Owners of Costa Mesa’s Holiday bar introduce Red Room next door
Red Room, a new “bar within a bar” in Westside Costa Mesa, is officially open for business.
The venue at 719 W. 19th St. is adjacent to Holiday, a speakeasy-themed bar and lounge with the same ownership that had soft openings starting in July.
Red Room, inspired by 1930s Art Deco architecture, is smaller and more subdued and polished than its neighbor, which is inspired by classic Hollywood and 1900s French plantation styles.
Red Room’s red-painted walls, accessorized with hanging lamps and mounted television screens, are edged by red button-tufted sofas and chairs.
It also features a separate bar menu, with more specialty cocktails and liquors.
Drinks include the Red Betty — Tito’s vodka, muddled strawberries, lime juice, cane sugar and basil, all served in a martini glass — and the Chili Chaplin, a concoction of St. George green chile vodka, lime juice, muddled cucumbers and jalapeños, topped with ginger beer and served in a copper mug.
Red Room has its own entrance but at times will be accessible to those inside Holiday through a second door or when the soundproof wall separating the two is removed, said Rob Arellano, Holiday’s marketing director.
The wall enables Holiday and Red Room to simultaneously have their own music and other entertainment offerings. For the latter at its official grand opening Friday, that included Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole hits.
“You almost get two nights out of one,” Arellano said.
Red Room will be invitation-only when it’s hosting private events.
Holiday is permitted to have disc jockeys and is working to gain City Hall permission for live music.
Costa Mesa’s Planning Commission approved live music in September, but the matter was appealed to the City Council, which is scheduled to review it in November.
Staff writers Hannah Fry and Kathleen Luppi contributed to this report.
Twitter: @BradleyZint
