LAURA JOHNSON
A&E Assistant
Paul Clark/Photo Editor
In a city like Malibu, local entertainment options quickly run out. After going to Jack in the Box, Malibu Inn and Zuma Beach a million times in a week, a new late-night destination must be found. Enter Borderline Bar and Grill. A quick car ride through the canyon, nestled in the suburban city of Thousand Oaks, this restaurant boasts food, pingpong and pool tables as well as the biggest dance floor in the county, according to its Web site.
The Grill features a rustic feel bordering on country and southern comfort. With two large fireplaces, Borderline tries to keep a light, homey atmosphere. Cowboys and girls, or those who just like the hats, come from all over to have a go at line dancing every Thursday and Saturday. Although the club is usually exclusive to 21 and over, line-dancing nights are open to anyone 18 and over and night owls can get in after 10 p.m. for $8.
Borderline provides the masses with dance lessons before and during the night’s festivities so even the inexperienced dancer has no excuse not to at least try to dance. The voices of Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and other country superstars cause Grill patrons to have no choice but to find that inner boot-scooting spirit. The music is so infectious that these nights are usually the most packed and lively.
While dancing does seem to take precedence when thinking about Borderline, this does not mean the menu should go unmentioned. Jeff Klein, a co-owner of the establishment, described the food as being “American eclectic.” Steaks, rib-eye, corn on the cob, pizza, nachos and Tex-Mex entrées are just some of the tasty delicacies the restaurant has to offer.
Klein and his business partner, Rusty Mangialardi, took over Borderline four years ago. Klein said although they may have changed the bathrooms a little bit and updated some of the music and dancing choices, the B&G is the same as it was back in 1994 when it first opened its country-western doors in Malibu, right off PCH.
Though the place has changed locations, owners and genres of music, Klein said Borderline’s objective has remained the same.
“All we want is to have a nice neighborhood bar,” he said.
Senior Mariam Baim said she loved the line dancing aspect of Borderline.
“It was just clean fun,” Baim said. “Everyone was given their own personal space and there were a lot of beginners there. I didn’t feel inadequate whatsoever.”
For anyone wanting to try out lessons, Baim recommended enjoying dinner before taking the after-dinner class, and then spending the rest of the evening showing off the new skills by practicing at the club all night long.
It is like Mangialardi said, “Everyone can be a dancer,” as long as you are willing to try.
“The line-dancing is awesome for a large group setting,” said senior David Bandy.
“It’s a good place to go if you want to make a fool of yourself by learning in the process. Plus, it’s practically the only thing to do in Thousand Oaks.”
Wanting to open its doors to a younger crowd, Borderline established college night on Wednesdays and Sundays, allowing those students who are 18 and over to take a break from studying by dancing the night away. Instead of the blasting the typical twangy tunes from the bar’s loud speakers, a local DJ oversees the evening.
A mix of the Top 40 hits along with anything with a steady beat gets the most air time.
While country line dancing is the most popular activity at Borderline, it is merely one of a variety of entertainment offerings. Instead of opting to go to the Inn on Tuesday night, Salsa dance lessons may be just the right thing to liven up a night. Beginning classes are at 8 p.m. and advanced are at 8:45 p.m.
For those who have dreamed of being on “So You Think You Can Dance,” Friday night features an equally exciting ballroom dance night, with two-step classes starting at 6:30 p.m. followed by west coast swing, a more lively swing style, at 7:30 p.m.
According to Mangialardi, it is because of the relaxing and laid-back vibe of the Grill that many celebrities stop by for a bit of fun and games. And while star spotting can be entertaining too, the place was truly built to satisfy the needs of the ordinary person.
Whether one visits Borderline on a casual date or stops by as part of a big group using the V.I.P. room, it is a comfortable place for fun, food and got-to-move tunes.
09-14-2006
