Red's — Restaurant in Clarksdale

Having read much about juke joints, and Red's in particular, as well as having purchased the documentary "We Juke Up in Here" DVD, we had a good idea of what Red's was all about. If you find yourself drawn to the Mississippi Delta and are looking for authentic live blues performed in an intimate setting, (which happens to be one of the best ways to experience any performance) then look no further than Red's! At first it is like walking into any small town local bar/club as an outsider, while some may be a little hesitant, relax and stroll on in. Just observe Red's one important cardinal rule: shoot no video. Observe that, behave yourself, buy a beer, have a chat with Red, soak in the atmosphere, relax, buy another beer, chat some more with Red, laugh, start to have a good time, buy another beer, laugh some more, and get in the mood for some good music. Kick back and enjoy the up close performance, drink beer, and enjoy something very unique. We stayed till the band finished (Lucious Spiller) and left out of there around 2am. And remember: It's hip to tip! Thanked Red, the band and were on our way having had an experience of a lifetime. Red's "Is What It...

Change the e to a u and the s to an e. We had paid our cover charge plus threw money in the bucket first go-round plus bought beer. Band took a forever break (Big T and Family was a good band). Dark and RED neon in there so you cannot see all the things on the wall. 2nd go-round of the bucket, we passed. Well, we got the royal treatment from Red. He came and sat right in front of us and stared. I never looked directly at him, but I could sense that he was not pleased. I whispered to my friend for us to go, not really knowing what was up, but knew it had to do with the tip-bucket. I got up and went on out, thinking my friend was following. Finally when he came out he said that Red had jumped him about videoing. Everyone had seen us doing this almost as soon as we walked in. Not buying it....

Amazing place. Ok, the interior is old and basically falling down, but what you get is the most authentic blues club imaginable. We attended for my wife’s 60th Birthday and had the ‘best birthday ever’. Big ‘A’ was playing with his band and boy, can they play. Looking forward to seeing them in the UK next year some time. Forget the aesthetics of the place (actually don’t, take it in….they make the place so much more than any sterile, commercialised venue could hope for). The patrons, clientele and band were all fabulously welcoming and friendly. Big shout out to Big ‘A’ for playing a dedicated song...