the Radisson is at 1900 Pavilion Drive, Virginia Beach. 422-8900.
Line dancing and all the darn pool you can shoot. Does it get any better? Not according to the folks at Country World and Billiards near Lynnhaven Mall. The months-old place boasts a 1,600-square-foot dance floor, two levels of pool tables, line and partner dance lessons, karaoke, deejays and live entertainment, including national acts from time to time. It's 18 and up 'til about 10 p.m., then grownups only. Country World and Billiards is at 2656 Lishelle Place, Virginia Beach. 468-9939.
Cheesy Norfolk metal club On Stage has gotten a much needed face- and format-lift. Now dubbed The Vampire Room, the musical focus is live '90s-style, heavy alterna-rock and the decor's strip-mall Transylvanian: Faux brick walls under climbing ivy, brooding vampiric portraits, a black-lit psychedelic nook toward the rear and, yup, Bloody Mary and ``Blood Du Jour'' drink specials.
Last weekend's grand opening featuring Baltimore's Funk Junkies, locals Knuckle and ex-C.O.C.-ers Loose Cannon was the most crowded we've seen the joint in what seems a century. We wish those bats the best of luck, but, hey, it's still Little Creek Road. The Vampire Room is at 853 E. Little Creek Road, Norfolk. 480-2222.
In downtown Norfolk, the artsy, no-budget coffeehouse Cabaret Voltaire may be dead, but ex-owner Leonard Clarke's leftward vision lives on. Since closing the Cab in late July, Clarke's moved the festivities a few blocks east to En Vogue where, starting Sept. 6, he will host Atmosphere, an underground dance party, every Tuesday. A coterie of deejays will spin house, techno and jungle beats for dance floors on two levels. People 18 and up are cool at Atmosphere; entry's $2. Atmosphere at En Vogue is at 425 Monticello, Norfolk. 623-0815.
And from the rumor mill:
No, the Peppermint Beach Club is not on the verge of closing, says owner Keith Overton. They're just renegotiating the lease for their Oceanfront location, which expires in April.
Yes, beach institutions Club Rogue's and Peabody's are still open, even though their ABC licenses had been revoked. An appeal in Virginia Beach Circuit Court has left legal matters on hold - and the bars still in business - until a new hearing in October, says the clubs' co-owner Brett Kassir. ABC confirms.
And, yeah, the Jewish Mother's Norfolk location is currently battling its own ABC woes. Seems Donaline Activities, which held the ABC license for the Colley Avenue spot, surrendered its right to serve alcohol. The club will be closed until the ABC Board grants JewMom her own draft-pulling card or other arrangements are worked out, says general manager Scotty Miller.
Boy, where's Lewis' when you need 'em? by CNB