CLUB REVIEW : Infiniti Has the Goods Except for Heart, Soul

Infiniti’s chances of becoming one of the Southland’s worthwhile nightclubs are definitely finite.

Although the West Hollywood venue, which is open from Wednesday through Saturday, contains the essential elements--a strong sound system, a dance floor, a live performance area and a room that’s removed from the action--it has no soul.

The design elements incorporate the highlights of other clubs, and the music, which most nights focuses on hip-hop, is a predictable, voiceless blend of current chart-topping artists. Its coupling of George Clinton funk with current club standards--Dr. Dre, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Salt-N-Pepa--is generic club fare that could be livened up by throwing in more independent rap acts and digging deeper for less obvious funk records.

And without the human touch that would be provided by periodic announcements from deejays and promoters, the audience gets lost in the cold, uninviting scene. From the time you walk in the door, you’re pretty much on your own in trying to figure out what’s going on in the venue.

Perhaps Infiniti is one of the casualties of L.A.’s capricious tastes. Each night is rented out to different promoters, and although many clubs around town take this tack, they don’t all forfeit their identity.

* Infiniti, 8531 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, (310) 657-0550. Cover varies.