Red's
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
405 reviews
Excellent
330
Very good
59
Average
6
Poor
5
Terrible
5
Lois D
Phoenix, AZ8 contributions
Apr 2023
We were so looking forward to hitting Red's while we visited Clarksdale but unfortunately, it was a terrible experience. The odor of the bar hits you as soon as you enter the building. There were piles of trash all over the place. The musty & moldy smell was nearly unbearable. No one said a word to us as we sat down at one of the tables. It wasn't until the band finished playing the first song that we (and one other couple who came in after us) were told that there was a $10/person cover charge - which was fine. However, the band literally would not start another song until we threw the money in their tip bucket. The musicians were good but the lead singer was terrible. (We later learned when we were at another music venue that the singer had recently had a stroke. Felt bad for him but perhaps it was too soon for him to be performing again.) To top it all off, when one of the band members attempted to access the men's restroom, near where we were sitting, the smell about knocked me off my chair! I overheard him tell the bartender that someone had **** all over the restroom and the bartender said, "Yeah, I know. That's why I had the door blocked off so no one would go in there." WTH? When my husband returned from having a smoke outside, I told him that we were leaving. It was disgusting. We so wanted to enjoy going to Red's. We knew it was going to be a real juke joint dive but there's no reason to leave piles of trash all over the place & to not keep it sanitary for your patrons. The cold $3 bottles of beer was the only positive.
Written April 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonathan L
North Wales, UK605 contributions
Sep 2019 • Couples
Most of the superlatives have been uttered re. this place and I can only concur that it is raw & dirty( literally!!) and the real deal....it has an underlying vibe of indifference & intimidation which again gives it authenticity and edginess. As a non drinker I went stone cold sober(2 years!!) and must say a drink would made thinks a little more palatable as there were a couple of very drunk guys strutting their stuff.
Luscious Spiller & band were performing and were wonderfully rough round the edges in a Burnside kinda way!!
It was great to see the heritage sign just outside for Big Jack Johnson (The Oilman) who played my bar in the UK some 25 years ago.
Luscious Spiller & band were performing and were wonderfully rough round the edges in a Burnside kinda way!!
It was great to see the heritage sign just outside for Big Jack Johnson (The Oilman) who played my bar in the UK some 25 years ago.
Written January 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rodney P
Pagosa Springs, CO77 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
You know you are in a different kind of place before you open the door. There’s a cover and there is beer, but little else. It’s cash and carry at Red’s; no credit cards allowed. The night we were there, we were treated to a philosopher blues man who provided history lessons on blues in the Mississippi delta; good, but nothing to write home about. People came and went with ease. Red, the owner, was perched in an old barber chair watching TV the whole time - quirky. My brother had been enthusiastic about the place because he heard a child phenomenon blues guitar player there by the name of Kingfish so we were anxious to go, but Kingfish was not on the bill so our stay was through 2 sets and then we left.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
miller041
Maryland81 contributions
Aug 2022
This is a very funky cool real blues venue, we were lucky enough to come on a night that featured local bluesman Lucious Spiller. Wow WOW! ! He played for four hours with only one short break. The audience was full of young Europeans who really appreciate American blues. Reds was a great experience made so by the real blues act of Lucious . Can’t say enough good about him and the experience that he gave us at Reds.
Written August 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ilion62
Smithtown, NY151 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
“Real” blues with “Big T” and his 3 piece band and patrons dancing on the rug! Our hotel hosts suggested Reds over Groud Zero for authenticity. Place is combo of locals and tourist blues lovers. Don’t let outside or inside appearances scare you. Cash only and beer only, unless you want to bring your own. Great time , stayed for two sets, just go!
Written October 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ukulelemama
Santa Cruz, CA93 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
I admire the goal of this small venue to showcase soloists and small groups who play the blues, and I enjoyed the music I came to hear. But there is a glaring problem with this venue…it is filthy bordering on disgusting. There is so much trash laying around on the floor and counters that I expected to see rats at any moment. My husband visited the bathroom and suggested I not use it. I don’t for the life of me understand why the proprietor (Red), his friends, or the musicians don’t spend a few hours cleaning up the place.
Written April 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PaulaLee
Sioux Falls, South Dakota30 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Awful place. We walked in and sat down at a very dilapidated table. No one came over to ask us what we wanted to drink. Musician was rude to us. Everyone told us to go to Red's. Never again. Wasted $20 on cover charge. I would never recommend it to anyone.
Written February 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
brenda j
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Couples
Loved Reds! Best blues we heard all weekend, maybe ever. It's old, run down, hot and funky. You go to the bar with cash if you want a drink, then you may have to retrieve it from an ice chest. Don't expect to be catered to you. Just be respectful of the musicians and appreciate the moment. We did encounter a raccoon outside near the door but he was only interested in the trash cans. It was a great blues experience and we will be going back!
Written June 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BA M
5 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
No truer-to-its-roots blues have we ever witnessed.
We left with hearts bursting full of joy. Lucious Spiller was something to behold. A room full of good vibes. A night we'll never forget. The soul of the Delta is right here.
We left with hearts bursting full of joy. Lucious Spiller was something to behold. A room full of good vibes. A night we'll never forget. The soul of the Delta is right here.
Written July 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FloridaWiseguy
florida5 contributions
This is not Ground Zero, or a House Of Blues.. This is the real deal! Located at a cross roads at MLK BLVD. and SUNFLOWER AVE .. Reds is a old school juke jiont. Where Locals and nation wide musicians come to play, laugh, and have a great time. The owner Red, made my wife and I feel like we were home, The patrons were friendly, and the music was everything you wanted in a delta blues juke!!! Reds serves ice cold beer, and you are welcome to bring a bottle or two , (Red drinks Evan Williams), and if your lucky he is doing some cooking the night you go..(the best ribs I had, and his chicken..awsome) If your into the blues and are with in 100 miles of Clarksdale Ms do yourself a favor and go to Reds... Backed by the river, and fronted by the graveyard..
Written January 2, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What days is Red's Lounge in Clarksdale open?
Written October 22, 2023
Hi, question from the UK. Is Red's Lounge only for adults or are children allowed to visit? Thanks
Written October 1, 2019
Inside, I'd say 18+ or whatever the state drinking age is. It wasn't bad or anything, just an adult venue. And the other patrons probably aren't after a young children experience.
Written October 14, 2019
Is this a safe place for a single person, traveling alone? I really want to experience the "real deal", but, am always mindful of single traveling, especially to a bar. Thanks!
Written August 2, 2019
Yes. Cover charge was $8 when I went. You get beer or water, no soft drink that night. NO Videos or filming. Tip the band/performer.
Go there.
Written September 10, 2019
We want to stay at Shack Up Inn when visiting Clarksdale. Is there any transport into Red’s Juke Joint from there?
Written May 16, 2019
I think you will probably need a car but definitely stay at the Shack Up, it is fabulous!
Written June 10, 2019
I would say Red’s is not a place to take children. I know I wouldn’t. It’s Very small, loud music & a lot of drinking. Very much an adult bar / juke joint. I love this place but I really wouldn’t recommend it for children at all.
Written April 6, 2019
Do you know what nights Reds is open and has live music?
Thanks!!
Written April 2, 2019
You could try giving them a call. Numbers found from a google search are below...not sure which is most accurate or useful.
Phone: (662) 627-3166
A user suggested this phone
(662) 721-2462
Written April 3, 2019
Will be there next yr in May but on a Tuesday are you open and is there music
Written December 7, 2017
Agree with the other commenters -- Cat Head is the best source of information regarding Red's (and, for that matter, almost anything else regarding Clarksdale). You'll find them at cathead biz. And if you don't see what you want on their website, give Roger a call.
Written December 7, 2017
I do not know. You need to call and ask them, as things tend to change.
Written February 13, 2017
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