EMILY CHUNG
STAFF REPORTER

In his 13 years as a doorman, the best reward Jean-Daniel "J.D." Roussel has received is the friendship of his clientele. But tomorrow night, just like Sean Penn or Christina Aguilera, he gets a chance to walk across the red carpet and, maybe, claim a shiny award of his own.

The first annual Bartender's Ball gala, tomorrow night at the Liberty Grand, will award prizes for the best in Toronto's nightlife. There are 25 categories in all, ranging from Best Dance Club and Best Lounge to Best Male and Best Female Bartender.

Celebrity presenters slated to attend include Toronto Raptor Vince Carter and Canadian Idol judge Farley Flex.

The voting, done through an online poll (at http://www.bartendersball2004.com ), is open to both industry insiders and the public, and continues until hours before the gala. Each winner will receive a glass statuette.

"I'm very excited," says Roussel, who learned on Wednesday that he is a Best Doorman nominee; in his long career, he has worked the entries at nightspots such as C Lounge, West, the Toronto Film Festival and, most recently, Ultra Supper Club.

What sets him apart from other doormen? Roussel thinks it's his rapport with the clientele.

"I know pretty much everyone by their names," he says.

He adds that he has a talent for picking out the type of people who will appreciate the work and money that goes into creating the atmosphere at Toronto's best nightclubs.

"They (club owners) know I can differentiate the `A' crowd from the `B' crowd," he says. His other work as a national sales manager for Big Star Jeans helps, he says, because his fashion knowledge gives him an eye for hip, fashionable people that club owners would like to patronize their establishments.

Roussel isn't counting on winning, though. Because voting takes place online, he thinks doormen who work at larger venues with a younger clientele have an advantage. Whether he wins or not, he is looking forward to the event.

The dinner and awards gala will be followed by an after-party with music provided by DJs including Baby Yu of the Guvernment and Kool Haus (132 Queen's Quay E.), Richard Humpty Vission and DJ Jazzy Jeff.

Both gala and after-party take place at the Liberty Grand at Exhibition Place.

The gala is sold out, but there may be tickets still available from Ticketmaster for the after-party.

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