Tropix Cafe A Bright, Fun New Spot

The Tropix Cafe and Beach Club couldn't have picked a better season to open. With those omnipresent rain clouds overhead, this brightly-colored disco, sports bar and eatery across from Seattle Center - 322 Fifth Ave. N., formerly the Phantom and Basil's - couldn't be more welcome. The weather may be inclement outside but the mood inside the refurbished two-floor jungle-ride extravaganza is not.

The Tropix is "fun in the sun every night" with recorded music and dancing. There are three bars, pool tables, TV monitors and plenty of mingling space. The club opened weeks early to grab some of the recent NBA championship crowd, and has been experimenting with different theme nights.

Last Saturday the club had a foam-dancing party, a concept begun in Europe in which the dance floor is filled head-high with soapy foam, nearly burying the dancers.

How did it work? According to one employee, it was a big hit with the audience, but it had to be shut down early. There were so many people the foam kept going flat. -- On the flip side of the club-opening coin, the Weathered Wall has now closed. -- And the Crocodile Cafe has moved out. Onto the sidewalk.

The Belltown bistro is now featuring patio dining at its Swamp Side Cafe addition on Second Avenue. Inside, the club continues to feature music. The Kostars - Jill and Vivian from Luscious Jackson - bring their sultry summer sound tomorrow to the Croc. The walls between lounge and restaurant come down Saturday for the Picketts, Ray Condo & the Ricochets and the Deadcats. More room, more air. On Sunday, the Refreshments is joined by Cola. Tonight it's New York's Stanley and Seattle's Tubetop.

-- Aimee Mann returns to Showbox Wednesday night. Mann, formerly of 'Til Tuesday ("Voices Carry"), writes tough songs delivered with a take-no-prisoners attitude. Opening is the Loud Family, a perversely pop/psychedelic ensemble. -- The UK's witty techno duo Orbital plays tomorrow at Union Station with Vaporspace. The 18-and-over show is $17 and starts at 9:30 p.m. -- There's probably a rude joke here but we'll transcend that and just spit it out: Soul Coughing tomorrow at Moe's. And Moe Funk's SummerFunk Anniversary is Monday with DJ Riz. -- Tchkung! annihilates Sit & Spin Wednesday. City officials be warned. -- Sharp social satirist Matt Riedy - you may remember him from his Seattle radio days - is at the Roaster in Kirkland tomorrow and Saturday, 10 p.m. -- Heart guitarist Howard Leese special guests at the Ballard Firehouse "Luv Zeppelin" tribute tonight. The Battle of The Bands continues Sunday and Monday. -- The Fenix/Fenix Underground does the upstairs/downstairs split tomorrow between the Specials and Mr. Mirainga with Lode. Hard choices. -- The all-ages Pioneer Square Theater has been closed by the Seattle Fire Department until further notice. The Faith & Disease/Ninth Circle CD release party Saturday has been moved to The OK Hotel. -- Last Friday, while 66 Saints was playing the Sit & Spin, flames suddenly spewed from one of the speakers. No one was hurt, only startled. The same night, the lead singer of the Makers, playing the Tractor, decided to encore with a stage dive into what he mistook for adoring fans. The audience parted, the singer's head broke his fall. No one was hurt, only startled.-- Oh, and Soundgarden played for about a gazillion sweaty, howling fans last Thursday night at the Showbox. It was a great set, lots of celebs 'n' stuff (yes, Randy "Rockin' Big Unit" Johnson IS that tall) and a genuinely good time was had by all.

Good luck to the band out on the road to 'Paloozaville.

`Send club information to Clubs, c/o Tempo, Seattle Times, P.O. Box 70, Seattle WA 98111; or fax to 464-2239.