The Redroom Cocktail Lounge

We stopped in to the red room lounge after a failed attempt at going to front and cooper - we went and there was no bartender to be found…? ANYWAYS, that’s besides the point because the red room was SO GREAT. We went around 4 on a Monday holiday and there were a few people lounging around and having cocktails. We didn’t have anything specific in mind and when we asked the bartender Ren if there was a cocktail menu she was quick to ask if we had things we normally gravitate to. We told her what we like and she made two incredible cocktails. As more people came and went we realized she knew everyone’s names and their preferred drink without them even asking. As we talked with her, we learned that the bar was a total locals spot. It was super cool, we got to talking and she made us two more really delicious cocktails. She even provided us with a list of places to visit while in Santa Cruz and we were not disappointed with a single recommendation on her list. Tip for travelers passing through, come here, talk to the bartender and get to know the lay of the land. You will not be disappointed. Thank you, Ren, for all the amazing recommendations and for welcoming us as if we were locals like the rest of the people who passed through. We had a blast!

Renali was a great bartender! (Give her a raise!! lol) Excellent atmosphere, vibes, and service. Try the "OnlyFans" drink :)

This was such an aesthetically pleasing place. Red light photos are so good here. Enough room to lounge or get cozy!

Awesome atmosphere and service.
They recommended me this awesome bourbon flight and amazing burger.

Was here for several hours and roughly around 8pm when we first showed up it was pretty slow and plenty of room to choose where to hang out, as the night went on the bar and the whole place picked up and got busy. There was a DJ and dance floor, playing solid music, the bartenders were pleasant and nice too. The overall atmosphere of this place was relaxed, you could either be chilling on the couches and vibing or you could be on the dance floor getting down. Definitely a pretty cool place to check out if you're going out in SC.

literally the best place ever. Laura, the bartender, made me feel so special on my birthday. i think I might be in love. if you’re looking for an evening filled with appreciation and unconditional love, Laura is your girl. I will be back. wait for me, Laura.

I mistakenly reviewed the downstairs lounge when meaning to review the upstairs restaurant, my apologies! The upstairs restaurant leaves much to be desired, but the downstairs lounge is a great place to grab a drink! Updating this review to reflect that! Cocktail lounge gets 5 stars from me.

I stopped by for the first time a few weeks ago and had a blast. The environment is inclusive and very diverse. Music is eclectic and the bartenders are outvof this world fun and outgoing.

If your looking for a spot to let your hair down or meet new people this is the spot for you.

If you're visiting I encourage you not to leave Santa Cruz until you have stopped by.

Fun, local place. Speedy bartenders who are as nice to tourists as they are to their regulars. A pretty mixed and friendly crowd. Great people-watching.

A great place to unwind and have a beer after work. The bar tenders are always friendly and great to converse with. This place usually stays pretty mellow in the afternoon but picks up quickly in the evening. There's plenty of seating and the bathrooms are always clean. Plus the red lighting is really cool and easy on the eyes. Best prices in town.

Awesome atmosphere. The bartender (woman) was a gem and my drink was strong and awesome just like her I'm sure. It's definitely red and has that speakeasy feel. 11/10 would get drunk here.

Great ambience. Loved the upstairs bar with friendly staff and good drinks. Be sure to lounge in one of their many couches and the big fireplace. Staff was very good at picking up empty glasses. Able to hold conversations even with music playing.

Downstairs is a great, mellow bar and lounge, a great respite from the thumpy, house rap music all over Santa Cruz. You heard if EDM Santa Cruz? Yeah, nah? Nice, friendly bartenders, very low key, relaxing vibe, and good beers on tap

We had two cocktails. Can't complain however the guy making them was new, he made them well but he and another staff member stuck straws in our drinks to taste them. My husband was not impressed at all and we didn't have a second drink there because of this. Still 5 star as the service is good.

Great cocktail and great vibes! The bartender really knows how to make a well balanced cocktail. Highly recommend if you are in the Santa Cruz area.

One of the coolest bars in Santa Cruz! Their red lightning aesthetic isn't my favorite thing, but they make solid drinks, the bartenders are friendly, and there's always a good atmosphere. If you're looking to go for drinks in SC, definitely give this place a try!

There are actually two different places that are being reviewed here. They're both in the same building, are similarly named and themed, and even locals often confuse them. A couple of years ago it might not have made much of a difference since both were under the same ownership, but one of them has since been sold so they need to be kept distinct.

Both places are in the old Santa Cruz Hotel, the oldest building still standing downtown, at the corner of Cedar and Locust St. The Redroom Cocktail Lounge is on the ground floor, with its entrance on Cedar. It's a divey sort of bar popular with locals. The Red Restaurant and Bar is upstairs with its entrance on Locust, and is favored by the college crowd.

Photos and reviews you'll see here of a place with faux-leather padding on a curved bar with similarly padded barstools are of the Redroom. But if it has a fireplace, upholstered furniture, and food, that's the Red Restaurant.

Both are great in their own way, but if you step into the Redroom expecting to get a meal you'll be disappointed.

Fire place and comfortable seating provides a comfortable atmosphere.

Everything red!! Best cocktails in Santa Cruz and awesome beer selection. Atmosphere can't be beat either.

Nice upstairs club, Its a bit Red hahaha!!🤣🤣🤣🤣 No T shirts on the weekends! Very strick security, management runs a tight ship upstairs! Downstairs was an older crowd relaxed place also good service from bartending staff. Well the ladies made stronger drinks!