Considering Detroit's status as the birthplace of the techno movement, electronic dance in its various guises was pretty slow to catch on in the metro area. Now that it has, though, it's done so with a vengeance, with a wealth of new venues emerging in just the past year. The latest of these is the Loft, a recent convert from a rock 'n' roll format now dedicating itself to high-energy dance fare.
Patrons can expect continuing changes in the months to come.
The Loft's feel is surprisingly mellow and sober on a Saturday night despite the volume and the hyperkinetic lighting. When we visited, it was likely one of the more reserved dance club crowds in the Detroit area. Often there were far more spectators than dancers, though three lithe young lasses repeatedly did their best to lure others off of their bar stools, occasionally succeeding. Patrons are primarily in their early 20s, with the upper range in the mid-30s, mostly drawn from the immediate area. Men substantially outnumbered women during our stop.