Was my fav in college and now a must when I'm in Santa Cruz. The red room is pretty chill, although it does get busier on weekend nights. Friendly bartenders, ideal red everything vibes, and two rooms for seating options. read more

There are two floors! Downstairs and upstairs. Upstairs lounge is bigger with more tables and sofas for large groups. I like the red lighting throughout the whole place. It's a fun and unique vibe read more

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THE BARTENDER HERE IS TERRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! First off, everything in this bar is sticky: the chairs, the bar, the walls. No wonder everything is red, so you can't see the slime covering everything. Secondly, the bartender with the beard and glasses thinks he's cooler than a steaming pile of poo. I walked in with my girlfriend, and the bar was pretty much empty. They had three people behind the bar, but they didn't greet us for over 5 minutes. The bartender finally walked over and said, "What do you want?" I asked for a bar menu, and he said it was on the wall. I asked if there was a printed version; he said no, but I could get up walk across the long ass sticky bar and look at some half assed tiny writing on the wall that you could barely read, even if you were up close to it. Then he walked away to chat with his friends. At that point, I left. If I were the owner, I would be concerned that there is a bartender turning away business, especially when I hear the industry is struggling and alcohol sales are WAAAAAAYYYY down. Good luck. Honestly, go down the street to Ulterior; they are sooo nice!!! They actually said hi when I walked in and gave me a menu what a concept. I made sure to leave them a BIG and I mean BIG TIP!! read more

Cool bar and lounge on Cedar Street with a speakeasy-ish look and of course red lighting throughout. The venue is only one level but two rooms (it seems they may have had a second level in the past, but none as of March 2024). Lots of seats available on a Sunday night, more seats than tables, and movable. The furnishings could use some fixing though, some seats were horribly torn (probably less noticeable under the dark red lighting, and still usable I guess). Music was cool, mainly 90's hip hop playing through the speakers, songs like Warren G Regulate. The volume was ridiculously loud in the back room, so we stayed in the front and had a more comfortable experience. We got a couple standard cocktails, which had good flavor and were made well. No problems with service, and they accept credit cards. Also, no unreasonable wait times at the bar or restrooms. The crowd here was pretty laid back, everyone seemingly just having a good time. A nice chill spot to hangout late night, we definitely enjoyed ourselves. read more

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My colleagues and I had a great time here after our meal at Fusion Fare (new opening). The bar selection is pretty extensive. I asked if they had Midori sour and they did!! I ended up drinking 3 of these. So freaking good! The bartenders were chill. Drinks were quickly prepared. From the pictures, it looks dimly lit red (hence the name). We actually went during the day so there was natural lighting. The music selection was pretty diverse and vibe-y. Drinks aren't too expensive. No TVs here and great spot for hangout with friends. read more

The Redroom - Draaaaaanks - Lounges Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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For a fun night out in Santa Cruz - this is our goto place to start or end the night with. It's fun, casual, loud, great music, great crowd, great bartenders - and it won't break the bank. They have a simple cocktail menu that is affordable, but also unique. The bartenders here always make great drinks, no matter what you order. What's not to like? read more

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My girlfriend and I wanted to try the local bars/grub in the area for our little weekend get away and there was 0 hospitality from the bartender. We walked in, sat at the bar and wasn't greeted until what felt like close to 16 minutes. Once the bartender came around he was very impatient and didn't even let us thinking of a drink and decided to leave without helping us after I asked what liquor do they have in the house because we have never been there before, so he said think of what we want and left us alone for 12 minutes. When he came back I asked what whiskey did they have and he pointed at the wall of whiskey because i wanted an old fashion and said they're right there. My girlfriend said a Midori Sour and again, he was impatient and was demanding what type of liquor she wanted, so she blurted out a random liquor out of pressure and so did I. After finishing our drinked we wanted to leave, so I was trying to signal the bartender that I was ready for the check but he decided to ignore us for 26 minutes (i timed it). I work in hospitality so I understand that things can be busy but it was on a Wednesday and there were a total of 7 heads in the bar at the time and it was our second stop so that just left a bad impression on how we see how the community serve new people. If you're touring the area i wouldn't recommend coming here. read more

Walked in filming and the bartender demanded to see my phone and video I recorded. When i told her no she kicked me out. ‍

It was just ok - when we arrived we could barely walk through the bar to the restroom because people were dancing in front of the walkway and wouldn't move. It was very hard to get a drink because it was so crowded. They also had half of the venue taped off (I think it was reserved), but if it had been open we could've enjoyed the bar without feeling cramped! I do love the interior. The lighting is red and the chairs are leather and buttoned to give off moulin rouge vibes. There was a cute lady selling roses for $5. read more

The Redroom - two white roses being held by two hands - Lounges Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Me and my friend stopped in cause we like dive bars and at first everything is good, bartender seems cool and vibes seem fairly normal. Then a bartender switch happens, he's a lil more passive towards me vs my friend, kinda weird but whatever it's a divebar.. then this person next to my friend started talking to her and was trying to get us to come w him the next day. We didn't incline but we're nice and then we decided the vibes were way off and went to the women's bathroom. There we ran into a local who heard us and insisted we don't finish our drinks and to leave, especially after the guy was talking to us. We left very fast and won't be back read more

Closed and under construction?! The door was unlocked but it was a mistake! We had to struggle to get out again

Don't come here if you aren't one of their loser regulars in their clique you will get snarky attitude and an expectation of a tip after you get attitude for no reason my friend wanted a drink on the menu called genderfluid and was instantly spoken extremely rude to by a random loser sitting eavesdropping on our conversation calling us "young folk" really wierd vibes from the bartenders and people here. The place is dirty and I wouldn't be surprised if they don't have a cleaner or clean the environment at all. read more

It's a dive bar that allows dogs; you can't go wrong really. It's very small, there's an outside section in the front to have a smoke and it has a Chinese restaurant type of vibe. I don't drink, but my friends didn't complain about the beers they drank, so I guess it was okay. read more

After reading the reviews that were left pretty recently I was scared to go in honestly. But I went in and I saw a young girl (person of color) and I was relieved. Went to the bar ordered a specialty drink off of the board. The bartender was personable and fun to talk to. If I knew her name I'd put it. But she made us feel comfortable. The drinks were delicious by the way. Ended up staying two hours because we had such a good time. I think the weather made it perfect because it was honestly not busy at all. It was me and my friend in the back room. I will say the regulars are kinda weird. Especially if you're LGBTQ. I went to the bathroom which had a stall and a urinal. And I was just washing my hands and a man walks in looks me up and down and walks right out. So that was unpleasant. I'd definitely go back on another not busy night and hopefully I get the same bartender. read more

Good bartenders and good service, MONDO recommend a great tequila and I appreciated the experience!!! Ambience is super nice as well!!!! THANKS AGAIN MONDOO!!! read more

It's mid. Bartender lady was rude. Didn't get her name but she was working on Valentines. Quick to ask for our ID's but not quick to greet & ask what we wanted to drink. Drinks took forever even though it was not packed & busy Ambiance alone was pretty cool but limited seating. Don't know if I'd recommend or go again. read more

The Redroom - Lounges Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Idk if the bartender thought we were underage??? Or if our IDs were fake but I went with one of my good friends I haven't seen in a while. We both ordered drinks, she ordered a cosmo, did not taste the slightest bit of alcohol in there. Didn't see him pour any in either. I ordered a matcha cocktail that is supposed to come with vodka, he pours a mix right into a cup I taste it thinking maybe it's premixed. Not an ounce of alcohol. I asked him is there supposed to be liquor in here, he claimed that there already was in the mix.... There's no way. I know the taste of alcohol and that was a virgin drink. He offered to sell me another shot "because that's what he does for a living".... The guy with the glasses and tattoos. I've served and bartended for yearsssss I know a greedy bartender when I see one We paid, left, feeling like wtf was that about. read more

Awful experience. It looked really cool until we went to order a drink at the bar and the bartender made eye contact with us so i gave her a little wave and a smile. She then yelled at us making eye contact and then everyone else saying she doesn't have any glassware so she needs everyone to "take a beat!!" Extremely unwelcoming atmosphere. We left immediately. read more

This is cute, darkly lit (but yes also very red) bar with an old school feel. The drinks are also good and pretty cheap. Had a Hennessy sangria and a chocolate martini and loved both. The chocolate martini wasn't in the menu but the bartender whipped it up when I asked about it. -Bartender was super friendly and accommodating re special requests. Also the martini tasted like a boozy candy bar. read more

The Redroom - Chocolate martini - Lounges Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

If you are visiting the Santa Cruz area, be sure to check out this very classy, speak easy vibe bar. I love the decor, it feels like I'm in an old mansion. They have a cute fireplace and traditional Victorian style couches to lounge on. The food is really good, and great portions! I ordered the truffle fries and shrimp tacos. I highly recommend the truffle fries they were delicious and filling. The drinks aren't the best in my opinion, tasted watered down and the pricing was a bit higher for the quality of the drinks. That being said, I would still go back because I am in love with the decor and atmosphere, it's a great place to feel transported to a different century while relaxing with friends or a significant other, as it's a lovely choice for a date night. read more

The Redroom - Upstairs lounge and bar area - Lounges Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Great place to hang out with friends. Lighting and music is eclectic. Bartenders are friendly and inviting. Great place to meet locals or travelers. If your visiting and looking for a night out stop by and get a drink. read more

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Will most certainly come back again! The ambience was there, music was such a vibe, and the bartender Ms Renali made my whole night. Not only was she very knowledgeable on the cocktails and spirits but was very attentive, easy to talk to, and made me feel so comfortable. Went Monday night and had such a blast. From one bartender to another she is the standard and more! read more

The Redroom - Lounges Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

BEST COCKTAILS IN SANTA CRUZ!! And it's honestly not close. The bartenders are so nice too!

Misfits blasting, good cocktails, comfy seats .... nuff said. Mondo our bartender was amazing, from the drinks he poured to giving recommendations to us as we are from out of town the whole Experience was amazing. read more

0 stars I learned the hard way why this place is nicknamed "the roofie room" . If you are a woman, queer or a person of color, I would not recommend going here. I was with a group of co workers and we only went into this place bc one of our old co workers who recently quit had started working at the red room. I always swore up and down I'd never go there because of the reputation it has surrounding roofies, but I was with a group of 8!.. I had one drink that was brought to me and I can't remember anything after drinking it (it's important to note that Im not a lightweight.. it usually takes me 3 drinks to even feel tipsy and also I've been roofied before so I know what it feels like compared to a hangover) According to my friends, one of the guys at the bar followed us all the way to abbot square after we left. And luckily my friend had an eye on me because that guy apparently led me to the men's restroom. And by the time my friend got to me I had little clothing left on my body. I got home safe because my friend drove me. I couldn't eat or keep anything down for 3 days and I am filled with rage. If the red room has no haters it's because I'm dead. F*ck this place read more

Aesthetic, old school vibe, lowkey music. I went on a weekday with my friends so I can't attest to how it is on a busy weekend. I've seen the lines go out the door though! All of my friends enjoyed their beers and cocktails. I got Nobody's Mistress: citrus vodka, lime juice, etc. It kinda tasted like plums and was a bit strong but I liked it. Food-wise, we went late so there were only a few options for late night food. The truffle rosemary fries were bomb. My friend said his Mac and Cheese was good too. The bathroom are clean too! Everything's automated. No need to get those hands dirty! Love the vibe here. Couches are comfy and the ambiance is lovely- candles at every table. I'll definitely be back. read more

The Redroom - Nobody's Mistress - Lounges Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Fantastic ambiance, decent service and mediocre cocktails combine to make this a worthwhile Santa Cruz pit stop. We are visiting from SF and needed somewhere to wind down after a weird but yummy dinner. We walked up to someone outside having a conversation on their cell where every other word was the f bomb. It was a perfect harbinger of the vibe inside. A dark room overwhelmed by red lighting and sloppy bartenders making sloppy cocktails. Magic, imo. read more

Honestly if I could give 0 stars to this place I would. Similar to a lot of other folks who I've heard from and also seen in this review section, the bartenders are extremely rude and do not treat all customers equally or with respect. Went with a group of folks, then the bartender aggressively insisted my friends ID was fake and took it away to inspect, having us wait for quite a while. The bartender was immediately rude from the start and only returned after realizing that he was in fact wrong. As to why he was rude straight away to all of us? I don't know. But something about us being the only POC in the room may allude to the type of people they actually cater to. Do NOT go here unless you are looking for an uncomfortable & degrading experience!! #redneckroom read more

Super cool vibes. I feel like any age/ gender fits in here. My Dad and I both had a blast here, and came back multiple nights in a row. Drinks are strong and the music is good! read more

I love this place. The drinks are good and not too expensive, the service is friendly, and the ambiance is great. The interior is stylish, and the dim lighting adds to the speakeasy vibe. There is space to dance and a patio area to smoke. I'd recommend this place to someone looking for a good time. read more

Cass and Jess were the best. Thank you so much! We had so much fun!! Went out for a bachelorette party and had the best time. Great music and drinks all night long. Thank you! read more

Shady bar tenders skimming the bill: i ordered 14$ worth of drinks and they charged me 18$ they said "we were out of ingredients for the drink special you ordered" THEN when i handed them a 20$ they never gave change back and assumed a 2$ tip without asking. SHADY! First and last time ill ever go to this bar. read more

I've been going to Santa Cruz since I was a baby. Never saw this place until this summer, 2023! Went with my husband. Had so much fun! Good music! Friendly people! Nice laid back atmosphere. Cool stuff on all the walls. Will definitely hit this place up with each visit!! read more

Normally I don't have a problem with red room but today the second floor was closed by the time my friends and I got there (11:30 pm) so we went to the first floor instead. We stood at the front for about a minute or so before heading to the back sitting area. From there we sat and talked for a little before going back to the bar to order drinks. I tried to order a berry hibiscus mojito but the bartender said they don't make those (even though they make them at the second floor). I started thinking of what other drink I wanted as I proceeded to hand my ID to the bartender who asked for it. After about 3 minutes she handed back my ID letting me know I could keep it but couldn't serve me even though my ID is REAL (LEGAL) because I'm 22! Never have I had any bar or restaurant refuse to accept my ACTUAL ID!! She was also pretty rude to my friends that came with me so we all just left. Super bad customer service. I was about to have a fight with her after she had no response to me telling her that I'm actually 22 and my ID wasn't fake. Never going back to the first floor again after getting so disrespected on a non-busy Tuesday night!! read more

Wow, everything inside her is so... red. Like the name implies, this bar features a lovely red atheistic that really works. Upon walking in, it felt like I was walking into a 1920's flappers bar ready for a good time sans prohibition. My friend and I sat at the bar to chill over some drinks. I ordered a Jameson and Coke that our bartender Jesse gave a VERY generous pour, one that I only really see at small, local neighborhood bars. What's even better was that our drinks ended up being just $5 - $6 each, which is a steal. I left The Redroom ready to take on the world after so many stiff drinks that left my wallet feeling happy. I am absolutely coming back here again the next time I'm in the mood for a happy hour without restricting myself to a specific time frame. Thanks Redroom! Note: To the reviewer ten years ago that complained about not getting a free drink on your birthday, I hear Costco sells cheap spirits that you won't need to leave the house for a good time lol. read more

The bar seems chill, but the red light was definitely not for my eyes. I probably wouldn't be back just because of the lighting. My friends usually choose good bars but this one was not it lol. The service was also super slow. read more

They switch out higher priced alcohols with cheap alcohols. I had been drinking a few other places prior and ordered the same drink, a shot and a back. It tasted like nail polish remover and was definitely not the same as I drink this particular alcohol solely. This place also has a reputation with questionable practices. One star for the ambiance but nothing else. read more

The lighting is dark red, the furniture is red, kind of creepy but also very cool. I've come in here to hang out with a friend or two a few times. We usually get a drink at the bar, choose a couch, and people watch. This is as "night-clubby" as Santa Cruz gets and that's not a lot. We're never looking for a crazy night out and that's the vibe we get here, we just choose a couch and chill. Other people though will sometimes be dancing and partying it up pretty hard. It can get like that and hey, looks fun, but the moods are always all over in here. Theres other crowds who just came for a drink and mind their own business, also looks like fun. It's your regular small town bar with a hint of red. read more

As a tourist, i give this place 1 star for a couple reasons. 1) racially motivated searches - they legitimately touched every part of my husbands body, meanwhile they didn't even look at my clearly full bulky bag? 2) clearly dirty bar. it's super cute, but it smells like a dank cave and would be hesitant to order food for fear of my health. 3) service. took forever to be acknowledged for my order. read more

No stars for me - except the one I have to leave to be able to leave this review- We walked in sat down for 15 mins...not a wave, hello or nothing. Maybe they never seen someone like I... read more