As it’s said, all good things must come to an end. That was certainly the case this past weekend at Laguna Beach’s famed Boom Boom Room. Said to be the oldest gay bar in the Western United States, the Boom closed its doors Monday. After two years of speculation and pushed back closing dates, the legendary hot spot ended its reign.

As the sun set on summer Labor Day weekend, crowds returned to the Boom to pay tribute and enjoy a final party in the beachside nightclub, restaurant, and hotel. The Boom Boom Room complex included the club, a restaurant called “The Boom Café,” and an ocean-front hotel, “The Coast Inn.” To many, the Boom was the heart of Laguna Beach’s gay community, and it became a Southern California destination. The face of Laguna Beach is changing, and the closing of the Boom is just one more indication of that transformation.

The final week included an impressive line-up of DJ’s, many of whom graced the club’s turntables in recent history. DJ Phil B of San Francisco hit the tables on Friday night, DJs Don Bishop and Lewis van der Wyk kept the party going on Saturday, DJ Kio Kio from L.A. performed Sunday, and DJ Dawna Montel closed the Boom Boom Room, making it another part of our history. Laguna Beach will still be a playground for San Diegans, but it will never be the same without the special place that made a trip up the coast complete.

The Boom Boom Room/Coast Inn complex was sold to a real-estate developer. Plans include building a luxury hotel and new nightclub/bar experience at the site. Visit www.savetheboom.com for more information.

As one club closes, many new bar and club events continue to pop up. The nightclub business is a tricky one, and it takes a lot of talent to create a venue or night that sticks. We have seen a lot of club nights come and go here in San Diego, and while some are here to stay, others have simply been laid to rest. The Flame is gearing up to kick-off its newest night, “Project: Persuasion.” It has been dubbed a “nightclub conspiracy” and I am excited to see what the promoters have in store. Starting Sept. 13, it is set to take place on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. The club’s three rooms will feature hip hop, house, dance, trance and lounge music, as well as performances, anime and, of course, drink specials. The Far East-themed event has a $5 cover, with free admission before 10 p.m. Thursdays have always been an iffy night around town, with a number of bars and clubs offering various events, but nothing big. Hopefully, this new party will establish itself and become a mainstay of San Diego’s Thursday night scene! For more information visit www.myspace.com/projectpersuasion.

Another new event doesn’t happen at night but promises to be just as fun. Starting Sept. 9, Lei Lounge will present “Remedy,” every Sunday at 2 p.m. All of the usual Sunday fun and food will still be served, with the addition of a hot set of music spun by JUNIOR theDISCOpunk. The day will include $10 off specialty pitchers, with brunch served from 10-4, and dinner from 5-10. Just more than one year old, Lei Lounge has quickly become one of the hottest spots in San Diego. Visit www.leilounge.com for more information.

Before I step off the bar stool this week, it’s time for another one of my buddy Adrian’s Drink of the Month (DotM) features:

After having gone through many years of the Binging Lush Training Program, I have taken yet another step away from, “Can I have something sweet, I don’t like to taste the alcohol,” to “Give me the hard shit on ice.” From shots of last month’s DotM, Grand Marnier, to this month’s, Makers Mark Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, I now drink for taste. So try if you can to enjoy a Maker’s and Diet. If you don’t like it now, you will ... after a few. Leave the Sex on the Beach behind and try this delicious, manly drink. See you all next time!