Better than: Richard Simmons' Sweatin' to the Oldies
Ever wanted to know what canned sardines trapped shoulder-to-shoulder with stranger fish in a salty grave feel like? We had a pesca-claustrophobic experience on Saturday night at Mai Kai's soulful rockabilly dance party Exotica A Go Go. The intensely populated Molokai Bar and Lounge held scores of jumping and jiving doo-wop fanatics, partying cheek to scaly cheek.
The bar has the feel of Captain Hook's lair, and many of the sweaty patrons appeared shipwrecked disasters by night's end. The party was already fiery hot, both in temperature and popularity, by ten o'clock. Light off of candle-lit lanterns flickered over hanging antiques, swaying ropes, flammable hairdos, and shaking bodies.
The Polynesian spot's potent punches and near-poisoous grogs lubed up the shaking fishies and at half-price. They were thus consumed at double the volume. James Brown's Sweat brought the most soulful musical elements of the '60s to the decks and offered the thirsty mob of fashionably dressed retro lovelies an excuse to let loose. The DJ was himself clothed in natural fibers and wingtips. His internal soundtrack is more Little Richard than Lil Wayne.
Free shots of 1800 Coconut Tequila and bevs from the infamous rum barrels fueled the rockabilly ruckus as DJs Sensitive Side, Big Money T and Action Pat spun mid-century tunes. Exotica A Go Go was yet another Mai Kai success.
Critic's Notebook
Overheard in the Crowd:
1800 Tequila girl to group: "So, like, what's the theme tonight, everyone looks so different!"
Personal Bias: Happy hour times were (and always seem to be) confusing. Several groups of people picked their jaws off the floor after cashing out. They likely weren't notified of the end of the specially priced drinks. I think we'll all be working a little overtime this week.
