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I don't get a tremendous amount of e-mail from readers, but one out of every three is an out-of-towner curious as to whether or not Michael's is still in business and if its replacement is worth visiting. Before I even got into the business of nightlife reviews, one place I always heard stories about was Michael's on Kingston Pike. Judging from the e-mail, apparently they did something right.

In its place now is Purada, a flashy nightclub that I gather is in the same vein as its predecessor. I don't tend to visit too many nightclubs, mostly due to the fact that most club music burns my ears. But on my first visit to Purada recently, I was pleasantly surprised.

Purada is split into two separate entities: the hip nightclub and the more relaxed sushi bar, The Fish Bowl. We went inside the nightclub portion and found a table. The club is huge, with plenty of seating around the wall, at the bar and inside the V.I.P. area. If you can't find anywhere to sit in the front area, you can move on to the back where there are more tables and another full-service bar.

Between the two bars is the dance floor, fully equipped with an array of lights, strobes and, of course, a disco ball to inspire you to dance the night away.

Behind the second bar is another gigantic room with several pool tables and arcade games for those not looking to break it down on the dance floor. The crowd wasn't too heavy for "Monday Madness" when I went, leaving the dance floor and game room mostly empty.

Speaking of "Monday Madness," Purada has one of the best specials I've come across in a while. On Mondays all sushi is half-price and sake bombs are only a dollar. Not to be left out, domestic bottles like Coors Light and Miller Lite are only a dollar as well.

I ordered two rolls (16 pieces) and two Coors Lights and made it out of Purada spending a little more than $8. The sushi was some of the best I've had recently. Not only were the pieces huge, but also well prepared and full of flavor. Even on nonspecial nights the sushi is still well worth the average $6 per roll.

Other events at Purada include a nurse/doctor discount night on Thursday. Wear your scrubs or ID badge and receive a few discounts, including $2 Miller Lite.

The Miss Caribbean Tan Model search will be going on during August, which sounds like a good time for everyone involved.

The service was quick and friendly when we first got there, but once the crowd picked up we were mostly forgotten about, waiting nearly 20 minutes for our server to come back with our checks. This was easy to overlook, however, between the prices and the delicious sushi.

While Purada might not be the kind of place I would hang out regularly, I had a great time and got to enjoy some delicious food. If clubbing is your thing, Purada is certainly worth checking out.