GOING OUT GUIDE

A SCENE

In this city of many scenes it is difficult to categorize Chelsea Place, 147 Eighth Avenue, at 18th Street, a world of glitter along a drab thoroughfare. It does not glitter on its street side, where its entranceway is through a small prosaic-looking antiques shop. But late on a busy night, this restaurant-club fairly seethes with life, which jumps, but has difficulty circulating because of the traffic density.

Past the shop, one enters a large barroom area of flashing lights and dolce vita frenzy at night, where a pianist plays, loudly, after 8 P.M. (from 5 to 8, it is quieter). There is a dance space about large enough for one couple and, if one is persistent, a visitor may reach the restaurant in the very rear. The decor, scarcely visible the other night because of the press of people, seems to be in a modern mode. The patrons were young and loquacious and dressed to the nines, although some were in the style called casual.

For those who want something intimate here, the Alex Room upstairs is recommended. It is a dark room with mirrored walls and small tables, where one may sip drinks and listen to jazz played on piano from 9 P.M. to 4 A.M. by Alex Johnson or Nat Jones. John Parker, the house horn player, who has the role here that a strolling violinist has in milder precincts, may join in a number from one of the tables, and at other times he may plunge into the masses to accompany the downstairs pianist.

The restaurant and bar are open from noon, when it is quieter, except Saturdays and Sundays, when they start at 5. The cover, at the door, is $5, except Fridays and Saturdays, when it is $7, or Sundays, when no cover is levied. Drinks, $4. In the restaurant, main courses, $9 to $20 (no cover at all when you're dining here). RECITAL

John O' Conor, is an Irish pianist, who has been well received by critics and music lovers in Europe, where he has performed with major orchestras, including the Vienna Symphony and the Czech Philharmonic; he has also been soloist with the National Symphony in Washington.

There are those who compare him with John Field, that other great Irish pianist, born just 200 years ago, who created nocturnes before Chopin got around to them.