When most of us think of dancing, we think of either annoying, politically-correct student groups or embarrassing, flailing motions at campus bars. Saturday nights at SoMa are completely different. So-called for its South of Market location and its Sanskrit translation as "an intoxicating or hallucinogenic beverage," SoMa is no larger than a racquetball court, but you won't find any sweater-vested yuppies here. The d‚cor is decidedly dark and understated -- round blood-red loveseats line the walls, spartan tables and chairs dot the perimeter of the room and mod black-and-white photographs serve as the sole decoration.
The focus at SoMa is undisputedly the dance floor: central, large and far more crowded than the bar itself. This is where regulars cut a rug to DJ Cozmic Cat's salsa and jazz-influenced "Cracked Liberty Bell Grooves." The diverse crowd includes the usual South Jersey weekend warriors, flannel-shirted 1995 college grads, goofy underage Drexel kids and body-pierced goths. The majority of the clientele -- the ones breakdancing and tango-ing around the room -- are hip, artsy types from the University of the Arts and Moore College. It's impossible to watch these people having the time of their lives without hoping that, after three more of blonde, giggly bartender Jamie's special raspberry margaritas, I might look that cool. One regular, who goes by the name Master J, is known for his habit of turning SoMa into a one-man roller-skating rink. Although SoMa only opened in 2000, it has attracted a loyal following, including dancing queen Janet Jackson (rumor has it that she swings by whenever she's in Philly). Under the same management as Lucy's Hat Shop and Drinker's Tavern, SoMa is extremely popular on Monday nights, when a young, trendy crowd sips $2 drinks to the deep house music of DJ Deep C, resident DJ at London's Fabric. SoMa is not the place for a quiet post-exam beer or for deep conversations in dark corners -- but if you want to dance the night away, this is the place for you. Just prepare to be out-danced.
