Red Door, The

I loved this place and miss it! But it is closed and has been for a long time now. more

I rarely get on these reviews, for I'm a person who simply does not return to the establishment if i have been repeatedly offered bad service or subpar food or drinks. but red door has a different problem. you can disagree with me but i only speak from a personal experience. i'm an asian male in my 30's. i do not wear jeans around my butt, wear a hat sideways, or whatever the prevailing stereotype of a young asian may be these days. i was denied entrance first time back in 2005, when my asian friend and i were denied for no reasons. we both work at the same restaurant. he told me one night that the door guy came into our upscale restaurant, so my buddy confronted him in the restroom. my friend was not hostile, he simply said, "dude we work in the same industry. how can you blatantly deny us?" the door guy, now apologetic told us that he has "guidelines" passed down from management. the second time, i was with a female asina friend. even though we were just co-workers, anyone would think we were on a date. different door guy lets her in and stares at my valid Texas drivers lincence and asks me if i had another ID. i would have had my US Marine Corps military ID but it was stolen in a robbery few months before. The audacity of the guy to let the girl in and deny me entrance? like we were supposed to say, ok..you have fun i'll wait outside. as i looked to my right, there were 5 asian guys standing around while, white people were ushered right in. the only times i had no trouble getting in was with my Caucasian friends. i remember i was running late and one of the i called one f the girls who knew the manager and she came out and got me in. why do i go back? cause when most of my friends pick a place, i do not like to be the party pooper esp crying racism. and when i do get in, i generally have a good time. the bartenders are friendly and i usually leave pleasant. i usually don't play the race card. and i will be the first to admit that younger asian guys do not have the best reputation in clubs (i.e. fights, shootings) but after serving this country in the Marine Coprs, it was disheartening to be a victim of blatant racism. so to all the minorities out there, excluding hot chicks, prepare ahead and make sure you come with an entourage with at least 50% caucasians, or know someone who knows someone inside. i guarantee you it increases your chances of getting in. Pros: nice atmosphere once you get in, open rooftop patio Cons: racist door douches more

love it here, door guys could use an attitude adjustment. besides the aging door guys with a crappy job, love the music and the crowd is ecstatic. Pros: great music, great crowd Cons: door guys with bad hairlines more

My husband and I went to the Red Door last night for the first time for my birthday. We had no problems getting in, but to be comprehensive in my review, I should mention that I am 5'10'' flat-footed, and was over 6 feet tall with my heels on, thin, blonde hair and was wearing a very revealing top that showed off my assets. That said, I was hoping for a more attractive crowd if entry is selective. There were attractive men, but most of the females were average. NOT ugly, but I guess I was expecting something else. My poor husband jokingly complains that he always brings the "eye candy." No big deal, though, and we will return on our next visit to Houston. The bar staff were super-friendly and the drinks were VERY reasonably priced compared to most other places. The view upstairs was quite nice and the heat lamps were certainly appreciated on a slightly chilly, windy night. It ensures that I will wear something hot again on my next visit! The bathrooms were clean, too. We chose to valet our car because it was so cheap. While it is unfortunate that some are denied entrance at the will and temperament of a door-guy (at any place), I think a proper selection of patrons is necessary to maintain the image it creates. I did see a couple of African-Americans there and they weren't very attractive and classy looking (but not trashy looking, either) and they made it in, but this statement is not to lessen the validity of others who have been denied entrance because of the color of their skin. I'm just making an observation. more

I've never had any problems getting in at this place. I'm West Indian with a very rich dark skin tone and have never been told NO. I've been allowed in completely on my own, with my boyfriend or as part of a small group. So don't be so discourage not to go because in my opinion its a great place. more

I'm not sure about this racial profiling thing. I'm a Hispanic 28 college educated female who dresses up to date & showed up with my husband (he's Anglo but I doubt that's why I was admitted in). We dont always get gussied up either. We've shown up at some in the places in the village with jeans & casual shirts 9not t-shirts though). At Red Door we were accompanying my husband's male friends who were all dressed in jeans & not Anglo, nor do they "appear" to be. So I am doubtful that one Anglo person in our 5 person party is what got us in. If gender or race were n issue I doubt 4 ethnic minorities in one group would have gotten in. It was a fun atmosphere, attractive crowd, good music. We didn't notice anyone else getting ahead of us in line either. And those are things I pay attention to. Sometimes some people can put on nice clothes but still look rough around the edges.or are just physically unattractive to the door guy. Not fair since money is money but it happens. I continue to recommend the place too. Pros: ambiance Cons: VERY crowded bar more

If you are Asian , Black or Brown, do yourself a favor and instead of spoiling your evening at the Red Door head out to any other place.....and i mean any other ........this place will give you a hard time at the door and spoil your evening all altogether...... Some users have written good reviews ( you will notice they are single girls or white) i also doubt they are real customers . If you are an extremely good looking single chick who is ready to flirt with the nit wit door man and show a little cleavage you will get right in.......but if you are a couple of color. stay away , they will turn you down for the slightest reason possible..,....the reason i was given my friend who was visiting form out of town had an out of state ID... they asked us to show an alternate ID.......i don?t know what an alternate Id would do if they don?t accept an government issues ID...........we were very well dressed.....( i have never been turned down form any of the best clubs across US except this one)....but unfortunately we are not white.....they not only tuned us down i was totally embarrassed in front of my guests. save you self some grief. ....oh did I mention a white girl standing right behind me with a Florida state ID went straight in . No questions asked. ....I also request if you are a self respecting white person, do not patronize such enterprises.-- Adding a Response to Criskel -- The Club has to have a certain number of non white people to be able to not get charged for profiling. IF you get here early you are good as they need to fill their quota, or a night when they don?t have too many colored people show up. ....(probably since they were all turned down).....you just helped them continue to save their AS* from a law suite. .......well I don?t know about rough around the edges...... i guess the very educated door man can decide that. Here?s a test just ask your boyfriend?s friends to try to get in first without you ......and you hang back and watch. Pros: None Cons: Epitome of Racial Profiling more

My friends and I never have a problem getting into Red Door and we are asian so I don't see what the deal is with all this racial profiling. I always have a good time here except for the occasional sleezy old european wanna be men hitting on us. The music is definately good although I wished the played a little more hip hop cause sometimes it gets tiring having to dance to house music. Pros: good atmosphere and crowd Cons: mix up the music a little more

Loved the atmosphere.... loved the vibe! Gorgeous people drinks were great as well. Music... great! As for discrimination.... it's a business... if they do not want you there.. then you do NOT need to be there! Who wants to go to or be in a place where you are unwanted? I'm African American, and I got in with no problems at all.... Running and opening a bar/club is difficult now keeping a club running, is even more difficult. They are obviously supporting people who support them and have a pretty decent if not affluent clientele! There is a reason that the Red Door is popular and still running strong. X PS: The view is AmAzing for Houston and the Patio is one of a kind for Houston's night life. Pros: Everything Cons: You might not gain entrance for various reasons more

I have lived in Houston for over 30 years and have never experienced such blatant discrimination as what I encountered at the Red Door (on May 30, 2008). I must wholeheartedly disagree with the previous review stating that the Red Door's policies are similar to those at other large city clubs. I have been living in LA for the past 4 years and have never encountered such selective and arbitrary use of ridiculous policies. My husband and I stood in a short line to enter the club. I watched as the manager ushered approximately 10 white males into the establishment. He did NOT check their identification at all. He simply smiled and waived them in. When my husband and I approached the front of the line, he asked for our IDs, which was fine. We currently reside in CA and showed him our CA license. He then asked if we had any other form of ID or some other card with our pictures on it. I was confused. To get on an airplane, you simply need your driver's license! If a driver's license is suitable for any other transaction or government agency then why is it not accepted at the Red Door? He then stated that it is a club policy to require an additional form of ID for out of state licenses. I have never heard of such a ridiculous policy in all of my life. Furthermore, the purpose of checking IDs at the door was to keep underage people out of the club. Neither my husband nor I looked under the age of 21. We are both well in our 30s. So, then what was the purpose? To have the ability to selectively choose who they want to enter their establishment, not because of what they have on but because of how they look---racial profiling. I do not use this term loosely. This is an establishment that no one should patronize. I plan to make sure that none of my friends or colleagues give any of their money to the Red Door. We cannot tolerate a place that selectively enforces a "rule" under the guise of "club policy" to discriminate against anyone. more

Shockingly DISCRIMINATORY club that doesn't even attempt to hide it. I went there on a Saturday night with 2 other Asian friends but one of my friends could not get in because he needed "another form of ID." The bouncers made absolutely no attempt at explaining what was wrong with his ID. And as for why you see the occacional Asian person there, they do let in Asians but after a certain quota, they start turning away people. I don't blame the bouncers b/c this discriminatory policy is clearly driven by the owner/manager of Red Door (also owner of the Drake). IF YOU'RE ASIAN, HAVE SOME SELF-RESPECT AND NEVER GO TO RED DOOR OR THE DRAKE AGAIN. more

No Colored?s Allowed I visited this bar last year in October for a friend?s birthday party. There were 4 ladies in our group, 1 Caucasian (the birthday girl), 1 Hispanic and 2 black. We got to the front of the line and they allowed my Caucasian friend and Hispanic friend in. When he got to me he told me that was not me on my ID. He proceeded to tell me to get another form of ID. I asked him like what and he said something like a bankcard with a picture on it. I told him that I didn?t have that and stepped to the side because I was heading to my car to go somewhere black people were allowed. My other friends came out the club and tried to challenge him. I told my friend that is okay it is obvious he does not want me in his club and that is fine. My attire for the night was: Guess blue jean halter dress that came just below my knees, 3 inch brown pumps, and brown handbag to match with silver accessories. My hair is cut to my shoulders and is one color. Is this trashy attire? I have been to this club plenty of times before and each visit is with a diverse group. That was the first time that I have had such an experience. Not only the Red Door but there is a few clubs in midtown which are not color friendly, however I will not list them until I get the correct names. I must say I was in shock because I didn?t think I would experience this behavior in 2007. I thought that was over I thought we could party together. I have no problems going out in Clear Lake. I have a very diverse group of friends! P.S. I am sending this to all News Media and Radio Media. As well as all my friend and associates who ask me about the Red Door. Pros: Parking Lot was clean Cons: All i got to see was the parking lot. more

I have been a regular at Red Door since it opened in 2003 and attended both their 3 year and recent 5 year anniversary parties for regulars that included an open bar for the night to say thanks for the business. There is a reason that this place is still open and doing the business that it does and that is because they know how to run a bar. Having a strict door policy does not mean a place is practicing racism. Their policies are no different than most clubs in big cities (i.e. N.Y., Chicago, Miami, LA) and are put in place for a reason. In the 5 years that I have been frequenting the Red Door I have seen plenty of different races there and have gone there with plenty of my black friends. There even has been a time when I was not expecting to go there and showed up to meet some friends that where there and was not let in because I had tennis shoes on and I do know the "owners". SO WHAT!! I live in the area and went home and changed. So please everyone quit whining and throwing out the race card when something does not go your way. I love this place and would and will recommend it to all my friends wether they are black, hispanic, asian, indian, green, purple or red! I will also tell them how they should dress because it is strict and I am happy about that. So for everyone that wants to wear what they want go to the Richmond Strip! Thanks Red Door for being such a fun hangout with beautiful women and I hope to be at the 10 year anniversary. Pros: Hot Women, Great Barstaff, Strict Door Cons: They close at 2am more

This place is terrible. It was so sad to see how much the door man was discriminating against african americans. I was embarrased to even be standing in line so I left. I will never go back. I will not support this type of establishment who is so arrogant about turning people away because of their color. The door guy is terribly rude and almost seemed like he was enjoying turning every black person away. He was proud of what he got to do... very sad. more

I have just returned from a night out that included a stop at the Red Door. As a general review, this 2 level club was ok. They had a large downstairs bar and a decent upstairs bar and the bartending staff were refreshing fast and responsive to patrons and I tipped them well. The drinks were strong and reasonably priced. I'm a white guy and presented with an asian and a white girl and we were received by the doormen without comment or incident. Inside the club, it was a mix of maybe 70% white/30% every other ethnic background. The music was generic techno/dance but with no designated dance floor, my girlfriend and I kept bumping into people going to and from the bar. I did notice the doormen turn away 5 decently dressed black guys while allowing several white patrons into the club. After the club closed, I ran into them in the parking lot, and while they appeared mildly intoxicated, they were no more so and probably less so then some of the bar's patrons. Their manner of dress was not significantly different from the patrons inside the bar and they appeared reasonably polite and articulate. They stated that the reason why they were refused entrance was that their pants were too "baggy". They indeed were wearing baggy jeans but not excessively so....and no-one's underwear was showing. One member of the group was actually wearing a tie and vest. They did not appear angry about being denied entrance to the club but they had a "whaddya gonna do" kind of attitude. Based on this observation, I think there is grounds for the accusations that the club has an arbitrary door policy. It is possible that they were inappropriate with the doorman and rightfully were refused entrance, I wasn't there when they presented...but I don't think I will be going to that club again. The days for peckerwood politics have come and gone. i understand that you have to keep the "riffraff" out but that's what cover charges are for. more

The first time we tried to get into this place about a year ago, the so-called "manager" did not let us in because the gentleman that was with us did not have his glasses on in his ID and in person he did have them on, so he proceeded to take them of the the "manager" stated he needed a second form of ID. Whatever.....we didn't get in, not a big deal. So we went to PUB FICTION....where they are always welcome in. Second attempt, we had no problem getting in. Once we were in there I thought to myself.....eh, not missing out on much in here!!! the music was a little whack at some point. This past weekend we tried to get in again, but this time I was not let in due to the fact that my drivers license was cut up at the top because the DPS cut it for renewal and I tried showing him the temporary permit and he stated.....i'm sorry we don't take any paperwork I going to need a second form of ID with a picture on it. BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!!! why would I have tried to steal somebody's ID with a picture of a person that looks identically to me and still have the temporary permit. But then I started to think, well maybe there were too many hispanics in our group of 10. So we just went to TIPSY CLOVER (right around the corner) where the nice door guy didn't even ask to view my temporary permit he was like " you don't even need to show me that, just come on in and have fun" Please take notes of the following if you would like to get into this place. *you must dress extremely provacative.....(sorry can't say nasty words) * you must flirt with the doorguy, making him feel like he'll be taking you home that night* *Make sure you are the only non-caucasion person in your group I think the ratio is 10 caucasion: 1 non-caucasion. I definately do not recommend this place, because once you are in there "YOUR NOT MISSING OUT ON ANYTHING THERE ARE WAY BETTER PLACES IN THE AREA" Pros: I HAVE NOTHING POSITIVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS PLACE!!! Cons: THIS PLACE IN GENERAL IS A CON!!!.....WHO AUTHORIZED THEM TO OPEN THIS WHACK PLACE! more

I have been to this club twice and is a good place for average "ugly" and pretentious people. Although the club decor looks old and cheap, the drinks and music are decent. I've been to great clubs in NYC, Miami, LA, London, Paris and Mexico City that have a strict door policy. Red Door has a door policy to keep their business and attract regular customers. I have seen that clubs in Houston go out of business within a year for admitting everybody into their clubs. Red Door owner's are only trying to protect their investement. It is very common to have strict door policy in other big cities. Pros: Great Views Cons: 50% good looking people more

Racial club - Saturday I had an issue with this club. They door guy took one look at my ID and stated that he didn't like it and wanted other ID so I showed him my school ID and work ID he still didn't let me in. I was with my fiancee, her sisters and my friend, I was the only Negro in our midtown-Houston-styled group and I got turned away. For the 15 mins that I was looking for other ID and asking the cop at the door to confirm my "Drivers License" was real six other black people were turned away because of their ID, and one drink white girl who was really drunk. This is obviously racial, even though the door man was a minority appeared Caucasian through, he was turning always black people at the door. *** Aside from that this club really isn't too great once you do get in, I've been in it before but ALWAYS having some type of issue at the door and having someone with me state "He's with me." But once in, there really not much in this club. It's not set for people to mingle or dance unless you get past the small stairs to get a spot on the patio where you can just stand and talk. For a much better time I'd suggest Pub Fiction, Howl at the Moon, or The Roof for a stylish time. That night we went to the Tipsy Clover and had a great time. Pros: Seen and Be seen Cons: Racial more

if there's a 0 star rating, I definitely will chose that. If you're ASIAN, don't even bother to go here. The bouncers are the complete f(cking assh0lesI swear on my dead body that the bouncers have so little brain they don't even know who they are f*king! We were a group of 7 asian women, in our late 20s and early 30s. We were in nice dresses and high heel. We went there to celebrate a friend's bachelorette's party. 6 of us went in with no issue. However, one of the bouncers decided to pick on our friend. she's 29 and very pretty. He claimed that her picture on the driver license is "purple" and she cant' get in the club. What the F*cking hell? "Purple" OR do I hear " freaking "discrimination". He clearly didn't want us to be in their club. Yeah, thanks. Like there's no better clubs we can go to. Give me a break. Whomever hire those bouncers are "d*(ks"!. ANyway, we tried to talk to the cop there and he's much useless as a piece of trash. Oh yeah, I forgot, he's being paid by "red door" owners. Duh! SO, if you are ASIAN, give yourself some credit and do not go here. They clearly do not want us there, so give your ancestors some respect and don't spend your money at this discriminated little hole of losers!And to the owner, we were there on Saturday April 27th. I promise you I will spread my sour experience to everyone I know. And I will make sure whom ever I get to talk to will NEVER go to your business. If you even have a brain, you need to know that us ASIAN people have money and discriminating us is not a smart business move. Pros: NOTHING Cons: Bouncers/Discrimating ASIAN/ BEWARE more

I am not your average hot white girl. I am not even your baddest white girl. But, I AM right up there with the flyest of all the white girls here on planet earth and I can't stand this r*cist place. I would understand if the catered to ONLY pretty boys like Johnny Depp, David Beckham, George Clooney & Brad Pitt look-a-likes but, all they have in there are a bunch of DORKY & CORNY white boys running around inside this weak club. They need guys with new style like Andre 3000 (from Outkast), Lenny Kravitz and maybe even some cool fellows like Pharrell & T.I. (They're style is more hip-hop but, they still have that edgy skateboarding look to them). The owner must have grown up in Vidor, TX or was the favorite son of a Grand Wizard. We are in 2008, whatever happened to Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. landmark speech "I have a dream"?!! This place AKA "The R*cist Door" is just as lame as the door guys, owner & patrons who goes into this sad bar should all be ashamed of themselves. Hasn't it always been the white men dressing up in white sheets cover their ugly caucasian faces, white men as serial k*llers?, white men invading other countries taking other nation's possessions (natural resources, oil, etc.)?, white men who mistreated Africans & turned them into slaves?, white men who k*lled all the Native American Indians? when do you ever hear of this cr*p happening to other ethnic people besides when the media plays their lies to the lost Americans? (ONLY when they want to go invade that nation & steal their goods). otherwise, NEVER!!! & THE LIST GOES ON about the DIRTY white boys!.. all I have to say is my b*tthole draws a better crowd than this pathetic place! Pros: BEST place for k k Klan members Cons: cannot wear white sheets over your unattractive white face all night long more