TIME TO KICK BACK

Connected to Cosmopolitan at a tiny intersection along 13th Street, Midtown's Lava Lounge offers a laid-back atmosphere and an alternative to the packed crowds around the corner on Crescent Avenue.

JENNI GIRTMAN/STAFF (ENLARGE)
Lava Lounge offers a calmer atmosphere and an alternative to the packed Midtown clubs. This is the upstairs area; two other levels are below.
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PRICE: Around $5-$10 depending on the night. You probably won't find many free parking spaces, so park in a lot near the club for about $7.

SPACE: In spite of its three levels, Lava carries a very intimate vibe. The main level consists of the entrance, bar and a few couches; the upstairs has seating better suited to a VIP feel; and the dimly lit basement is strictly for getting your groove on and getting friendly.

DRINKS: About average prices for Midtown: $6 for a vodka-tonic or a Jack 'n Coke; $5 for a Guinness; $9 for a Red Bull & vodka.

TUNES: Wednesdays are Asian Service Industry night with Lil' Steven, so expect lots of really uptempo Asian techno, trance and hard house. Fridays and Saturdays showcase residents such as J-Luv, Kevin O and Brian Dotson spinning, well, whatever gets the crowd moving — which these days seems to be radio-friendly hip-hop sprinkled with funk and house.

SCENE: On Wednesday nights, the crowd's not unfriendly, but no one's welcoming you with open arms, either. Weekends seem to draw the 20-something sexy (and wannabe sexy) crowd. A recent evening in the basement drew the ubiquitous-in-Atlanta orange-tanned girls grinding on one another to Ludacris. The current Lava clientele seems to lean away from breaking a sweat and toward seeing and being seen, but if you want to really get down, it's possible if you catch the DJs at the right moment. It's a destination for people who don't want the in-your-face sweatiness or the crowds of big room Midtown clubs.

• THE 411: Lava Lounge, 57 13th St., Midtown, 404-873-4202, www.lavaloungeatlanta.com.

— Sterling McGarvey