Inside: Luna in Royal Oak

Status: The metal sign and old-school silver bug hanging above the doorway of the red-bricked exterior provide clues to the whimsy you’ll encounter inside Luna.

Walls featuring fluid painted designs in sea greens, blues, yellows and reds and zebra-printed booths give way to the concrete dance floor – the highlight of Luna’s draw.

Holding it down as one of the hottest dance clubs in metro Detroit, Luna (formerly the Groove Room and 3D) has been showing crowds a good time for six years with retro-themed party nights, a variety of different music nights, and the ever-popular Luna dancers. It has been named by several organizations, including Channel 4 WDIV, as the best dance club in both 2007 and 2008.

The Royal Oak nightspot is open Tuesday through Saturday. There’s no cover before 10 p.m., $3 after 10 p.m.; $5 cover on Fridays.

Gear: Leg warmers, fish nets, fedoras and brightly-colored hair and wigs are all welcome at Luna. Eye shadow is always a great touch, and at Luna, the more outrageous the color, the better.

There’s no true dress code, and the crowd Thursday night seemed to show their personalities through their clothes – a black tee shirt with a skull and cross bones scarf for the goth chick with the black hair with shaved sides; a sleeveless denim jacket and matching jean skirt for the preppy-looking girl with the blonde hair; and a button-up shirt and jeans for the clean-cut-looking guy with perfectly tussled hair.

Mood: “I got word on the street that this is the place to be,” says 28-year-old Cpl. Chris Bennett of Lansing who was on leave from Camp Pendleton in California. “It’s hot. I like the music and there are great people.”

As the Luna dancers -- who Thursday night were dressed in animal print -- shook it on slightly raised black-and-white checkered boxes, dozens of people filled the dance floor to the sounds of Madonna, Vanilla Ice and Prince. Multi-colored laser lights cut through the club illuminating those not courageous (or drunk) enough to shake their groove things on the dance floor.

“Tonight, the average age is 24,” says Bouncer Martin Mickens, who has worked at Luna for eight months. “Friday is a mixed crowd.”

A couple pool tables in the back of the club allow for some distraction and a giant screen with ‘80s music videos show you the right way to do the running man if you were born just a little too late for the movement.

“I heard this place is southeast Detroit’s best dance club,” says Arshi Lehal, 21, of Rochester Hills who was visiting for the second time. “Bring a good group of people and you’re sure to get some good dancing.”

Pick me up: Rotating drink specials, like $1 Jager Bombs and $1.25 well drinks, keep the crowds plenty lubricated, and free late-night pizza on Saturdays keep them fed. You’ll get $1 drinks til midnight on Tuesdays and $2 you-call-its on Fridays from 9-11 p.m.

Entertainment: Wednesday night is electro pop night with what Mickens describes as “mild techno.” Thursday boasts old-school songs like BBD’s “Poison” and Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.” Luna dancers put on choreographed performances regularly like September’s tribute to Janet Jackson and Rocky Horror last month. DJ Paul spins on Fridays.