The Red Door

08/06/2008 Posted by parteegrn

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

07/30/2008 Posted by Xwprincess

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

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

05/30/2008 Posted by hillc

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.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful

05/25/2008 Posted by midtown679

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.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

05/23/2008 Posted by tresha

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.

05/14/2008 Posted by getbusylivin

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

05/13/2008 Posted by catter218

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.

05/11/2008 Posted by calfax

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.

05/05/2008 Posted by Gabster82

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!

05/05/2008 Posted by Local45

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