For those of you who require a respite from the excessive drinking and loud music typically associated with a night out in South Florida, I occasionally write a review about an artsy java joint, arcade, bowling alley, miniature golf course, go-kart facility or pottery studio.

This certainly isn't one of those occasions.

But if you barely made it through another week of work and now need to party, as Prince would say, like it's 1999, this column is for you.

If it's a drab, rainy night and the beach in Fort Lauderdale looks like a ghost town, the Treasure Trove will make you feel like you're in Times Square in Manhattan. The Trove, as the regulars call it, is less than a block from the ocean at 2923 SE Fifth St., and is perpetually packed with diehard locals looking to let loose.

Although you'll be met with many skull-and-crossbones flags upon entering, there's only a remote chance of actually meeting someone with an eye patch or a hook for a hand. Generally, Trove types are your everyday working guys, business professionals and beach bums. Standing-room-only is par for the course so after the bar stools are claimed, you'll see people positioned toe-to-toe and butt-to-butt as if it's rush hour on a Tokyo subway. Feel free to perch on the oversized window frames. If you need a bit more elbow room, the front sidewalk acts as an outdoor patio and collects the overflow of patrons.

You wouldn't expect a hole-in-the-wall bar to attract high-caliber musicians, but on the weekends, the Trove is the venue of choice for local performers such as acoustic guitarist Catfish Hunter. When Jerry Garcia passed away, Catfish must have inherited some of his soul because his Grateful Dead covers are spirited and spot on. Fifth Circuit, a hard-driving rock band, makes many appearances as well. If you're a fan of the greats such as Led Zep, The Boss and The Doors, Fifth Circuit will not disappoint. They play with a passion which is virtually unmatched by even pros paid to fill stadiums.

There isn't a set in stone ``last call'' time at the Trove. The nightly party either ends organically, when the bar runs out of beer or when the bartenders reach their hospitable limit and give everyone the boot. Regardless, people leave with smiles and those who started the night looking clean-cut and put together, invariably hit the sidewalk looking like they were caught in the spin cycle of a washing machine.

Those who don't want to call it a night can count on Dirty Blondes, on the beach at 229 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. Dirty Blondes is relatively wild nightspot open until 4 a.m., seven days a week. If you're not into PDA, you'll get a bit squeamish here. Couples kiss at the bar, kiss while leaning up against the pool tables and sometimes in the bathrooms. Where did they all meet? Probably moments before at the Treasure Trove.

COMING UP

• The blues/funk power trio of Billy Vasquez, Kilmo and John Yarling play Friday at Alligator Alley, 1321 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. The show starts at 9:30 p.m. and tickets are $7.

• The Cab, A Rocket to the Moon, The Summer Set, Eye Alaska and My Favorite Highway are playing at the Culture Room on Saturday. Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets are $9.99.

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