The last time I checked out Skyline for this column, it dropped on Thursdays.

Not every Thursday. Not the first and third Thursdays of every month. "Designated Thursdays" was the lowdown I got from promoters Flash Hansen and Matty Boy Hazelgrove, who were then still finessing the upscale L.A.-style lounge party that, I thought, finally showcased everything appealing about the Sheraton Waikiki's Hanohano Room after dark.

I raved about the decor and service — an elegantly dimmed room, recessed ice-blue over-bar lighting, black tablecloths, elevated and centralized VIP tables and booths providing views of the crowd and the near wrap-around, twinkling Waikiki skyline. I grooved on a runway-ready crowd: an impressive lot of individuals sporting suits, fashion-plate dressy and casual designer wear, accessorized to maxed-out credit card proportions.

A strictly enforced 350-patron maximum capacity kept things on the semi-exclusive tip. Hansen scolded me for not calling to reserve a booth for the experience. (I had stopped by anonymously and mooched on a friend's table.)

That was two years ago.

Skyline hasn't changed all that much since. But truth be told, it didn't need to.

You'll now find it on the first and third Saturdays of every month. The VIP booths and tables seem to fill a lot faster, but are still the best way to truly soak in the goings-on (see box). The crowd dresses a bit more designer casual but still hits 350 every time. Best of all, it still feels upscale without being unnecessarily pretentious or joyless.

And Flash and Matty Boy? Well, they're still local clubland's masters at throwing together stuff like this.

Let's chew over some scenery.