Acquired Taste for Disco

HUNTINGTON BEACH —  Can you dig it? If so, dig out those bell-bottoms and butterfly-collar shirts and head to Club Lunch at Majestic Dancing. Here, where white men aren’t afraid to don afro wigs and women sport the tightest vinyl they can find, the groove moves everyone to relive the ‘70s.

Whether they’re too young to appreciate how horrific those fashions were or simply never outgrew their childhood devotion to “The Brady Bunch,” these polyester freaks aren’t afraid to get noticed.

Deejay Beej spins sultry jazz to start things off--not that the crowd needs pushing. He momentarily loses them with a rap tune but quickly redeems himself. When he shifts to the grittier sounds of disco, most everyone succumbs to the revelry.

Neon butterflies, flowers and stars dangle above the dance floor, glowing with the power of black lights and twinkling in the mirror-paneled stage. Steady streams of machine-made fog funnel through groups of women clad in daring crop tops and thigh-high patent-leather boots. Those who aren’t motivated to join the action on the dance floor move quickly to the bar for liquid courage.

After a Michael Jackson video marathon that’s been dominating two wide-screen TVs high on Majestic’s red walls, a variety of ‘70s TV shows take its place as a backdrop for the action.

It is now the magic hour for club hoppers--10:30 p.m.--and people are swarming in. Amazingly, there still isn’t a line for the women’s restroom. (Maybe it’s the hideous odor wafting from within--beware!)

Unless you don’t mind screaming to be heard, this is no place to take a date you want to get to know. Still, meeting that special someone could be a breeze--most people appear to be shopping in that respect.

A young man makes a comical stumble trying to negotiate the step up to the bar. He offers a “right on, brother,” to amused onlookers, proof that the carefree ‘70s attitude lives on. That attitude is vital among Generation X-ers in this town.

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Huntington Beach is fast becoming a mecca to young entrepreneurs who wish to popularize their new clothing companies, many of whom design styles recalling the ‘70s--and you can’t wear the clothes without the attitude. Club Lunch is a great spot to sport your new duds and cop the attitude.

Promoter Scott Murphy chose an appropriate establishment to house his club. Though not a sophisticated building, Majestic Dancing is voluminous, with plenty of seating for those who require breaks between boogies or who can’t walk much in their cursed stiletto heels. And the air-conditioning is always on high, so no one will ever have to suffocate under anyone else’s breath.

Club Lunch, open since June, makes its appearance every Sunday from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Prices are something of a flashback too. Drink specials include $2 bottles of domestic beer and $2 you-call-it cocktails until 11 p.m., and the cover charge is only $5. You must be 21 or over to enjoy the club.

BE THERE

Club Lunch at Majestic Dancing, 18582 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Sunday. Cover: $5. (714) 963-1089.