Itook a few pics with my cellphone cam while sitting at the Lava Tiki Bar & Grille. I sent them to my New York friends and attached a subject line that read ``This is why.''

These guys constantly ask why I won't move back home to The Big Apple, and I'm sure the pictures of palm trees, boats gliding by and women in bikinis summed up my answer. I've been to the Upper East Side in October, and it pales in comparison to our endless summer.

The Lava Tiki Bar & Grille is the official pool bar at the chic Crowne Plaza Resort Hollywood Beach at 4000 South Ocean Dr. in Hollywood. Although it seems like an exclusive hideaway reserved for hotel guests, locals are welcome to lounge here as well. They simply refer to this scenic setting as the Lava Bar.

The Crowne Plaza stands tall just a few yards north of the Hallandale Beach Boulevard Bridge, and the outdoor, thatched roof tiki bar faces the Intracoastal, huge hot tub and inkblot-shaped infinity pool. Lavish landscaping lines the pool area, and the décor is accompanied by a steady soundtrack of reggae music that flows from speakers hidden near the base of palm trees. The sound system is set to a perfect volume so songs such as Bob Marley's Satisfy My Soul are just loud enough to enjoy but don't vie for space in a conversation. On Friday nights and during the day on Saturday, the band Swahili plays reggae, though, and its sound is anything but subtle.

Happy hour, featuring 2-for-1 drinks, runs from 5-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5-8 p.m. on Fridays. If you're feeling adventurous, try one of the Lava Bar's specialty cocktails. The Volcano Runner is mixed with Myers dark rum, Bacardi light rum, blackberry brandy, banana liquor, grenadine and pineapple juice. On the weekends, most hands are holding plastic souvenir cups filled with Lava Punch. The exact ingredients of this proprietary blend are classified top-secret, and even Linda Sullivan, the usually gracious bartender, rolled her eyes at me when I inquired.

The Lava Bar is open from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. every day. The bartenders will validate your valet parking ticket, but if the Lava Punch gets the best of you, do as they do on the Upper East Side and call a cab.

UPCOMING

The Bravery plays Friday at the Culture Room. Doors open at 8 p.m., and tickets are $19.99.

Sheryl Underwood performs Friday and Saturday at the Improv at the Seminole Paradise. Click to www.improvftl.com or call 954-981-5653 for ticket prices and times.

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