A Grown-Ups’ Rave at Roomy Bliss

Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too? Although warehouses and sports arenas continue to host most of L.A.’s legal, large-capacity parties, techno-centric baby boomers have worked hard to bring the rave into coffeehouses, bars and other “sophisticated venues� that better suit their style.

But Bliss, L.A.’s newest Saturday night out, boasts everything its West Hollywood compatriots have to offer with one exceptional bonus: space.

Held weekly at the relatively new and severely swank Voodoo--located mid-city at the corner of Olympic and Crenshaw boulevards--Bliss looks to bring quality dance music to a venue where “aging ravers� can enjoy dinner (a mix of Polynesian, Latin American and Caribbean cuisine is served until 1:30 a.m.), drinks (full bar, of course) and some of the finest techno, house and funky breaks the genre has to offer.

“I think many of us feel the same way,� admits promoter and self-described aging raver Lynn Hasty. “We want to hear great music that makes us wanna move and socialize in a fun atmosphere, but not deal with some of the ‘rave drapings.’ �

Brian Zola, one half of Blissed Out productions, shares that sentiment. “It gives us the familiar sounds and feelings that we fell in love with in an incredible, pacifier-free adult fantasy setting.�

Adult fantasy is right. Voodoo’s interior is reminiscent of a Pleasure Island paradise for the electronica-inclined. In addition to dinner and drinks (call ahead for the former, please), the spot features an elevated copper dance floor bookended by 20-foot waterfalls. While dense lighting effects and healthy puffs from a smoke machine accentuate Voodoo’s jungle vibe, non-dancers can plant themselves in one of many booths that line the walls or one of seven upstairs VIP lounges.

There’s a heated outdoor patio for smokers. And for those who still can’t get enough of the old days, the club is equipped with ultra-cool kick-back-to-the-rave-alarm green laser lights that fan across the entire room. Party people say, “Make mine an apple martini.�

Already in its third month, Bliss is the creation of Hasty (from L.A.’s multifaceted Green Galactic publicity and event production firm), Zola (chief executive of Hollywood’s Bulldog Gym) and resident DJ Eli Star (the other half of Blissed Out productions).

Thunderous Sound System Pumps Grooves

On this particular evening, it’s the venerable John Tejada who is pumping deep house grooves through the club’s thunderous sound system--throwing down, I might add, from inside the mouth of a huge tiki mask that doubles as the DJ booth. (The kitsch-o-meter rises a little here.) The crowd is equal parts hipster, raver and bourgeois gentilhomme. There are also a few stragglers from Voodoo’s pre-Bliss festivities; it seems Hollywood Men, an all-male revue, has found a temporary home here before the 10 o’clock hour.

The diverse clientele and vibrant decor make great eye candy, but don’t count on the fat-pants contingent to make too many stops here. Though all are welcome, those dressed too far down may feel a bit out of place. Star, who created the legendary weekly rave Magic Wednesdays, watched the electronica scene splinter into warehouse and nightclub factions. “There exists an invisible barrier between younger scenes and older ones,� he explains. “Now, at an 18-and-over event, there are 18-, 19-, maybe 20-year-olds and that is that.�

Although a sit-down cocktail atmosphere within a thumping rave arena may not click right away with picky Angelenos, Bliss is worth repeat visits and very well worth the $10 cover. With names like Frankie Bones, Juan Atkins, Eddie Fowlkes, Taylor and Confucius all having graced the turntables, Bliss promises to be the next best thing to hit L.A.’s weekly electronica circuit. Bring plenty of friends, your credit card and your comfortable shoes. And if you arrive a little early, bring a few dollars for the boys in briefs.

BE THERE

Bliss, Saturdays after 10 p.m. at Voodoo, 4120 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. 21 and older. $10. (323) 930-9600.