Cover Story: High-rollers and beautiful people

Lava
57 13th St., 404-873-4202

Service to humanity: Just-opened hot spot for hip singles

What it takes to get in: $10 cover

Decorating scheme: Mood indigo: cool, blue spaces deliver laid-back South Beach feel

Fashions torn from the pages of: Glamour, FHM

Preferred poison: Mojitos, $8

Age range: Late-twentysomethings dominate

Male/female ratio: 4:1

Sartorial survey: BCBG dresses, sequined halters, ?tight-fitting Ts; no jeans or sneakers

Reason to avoid bathroom: Unisex bathrooms and an absent-minded attendant results in full exposure to the opposite sex

Music: House

Coming from: Spice, Cherry, Bluepointe

Going to: Riviera, Backstreet, ten27

Martini Club
1140 Crescent Ave., 404-873-0794

Service to humanity: Bustling lounge targeting upwardly mobile African-Americans

Age range: 30 and up

Male/female ratio: 3:1

Decorating scheme: Plush velvet sofas and leopard-print chairs

Sartorial survey: Crayola-bright Bebe halters, booty-hugging jersey knit skirts, silk shirts

Fashions torn from pages of: GQ, Essence

Preferred poison: Chocolate Ecstasy, $9.50

What you need to get laid: The letters VP, CPA, Ph.D. or D.A.

Something in the air: Smoke from Cuban cigars

Music: House and live jazz

Coming from: South City Kitchen or house party

Going to: Kaya, Shark Bar

The Velvet Room
1021 Peachtree St., 404-876-6275

Service to humanity: Provides venue to show off gym work

What it takes to get in: $10 cover

Prime attractions: Strings of girls holding hands on the way ?to the bathroom

Fashions most likely to appear in: Maxim, Gear, Victoria’s Secret

Sartorial survey: Tube tops, short skirts, pleather pants, muscle shirts

Preferred poison: Red Bull and Absolute, $10

What you need to get laid: Some way to get noticed among the freaks and exhibitionists

Cleavage quotient: Off the chart

Music: Aggressive house

Coming from: Cherry, Spice

Going to: Lava, Riviera, Backstreet

LavSambuca Jazz Cafe
3102 Piedmont Road, 404-237-5299

Service to humanity: Expansive yet intimate watering hole for jazz-loving adults

What it takes to get in: $10 cover or dinner reservations

Fashions most likely to appear in: Esquire, Bazaar

Preferred poison: Green apple martini, $8

What you need to get laid: Successful career, mature outlook

Sartorial survey: Double-breasted suits with open collars, Iceberg sweaters

Male/Female ratio: 1:1

Age range: 30s to 50s

Music: Live jazz combo

Coming from: Office tower

Going to: Havana Club, Beluga??