Into the Night

Out of this world Virtua Cafe, the cyber club and interactive entertainment emporium, reopens tonight (Thursday) in Coconut Grove's new Streets of Mayfair (3390 Mary St; 567-3070) after closing down its South Beach locale a few months back. Added to the club's original concept are a restaurant, retail store, and even more of those high-tech gizmos that propel you into outer space to battle high-tech evils. Cyber kids also get a chance to let their fingers do the talking on the club's Internet-connected computers. Luke Skywalker should have such a place. The sky's also the limit on Saturday, March 15, when supermodel wannabes from Irene Marie strut their stuff at Amnesia (136 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 531-5535) for Fashion Bash '97. General admission to the event is $25 -- a small price to pay to see the hautest pieces from individual boutiques like Nicole Miller, Romanoff Couture, La Capricieuse, North Beach Leather, and Banana Republic. Here's hoping that many of the fashions will be green: This Monday, March 17, is St. Patrick's Day. In keeping with the holiday tradition, the Irish pub JohnMartin's (253 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables; 445-6927) hosts a St. Paddy's day bash with traditional foods, Irish music by bands Avalon and Celtic Rock, and an abundance of green beer. Irish eyes -- albeit a bit bloodshot -- will definitely be smiling.

Thursday
KGB, "Bass Mint." Three rooms blast you with three different sounds -- acid jazz, hip-hop, and house rhythms. Who needs to go anywhere else? 637 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 535-3063.

Tobacco Road, "The Beast and Baker." Rockin' local music in a down-to-earth setting. Tonight Solomon Grundy opens for Brian Franklin upstairs, and Louie Archambeaux rocks downstairs with his own brand of jazz and blues. 626 S. Miami Ave., 374-1198.

Marsbar, "Retrospect." The hinterland alternative club hurls musical classics at the paint-it-black crowd, all dressed up and looking for angst. 8505 Mills Dr.(Town & Country Center), Kendall, 271-6909.

Bermuda Bar, "Salsa Sensation." A ladies night ride where you can cha-cha to your heart's content; with an El Sol live radio broadcast. 3509 NE 163rd St., North Miami Beach, 945-0196.

Friday
Yuca. Latin songstress Albita and her band perform boleros and son tonight and tomorrow night, providing a much-needed respite from the pump and thump. Advance reservations required. 501 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach, 532-9822.

Splash, "Bliss." A high-energy dance party full of debauchery and drinking for the ladies who prefer ladies. 5922 S. Dixie Hwy., South Miami, 661-0917.

Ready Bar, "It's All Good." Ambassador of good will Ray Rodriguez kicks off the weekend with a jumpin' and thumpin' night of fun and frolic; DJ Chilly scatters nasty little tunes around the room. 560 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 534-8847.

Fat Kat's Pool Bar. The pampered pool palace gets together with sister club Iguana for a night of cool cats and hot grooves. 8505 Mills Dr. (Town & Country Center), Kendall, 274-8090.

Cameo Theatre. Twisted pleasures, solidly in the tradition of the Cameo's dance-till-we-drop crowd. 1445 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 532-0922.

Saturday
Bash. DJ Marc Sacheli spins the latest and greatest dance music in the main room, while international DJ Roberto Costa pumps out world beats under the stars in the back-yard Magic Garden. 655 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 538-8858.

Baja Beach Club, "Dance Till You Drop." The party you love is live on the air with Power 96; hot and heavy fun for the masses. 3200 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale, 954-561-2432.

Liquid, "The Bitch Is Back!" Get wet with the sweat of hundreds of gorgeous bodies as DJ Waxman spins new house tunes. Later, cool off in the Situation Room with DJ Mark Leventhal. 1439 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 532-9154.

Twist. The bar for boys, always brimming with excess and overindulgence, hosted by dancemaster DJ Charlie Mercado. 1057 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 538-9478.

Sunday
Churchill's Hideaway, "Reggae Night." Get irie as Miami's own Jah Roots Band takes charge of that island beat. 5501 NE Second Ave., 757-1807.

KGB, "Hercules." DJ Rad pumps out solid grooves of acid jazz, funk, and soul, too cool for mortal comprehension. 637 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 535-3063.

Monday
Zeptepi, "Back-Door Bamby." DJ Gigi spins a sexy blend of deep-house mood music for an evening of erotic and not particularly subtle pleasures. 1532 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 534-5221.

Cafe Iguana, "Monday-Night Boxing." Hinterland amusements for the masses with rough-and-tumble challenge bouts; a carnival set in a club/restaurant that runs like a well-oiled machine. 8505 Mills Dr. (Town & Country Center), Kendall, 274-4948.

Tuesday
Stella Blue, "Lighten Up Your Blues." First lady of song Maryel Epps performs R&B and blues classics; two shows nightly. 1661 Meridian Ave., Miami Beach, 532-4788.

821, "Seventh Grade." Retro sing-along tunes spun by DJ Shannon, with salutes to the lounge lizards who make it all possible. 821 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach, 534-0887.

Wednesday
Black Orchid Lounge, "Latin Night." The Caramellos Band helps you move your body to that hot Latin beat. 18401 Collins Ave., North Miami Beach, 935-9006.

Polly Esther's. A supermad night of psycho disco and phunky funk to take us all back in time. 841 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 535-5633.

Rose's Bar & Music Lounge, "Super Freak." Local band Khadir rocks the house each week with plenty of funky Afro-Cuban rhythms to keep you grooving. 754 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 532-0228.

-- By Liz Martinez

Send information regarding special "one-nighters" to "Into the Night." Fax material to 571-7678 or call 571-7572.