Club brings Vegas to N.M.

by Tiffany Alberty

Daily Lobo

Club 7 opened its doors to Downtown Albuquerque on

Friday.

Patrons stood outside in a long line waiting to enter the club at 515 Central Ave. N.W. Inside, it was packed with about 250 people.

Club 7 replaced the Coliseum, but it has a completely different look and feel.

"The Vegas feel is where we are at - the lights, the dancing, the bars - it's Vegas," general manager Anthony Griffin said.

With 10 plasma screen TVs and lights galore, Club 7 has a classy look. Red and royal purple drapes hang from the walls down to zebra-striped couches. It also has two pool tables in the front room, giving it a more relaxed atmosphere.

Club 7's downfall is that it has only two small bars in the back. With the club packed, it was difficult to move back there.

"But that is why we have opening weekend, to fix the glitches and work out the problems," Griffin said. "We will be putting another bar in the front of the club sometime soon."

Until the bar situation is fixed, the upside is multiple beer tubs and shot stands around the dance floor. The staff's attire is flashy, with girls dressed in black, tight corset tops and the men in traditional black pants and white button-downs.

Griffin said he doesn't want Club 7 to be like the Coliseum.

"Albuquerque has a diverse and unique scene," he said. "There is no real identity of Albuquerque. Attitudes and personalities collide, and it's not a good situation. But we don't want Club 7 to ever be what

Coliseum was. We don't want Club 7 to be an upgrade of the Coliseum nightclub."

Club 7, a 21-and-over venue, is open Tuesday through Sunday, running drink specials throughout the week. Griffin said he plans on staying with Club 7 for a long time and wants it to play an active role in the Albuquerque community by hosting live performances and block parties.

"Just wait," he said. "We have many things planned for Albuquerque to add more life and flavor to our city."

Club 7

515 Central Ave. N.W.

21 and over