THE NIGHT STUFF
Pipeline pulls in Saturday crowds with great mix of music

By Derek Paiva
Advertiser Staff Writer

Saturday patrons at Pipeline are treated to a varied menu of R&B hits and a roomy dance floor where they can show off those moves. Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

Buoyed by all of the above (not to mention the fact that I couldn't remember the last time I'd heard Candyman's poppy old-school booty anthem "Knockin' Boots" in a club), I wanted to hit the dance floor as soon as we arrived. But there were some napkin notes to take first.

Cobalt's name change (effective this weekend) was probably for the best. The only link to the Cobalt Room's namesake we could find was an abundance of greenish blue lighting mixed in with multicolored lasers and other effects. Then again, none of the mostly slightly-past-college-age crowd seemed there for any kind of a theme.

Pipeline's super-size dance floor wasn't crowded when we arrived, but it was hardly dead. A dance floor crowd of about 75 made good use of the ample space to show off moves or otherwise simply groove to a nicely selected mix of tracks. Above it all, a couple of high-heeled, fish-netted and strappy-topped go-go dancers named Cheryl and Rose did their thing on small risers on each end of the dance floor.

Of course, there was the usual mix of people content to just drink, smoke and look casually unaffected on the sidelines. But most people at Cobalt were there to dance. That became more apparent as the morning went on, and more people made beelines from the entrance to a quickly filling dance floor — always nicely roomy, by the way.

Cobalt Room DJ Mix Master B's chosen beat was a nicely varied menu of R&B. Ashanti followed by Prince. Salt-N-Pepa followed by Cam'ron. Throughout the morning, a sweet selection of stuff we hadn't heard in far too long blended with current hits to create a dance mix that flowed wonderfully.

"Oh, baby, you gotta do this jam with me," begged an eager, rail-thin guy in a white dress shirt and cargo pants combo so oversized it seemed to be swallowing him whole. The song — Missy Elliott's "One Minute Man." And the answer from his slightly-less-than-eager target, after a brief once-over? "Um ... OK." The two were still on the dance floor — this time, moving to Missy's "Hot Boyz" — a half-hour later.

Our Pipeline server was attentive, but sullen. My whiskey sour, on the other hand, was tasty, strong and reasonably priced.

At 1:15 a.m., an upstairs sports bar area broadcasting a tape-delay UH football game was less crowded than the slowly filling main room it overlooked. Along with 50 or so barflies, pool players and dart enthusiasts, a table loaded with college guys enjoyed a loud drinking game only they understood. Minutes later, a group of bored-looking women they were with headed downstairs to dance with each other.

Finished taking notes, we hurried down to enjoy the music as well.

Know a night spot or recurring club event we should be checking out? Reach Derek Paiva at 525-8005 or dpaiva@honoluluadvertiser.com.

What: Soul'd Out Saturdays (formerly the Cobalt Room)

Where: Pipeline Cafe, 805 Pohukaina St., 589-1999

When: 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Saturdays

Cover: $5 (ladies free until 1 a.m.)

Under 21 OK?: No.

Age of crowd: early 20s to mid 30s

Dress code: no athletic wear, no hats, no tanks (on males), no slippers

Attire we saw: casual to dressy on both sexes. On men: dress shirts, T-shirts (prints and solids), aloha shirts, jeans, cargo pants, dress shorts. On women: tank tops, camisoles, halter tops, jeans, pants, a few dresses

Our arrival/departure: 12:30 a.m./2:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning

What we drank: whiskey sour, Smirnoff Ice ($6)

Peak crowd while there: about 350

Queue?: No.

Sample music: "What's Luv" (Fat Joe featuring Ashanti and Ja Rule), "Get The Party Started" (Pink), "Knockin' Boots" (Candyman)

Dancing?: Yes.

Tip: The Pipeline crowd on the night we dropped by was extremely fond of lighting up, and the room was often cloaked in cigarette smoke. If you detest inhaling the stuff, it might be wise to avoid the night altogether.