Tracy Kovalench
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jul 31/98) - He's the man bar patrons look up to every Friday and Saturday night.

From a step above the sidewalk, Mitch Maher guards the Gallery's doors against an onslaught of beer-drinkers and bootie-shakers eagerly awaiting their chance to pass through the music-throbbing threshold.

For the man with the power of selective admittance, name-calling becomes a regular part of his profession. "It usually goes in one ear and out the other," says Maher, who can shrug off all but one.

There are too many negative attitudes attached to the term "bouncer," says Maher, who prefers the title of floor supervisor, security chief or doorman.

Superman might also be added to Maher's list as of last Thursday night. Flying from the top of a pool table, Maher took down the six instigators of a 20- to 30-man brawl inside the bar.

Although Maher pounder may occasionally throw around his 300-plus pounds, he claims social satisfaction as his main drive. "I'm a people person," says Maher. "I try to make everybody feel welcome."

Breaking the monotony of the midnight lineup, Maher periodically plays games with the crowd. Line-hoppers may be all the guys or all the gals, depending on the evening. He has also been know to lift the chain for those who come up with the No. 1 reason to squeeze through Maher's crossed arms -- "I need to pee."

Working in Newfoundland bars since the age of 18, Maher moved to Yellowknife 10 years ago. He says he was surprised by the North's liquor laws, which proclaim the bar must be emptied by 2:05 a.m.

"It's not fair to anybody," says Maher, who finds it difficult to clear the place only six minutes after the bar closes.

Concerned for the public's safety, Maher would like to see the clearing time extended half an hour. It would give people a chance to move out of the bar on their own, says Maher, who finds himself pushing his patrons out every weekend.

When he's not watching over the Gallery crowd, Maher can be spotted cruising the town on his motorcycle, a 1984 Honda Shadow. A plumber-pipefitter by day, Maher will be travelling to Wha Ti, Rae Lakes and Snare Lake on a house inspection contract for the next two weeks.

In attempts to make the best of Yellowknife's fading summer days, Maher spends his time off hiking, camping, hunting and fishing. "I live for the outdoors," he says.