If you’ve been to any of Hollywood’s hottest clubs in the past few years, you’ve probably seen Michael Utsinger, 28, standing outside behind the velvet rope, or chatting with his celebrity clients at tables in a dark corner.

Utsinger is one of the biggest promoters in Hollywood, and is currently promoting  Mondays at Teddy’s at the Roosevelt Hotel, Tuesdays at Hemingway’s and Fridays at the newly opened Roxbury.  

Utsinger, a Los Angeles native, not only promotes at night, but holds a day job as the president of BoxEight Studios, an arts organization in downtown Los Angeles that puts on art and fashion event year-round, including during Los Angeles fashion week.

Patch sat down with Utsinger at the pool at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel to chat about nightlife and fashion in Hollywood.

Hollywood Patch: How did you get into promoting?

Michael Utsinger: I had some friends that were in the biz, and I was going out a lot, and always just rolled with a big crew. And they were like, ‘Hey Michael, why don’t you roll with a big crew and promote for us?’ It’s been going well. That was about six years ago.

Hollywood Patch: Have you felt there have been changes to the nightlife scene in Hollywood?

Utsinger: Definitely. I think now is one of the craziest times in the club industry in terms of saturation. There’s so many people trying to promote and bring people out. I think the old school, the way I grew up, was with really tight doors, and a handful of promoters in the city only. It was a really tight group of people and other cats just weren’t let into the circle. But now that there are so many clubs opening up, owners have to expand and kind of outsource the promotions and that kind of hurts the quality of the people. So, I think there are only a few kind of niche promoters and scenes left.

Hollywood Patch: What do you think makes some nights better at certain places than others?

Utsinger: It’s really just about the people, and the space and the music. And the hospitality of it. The most important thing for me is really taking care of my people, and they have grown to expect a certain way of being treated when they come out to see me. There’s almost a networking aspect also. I like pairing guests that I invite with each other, and introducing like-minded people. You know, a model to a talented photographer. A photographer to a wonderful stylist. It’s like making a little party salad almost.

Hollywood Patch: What do you say to people who criticize Hollywood for having a very fake image?

Utsinger: I think that a lot of people who are from out of town are disenchanted by it because it is hard to figure things out. Any of my friends who move here, I tell them it takes at least a year to get settled in. From the outsider’s perspective looking into Los Angeles, I could see how people would think it’s like that. Because it is a community and you do have to know your way around and know the right kids.

Hollywood Patch: How do you deal with the stress and chaos of working in nightlife?

Utsinger: I have my core group of friends, and they get my attention. I make my rounds and check in with my friends when I can. I kind of prioritize what I need to do for the night. It’s a formula I guess. 

Hollywood Patch: What is next for you?

Utsinger: In terms of events and BoxEight, we’re going to be redesigning the studio and expanding. And in terms of nightlife, I am definitely in talks about some projects, ownership. Having my own place is kind of the progression. Marketing, branding and corporate development is kind of the current transition.

Hollywood Patch: Do you know all 3,050 of your Facebook friends?

Utsinger: [Laughs.] I would like to say almost. I’m really kinda picky about that thing. But yeah, I do.