Why are people at Bracco’s dancing … without music?

No, those dozens and dozens of people dancing -- minus music -- on the sandy dock deck of Bracco’s on the Nautical Mile in Freeport are not suffering from a heat-induced delirium (or a delirium caused by anything else), but are in fact taking part in a sort of party that rarely takes place on LI.

It’s called “quiet clubbing.”

In the never-ending battle between respect for a neighborhood’s residents and the need to party to bass-pounding beats, Bracco’s has taken the initiative to both supply its clientele with a late-night dance bash while simultaneously obeying local noise ordinances by enlisting the services of the Quiet Events company (quietevents.com). It rents out headphones and a transmitter to interested parties, and while the “quiet” concept is not new, Quiet Events itself only came into existence last year. A quick check of the Quiet Events website calendar reveals Bracco’s to be the only Long Island spot currently employing its services.

Using Quiet Events equipment, a party host can plug an iPod, CD player or laptop into a transmitter, allowing all present – that are wearing wirelessly connected headphones – to hear whatever musical selection is to be played. At Bracco’s, the entire DJ booth is connected during gatherings, and notable DJs such as LI’s own burgeoning star mixer Carlos Melange have already taken part.

The reaction has so far been one of general approval …and staring.

Once 11 p.m. rolls around on Fridays and Saturdays (10 p.m. on Sundays), Bracco’s shuts its speakers down, out of courtesy for the neighbors. However, the place stays open for business, and within its large courtyard – an impressive patio with sand-covered floors and tables available for bottle service, all set immediately against the Woodcleft Canal – the music at Bracco’s is still on, but only those wearing headphones can hear the mix.

The resulting scene is one where a guest can easily hold a conversation or talk on a phone, while standing among the many who have rented the earpieces for the night -- and are dancing as furiously as they were before, when the pop, dance, mash-ups, remixes and classic party tracks (that usually make up the Bracco’s playlist) were still booming from the house system (take a look at a previous event captured on YouTube HERE). The response has been very strong, and Bracco’s is seeing a large turnout for these nights.

Meanwhile, the Bracco’s space also happens to be directly next to Woodcleft Avenue, leaving passersby amusingly gawking and confused as all within eyeshot can see the club’s crowd gyrating and singing along -- in what only appears to be a music-free situation.

Age of admission is 21-and over, and headphones are $10 a night to rent (the gear is not for keeping and will not work elsewhere, making a dream of hearing “Bracco’s at home” an impossibility). There may also be an additional cover charge to enter; for more information call Bracco’s at 516-378-6575 or visit them online at facebook.com/braccos.

Bracco's on the Nautical Mile: 319 Woodcleft Ave., Freeport, 516-378-6575