NAJM Dance Club Reviews - The Warsaw Ballroom- South Beach, Florida



			3.8 out of 5 (by HM)
		The Warsaw Ballroom 1450 Collins Ave, South Beach, Florida Originally built as the Hohauser building in 1939, the Art Deco classic corner building was originally opened as Hoffman’s Cafeteria. It was later converted into the Warsaw Ballroom. After many years of being closed, it reopened as club Ovo in 1987. Later it became the world famous China Club which also fell into despair. Several years later it reopened as Club Warsaw (this was when slam dancing was popular) and served as the alternative club in South Beach (before South Beach exploded into the popular club haven it is today). After several more years of openings and closings, (now referred to as the Warsaw Ballroom once more) it’s kind of a hit or miss whether it will be open or not. One of the main reasons that the club has had a hard time rising above the crowd is the fact that it is directly around the corner from South Beach’s two hottest clubs; Club Liquid and the newly opened Crobar in the Cameo Theatre building. All the attention seems to be on those two clubs. With the massive crowds trying to get in, it’s a shame that some of the overflow doesn’t head on over to the Warsaw Ballroom.

The Art Deco interior (complete with Terrazzo floors) speaks of another time. Fortunately the club retains most of the original deco detailing. The dance floor (with the DJ booth up above) is extremely small to make way for larger lounge areas. Large projection screens with computer-generated images dazzle the drug-induced patron. Multicolored plasma lights provide for interesting effects when they are projected on the white gauze draped throughout the club. There are several bar areas, but generally the space is open and continuous. The entrance is separated by a large velvet curtain (that provides amusing exiting when patrons start to flail their arms looking for the opening). Overall the atmosphere is unassuming and open (which is hard to find in South Beach). If I were looking to open a club in South Beach, this little Art Deco gem would truly be a find.

Scorecard Scale:	Coliseum Score
5 = Fabulous!	Dance Floor:	3
4 = Very Good!	Music:	3.5
3 = Average!	Sound System:	4.5
2 = Not So Hot!	Lighting:	4
1 = Don't Bother!	Atmosphere:	4
	Overall Score:	3.8