Take a look at the roster of shows hitting the airwaves recently, and it’s clear that ballroom dancing is quite the rage. There’s “So You Think You Can Dance,” “Dancing with the Stars” and “Dance Your (you-know-what) Off.”
   
The Assistance League of Newport-Mesa has spun the concept into a popular annual event. So it was only a matter of time before someone found a way to turn this trend into a business opportunity.
   
Diana Roberts and Ray Guerrero did just that when they opened 210 Dance Steakhouse & Bar, near San Juan Capistrano City Hall. You could say it’s a modern version of the old supper clubs of the mid-20th century, where people went to enjoy a nice meal, some live entertainment and dancing. The popularity of such places began to wane in the late ’60s and ’70s. But you know, sooner or later, what’s old becomes new again.
   
The inspiration for the name 210 comes from the concept: Roberts and Guerrero wanted to open up a place where people could come in any day of the week, as early as 2 p.m., order a meal and dance the afternoon – or night – away. (Well, they can dance until 10:30 p.m., anyway.) Mondays feature swing dancing. Wednesdays it’s line dancing. And on Saturdays, salsa takes the floor. Live bands are featured several days a week, including during Sunday brunch.
   
The restaurant serves small plates featuring prime steaks, seafood and chicken, and a long list of side dishes and appetizers – all prepared fresh daily in the 210 kitchen. And, of course, a full bar serves everything from beer and wine to specialty cocktails.
   
“It’s a place where people can go and dine and dance earlier in the day instead of waiting until 9 or 10 p.m. to go out,” Roberts says. “So far, we’ve attracted a 35-to-65 age group, and they come in at 3 to 5 and start dancing and have dinner.”


210 Dance Steakhouse & Bar
210dance.com
• 32124 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano,
949.661.9800
• Hours: Monday through Saturday, 2 to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.