Bahama Boom Beach Club
Opened just last spring, it's one of Nassau's hottest dance club - as in disco and dance, in relax-to-the-max facilities. At a location holding a proud tradition of entertainment, the Bahama Boom Beach Club on Elizabeth Avenue in downtown Nassau, invites you to chill out in style. The Fort Knox appearance of no windows but inviting entrance doors emphasise the impression that once inside, you're among an intriguing clientele. If the admission booth at the entrance reminds you of an old movie theatre ticket booth, the impression is well merited. "As a kid, I used to come here, to the movies." says Kurt Melnechuk, the mastermind behind the latest transformation of the former Nassau Theatre and the Palace nightclub of the 80's and 90's. But that's as close to a quiet locale as you're gonna get. From the decor to the music video monitors, to the laid-back seating area, this beach club says you should get ready to stay up and dance all night. (The club is open from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m.) Just the name of this place oughta get your attention. "I went to a club in Cancun about three years ago", says Kurt. "It was called Le Boom, and I tell you, both the music and the atmosphere really hit you. I want to put The Bahamas on the world circuit with this club. It's the first in a chain I intend to start here and move through the U.S. and abroad, too. Because Elizabeth Avenue, located between Bay and Shirley streets, a few minutes’ walk from the cruise docks, is brightly lit, it'll take a few minutes to adjust to the subdued lighting at the Bahama Boom. We're talking old-style sturdy, here, with 16-inch thick limestone walls. Kurt says the entrance foyer will soon be providing a special visual homage to Bahamian musical legends. "But you've gotta come see it", he says, and winks, saying he'll say no more about it right now.
Once inside, the first thing that caught this writer's eye was the elevated bar on the left of the main show room. Or more accurately, the massive white Jaws in front of a blue wall, just behind that bar. Think of the promotional posters for the movie of the same name, with that wide mouth opened, and those big teeth ready to engulf! Kurt says he intends to install a bubble wall with ultra violet lights behind Jaws. (I say the image gets my attention, as is!) The Bahama Boom Beach Club is actually a collection of different activity areas on different elevations. Just inside the entrance is the main bar, with Bahamas post cards embedded on the laminated surface. An illusion of frothy sea surf seems to spill over from the bar top, and circling underneath. And above our heads are surf boards, with Hawaiian totem poles adding to the international flavour. Dangling from the ceiling is a dinghy, and a collection of jet skis and wind surfers. Jimmy Buffett would love this.
The DJ booth is housed in a four sided wooden beach shack. The red brick main floor area seems circular - an impression enhanced by the semi-circular wooden lattice worked partition separating the concrete dance floor from the rest of the room. More than a dozen tall bar stools line up at the partition, with ample space at the bar covering for elbows and drinks. Look up. Look way up, and you'll see white stars on the twenty-five foot high black ceiling. "We want you to almost feel as if the roof has been peeled away", says Kurt, of creating a beachy outdoor feel to the place. Up the winding staircase at either end of the main room is the VIP section. Unlike the tables and chairs on the main seating area downstairs, they are more cushioned, creating a sense of privacy while giving a full view of both bars and the dance floor below. "We'll be serving champagne, along with our regular drinks", says Rachelle Simms, the Bahama Boom's general administrator. "Though all our patrons are special, the VIP seating area makes them feel extra special." There are counter top video games at each of the two bars, and black light pool tables on main floor and the VIP lounge. As we went to press, hammocks were arriving, to be draped between a couple of palm trees. There's a popular fuse ball game beside the DJ shack. Kurt says the property is all Bahamian, yet still intends to have a focus on European style music, including techno trends. There is no hard core reggae on the growing play list of 7000 titles. An extra bonus is the specialty coffees Kurt also says will be available, for both the teetotalers, and the patron who wants a caffeine kick before heading out. While conceding most tourists don't come with a full wardrobe for all occasions, management will still enforce the "no plaits, no hats, no shorts, no flip flops" dress code. Open every night except Thursday, the Bahama Boom Beach Club already has some theme nights in place. Sunday is "In the Biz" for the hospitality industry, Wednesday is the Oldies Disco night for the 30-something's and Studio 54 retro enthusiasts, Saturday is "Get lei'd night", note the spelling and we'll say no more! You'll see the tropical theme reinforced in the shirts worn by staff. The club's logo shirts will be on sale, as will annual memberships for the local community. Top Class Security will escort patrons to their taxi (the Club is almost midway between Paradise Island and Cable Beach) or the club parking lot next door. The nightly cover charge during the week is $20, and $40 on weekends. (Clip the ad in this publication for a major discount. You should also ask your cab driver and the information desk at your hotel about discounts.) For more info about Nassau's newest nightclub, contact the Bahama Boom Beach Club at telephone 325-7733. You can also send them an e-mail, at : krocks@batelnet.bs Crave the wave!
