Two Drinks: Red

The Absinthe Blueberry Martini and the Passion for Red drink from Red (Credit: Ernest Coleman | Metromix)

The look: Red is nestled in a quaint little space in Hyde Park Square. It actually reminds me of restaurants I've been to in New York and Chicago. The restaurant is a warm shade of red (hence the name) and has a warm glow from candlelight and soft back lighting at the bar. There are accents of funky décor and framed modern art and I wondered where I could find them for my house - I loved the look of the place. But it is a bit small for the Reverse Happy Hour crowd on Thursdays. The narrow bar area gets packed, and people overflow outside to the front sidewalk on the square. My advice: Get there early to find a safe spot to hang out so that you don't get pushed around.

The crowd: Everyone was dressed well! There were young professionals present of course, but Thursday also draws a crowd of trendy folks over 40, all looking super chic with their martini glasses and snifters of cognac. If you are looking for a Thursday night football crowd or quiet beer, this is not the scene for you. But if you like great drinks and a fun, lively group of people, this is the place for which you've been looking.

The two drinks: On Thursday, happy hour starts at 9 p.m. and offers $10 bottles of wine (selection of one red and one white), $3.75 mixed drinks and $5 martinis. My friend and I split a bottle of a light, crisp white wine ($10) to start. I think it was a chardonnay, but I'm not so sure since the bartender did not tell us what we were drinking. Next we transitioned to cocktails and they were yummy! I ordered a watermelon martini ($5) and it tasted exactly like a Jolly Rancher. I was in martini heaven. My friend ordered a traditional mixed drink - bourbon with ginger ale ($3.75). He said it was a strong pour, just as he likes it!

The grub: There wasn't a lot of eating going on, but the menu is available at the bar and at the high-top tables around it. Red is known for its raw bar selections, USDA prime steaks and fresh seafood. We ate beforehand, because I knew it would be difficult to get a seat.

The verdict: I have been to Red before for dinner and drinks, and it was a quiet little bar scene. Reverse Happy Hour is definitely not quiet nor little! Great deals, fantastic people-watching and good live music make for a fun weeknight out in Hyde Park. I will definitely come back, but a little earlier next time, so we can find a seat and not get shuffled around in the crowd.

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