Nightlife

Kirkwall After Dark -- The most action spins around Fusion, Ayres Road (tel. 0856/873-359; www.fusionclub.biz), which lies in a restored waterfront warehouse. It was the creation of Neil Stevenson, a Kirkwall native, who is credited with bringing a renaissance to Kirkwall, which is keeping many young people at home. In the past, many of them headed for Glasgow, Edinburgh, or even London. Although Stevenson has moved on, his creation remains, booking well-known local bands. It also has a DJ booth. A Glasgow design firm restored the main floor, creating the biggest dance floor in the Orkneys, holding as many as 500 revelers. It's more intimate upstairs at the Firelounge. The doors open Thursday to Saturday (last entry at 11:45pm), shutting down between 1 and 2:30am. A cover might be assessed, depending on the night's entertainment.