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Sun-Sentinel

SHOWTIME

FRIDAY NOV 14, 2003

 

IF YOU GO TO THIS NIGHTCLUB, YOU GO THERE FOR DANCING

 

BY JEREMY LANG

THE MAIN BARS AT PALADIUM DON'T HAVE STOOLS. IT'S ALL ABOUT DANCING HERE, AND ON SATURDAY NIGHT, IT'S ALL ABOUT SALSA.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO SIT, YOU'RE GOING TO SIT TO EAT, AND THERE ARE PLUSH, SEPARATE DINING AREAS FOR THAT. (YOU CAN ALSO EAT AT THE BARS; SOME DO HAVE STOOLS.)

IT'S 2 AM ON A SATURDAY NIGHT/SUNDAY MORNING, AND THE DANCE FLOOR IS PACKED IN A CROSS- GENERATIONAL HIGH-ENERGY MELANGE: YOUNG LATINAS SWIVEL AND SPIN NEXT TO SILVER-HAIRED PATRICIANS. EVERYONE'S HAVING FUN, AND THE BEAUTY OF SALSA IS THAT YOU CAN'T FAKE IT. YOU'RE EITHER INTO IT OR YOU ARE IN THE SIDELINES, AND MAYBE IT'S 10 P.M DANCE LESSONS, BUT EVERYONE HERE, GRAND DAUGHTERS TO GRANDFATHERS, IS INTO IT.

THE DJ SPINS THE REQUISITE LONG PLAY TUNES, SPEAKING ENTIRELY IN SPANISH. THE ONLY ARTIST WE RECOGNIZE WAS CELIA CRUZ ( A LITTLE AZUCAR! WITH YOUR SALSA?).  PATRONS ARE DRESSED UP FOR THE MOST PART: MEN IN JACKETS, WOMEN IN SEQUINED MINISKIRTS, ALTHOUGH THERE WERE A FEW WHO DIDN'T GET THE "SATURDAY IS DRESS-TO-KILL" MEMO. DESPITE THE SEA OF PEOPLE, THE ROOM IS OPEN AND PLUSH, DIMLY LIGHTED BUT NOT DARK. THERE ARE PLENTY OF BARS, RAILS AND TABLE SEATING, AND AN AUXILIARY DANCE FLOOR AT THE BACK IS LESS CROWDED AND MORE MELLOW.  THE PALADIUM WEB SITE OFFERED FREE DRINKS ALL NIGHT, BUT WE PAID $4 FOR A BOTTLE OF IMPORTED BEER (AFTER A $15 COVER). SERVICE WAS GOOD, AND CUSTOMERS ARE GENIAL.  THE CLUB OFFERS DISCO DANCE LESSONS ON TUESDAYS, AS WELL AS DANCING IN CASUAL DRESS, FOR $5. ITS OTHER SPECIAL NIGHTS ARE WEEKENDS, WHEN IT ALLOWS WOMEN 18 AND YOUNGER, BUT MEN MUST BE 21. WOMEN ALSO BENEFIT FROM DRINK SPECIALS AND BREAKS ON COVER, RANGING FROM NONE TO HALF WHAT MEN PAY.

 

 

 

SUN-SENTINEL.COM

NIGHTLIFE

Paladium Nightclub has brought a Latin beat to Margate, a town that not long ago was considered a retiree have

The lounge is in the rear of a sprawling shopping center, occuping a large corner. The interior is stylish and sumptuously decorated, with glass block, mirrors and red velvet drapes.

The atmosphere is a blend of '70s disco heyday and modern resurgent dances from the past: Couples hustle, salsa or merengue side by side.

With its large stage capping a vast wooden dance floor, Paladium is setting itself up as a concert venue as well.

Paladium offers various themes and specials by night: disco Tuesdays with free dance lessons; salsa on Thursdays (open bar until 10) and Sundays; and Latin night on Fridays. Drinks specials abound for women, but men are treated to two-for-one drinks on Fridays.

Although Paladium is an easy place to meet others, many couples show up early to practice their dance moves before the crowds show, moving to everything from Shining Star to Frankie Valli or salsa tunes. Customers range from their 20s to 50s.

The open-plan room has three bars of various sizes.

A small dance floor takes overflow dancers at the back of the room, which also has VIP/champagne lounges.

Cocktails are typically $4 ($4.11, to be exact), and service from the attentive bartender comes with a smile and a handshake.

Paladium is a dance club that makes all the right moves.

 

 

 

SALSAWEB.COM

The Paladium is the favorite these days for Saturday Nights You'll find lots of good dancers there as well as on Thursday!

They play good music and have 2 dance floors for you play on!

Thursday nights attract some of South Florida's best New York "On 2" and LA style Salseros.....some good reasons: 80% Salsa (20% Merengue, Bachata) and spacious dance floors. Fridays are International nights (medleys of Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia, Cha Cha, etc...) Saturdays are for dancers who prefer Salsa & Merengue, a dressier night and a more crowded scene......it gets packed! The staff is friendly, and David, the owner, is always in sight to be sure everyone have a great time. (You'll sometimes even catch him dancing with a lucky Salsera or two!).....All in all, it's worth the drive!

 

 

 

SALSAPOWER.COM

The Paladium
Located in the Peppertree Plaza, entrance off Sample Road, behind Publix, facing 441 (State Rd. 7).  Beautiful room, 3 bars and 2 wonderful WOODEN DANCE FLOORS!  Saturdays from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Admission: $15 men, $10 ladies (Ladies free before 11:00 p.m.)
954-977-0565. 5688 W. Sample Road, Margate.
Club Review:  (Reviewed 04/2000) Well, folks, if you live down in Miami, tune up the car, fill it with gas, bring along a few good CD's and get yourselves on the highway, because this place is definitely worth the drive up here!  When I arrived, the folks in charge took me under their wings and made me feel right at home! (Gracias!)  As you enter, there is a large (bigger than anything in Miami) wooden dance floor to the right, and a bar in front of you, with another wooden dance floor on the left behind the bar.  A second bar is back to your left.  The decor is very classy, and the crowd is a great mix of all ages, with a huge dose of really good dancers.  I saw a few of my friends from some Miami schools...obviously they also felt it was worth the drive!  I was very pleasantly surprised to see so many enthusiastic dancers up here in Broward. To get here, take either the Turnpike to Sample Road and then turn left after the toll booth, past Lyon to the Peppertree Plaza at 441, and then around behind the Publix, or take I-95 to Sample Road and then go West to 441. A special thank you to Ruth and Corky, who told me about this great place! 
To my friends down there in Miami, I would like to say this:  We folks up here in Broward have been making the drive down to Miami for a long, long time.  Now we have a very classy place up here, and my recommendation to you is not to be lazy!  Drive on up here and see what all the commotion is about! This is a very happening place, with a great crowd and very gracious hosts!
Grade: A- 

 

A PERSONAL REVIEW 

  I just HAD to write and tell you what an incredible club you have!  I travelled from ATL, GA to visit a Peruvian lady friend of mine and she took me to dance at The Paladium.  I had the best time that I have ever had on a night on the town.  Your club is inviting, the people friendly and well-dressed, and the bartenders are quick and don't skimp on the amount of alcohol they pour.
 
  I was most impressed, however, with how well run the club is: the dress code keeps out people that might otherwise be unpleasant to be around, the security men were polite but kept the peace, and everyone was friendly...even to a Gringo like myself.
 
  Thank you again for making my visit to Fort Lauderdale a memorable one.
 
Noel Smith
Newnan, GA