A fiesta for all

Nothing says party like a fiesta, and you don't even have to go south of the border -- or even leave your area code for that matter -- to participate. Instead, just head out to the appropriately named Fiesta (4212 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh) where hot Latin beats, icy margaritas and cervezas transport you to another world.

Longtime Raleigh residents will remember that this space was once occupied by Chi-Chi's, a Mexican restaurant famous for embarrassing you on your birthday by making you wear an oversized sombrero on your head while the waitstaff sang to you. But that was years ago and now the place couldn't be any more different. Shades of neon green, blue, orange and yellow inside and out give Fiesta a tropical feel, especially on the restaurant side where Venezuelan, Argentinean and Colombian specialties are served up until 11 p.m.

It's on the other side where the club's action takes place. Although the doors here open at 10 p.m., things don't get going until around midnight when couples begin to take to the large dance floor. Others will want to snag one of the many prime seats encircling the dance floor where they can also watch Latin music videos on the big screen, or hang out at one of the two bars. You can order not only drinks, but also from a limited late-night menu of appetizers such as hot wings, tacos, empanaditas and ceviche tostadas for no more than $7.

Even though Fiesta has been open a short while, the repertoire has been expanded. Owner Ram Tirath introduced Indian Night on Sunday. Tirath, who also owns the Royal India restaurant on Capital Boulevard, wanted to gear a night toward his Indian customers. This particular evening will feature spinning by DJ Ravi along with Indian movies and videos.

Despite a lack of advertising, Fiesta has drawn a good crowd, and it should get even better after its grand opening on May 6 (perfect timing for your Cinco de Mayo celebration). Fiesta is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. and on Sunday from 7 p.m. until the crowd warrants it.

If you're looking to have a fiesta of your own, you may want to invite The Margarita Man. This new and unusual business fills a very specific niche by renting and selling frozen drink machines and flavored mixes. Mixes are available in 17 flavors and contain real fruit purees. Mixes are free of alcohol, which you buy and add at your discretion.

The cost for a 24-hour rental is $100, which includes your first batch of mix (enough for 80 8-ounce drinks), a sanitized mixing bucket and extension cord. There's also a free optional cart and decorative skirt, which is kind of cute and gives it a tropical feel. Visit www.margaritaman.org for more info.

Here's even more news on the Latino front: The wildly popular First Friday Latin International Party thrown by TriangleFiesta.com has a new home at Spice Street in Chapel Hill.

The reason? It needs more space. At about twice the size, Spice Street (201 S. Estes Drive) in Chapel Hill's University Mall is better equipped to handle large group than the former site, Parizade (2200 W. Main St.) in Durham. While the dance floor is about the same size, there's an upstairs, a courtyard, room for three DJs to play simultaneously, lots of private tables and two VIP rooms.