"May I see your ID?" This simple question has put an end to many a night out. No one ever said being a kid was easy, and we all know that adulthood has its difficulties--but until Club Mambo opened its doors, few even thought about catering to the poor souls who linger in between. When you're old enough to go to war, but not yet legally permitted to chug tequila shots, Mambo is a lifesaver. The classy, tropical-themed decor of this dance club frames a writhing crowd of scenesters (aged 17 and over) dressed to impress. Outfitted with a state-of-the art intelligent lighting system, superior sound, and a 15-foot projection screen, Club Mambo can accommodate up to 1500 aspiring hipsters. Latin music dominates, but the boundaries of the genre are blurred to include reggae and house along with the requisite salsa and meringue. The rotating schedule of world-class DJs and "muy caliente" local and international live bands keeps the room sizzling all night long. Mambo even aspires to break into the LGBT scene with Wild Thursdays, the irreverently rowdy gay and lesbian dance nights complete with stiletto-sporting Drag Queens. When all the dirty dancing wears you out, head to a table at the attached Mambo Cafe for a delicious selection of Caribbean fare.

For those who don't feel like breaking a sweat at all, two lavishly appointed VIP lounges guarantee to infuse any patron with some Latin-brand swagger. If you get dragged into Mambo by your younger sis, don't worry; just because most of the crowd is underage doesn't mean Club Mambo folds the alcohol card completely. There are two fully loaded bars to help the over-21 faction shed their inhibitions and party like the rest of the room.

Centerstage Reviewer: K. Tighe