Aqua

Not bad :)
The set up is good for multiple DJ's and different parties. Staff is friendly and security is well coordinated. No fights or drama when I was there. They bring in lots of different DJ's so it's a different mix each time. I was weary of this place from the bad reviews, but they're from 09 so something must have changed since then.

Being from SF, I had no idea what to expect from patrying in Modesto. But this place was not only an awesome venue, but the staff was beyond hospitable (they fed my crew and I even after they had closed the kitchen!) the resident DJ Sergio Solis was amazing, and the crowd just came to have a good time and party! Needless to say I will definitely make the trip back to do it all again!

My friends and I decided that we take a spin at going out in wonderful little Modesto.  Aqua was one of the places we visited.  There were about 3-4 other people waiting to get in (mind you, its a around 11 PM on a Friday night).  We're thinking "Ok... Maybe there's more people inside..."  The bouncer checks our ID... asks us to pay $5 or $10.  We managed to get a peek inside as the patrons ahead of us walked in.  It was practically DEAD.   We definitely weren't about to pay a cover to party in a dead room. We were pointed the way to the ATM because we told them we did not have cash.  Mid-way leaving towards not the ATM but another venue... one of the guys at the door said he'd "take care of us," so we were led it without having to pay. ** One star for you.

Inside, like I said, pretty much empty.  See a few girls up on one another near the wall and a few "VIP" tables with people.  Ever so slowly, a trickle of people came in...

As for the decor, DJ is perched on some black box booth on one side.  The paint for the place is black... There were two bar areas, who were mildly attentive.  Drinks were mediocre.  Not as strong as I needed them to be to be in a place like Aqua.  And pricey... $10 for a measly cocktail??  I can easily get the same for cheaper elsewhere.  

But I digress so moving along... they did have this fog machine thing right next to the bar puffing out smoke... not enough to even have the effect.  Highly doubt I will be back.

Oh, and one of the mangers or whatever he was gave me and my friend a little ticket for a free drink at the bar because he must've noticed how bored we looked.  ** One more star.