Reflection

By LESLEY T+LLEZ / Quick

Partying in the suburbs has its perks - the main one being loads of free parking.

At Reflection, this may be true, but you have to get there early. The club shares a parking lot with Carson's Live in a Far North Dallas strip mall. ("Suburb" qualifies here; it's near Carrollton.) The clubs are next door to each other and owned by the same people.

At 11:30 p.m. on a recent Friday, the parking lot resembled Stemmons Freeway during rush hour. A crush of cars swallowed the valet stand. We couldn't see Reflection's entrance - was it by the cleaners or underneath the unmarked awning?

The awning won, and once inside, the traffic woes seemed less important. Women in short dresses and men in polos packed the main room, dancing and staring at the night's guest of honor, Biz Markie.

Perched in a DJ booth near the ceiling, Biz cued the Fugees' "Killing Me Softly With His Song." He yelled, "This is for all the ladies!"

The ladies responded by singing the bridge.

Reflection isn't that big, but high ceilings and a large mirrored wall make the place feel airy and open. Unlike a lot of clubs, there's also a fair amount of seating - tables and plush barstools near the dance floor, a cigar lounge in back.

It gets insanely loud, so people who want to talk should go to the library-themed bar off the main room.

Watching the DJ is probably the most fun, especially if it's a celebrity. The high booth means everyone gets a great view. And with Biz, an old-school hip-hop icon, it's worth catching every head bob.

Plan your life

Reflection: Next to Carson's Live.

What to wear: Ladies - jeans and a trendy top, or a flattering short dress. Guys - polo or button-down shirt and jeans.

What the music is like: The format changes depending on the night; check the Web site for details. Fridays are currently hip-hop and R&B.

Drink of choice: Your usual. We had a well vodka and cranberry, which seemed a bit weak for the $6.75 price.

Seen/heard: There's a real, live set of encyclopedias in the library lounge. Remember those?

Smoking: In the cigar lounge.

Cover: Varies; Biz Markie was $20 at the door.

Web site: www.carsonsdallas.com/reflections or www.myspace.com/thereflectionroom

Bottom line: Worth a visit if you live nearby. Or if there's a celebrity DJ you want to see.

Published in The Dallas Morning News: 10.25.07