Forget all your preconceptions about nightclubs. Oceana rips up the rule book as the thousands who flocked to Kingston last week to attend the club's opening nights found out.

Nightclubs have traditionally been regarded as after-hours haunts of the young. Somewhere to continue boozing once the pubs shut, throw a few shapes on the dancefloor, possibly impress a member of the opposite sex with a collection of finely-honed chat- up lines before heading off for a greasy kebab in the cab queue.

Nothing could be further from that stereotype than Oceana's mahogany-decked gentlemen's drinking club, Old Oceana, which boasted a string quartet and a selection of fine cigars for sale.

It was only one of seven boldly themed rooms in Kingston's long-awaited £11million club and bar complex £5million spent on interior design.

And if the launch weekend is anything to go by the club looks set to be a magnet for a much wider range of punters.

At last Thursday's grand opening the range of clientele ranged from young disco divas and smartly dressed lads to men and women in their 40s, 50s and even 60s.

However, a strict "over 21s only" door policy meant that fresh-faced visitors without ID were turned swiftly away.

While Old Oceana is a haven of calm sophistication, Wakyama, the complex's trendy Japanese themed bar just next door is more trendy, playing commercial dance music.

At the Aspen Ski Lodge, complete with stone fireplace and comfy chairs, drinkers swayed to a love song by Old Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra, then rocked frantically to Bon Jovi a moment later.

The French Boudoir provided a decadent backdrop for would-be bohemians.

As the evening progressed and crowds came flooding in the two nightclubs were opened, including the Ballroom (the old Options nightclub) which boasts a huge dance floor and top DJs playing club classics and commercial R&B, not to mention the eye-popping £100,000 chandelier.

But it's the New York 70s and 80s disco room playing every single cheesy track ever made, that appeared most popular.

Guests of all ages, from early 20s to late 60s (including a greying gentleman of a certain age wearing a tank top, shirt and tie), could be seen gyrating to Car Wash, Boogie Wonderland and Play That Funky Music.

The star of the night was undoubtedly "DJ, Presenter and Compere" Peter A Roberts who swiftly dressed himself in a sharp white jacket when Saturday Night Fever was spun. With 28 years of experience, he had no problems providing witty observations during the musical interludes in I Will Survive.

General manager Steve Fleury said the opening weekend proved a huge success, with the venue reaching its full capacity of 2,200 guests each night.

He said: "We turned away over 300 people each night, but those who came along gave us fabulous feedback.

"There were lots of people there who hadn't been clubbing for ages and they had a great time. It was so much fun and the crowd we got down here were great.

"We held our first student night on Monday and the queue stretched all the way back to the end of the road."

Charmaine Walton, 19, of Kingston enjoyed the variety of themes and music.

She added: "They have great flavoured vodkas in the departure lounge too.

"It's quite expensive to get in and the drinks aren't cheap, but I'd come here again for a special night out, it's something a bit different."

And Barbara Saunders, who took a group of friends to celebrate her 30th birthday, agreed that Oceana's only drawback was the price of booze.

Club-goers can expect to pay £3.40 for a pint of strong lager, £2.90 for a spirit and mixer or £3.90 for a Vodka Ice alcopop.

Sasha Malik, 24, of Surbiton, was suitably impressed. She said: "The place is over the top and very cheesy it's great. The massive Ballroom has a giant chandelier and three-level New York Disco makes you feel like you are on the set of Saturday Night Fever, with its flashing coloured square floor.

"It is enormous and there are stairs, corridors and doors everywhere. So I reckon one major problem would be trying not to lose anyone because if someone disappeared you would definitely need a search party to find them."

Sue May, 26, was disappointed: "I still remember the days when Options nightclub and the cinema were here and Oceana had kept exactly the same structure.

"For the amount of money they claimed to have spent on it, I was not that impressed. And people are so eager to dash on to the dancefloor in the disco room that it got over-crowded and my friend almost got knocked over."

"But I did have a good night and I think it will appeal to different people. I will have to come back a few more times to decide."

Younger clubbers wanting to experience Oceana should try the student nights on Mondays and Wednesday when the age limit drops to 18.

And an over-25s night has been launched on Thursday nights at the 70s and 80s Disco room.

You can expect to pay £3 for entry before 10pm on Monday and Wednesday nights, and £4 after 10pm for entry. On Thursday it is £4/£5, Friday it is £7/£8 and on Saturday entrance costs £9 before 10 and £10 after. Members receive a £1 discount.

May 2, 2003 13:30