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Ever had a doorman tell you and your friends, "Sorry, guys, the club is full? " Well, we hate to be the ones to tell you this, but that's just a nice way of saying, "You're not quite hot enough to get in here." Yep. It sucks.

It's occupational code-speak, ­doorman-ese if you will, and a good one can recite it at the drop of a dime, with only the slightest hint of condescension in his voice. A great doorman, however, like Citizen Lounge's (4606 Washington) Louis Cavazos, can say it with the unassuming confidence of a seasoned grifter, blatantly mocking a guy right in his less-than-Clooney-esque face and making him think — for just a second — "Hmmm...You know what, maybe the club is full."

Cavazos effortlessly spouts all the typical doorman rhetoric, but with his defined jaw line and totally dreamy gray-green eyes, he's slick enough to do so in a manner that makes you briefly forget you just wasted $8 on valet parking.

"You're not in compliance with the dress code," "Are you here with a party?" and "Try coming back after midnight" are among his most trusted phrases, and in the few short weeks the lounge has been open, he's used them all, doing his part to ensure that Citizen Lounge establishes itself as one of the more selective Heights haunts.

"We've turned away more people than we've let in," confirms bar manager Lamar Wilkinson between serving 16-year-old Macallan Scotches ($12) and Raz-Me shots ($10). "We're trying to attract an upscale crowd, people that don't flinch when you tell them drink prices."

Moneyed clientele aside, what of the early whispers that Citizen Lounge only allows the pretty people inside?

"[We] don't do it as blatantly as other places," says owner Bobby Rodriguez, "but sometimes you gotta play the part and turn people away. But you know what happens? Those same people come back again, and next time they're dressed better."

So then you let them in?

"Well..."

Built from the ground up, Citizen is the newest venture offered up by Bobby and his brother, general manager Aaron Rodriguez. Most recently of Hue (202 Tuam) fame, the duo has more than 15 years of experience in the nightclub business, spanning five different lounges, and are now applying their successful Midtown mantra of "Spend big early, sell bigger later" to the Heights's fertile nightlife soil.

"The clubs in Midtown don't like each other, really," says Bobby. "There's 12 clubs in just six blocks or something. It's very competitive and becoming redundant. This area is going to be the new Midtown, nightlifewise."

Rodriguez definitely knows whereof he speaks, as Citizen Lounge is replete with all kinds of custom-made doohickeys. The stone walls, leather lounge furniture, large plank patio, wooden trim work and huge 1960s-mod-style chandeliers were all made specifically for the dimly lit ­dwelling.

It seems the only things that weren't custom-made were the bar's Web site and sign, but only because neither exists. So far Citizen has been relying on word-of-mouth to attract its coveted Young Professional demographic, and it's worked. Since its soft opening January 20 and official launch February 8, DJs Jason Hilbert and Seduction have spun their house-y, hip-hop-free, feel-good sounds for packed houses.

"It's a good pre-club drinking place to meet up with a group of people," believes former Houston Texans defensive end Bryce Wyatt. Still in impressive football shape, Wyatt now works in the heavy industrial equipment industry ­— lifting it, we presume.

Considering a majority of the floor space is taken up by reservable tables (minimum purchase of one $200-$300 bottle required), two elevated VIP booths (minimum two bottles) and a lengthy bar, Citizen is intent on being the kid at the prom too cool to do anything but act like he's not acting cool. So should you show up expecting not to worry about being awesome or, heavens to Betsy, dance, you can expect about the same reception Kevin Bacon got from the townsfolk in Footloose.

"Too many places call themselves a lounge, and then you go there and everyone is dancing around," says Bobby. "This is an actual lounge. People can come in, socialize, network and hang out with some professional people in a warm, inviting atmosphere."

That is, if they can get in.

Write Your Comment show comments (18)

  1. These guys are funny. I was going to do them for a barhop thing, but then the valet guy asked me for $10.00 after I had already parked my own car. I laughed in his face and walked away.

    Comment by Bill Olive — February 20, 2008 @ 11:16AM

  2. I have to say that the place lives up to its reputaion...It is a upscale lounge.

    Comment by Mike Grey — February 22, 2008 @ 11:29AM

  3. These guys crack me up. The only reason they left midtown is because they could not get anyone to come to HUE. What a bunch of losers. We only let the pretty people in, what a bunch of crap the Elephant man could walk in if he wanted to. This is such a publicity stunt since The Drake is kicking their ass in the bar scene. Louis Cavazos what a tool, yeah I am the door man and you can’t come in to my little club, so go home now. Still a doorman since it’s the only way he can pick up women, “date me and I will let you into my little bar”. A real business man would not just have 15 years experience, they would have 15 bars. Get a life guys. Your little bar will be closed in one year just like HUE.

    Comment by Mike — February 23, 2008 @ 04:47PM

  4. This place is terrible. The door guy is a putz. The fact of the matter is that Houston is not LA or Miami. You have so many posers in this city that think that they are some rock star. Cheese cheese cheese is what this place is.

    Comment by James — February 27, 2008 @ 08:01AM

  5. Who cares how much valet parketing or drinks costs??

    but this bar is in a CRAPPY SHOPPING CENTER
    if you think this is UPSCALE, you obviously don't know what the word means

    Comment by Amy Rains — March 9, 2008 @ 11:00AM

  6. While entering this POS place, the male doorman straight up hit on me. And I'm a guy. And I was with 3 girls. See what that tells you.

    Comment by Ron Kane — March 9, 2008 @ 03:19PM

  7. See also:
    http://www.104krbe.com/krbe_entertainment/nightlife/clubs.asp and
    http://houstonist.com/2008/03/09/citizen_lounge.php

    Comment by takeshi — March 10, 2008 @ 05:22PM

  8. im not sure why everyone has such a problem with this place and the owners!? My friends and i go all the time and have become regulars of Citizen! i cant say that i believe they are racist either bc i saw people there that were not white, not to mention the owners themselves arent white!! im sure they are trying to keep a standard of what they let in... what club doesnt do that? they want a crowd thats beautiful and successful and they arent afraid to let people know thats what they want.... instead of criticizing them just because you probably couldnt get in, maybe you should just realize you didnt meet the criteria and the door guys.... are just doing their job.

    Comment by Shannon — March 23, 2008 @ 09:11PM

  9. I was there on a UFC Fight Night, not an Affiction shirt in sight!

    Nice one "Citizen", keep it up.

    Aussie Dan

    Comment by Aussie Dan — March 30, 2008 @ 11:22AM

  10. This was my first visit to Citizen Lounge and I was not impressed to say the least. Not only was the place too small inside but they serve all their drinks in these pansy looking glasses that are designed for fruity drinks. One of the bartenders boobs are ridiculously fake and huge. I mean this is supposed to be an upscale lounge, right? After being there for about 15 minutes, I discovered that the door man didn't let my friends in. The place was empty and was screaming for attention. After that, we left. Never will I visit Citizen Lounge again. I give it three months, tops.

    Comment by Melissa — April 1, 2008 @ 08:55PM

  11. This place is a joke!! First of all, Citizens Lounge lacks architectural design compared to other bars and clubs in the Washington Avenue area. It's located at a shopping center with plain beige stucco and it's almost as hideous from the outside as Club Hue. At least The Social and The Drake occupy historic buildings that have character...Isn't that what The Old Sixth Ward and the Washington area about?

    I went there this weekend and after about 30 minutes of having a round of drinks with friends, we decided it was time to go!! We were expecting more people to show, but that was not the case. It almost felt like we were at a trendy, but empty hotel lounge.

    The brilliant owners should pay their ridiculously delinquent light bill from Club Hue and should also consider taking some management courses.

    "We've turned away more people than we've let in," confirms bar manager Lamar Wilkinson. Hmmmm….15 years of experience??? Doesn't seem like it....

    Comment by Anthony Peterson — April 1, 2008 @ 10:20PM

  12. I have never been more disrespected in my entire life. My fiancee and I arrived at the door of the club with another couple and we were told that we could not come in because we did not have "the look." When I asked him what the look was, he would not tell me. I lived in Houston the majority of my life and have attended many "upscale" lounges and clubs, and believe me, we were dressed very appropriately. I could understand if I was wearing tennis shoes or a tee shirt, and I could understand if I had arrived with a group of guys. However, my group was made up of two guys and two girls. I could understand if my friend and I had been denied entrance, but no bouncer has the right to deny two girls entrance into the club, especially two classy, well-dressed girls. I told the guy that he had no class and that this lounge would not be around for very long. So what is "the look?" It obviously had nothing to do with the way that we were dressed. The sad part is that the owners of this place are Latino. How shameful. Absolutely no class.

    Comment by Xavier — April 6, 2008 @ 09:03PM

  13. I am sorry, I agree with all the other commenters on every point but I need to make one on my own. I have enjoyed the music at Citizen (and not much else) three or four times now. The crowd is mediocre at its best. These people are on some sort of power trip thinking they only let 'beautiful' people in or they just have some ridiculously low standards for beautiful. I know this sounds horrible but they need to get a grip on reality.

    Comment by Tish — April 7, 2008 @ 06:14PM

  14. Citizen Lounge is a joke. I've been to lounges/clubs in Miami, New York, and LA. They kick Citizen's azzzz. Bunch of morons, standing there telling folks they can't get in cause they supposedly not good enough. Well those idiots don't realize that stuff gets old and word gets around. Eventually, it's bad for business and those idiots are gonna find out that just cause people don't look like they stepped out of a magazine, those same folks are successful and they got plenty of money to spend. It just ain't gonna be at Citizen. I got in but let me tell everyone who reads this post. Citizen is NOT ALL THAT. Go spend your money in a more happening place.

    Comment by Louis — April 14, 2008 @ 01:00PM

  15. I do contract work and travel nationwide and have been to various clubs and lounges. I was really interested to read reviews on this new lounge in Houston but I will not be part of any 'lounge' that discriminates. 11/12 reviews have some statement about not looking 'good enough'on citysearch.If there is a dress code.. post it but the idea of who is attractive and has a certain look is subjective. This is similar to segregation... There was a law making that legal at one time too. Keep that in mind when you talk about the 'pretty' people adn the right to refuse service... Wonder what the height weight requirement is.. Ridiculous. I will never go there

    Comment by Summer — April 24, 2008 @ 07:21PM

  16. What a joke!! The biggest joke of all is the "owner/con-man" Bobby Rodriguez. Do not waste your time of this place or these people. In addition, the definition of upscale is relating to, being, or appealing to affluent consumers; also: of a superior quality. Citizen and it's "crew" have failed to provide anything even close to an upscale lounge. Try again Bobby, unless you end up in jail.

    Comment by HotHoustonBarbie — April 25, 2008 @ 09:24AM

  17. Glad to see that i am not the only one who thinks citizen is a BIG F&$#&N JOKE. We spent money to open a bar and wont let anybody in. What a bunch of dumb asses.

    Lets see what we have learned over 15 years in the business.

    1. $100.000 + to open new bar
    2. 5 year lease
    3. hire Dumab doorman and not let anybody in
    3. Piss off all of sustomers by telling them there not good enough to give you money
    4. Hire illegal valet guy to charge your $10. to park and they dont pay taxes and probably have fake insurance papers. (check contents of car if you valet)
    5. after reading bad reviews, do absolutly nothing to change your ways (dumb ass)
    6. Dont worry if you dont make it, since it is dumb ass invertors money (probably the only people able to get in this skank place)
    7. Sell bar to dumbass in one year, take off with money
    8. open new bar 6 months later, and do the same exact crap
    9. Oh and drive around in a lease car to show how cool you are

    Bobby, you are a joke, you did not make it at Hue and you will not make it here.

    Comment by Mike — May 10, 2008 @ 08:17AM

  18. We went out to citizen with some girlfriends and here is what happened. First of all the psycho doorman started hitting on us, ohhh what a creep. then when we were inside and had a few drinks, i guess soem guy named bobby started hitting on us. I guess he thought he was all that, but just another creep that bought us drinks. Can we go to a club where there are no psycho owners or doormen.

    Comment by Susan — May 10, 2008 @ 08:21AM

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