Issue date: 9/5/07 Section: Dining & Nightlife Guide

Media Credit: Kevin Fiscus Azukar Lounge in Downtown Sacramento [Click to enlarge]

What appears as an abandoned building during the day pulsates as a hot, thriving dance club during the night. Azukar Lounge, located on J Street, nestled between 16th and 17th Streets, opened in January 2007 and it hasn't slowed down since.

Azukar Lounge welcomes its patrons with an outdoor patio equipped with comfy leather couches and ottomans. The patio also houses one of the club's three bars.

The club itself is the epitome of ambiance, from its double-sided, see-through fountain to the magenta, paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling.

Guys, leave the t-shirt and jeans at home because if you're planning on getting in, plan on collared shirts, slacks and "church shoes." If you just can't bear to part with those jeans, they better be tailored. No bagginess, my friends.

Women have more freedom, of course. Jeans are acceptable but the blouse better be cute and trendy. Don't be surprised to find yourself among women in cocktail dresses, hot pants and halter tops. Think of it as a place where the tacky and stylish converge under strobe lights, disco balls and hot beats.

Fahm Saelee frequents the club and always has a good time.

"I like the songs," she said.

Mash-ups, mixing and scratching best describe the flavor of music you will hear. Expect fresh, hot music by artists such as Ne-Yo, T-Pain and Fabolous mixed with throbbing beats from the eighties, nineties and today.

Elvin Reyes, a former CSUS student, owns Azukar Lounge. His partner in crime also owns another popular Sacramento nightclub called Zokku.

Azukar was a former piano bar before Reyes discovered it.

"The piano bar wasn't making any money," Reyes said.

What many people don't know is that Azukar is also a Mexican restaurant during the day.

Reyes described the corner of 16th and J Street as a "hot corner" with P.F. Changs and Mikuni's neighboring one another.

"What was missing was a Mexican restaurant," Reyes said.

Although it opened earlier in the year, it took a lot of word of mouth to get the buzz out there. But best believe on any given Friday night you can expect to wait in line, so get there early and for the cheapskates, try to get on the guestlist.

If you can part with the cash, expect to pay about $15 to get in. Just know that by 11:30 p.m., you will definitely be getting your money's worth.

The club gets packed quickly which makes it difficult to walk through without getting stepped on or bumped into. It's a small price to pay for a good time.

And a good time you will have whether you are a drinker or not. As with any bar or club, expect the drinks to be pricey. Sadly, there were no drink specials going on that night. A $4 Long Island Iced Tea would have been nice. Hint, hint.

Ranee Delacruz, a bartender for the lounge, enjoys working at Azukar because it's a change of pace and different type of atmosphere.

"I get to be a part of them having a good time," Delacruz said.

Oneika Richardson can be reached at orichardson@statehornet.com

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