Warehouse of Blues : The look is industrial and the tunes are soulful at Hop City, Orange County’s only all-blues nightspot.

ANAHEIM â€”  It’s a concept: eat, drink and listen to melancholy music.

And, judging from an informal survey of Friday night club-goers, it works.

“There is no other blues club in Orange County,” said Lori Coulter, 30, of Irvine. “I like the spaciousness and good sight lines. And look at her [opening act Kris Wiley, an L.A.-based blues guitarist]. She’s very good, isn’t she?”

For Don Myers, co-owner of Hop City Blues & Brew, a month-old eatertainment venue--good food, spirits and live performances--those must be encouraging words. With a lot more patrons like her, he can hope to replicate the success of the L.A.-based House of Blues, now moving into other cities, and similar nightspots.

Across the street from the stadium formerly known as Anaheim and adjacent to the Catch restaurant, Hop City’s 10,000-square-foot space has a “slick warehouse” look, with mahogany tables and chairs, a stainless steel and granite bar and some brick-lined walls. A fire pit and waterfall lure club-goers to the patio area.

The cover charge for live music, Tuesday through Saturday nights, ranges from $3 to $9. Darren Simonian, a fixture on the local scene as lead guitarist for Top Jimmy & the Line Up, books an array of local and national blues acts. Since veteran harmonica player Johnny Dyer opened the club Aug. 23, Freddie Brooks, Kid Ramos, Max Bangwell, Teddy Morgan and Syl Johnson have performed here.

Dinner reservations secure preferred seating. Entrees, prepared under the direction of chef Gene Guazzo, include steaks, seafood, pasta and pizza, priced from about $7 to $15. Beer drinkers can choose from 20 domestic and imported labels.

The success of the music-dining-drinking concept hinges on repeat customers, said Myers, who spent the last five years as managing partner of the Catch. He has also managed operations at Cano’s, Scott’s Seafood, Chanteclair and Las Brisas, among others. “Not only does that mean providing the best food and blues that we can, but giving folks the kind of service that says, ‘Hey, we really care about you and your business,’ ” Myers said.

“On a musical level, we need to create an appreciation for what the true blues is all about. . . . I realize that’s gonna take some time,” he added. “Like the other night, we had Syl Johnson play an incredible, gritty set--but in front of only about 150 people. He would have packed the Blue Cafe [in Long Beach]. And a lot of Orange Countians don’t even know who Lavelle White is. But they’ll learn.”

A crowd that peaked in number at about 450 got to know the veteran singer-songwriter as she crooned and growled through the first sets of a two-night stand last weekend. After more than 30 years of performing Texas-style rhythm and blues, the self-described “Miss Lavelle” finally released her first CD in 1994 for the Austin-based Antones label. She followed it up with last year’s aptly titled “It Haven’t Been Easy.”

Supported by a solid, four-piece band and the club’s excellent sound system, the 76-year-old White played two inspiring sets of genuine, sweaty blues, ranging from the down ‘n’ dirty, done-me-wrong “Tin Pan Alley” to the 1963 slow-burning ballad “Lead Me On” to the anguished “Can’t Take It (I Don’t Give a Damn).” Dipping briefly into a cache of vintage rock ‘n’ roll, she catapulted many patrons out of their seats and onto the dance floor with a spirited cover of Chubby Checker’s “The Twist.”

A significant portion of the large crowd seemed to have come from either the Mighty Ducks or Angels games that had recently ended. Angels Manager Terry Collins and batting coach Rod Carew, for example, appeared more interested in unwinding after another defeat than paying attention to the night’s headliner.

So, not everyone here is a die-hard blues fan.

“Who knows? Maybe some fans will stumble onto something that’s different and good, and wind up coming back with some friends,” said Myers, who grew up on the blues-based rock of Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, the Stones and ZZ Top.

One Friday night patron said she had listened only to country music before checking out Hop City a couple of weeks ago.

“I never listened to the blues until I came here, and I discovered that I really like it,” said Sue Bee, 38, of Huntington Beach. “I’ve come here at least a half-dozen times now. This is sweet because it’s close. . . . I won’t have to drive up to L.A. to see some good blues bands. My only complaint is that the cover [$9] is a little steep.”

Myers sympathizes. But he said he hopes patrons will come to understand the costs involved in drawing big-name acts, particularly on weekend nights.

“It’s all part of the learning process, really,” he said. “We’re trying to help keep a true American tradition alive. I think the difference [in quality] between seeing a garage band and a professional touring blues act is worth spending a few bucks more. Hopefully, after some experience, people will agree with me.”

* Hop City Blues & Brew, 1929 S. State College Blvd., Anaheim. 21 and older, unless accompanied by an adult. (714) 978-3700. Upcoming acts include Smokey Wilson (Oct. 3), Orange County’s own James Harman (Oct. 18) and Cris Cain (Oct. 24).