Named for the province of Central-Western Spain, Avila heats up River North with customary Spanish flair. The three-floor space formerly occupied by Club 720 has been redone with Old World charm and New World amenities. Spanish baroque-reminiscent architecture, complete with wood paneling, stained glass, and catacomb-like brick walls, does little to mask the state-of-the-art sound system and top-shelf drink offerings.

Wednesday through Saturday, DJs pump reggaeton, merengue, and rock en Espanol as well as top 40 and hip-hop, while a bevy of sultry damas take up the dance floor (and a slew of lusty-eyed men stand close by). The first Wednesday of every month, the Latin Quarter party with DJ Alberto "Escandalo" Gomez offers a complimentary salsa class from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and two free cocktails for a mere $10 cover. Fridays and Saturdays, the Noches Mexicanas event with DJ La Lokera spinning regional Mexicano styles including Corridos, Norteno, and Malandrina draws a crowd near 1,000, turning into the biggest Latin dance party in the city.

Finished in under two weeks, the hasty revamp of this space has left it with some rough edges. As the management continues to upgrade lighting, bathrooms and the website, please pardon its dust.

Centerstage Reviewer: Amanda Nyren