The Red Room Cocktail Lounge
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 5:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
Fri-Sat 5:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
Sun 7:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: No
- Parking: Street
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Best Nights: Wed, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour: Yes
- Alcohol: Full Bar
- Smoking: No
- Coat Check: No
66 reviews
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill
"I love the bartenders here, they are awesome. Props to them for not being annoyed when I asked if lumpia was still on the menu. :) OMG…" read more »
151 Reviews for The Red Room Cocktail Lounge
Bars like this is why I love SF! So random! The establishment lives up to its name and is one red room. The floor, ceiling, furniture are all red. It is very dimly lit, by petite hanging lights and small white votive candles. Had to use a table candle to look at the drink menu.
Stiff, reasonably priced drinks, a good mellow crowd, plenty of seating and a cool, unique atmosphere. The upkeep isn't the best, as part of my booth's upholstery was taped back together, but this isn't an ultra lounge and isn't in a chic neighborhood, so it's tolerable and adds to its character. This place is something you expect in an Austin Powers film, except maybe, after a couple decades of use. Which again, is not necessarily a bad thing. Great place to go and have a conversation.
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If I was an undercover zombie and had just eaten a brain and had blood all over my mouth, I might make a return visit to the Red Room to blend in so nobody would shoot me in the head or board up their windows before I had time to zombify them.
I would also come back here if I happened to turn into a giant French fry. I would want to rub garlic all over myself and dip my head into this bar and maybe hang out with a big cup of Mountain Dew.
Last case scenario would be if I had a maxi-pad malfuntion and was wearing white skinny jeans and didn't have a jacket to tie around my waist.
Since the idea of me wearing white skinny jeans is preposterous and they don't even HAVE Mountain Dew, I doubt I would ever want to come back to this bar. I guess if a zombie dragged me here and bought me drinks I would make a return visit, but just to be nice. Zombies can be so sensitive.
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CROWDED, POSH, BUT LOVELY!
We had a girlfriends night out and we all came to the Red Room. It was my first time here and not sure what to expect. It was kind of crowded but the crowd was nice. The place and music was pretty cool. I liked the decorations, the painting on the walls starring down at yah! and the big chair that can fit four people. I know the place just closed and I will miss this place.
This spot is pretty cool - it's small, but very cozy. Like the name implies, it's definitely red - everywhere. It's interesting that a place that has this kind of cool, modern decor can still be a neighborhood bar that usually attaracts a good crowd.
Like I said, this place is tiny so grab your spot early if you're looking to sit down with friends for the evening.
Every time I walk into this bar at the beginning of the night, I stumble out drunkenly much later. The drinks are so intense here, I start revealing, like every fucking secret I've never told. If I was a double-0-agent, this place would likely be my little secret hiding place, and also the place I took down the Crown of England with those loose lips of mine. Try every drink on the menu. Its worth the time, money, and return visits.
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The Red Room is the quintessential SF lounge bar. It's a good weekend party place from what I've heard from the bartenders (some of whom insist on calling me Dominic for reasons I'll never know). It seems to be more interesting during the week when the after work crowd comes in to drink and vent.
The name of the place is no misnomer. It is very red and the lighting is great for us that need a little help in the face department. People just look better in the dim red light of this place. It might be the darkest bar I frequent since the Arrow was shut down.
I heard from a friendemy that there has been a change of ownership in the place. I sincerely hope the evil Academy of Art Empire hasn't wrapped it's tentacles around this place too.
Break me off a piece of that red hue. That Red Room sure is red, rojo, pinkish, reddish, pretty red darn it! My friend lives 1/2 block up the street, so we tend to fall into the barstools here alot. It's cash only- hmmmm- oh well- ATM on site. It's nice to order 1 expensive drink off the drink list- and then some "cheap" drinks- like a vodka tonic, or straight martini. They make great "Pear" Martinis, with Absolut, that aren't outrageously expensive. The guys behind the bar range from a tall, dark, handsome, and mysterious gay man, to a punk-rocker type. They're all nice dudes and they all pour some strong drinks.
Best times to go- 6-10 pm any weeknight. Usually it's also not too crowded on Mon-Wed nights.
Viva Rojo!
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minus one star because it is cash only.
The red will mess you up! That is if the drinks don't. They were stiff (well-done!). The joint is small, but that makes it cozy. If you had a larger group of us strange ones in there with you, you may not have enjoyed it...come come....we're a jovial bunch!
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the bar is officially closed as of 5/31/08. will be opened as a new "destination bar" in the upcoming months. the red room is my first love in the city, i'll miss the good times and friends that i've met here.
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I used to be a doorman here
and when I first started it was a ton of fun
cool people cool neighborhood cool vibes cool bartenders
and bar backs now it is just a shell. Only one person
remains from it's illustrious past.
Every time I go it is empty. what a shame for a place
that have given me such fond memories.
The cool lights are all shorted out.
You can visibly tell that the upkeep is non existent.
The out side lights only say Room the Red is shorted out
What a shame that the owners want just let the place go
cause it clearly has lost it's glow
r.i.p.
The Red Room
I say still check it out if you want to go on a date and just chill
One of my most favorite bars in all of SF, they consistently had the best bartenders as well. Can't believe the news that they're closing...so f-ing sad.
I really like sitting in this place because I LOVE the red, but the drinks aren't all that great and the bartenders have never been especially nice to me, and really, what else is there to make a bar great? I'll stop here with a group of friends that wants to, maybe, but not of my own accord.
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I used to go hear in '05/'06 and was cool place. Then Academy of Art bought the building and it's often filled with a younger crowd who don't drink a whole lot and take up most of the seating.
Good: cool music sometimes. I still like the colors and ambiance.
Bad: I went a week ago and young/short bartender with faux hawk hair cut gave me an agro look and then demanded our IDs. I am 30+ and I guess he was maybe having a bad day or something. I got a very snotty vibe from him. No tip necessary. Hopefully they'll find a new bartender soon to replace the douche.
I kind of like this little place. It is right next door to my home so that's a plus. I also like the red color inside. I don't like that they don't take credit cards; it's cash only. The bartenders make strong drinks, so that's another plus. The prices weren't too bad but somehow the last round costed a dollar more then the first two...I decided to let it go because it was last call and they were a little busy (just no tip on that one). The music was good and we found out it was from the bartender's iPod, so he had good taste in music at least. We will be back because it's too darn convenient not to.
I am an interior designer. Because of this, I have a hard time enjoying myself in an establishment if I don't like the way it feels. It doesn't have to have toile wallpaper, embossed anaconda leather upholstery, or white lacquered wainscoting in order for me to appreciate it, either. I enjoy places like the 21 Club (it has charm), the McDonalds in Chicago and also the Ritz in Half Moon Bay. I like variety.
With all that said, color has power. POWER, people. Blue makes people depressed, yellow makes women chipper, and red, well red makes people horny.
It should also be known that red light plays tricks on you. Remember when you were growing up and you had the red light in your bathroom and you'd also check yourself out in the mirror and say outloud "hey hot stuff" and stuff like that? It's because red light makes you look more babish than usual (and you are already such a babe!).
The Red Room gets 2 stars knocked off because it is impossible to tell if anyone is hot in here. You could be chatting up with the ultimate "hottie" for like 2 hours and then decide to go back to his place to "watch a movie" or "see how cute his new pet fish is" or "take a ride in one of his Ferrari's" or "fuck like animals." Then you see him under the dim street light and all of the sudden he has bald spot on one side, is wearing eyeliner, and has stripes and plaid on. It's no good!
3 stars still because it actually looks cool in there and the bartenders are sweethearts.
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I can basically fall out of the steps of my apartment and be there, so it's quite convenient for a drink when the need arises. At some point, it may have been considered a dive bar by some, but it's really not. It's an okay place to meet up with a couple of friends for a rowdy drinks. I'm more of a beer and wine kind guy, but those in the know tell me their cocktails are mighty fine and potent.
Laid back bar to have a drink or two. Good and not loud background music so you can really relax and have a good time. Drinks were good and simple.
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eh, it IS a red room, so I mean, it has that going for it.
It is a nice place that is sort of tucked away in a lightly traversed area of the city...so it also has that going for it.
three hurrahs for red room!
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seriously, like Eric G. says, the place is RED.
RED everywhere... Walls, lights, bottles, seats, etc. All RED.
After a while I felt like I was in a dark room waiting to develop photos.... Hopped in here for a drink or two before bouncing else where and ended up staying for an hour. Go figure. Definitely a place to hit up next time I do a TL pub crawl.
i went here a few times back when i lived a half a block away. i can't say i ever really liked it. the decor was kinda cool, and i like red lighting, but one time i got a whiskey sour and it tasted terrible. the music usually wasn't good and it was often full of loud drunk jocks/preppy girls. so unless it's improved since then, i can't say i'd ever want to visit there again.
The sexiest place to grab a drink in the city.
Seriously, there was a couple making out for a good 15 minutes straight when we first walked into the door, perhaps it's something with the dim lighting. In any case, it is sultry.
The Red Room is great on many levels. You can have a conversation yet still hear Tribe and Stone Roses playing in the background. The bar is relatively small but if you are lucky enough to grab a booth, it is intimate without being too boring or quiet. Everything you would want in a bar is here.
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feel compelled
red
must go
red
must drink
strong cocktail
must people watch
red
red neon sign reads The
instead of The Red Room
giggle
must drink
red
stroll in looking dapper
couple making out
red
red
kitsch
fun
cool
red
feelings of
9 years of
nostalgia for this bar
red
menu
sidecar or ultimate martini
think
think
ultimate martini
red
people watch
those girls are trashed
bartenders very cool
red
mmmmmm
martini
top sheet of ice reflecting...
red
red
people watch
that couple needs to get a room
like now
i always liked those barstools
oh lord these olives are good
red
oh wow
those drunk girls are flashing boobs
while they take pictures
sip martini
red
people watch
three men and a...
think
three men and a...
maybe
people watch
yes indeed...
three men and a tranny
sip martini
red
wow that second olive was good too
no
don't make eye contact with the tranny
fuck!
people watch
sip
red
mmmmm
martini
red
one drink is
more than enough
at
the
red
room
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I like red. I like lots of things that come in the color red; roses, wine, ladybugs, fire trucks, mars, Hello Kitty (the old school one, not that crazy ass stupid pink sad excuse for Hello Kitty they have come out with now), sunsets, cherries and oodles of other stuff.
I do not, however, like this bar. It is too damn red. EVERYTHING is red, which makes people aggressive. Especially the men who hang out here. Which makes me want to get away from them, but I cant because everything is it is all crammed into a little bitty space that makes you want to cut yourself because it is so claustrophobic. Which would mean you would be bleeding all over their red bar and red benches with fancy red drinks where everyone looks red because even the damn lights are red.
Since blood is not on the list of red things I like I will be skipping this place in the future.
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for histories sake alone it gets its 5 stars. i mean personal history, mine and others. seriously, the red room is and always will be my all time favourite. o.k. it's out of favor with the owner (the amber guy); lots of things are not working anymore, neon, halogen, etc; the bartenders are now not only female; the music is not solely lounge. another drawback are the limited hours.
but what really, really, really sucks is the damn' academy of farts.... bloody greedy bitch.....
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I've only been there once on a Wednesday night, so I'm not sure if it's different on other nights, but every seating area had a Reserved card on it. There was a pretty large group of us, about 25 people, and we all had to just stand in the middle of the room. The bar area was full and all you saw were empty couches with people standing around because there was no where else to sit.
It may have been busy because of it being the day after Christmas, but you'd think they're be some areas that are left open for walk-ins. The staff was nice enough to allow us to have one small seating area, where 3 possibly 4 people could sit.
The place itself does suits it's name. Everything is red. The pictures of people on the wall, are a little eerie because they move. It reminded a lot of us of the haunted house in Disneyland.
I didn't stay very long because I got tired of standing. But I think I'd give it a second chance as a place to stop by if I'm shopping in the city, and have a couple of drinks. Definitely with a smaller group of people.
End of the Perfect Date:
Go for the Mojito's stay for the crowd of art school students. You won't know anyone here and that's a good thing sometime.
Have a nice night.
A nice little bar; blink and you might miss it. Dim red (duh) lighting everywhere and some nice leather furniture. Played some pretty good music, too. Good prices. Apparently they might make some nice drinks here too -- I can't confirm or deny that, I only ordered a couple of beers.
this is not a destination spot but on more than one occasion, i have escaped other bars or people and hidden out here. also, red lighting is generally very flattering in pictures and i'm all about good lighting when i hang out with my picture whoring, i mean loving, friends.
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I wanted to give a full 5 stars because they played some good Beastie Boys songs off of Ill Communication
The bartender made my drink delicious although it is a simple drink, Raspberry Stoli and 7up.
One star taken away because the bartender was a tad douschey.
It's a nice, casual place to get a quick drink or 10 drinks.
This place is cool.
And it's ALL RED.
Bartender was nice, although that might have been because it was a Sunday at like 6 pm, but I mean, he wasn't going to judge us.
My drink was also strong.
Oh and did I mention it's ALL RED!
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It's really red. It's small. It's lounge-y. And it's extremely red. =P But I love it. It's swanky. It's simple. It's got great beats. We start our nights there and often return to end our nights there. Careful of the seats at the bar... they can be a little tricky.
excellent bar. it's gone through a few changes since I used to frequent it. Used to get beers in tall thin pilsner glasses, for instance. It is nice and cosy, red, womblike. The seating is awkward except at the table. Hm I guess any place that indoors and all red is going to be called womblike. Definitely a far cry from the Red Room in Long Beach. What is with those bottles in the bottle-wall that are not completely full of red liquid?
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The Red Room is Red. Very Red. Very, very red.
Very, very good for hiding the fact that making eye contact with the cute tall boy at the bar made me blush.
Hehehe (covers mouth as she giggles)
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This is a very good place to make out and listen in on complete strangers' conversations. Did I mention it's very very red? Seriously. This makeout station is the size of my bathroom and every square inch is dripping in red. Luckily, I like the color red. And I really like to make out. So Red Room's ok with me.
If you are claustrophobic or red's really not your color, this is probably not the place for you.
If you don't like to make out, then you shouldn't come here with me.
Drinks are strong and those in attendance don't appear to be of any particular type: last night, there was a clown with a mullet and short-sleeve button down hitting on what was clearly a midwestern tourist, a group of stoned 20-something skaters, and some striped-shirt marina strays.
If you feel like hiding from the world, this is a good place to get lost. And makeout.
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Um...this place is totally gay. Not gay in the way that elementary school kids now use to describe something "lame," but like gay as in is that Madonna I hear playing in the background? I looked and looked for a rainbow anything around, but had no luck. Apparently it's a "straight" bar. To test this, we sent the one female of the bunch, a very attractive female wearing a very short skirt to the bathroom to see how many guys would turn their heads. 25 guys in the bar, 1 turned his head.
Gay.
I liked it.
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Great place for Mojitos and all the mixed drinks are great.
yes the crowd is kinda lame but if you like getting picked up by the older ladies or just hit on by some middle aged dudes then this is the place for you. i go once in a while with some friends for a drinks really.
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Right in the heart of the tender-nob lies this small bar filled with a split personality, a nice cocktail menu (aimed at the ladies of course), and an eclectic mix of seats, barstools and benches. It's not the biggest space, so that's why I think it's interesting that they chose to go with Red. I say that the bar has a split personality due to what happens when the color red is involved. There are many psychological as well as physiological reactions that have been known to occur....and here, you are definitely surrounded. EVERYTHING is red, thus aptly named The Red Room.
Red has been shown to increase blood pressure and stimulate the adrenal glands. The stimulation of the adrenals glands helps us become strong and increases our stamina. This is a bonus if you are guy taking a girl on a date here. This happens naturally, and you don't even need to wow her with your sexual prowess. However this could backfire. While red has proven to be a color of vitality and ambition it has also been shown to be associated with anger. Sometimes red can be useful in dispelling negative thoughts, but it can also make one irritable. Just don't get angry when your lady friend can't figure out what she wants to drink, or you realize you have to hit up an ATM because it's cash only.
In the words of the late Bradley Knoll:
"Baby if ya wanna get low, baby if ya wanna get high.
It makes no sense at all, I saw red. I saw red.
One more secret lover that I shot dead."
Edit: I'm silly and forgot the most obvious part of my experience there....thanks Eric for the reminder that I ordered the Passion Fruit Mojito. Not only a delicious beverage....but Red = Passion.....point made.
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I love to travel. This is what i live for. Books like Lonely Planet are by night time reads. Every time I go to Border, I just sit in the travel section and go trough the whole LP collection. I'm at that point where I'm waiting for a new country to be found or created so I have something new to read.
Anyway, there is this amazing book by Lonely Planet, it's called The Blue List. It's basically a summary of best places in the WORLD. (which means NOT only in the USA). There are categories like 'Classic Train Trips' , 'Cities on the Rise' and 'Most History Per Square Mile'. It's very informative.
And then, there is 'Most Unusual Restaurants and Bars'.
And then (remember, this is WORLDWIDE), The Red Room is in the Top 5.
WHAT? How the freaking hell did that happen? The Red Room featured in my official list of must-do's-before-I-die? I mean, yeah, it's original, loungy, hip, cutesy, a bit aphrodisiac...but COME ON, what am I supposed to expect of the other bars on the list?
SOOO embarrassing...even thought about settling down for good and stopping by sightseeing career.
I'll forgive the staff at Lonely Planet for this mishap. But only once! I'll blame it on the fact that they were too drunk to see that there is nothing to go THAT crazy about this place. Because that's what you do there. Get drunk. That's it.
Oh, and you see red. So do I.
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Never again. okay maybe one or two more times because the bartender was really nice to me. I like nice people.
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This was our third stop of the night, and it was great fun. The place really was red, as in almost everything was completely red. But the main attraction is the music. What a strange mix it was, but all of it was great and it somehow fit together. When we came in it was Rage Against the Machine, and other than that I forget what they had, I just know it was good!
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