Aruba may be an island in the Caribbean Sea, but in Fort Lauderdale it’s a restaurant and lounge as close to the beach as you can get without being part

of the ocean.

Broward County’s Aruba is at the northeastern corner of Commercial Boulevard, where the Wharf Restaurant used to be. The people who gutted the Wharf and converted it into Aruba are also responsible for transforming the Moonraker, on East Oakland Park Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, into Yesterday’s.

They opened up the Aruba kitchen to public view (you see into it through a glass divider), creating a casual atmosphere, put in live entertainment and added an oversized bar.

Bar prices are in the low-to-medium range (a glass of the California house wine is $2.50 and cocktails start at $2.75). The light-snack menu isn’t exorbitant either. Until 10 p.m. on weeknights and 11 p.m. on weekends, the kitchen serves 1/2-pound hamburgers for $5.25. Overly large and awfully delicious salads are $5.95.

As for the entertainment, there’s music every night of the week and during the day on weekends. After dark, the music is generally soft jazz, featuring songs made famous by artists such as George Benson, Gato Barbieri, David Sanborn, Kenny G and Michael Franks. When I was there, a trio including Randy Malcolm on saxophone, flute and vocals, Jim Marino on keyboards and vocals and Ray Rifice, guitar and vocals, mixed cool sounds with cool breezes. It was a nice combination, but it might have been a tad better if the musicians had had a stage.

The band plays on the same level with the customers. Also there’s no dance floor. The waitress said that you could request that some tables be moved to make room to dance, but I doubt anyone would make such a demand.

During weekend afternoons, Aruba usually has a reggae band.

The entertainment is a nice addition to a restaurant and lounge given such an attractive tropical setting. It adds ambiance to a facility that is already a cut above average.

NIGHTLIFE NEWS

The First Page Bookstore, 2219 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, does more than sell books. Although first an outlet for feminist reading material, the back room in the small store becomes a miniature nightclub from 8 p.m. to closing on Friday and Saturday nights. Acoustic keyboard player Bobbie Michaels performs and non-alcoholic beverages are served.

— Scratch Riverwalk Jazz Club, 10 S. New River Dr. East, Fort Lauderdale, from the list of this season’s nightspots. Nathaniel’s, the restaurant in front, is still in business but the jazz club disappeared. Also gone is Cutter’s, the ship converted into a restaurant and lounge and docked on the New River. Darby O’Gill’s, on Andrews Avenue, is called Libations currently and caters to a gay clientele.

— Starting this month, Clancy’s Irish Sports Bar, 4200 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, has folk nights every Friday.

— Classically trained composer, singer and songwriter Linda Waterfall showcases her talent at 7 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 3970 NW 21st Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Her songs bear the influence of popular music, rock, jazz, new age and folk music. A multidimensional talent, she plays guitar, piano, bass, synthesizer and percussion. She recorded five albums, the most recent being Body English. Admission for her performance is $6.

ARUBA BEACH CLUB

1 E. Commercial Blvd.

Fort Lauderdale

776-0001

Hours: 8 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Music: jazz, reggae

Entertainment hours: 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., weeknights

2 to 6 p.m. Saturday,

7 to 11 p.m. Sunday

Cover: no

Minimum: no

Valet parking: yes

Dress: casual