Jim’s mustache was perfectly cropped. His long blond hair flowed to his shoulders, and his polyester pants had the perfect shimmer to them. As he leaned against the bar, “Come to Me,” by France Joli, started to play over the disco’s sound system. As Jim stood with his 75-cents bottled beer in hand, he was thinking about how tired he was of all the same old polyester, long-haired disco queens and their smooth-talking lies. He was feeling down, but by a strike of luck (maybe it was Joli’s musical magic), a beautiful man named Jerry “came to him.” Jerry approached the bar, with his super-puffed hair and trademark Saturday Night Fever style. Although Jim did not want anyone to “come to me,” he hesitantly struck up a conversation with Jerry. Before they knew it, they had been dancing for two hours when Donna Summer’s “Last Dance” came on, which, in those days, signified, well, the last dance. And, of course, the night continued, but you can use your imagination to figure out what happened next.

The year was 1979, and our friend “Disco Jim” was at gay San Diego’s once premiere night spot, the West Coast Production Company (often referred to as the WC). Before there was Rich’s or Club Montage, Bourbon Street or Urban Mo’s, there was a thriving gay nightlife here in San Diego. At the height of the 1970s disco era, the gay clubs were hopping in San Diego!

Jim has fond memories of the old WC. He remembers it as a two-level mega club with a big disco ball in the middle of the dance floor. This club was the place to be on Saturday nights! Jim recalls waiting in line upwards of an hour to get in on certain nights. Of course, the gay anthem, “I Will Survive,” by Gloria Gaynor, was a popular hit, and at the peak of the tune’s popularity, it was one of those “girl, that’s my song – turn that shit up” type of songs. Because of the popularity of this club, Jim says that not everyone could get into the WC.

Those who didn’t make it in often headed over to the popular Dillon’s nightclub, which was located in the exact same space that Rich’s now occupies. One of Jim’s favorite memories of Dillon’s was the Wednesday night screenings of the ever-popular show “Dynasty.” The club would set-up chairs on the dance floor, and from 9-10 p.m. everyone would hoot and holler as Linda Evans and Joan Collins would get into one of their legendary bitch-slap fights.

Jim does admit that the typical “meat market” you will see today outside the clubs at 2 a.m. existed back then, too. As the boys exited Dillon’s or the WC, everyone would stand around to strut their stuff and figure out if they were going to hit the sheets, head to a party, go to afterhours or hit Topsys for late-night grub. (Topsys was the 24-hour diner that occupied the space that now houses Brians’ American Eatery). An afterhours favorite was a bar called The Hut. This was located in North Park along University Avenue.

Disco Jim really liked the late 1970’s club scene here in town. He says so much has changed, but so much has remained the same. Boys will be boys.

But supposedly “disco is dead,” so let’s flash forward 30 years! Speaking of Dillon’s, er Rich’s, this club continues to heat up the dance floor with their awesome lineup of parties, events and DJs. On Saturday, March 10, Donkey Punch hosted a sexy Toga Party, and boy do I love a man in a toga! Friday’s at Rich’s are called Play, and the sexy stud (yes, he’s hot) DeeJay Tye is the resident DJ. If you haven’t been to Rich’s on a Friday lately, it still is the place to kick-off your weekend! Friday, March 23, will be a special event with the return of Club Papi. La India will perfom live! Check out www.richssandiego.com and www.clubpapi.com for more information.

Club Montage continues to be one of San Diego’s top nightlife destinations, and has just launched a new Thursday night party! HushSD has brought the “hottest Thursday night in San Diego” to Montage. Of course, Montage is always three levels of fun, and this night promises to fill the place with the best DJs, fashion and more. Saturdays continue to be off the hook at Montage, with the next Military Madness event coming on March 17, with a special performance by Kim English. Check out Montage’s Web site at www.clubmontage.com for more information about their fabulous lineup!

Throughout 2007, I will occasionally write memories from our friends who were out “barflying” before many of us were even a twinkle in the eye of our father’s sperm. If you have any stories to share, please send me an e-mail at editor@uptownpub.com and we’ll talk.