The 'In' Keepers

Don't carry so many things in your pockets. . . . Lots of people carry more than one cellphone -- sometimes three! I gotta wonder what kind of business these people are running. Some of these guys are truly pimpin'.

What kind of behavior gets on your nerves inside the club?

Play fighting. Don't do that. The other night, one woman was screaming at the top of her lungs, and I could hear her. And you know how strong the speakers are in the club! I could see that she was just joking around, but if you seem like you're in danger, that's a false alarm for us. I have to assume that you might be in trouble.

Any other advice for customers?

Music can dictate emotions, and when the music gets too rowdy, emotions can lead to action. Don't take it literally. Make love, not hate -- that's the agenda for the club.

4103 Baltimore Ave., Bladensburg, 301-927-1056. http://www.crossroadsclub.com/ .

JEFF MOZINGO, 38, Clarendon Grill

It might seem pretty tame at lunchtime, but the Clarendon Grill can get rowdy by night. Local DJs, live bands, open-mike performers and stand-up comedians draw lively crowds to this Arlington nightspot.

You almost always have a line on weekends. Are people good sports about it?

We get some people cussing under their breath. And usually, if they're in earshot, those people are going to be standing in line for a while. But, overall, the people who come here are pretty good people.

Does anyone ever try to slip you money?

The money thing, people try to do that quite often. "Let me and my five friends in -- here's 20 bucks." The cover is five bucks, man!

How about name dropping?

I don't do the name game. That's too L.A. or New York. This is the suburbs of D.C. Just stand in line for five minutes.

What makes for a good day on the job?

People acting like adults. Some of our patrons are just out of college, but they need to understand that they're adults now. It's a good day when nobody gets thrown out, nobody gets in a fight, nobody's throwing up in the corner.

What does it take to get thrown out?

Trying to pour your own beer. That'll get you kicked out quick. If punches are thrown, that's an automatic ejection. Another problem: ladies in the men's room and men in the ladies' room.

What do you want your patrons to know?

Hug a door guy. I've got no problems taking a hug.

1101 N. Highland St., Arlington. 703-524-7455. http://www.cgrill.com/ .

GARRY WRIGHT, 23, Fly Lounge

Washington's clubbing elite weren't the first to take notice when Fly Lounge opened in the spring. The uber-trendy, aviation-themed Dupont Circle nightclub was featured in such magazines as Vibe and Details before the party even left the runway. Since then, Fly has become the hottest ticket in town.

How did you get started in this business?

My brother ran security at Club U back in the day, so the club has always been in the family. All of my cousins worked in clubs.

And that's how you learned the ropes?

No, you learn it by doing it. You can't teach it. There are so many aspects to doing security, especially nowadays. You used to have to be a burly, mean-looking [person]. Now people want a representative of the club -- a clean-cut, well-spoken, nice person who knows what the hell they're doing. It's like customer service.

Fly is probably the most exclusive nightspot in D.C. right now. What's the clientele like?

It's a high-end crowd. We pick and choose based upon the look we're trying to get in here. We'll have up to 70 people standing outside. . . . It gets real stressful.

What are you looking for at the door?

The first thing I look for is a good attitude. If I see a couple good-looking guys, clean-cut, well dressed, I'll say, "Hold on for a second." Based on your reaction to that, you'll get in or you won't. A good reaction is, "All right, cool" or "Take your time." But we hear people bitch and moan all night.

What was your worst night on the job?

Maybe my second or third weekend, we had two fights, back-to-back. I tried to help this guy out, and he turned around and started to choke me. I proceeded to carry [him] out, and he didn't want to leave. He's grabbing the [stairway] railing, his girlfriend tore my shirt and my pants. And as soon as we got done with that, another fight sparked up in the back. That's why we have a dress code: You're less likely to get in a tussle if you're dressed nicely than if you're dressed in a T-shirt, jeans and some tennis shoes.

Does the crowd outside ever get that ugly?

I've had people try to fight me. I've had people open the ropes and run in. I've had people tell me, "You're gonna let me in." And this is my biggest pet peeve: [when they ask] "Do you know who I am?" Honestly, you should never have to ask me that question. If I did, you wouldn't be on the other side of the rope!

Do people ever slip you money ?

That's the beauty of working the door. But you gotta be careful, because there's a thin line between shaking somebody down and accepting money. They might be the owner's friend, the owner's neighbor. Most guys ask, "What can I do?" And I ask them, "What can you do? We don't charge a cover, but how much you feel like giving?" If they name their price, it sounds good to me and we have space . . . ? "Let me see your ID." Club owners know what goes on. A lot of people when they leave, they'll hit you up, too -- with 20, 50, sometimes 100 dollars.

Wow. What's the most you've ever been offered?

The other night this guy offered me a thousand dollars to get into the club. We call that doorman love!

1802 Jefferson Pl. NW. 202-828-4433. http://%20www.flyloungedc.com./ Interviews by Chris Richards · Photos by Sora DeVore