ED-Gilderman 32 NAME: KEITH Z. BARTENDS AT: DORRIAN'S RED HAND, 1616 2ND ...

NAME: KEITH Z.

BARTENDS AT: DORRIAN'S RED HAND, 1616 2ND AVE. (84TH ST.), 212-772-6660

FAVORITE MOVIE: "ANY COMEDY WITH ADAM SANDLER"

FAVORITE BAND: STEELY DAN

KNOWN FOR: SOUR APPLE MARTINI AND

PERSONAL FRIENDSHIPS WITH NEW YORK YANKEES

SO THESE INTERVIEWS are pretty loose. We can talk about anything. Bartending, politics, whatever comes into your head. [Laughing] Let's see. I'm a Republican. I hate Michael Moore?

[A random girl walking out of the bar says, "You're a Republican?"]

Some people know this bar because it's where the "preppie rapist"- Yeah, but we don't like to focus on that. It's also known for being around for 44 years.

But do you think people think of that when they hear the name "Dorrian's"? It doesn't even come into play anymore. Maybe back in the 80s people asked about it, but seldom now do I ever get a question about it.

You're pretty famous here because you commute from Florida every week. I own a club that's in Tampa. It's [being remodeled] right now, so I fly back and forth every week. I fly up every Monday and back to Tampa every Thursday morning.

So you and Dorrian's are-Synonymous.

Exactly. I remember getting drinks from you here years ago. I started here in '95. I think one thing they like about me is that I'm friends with a lot of the New York Yankees and New York Mets. My connections with the players on those teams brought a lot of the more visible players on those teams-the David Wellses, the Graeme Lloyds, the Derek Jeters-and that in turn snowballed into making this a Yankee bar.

So now people think of Dorrian's? as a Yankee hangout. There're Yankees in there right now.

Is there anything different you do to make them want to come here? I just try to keep it fun and low key. Some New York clubs have sort of an elitist attitude, but Dorrian's doesn't have that. It's more of a neighborhood hangout. Sons and daughters of people who came here in the 60s come here. There are even a few kids named Dorrian.

But back to the Yankees-don't people go up to them and bug them? All in all, people are pretty courteous. I think the crowd realizes this is a regular hangout, and that the players come here for a reason. And that's because it's low key. Sometimes they're a little star struck, but no one ever really steps out of line.

What about autographs? We have a no-autograph policy here. That's kind of an unwritten law. And you can understand that. These guys come here for a reason. It's because they want to feel comfortable.

And what about the poor Mets? They aren't coming by so much? [Laughing] The owners are actually more Mets fans, believe it or not. But, over the years, I've trained them to be Yankees fans.

On weekends you must see a lot of single people here. True.

What's the most common mistake you see guys making? [Laughing] Opening their mouths.

Really. Yeah. They talk too much. You put alcohol in people, and some of them get a little too friendly and aggressive.

So what should these guys be doing? Just sit back and play it low key. That's the best advice I can offer. Those guys are always more successful than the overly aggressive guys.

And what do the single ladies think of it here? This is a bar where you can feel safe, and be treated well, and there's never any kind of fights or incidents. Basically you never have to worry about anything. We don't let people get out of line; we just want them to have a good time.

How about changes over the last 10 years? Well, some people get a little older, and some people, when they tried to get in here when they were underage and it was illegal, now they can get in.

It doesn't seem to have the frat atmosphere some places on the Upper East Side are known for. Like I said, it's a great neighborhood bar with a loyal clientele.

Last question. I know you make a lot of those apple martinis. But what's your personal drink of choice? Jägermeister. Jägermeister straight up. o