Club La Vela in Panama City, FL

Club La Vela in Panama City, FL promotes itself as the largest nightclub in America. It also proudly claims to be one of the trendiest and most respected nightclubs in the world.

Each year the Club La Vela adds new theme rooms. Theme rooms are varied, each with its unique feel and atmosphere and audience.

The club was designed and built in 1984 by German Architect Alois O. Pfeffer and initially opened up as La Vela Beach Club and Concert Hall.

In 1984 the club only consisted of what is today called the Thunderdome. Today's Thunderdome is an enormous, multi-level room with stainless steel dance floors, plush seating areas, and a high-tech light show. There are also balconies and elevated cages.

Club La Vela started out small and now has a capacity for over 6,000 people at one time. In 1991 the club received its current name and started to market to a younger and more mobile clientele. From 1996 to 1998, the club was the official headquarters of MTV Spring Break.

Types of theme rooms in Club La Vela include ones dedicated to techno-music like Underground, Nightgallery, and Galaxy Room. There's the PussyKat Lounge where movie stars go. The Skybar room is great for those who love 1970s disco.

The Concert Coliseum theme room holds 3,000 people and has hosted live performances from the Goo-Goo Dolls, OutKast, Lords of Acid and Ludacris.

There's the Darkroom especially for teenagers under 18. No ID is required to enter this room.

Club La Vela has a huge tropical swimming pool that's popular during the day. It's also the site of the club's Wet T-shirt, Sexy Bikini and Male Hard Body Contests.