Area 51: The Hot Spot, a new restaurant and club, has opened in the Village Square Mall in Effingham. Owners and operators Steve Linton, 25, and Brian Price, 29, opened Area 51: The Hot Spot March 20 and expanded on April 11.

As a restaurant, open every day of the week, menu items like Chicago-style pizza and specialty coffees are served. On Friday and Saturday nights, Area 51 becomes a non-alcoholic dance club starting at 9 p.m. The club features a newly expanded dance floor as well as a light show and DJ Terry Hopper to complete the dance atmosphere.

“We wanted to have a place for everybody,” Linton said. “We felt like a place

like this would give kids something to do.”

Linton and Price say they are also interested in booking local bands to play the club. The band Lysogenic played Area 51 on April 6, being the first band to do so. “We both want some exposure. We want it as a band, and they want it as a club,” said Corey Fellows, 19, of Lysogenic. “It’s great to have a new place to play.”

Additional features of Area 51 include pool tables, air-hockey tables and video games. Linton and Price have also constructed a “quiet room filled with couches

and books for anyone needing to study and read. Upcoming band and event information is available by calling Area 51: The Hot Spot at (217) 347-5110 or (217) 347-5639.