I like to step correct when I go clubbing downtown. You know, domy hair and make-up really nice, put on some club gear and highheels.

Basically,just get geared up. But one night recently, either I went a littleoverboard or I was just at the wrong place.

Sunny and I were meeting our friend Zane at Club 66. I’d beenthere before and was excited at the idea of getting my drink on at aspot that played hip-hop (whack hip-hop, but hip-hop nonetheless).

We arrived early. There was no line and I was pissed I hadforgotten my passes so we had to pay the $6 cover. No big whoop. Theplace was almost empty when we arrived. It had just opened so we hadsome time to kill.

I surveyed the room with much dismay. In an attempt to describethis place without sounding snooty, I would have to say that it wasvery sad. As

more people arrived, Sunny and I looked at each other and shookour heads.

I’m no fashion expert, but I know that if you go to a club andthere is more than one woman wearing a cowboy hat, it’s out. Whateverhappened to class and sophistication? I guess that’s out, too. Nowit’s all about being able to fit a big body into a tiny outfit. Nevermind if you have a huge pot belly. I’m not trying to clown. To eachhis own, but damn. I felt way too over dressed.

Don’t even get me started with the dudes in this place. I thoughtmen were supposed to be taller than women. I mean, it’s genetics,right? I’m 5 foot 9 inches and it was quite impossible for me to findone man in this place who would be able to look me in the eye.Instead, they were at breast level. While those are one of my betterfeatures, it would be nice to have a conversation with a man I couldlook up to.

The thugs were in full effect tonight, too. Unfortunately, I grewout of my thug-love stage about two years ago. The guys at school arebetter looking. I wonder where they go, because they definitelyweren’t here.

I saw someone promising and I watched as he edged his way over tome. But he looked scared, and I was bored. So after a few minutes ofwaiting, and after my delicious Mai-Tai, Sunny and I decided to getout of there.

We ran up the stairs and found madness on the streets of downtown.E Street looked packed so we walked toward the line. My bouncerwasn’t there so we had to pay again. $10. Damn. We stayed for about30 minutes. I’ve been to this place so much that nothing surprisedme. Once again, I was bored, and the whomp, whomp of the House musicwas working my last nerve. So we walked back to 66. We figured Zanewould be there by now.

Club 66 was full when we got back. Sunny and I made our way to theback where I saw the familiar bald head.

Let me tell you a little something about Zane. He’s a human VIPcard and a human shank. When you’re with him, it’s a near guaranteeyou’ll get in everywhere and that you won’t have to worry aboutanyone grabbing your ass. He bought me a drink and let out hissignature bark.

“Ruff, Ruff, Ruff!”

The dance floor shook as he did this, and people looked around tofind the source of the noise. Needless to say, they shrunk in fearwhen they saw him.

The guy who looked promising before was happy to see I had comeback and was content in simply following me around the club. I knowthat hanging out with Zane didn’t help. It probably scared him evenmore. So I just stopped thinking about it and did what any womanwould do if she has a drink in her hand and she’s hanging out withher best friend and body guard. I got my dance on. But only for alittle while.

So, suffice to say that Club 66 is all about good company. Ifyou’ve got a good group, you can have fun there. Don’t expect to meetanything nice. Just have a good time with the fools you’re with.

And don’t get super gigged up. You may feel uncomfortable when yousee what other people are wearing.

A special shout out to my bartending friend. Your drinks are bomband the place isn’t all that bad, but I can’t lie to the people. Thedrinks are good, the music is average and the people are kinda sad.And that’s the honest truth.

I hate ending on a bad note so I do have one more nice thing tosay

about the place.

The bathrooms were clean.

Club 66; 901 Fifth Ave.; (619) 234-4166

E Street Alley; 919 Fourth Avenue; (619) 231-9200