Where can you go to watch and judge a bikini contest, have drinks served by ladies dressed in schoolgirl uniforms and dance, dance, dance? At Coconuts in Surrey Center.

With so many cars in the parking lot one recent night, I wondered whether Coconuts would be too hot and crowded inside. But after I walked through the ID check and the hand stamping, the club was surprisingly spacious and cool.

The place was busy, with people walking around, laughing with friends, competing for bartenders' attention at the three bars, or lounging on the long couch that lines one wall. The mirror above the couch served as a convenient way to do a quick hair and makeup check without fighting for mirror space in the restroom.

The first real eye-catcher was the group of neon strings that, from a distance, appeared to be floating by. But as they drew nearer, it became apparent that these "strings" were illuminated necklaces sticking out of colorful test-tube shooters - a shot's worth of strong-flavored alcohol - on trays the waitresses were carrying around.

Once you get over exactly what is on the trays, the next eye-catcher is the carrier. Two servers turned many men's heads, clad in schoolgirl outfits with miniskirts and knee socks, much like Britney Spears in her Baby One More Time video.

Around 11 p.m., there were only a handful of people on the dance floor, despite all the hip-hop and dance hits DJ Tim was playing. Perhaps this was because the party animals wanted to mingle and drink first; by midnight, the floor was packed.

The dance floor was cleared twice for eight women competing in the Hottest Moms contest. They marched around the floor, first in regular clothes, then in bikinis and pumps. Winners were chosen by crowd response.

The women in the contest barely made it off the dance floor before it started filling back up. It remained full until closing at 2 a.m.

Steve Matthews, formerly of radio station WZNY-FM, is the club's host. Some of his comments were over-the-top, and they came a little too frequently. But he gave a unique flavor to the party atmosphere, which was enhanced by the variety of races, nationalities and ages of the patrons (who were all friendly).

Coconuts is open Thursday through Saturday, with no cover on Thursdays. This Thursday night, the club will bring back its wet T-shirt contest, and bikini contests will continue on Fridays. For a welcoming party environment with about an hour's worth of a wild side, Coconuts is the spot.

---

GO NUTS

Place: Coconuts, 469 Highland Ave., Surrey Center (map)

Dress Code: None enforced

Drink of Choice: Appletini

Sounds Like: Hip-hop and dance

Crowd: 20- and 30-somethings

---