Dance to the Rhythm at Aura Nightclub and Lounge

By George Walsh, Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Restaurant and Club Offers Culinary Delights, DJs and Dancing

All work and no play can make anyone feel a little dull. While we all have our own favorite ways to break out of the shell of daily life, few offer the freedom of expression and social contact offered by dancing. Throw in a gourmet dinner or appetizer to start off your evening, and you have all of the ingredients you need to leave your troubles behind any night of the week. If you're looking for a venue that offers the food, beverages, and music to turn a simple night on the town into a memorable experience, try Aura Nightclub and Lounge at 4825 Hopyard Road.

"We started Aura two months ago with the idea that we wanted to take the upscale nightclub experience of San Francisco's Ruby Sky and bring it to the Tri-Valley," says David Bratmiller, Aura's general manager. "Aura is owned by George Karpaty, the same man who owns Ruby Sky. Aura's a full-scale restaurant that serves dinner from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm each evening, featuring gourmet shared plates. At 10:00 pm, we change speed and become a full-fledged nightclub. We're two venues in one."

Those familiar with the Tri-Valley will recognize the fact that Aura fills the void left by long-time Pleasanton venue ShBoom. In fact, Bratmiller was the general manager of that club as well. For those who still long for that environment, ShBoom will be relocated to San Ramon under the same ownership as Aura. Aura, however, has a completely different ambiance. The 12,000 square foot club has two full bars in two separate rooms. The Red Room features Top 40 and modern dance music. The somewhat smaller Blue Room plays electronic dance music. Aura employs close to 50 people and is open Thursday through Sunday from 7:00 pm to 2:00 am.

Aura has no cover charge between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm. There's also no cover charge for those who dine in the club. At 8:00 pm Aura begins to charge a $15 cover charge and at 10:30 pm, the cover charge increases to $20.

Bratmiller is especially proud of the cuisine available at Aura. "We tried over 150 dishes and only our favorites made it onto the menu," he says. "Developing the menu was one of the most enjoyable parts of starting the club."

The menu includes dinner items such as grilled margarita prawns, dusted and crispy fried calamari, and herb-encrusted Alaskan halibut. Dessert items include chocolate souffle bread pudding, chocolate lava cake, and grilled peach melba. Dining at Aura is on a reservation-only basis Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. A late night dining menu and full wine selection are also available.

Photo: Aura's dramatically-lit dance floor brings a new element to Pleasanton nightlife.

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