The Wharf Restaurant and Bar - with its outdoor dance floor, disco ball and crate diving DJ - was party central for disco divas and dons who, having put the working week behind them, were intent on getting down with their bad selves at Boogie Nights on Friday, 30 July.

The evening of funk and fun, which started at 9.30pm and kept on truckin’ for a full four hours, is something of an institution - not only for those old enough to remember wearing hot pants but those young and confident enough to look good wearing them.

That particular night, though not big on retro wearing revellers, was jam packed with dancers feelin’ the force and blissing out - to blasts from the past courtesy of disco gods: Earth, Wind and Fire, The Doobie Brothers, Chic and Donna Summer. With plenty enough room to do the Hustle and the Southern Freeze, couples and groups on girls’ and boys’ nights outs got to bust a move or two with a crowd, which ranged in age from the twentysomethings to a few who’d surely never see 50 again.

Music being the great leveller that it is and disco, in particular being, a come-one-come-all mass participation experience, patrons let their hair down and enjoyed the nostalgia-filled evening in a safe and chilled out environment.

The birth of Boogie Nights

Warm breezes and hot music with plenty of like-minded company is what Boogie Nights is all about, said Wharf’s manager Reno Mancini, who dreamed up the night several years ago.

“I started Boogie Night’s Old School ‘70s Disco Dance Party in 2005... to give the locals and expats... a night to reminisce and get a little bell-bottom crazy. Disco night as a theme night then grew from there. More and more people started coming out and embracing their inner Travolta; dressing up in leisure suits and ‘70s dresses that it began to have a life of its own. I’m really proud to have started a Cayman tradition on the last Friday of every month.”

Add a few drinks and a pre-disco meal into the mix and it’s little wonder that Boogie Nights and its 1.30am extension is so popular. 

Strategically positioned in front of a huge stand-up fan, Cora Jocelyn was one of the many revellers getting their groove on at the once a month disco. With eight weeks to go until her due date the first-time mum, was out on the town having said goodbye to the office to celebrate the start of her maternity leave from a local law firm with several mates.

Why the event is popular

DJ Ben Maxwell, who supplied a stream of dance floor fillers with disco classics like Shake your Groove Thing (Peaches and Herb), I Should Have Loved Ya (Narada Michael Walden) and Super Freak (Rick James) explained why he thought Boogie Nights was so popular, “I think it’s because people love to cut loose to some of the best music ever made for dancing. And because it’s all disco and everyone’s enjoying it, they’re not self-conscious about really getting into it and sometimes dressing up for it.”

He also said why he enjoyed “making it happen” at the monthly gig, “In addition to one of the best views of the ocean in Cayman, it’s really the staff that makes it so much fun...  They recognise that I’ve worked hard on my knowledge of disco music and that the customers really like it, too.”

Realtor Kass Coleman, a Boogie Nights fan, said, “I love it... It’s great exercise and I get to dance all night... I’ve even taken my mother to it. You couldn’t ask for more fun especially since you get to dance under the stars.”

Not for the faint of heart or style mavens who are too worried about sweating up their latest ensemble, disco done well usually delivers the anticipated high expected by its most ardent followers. “Boogie Nights delivers great music and a fine workout,” said Michelle Motsko who burned plenty of calories and attracted plenty of attention with her rib-grazing caftan top, jeans and feathered booties.

DJ Ben Maxwell, who takes requests, supplied a nonstop stream of dance floor fillers with top notch crowd-pleasers including Can’t Get Enough of Your Love Babe (Barry White) and Brick house (The Commodores with Lionel Richie).

The next Boogie Nights is Friday, 27 August.