Red Castle Pub
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Menu
| Food | Price | Drinks | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chips and Dip | $7 | Manhattan | $10 |
| Chicken Quesadilla | $10 | Spicy Bourbonade | $9 |
| Loaded Nachos | $9 | Kentucky Mule | $9 |
| Fried Pickles | $7 | Bourbon | $3 |
| Cheese Sticks | $5 | Scotch | $3 |
| French Fries | $4 | Tequila | $3 |
| Onion Rings | $6 | Local Beer (Lager, Amber Ale, IPA, Stout, Pilsner ) | $4 |
| Chili Cheese Fries | $8 | Wine (Cabernet, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Grigio) | $8 |
Description
Outside, Sunset Boulevard is always busy, no matter the time of day. Four lanes of traffic, a turn lane, and parallel parking along both sides keep the Strip bustling with activity. Foot traffic on the sidewalks varies, with a healthy mix of tourists and LA locals. Sandwiched between a Thai restaurant and a barber shop is an old, brick building with a wooden door that looks older than anything else in the area. A sign above the entrance proudly advertises, 'Red Castle Pub,' and there's a neon 'Open' sign hanging in front of what would be a window if it wasn't blacked out.
Inside, the noise of the street is muted, though an obnoxious engine or blaring horn sometimes breaks the atmosphere. The ambience is laid back and friendly--a welcome respite for a weary traveller, but it's hard to pinpoint a theme, if there even is one. It's reminiscent of an old Irish or English pub. The brick walls and aged wood counter, floors, and tables provide that cozy, old world feeling. However, there are also Hard Rock vibes. Autographed album covers and a couple of signed guitars decorate the walls, and a little stage is set up in the back corner. The place isn't dirty or grimy, but it definitely isn't new, either. Over the speakers, indie and classic rock plays unobtrusively unless there's a band on the stage.
Rows of liquor bottles fill the wall behind the bar as well as a wooden sign with the 'Red Castle Pub' logo, 'Est. 1944,' and a picture of a man with red hair. Wooden stools with cushions and chair-backs line the counter. A dozen or so tables are spread around, creating a sometimes challenging maze for anyone navigating to the back, especially after a few drinks when the place is crowded. Regulars wearing old t-shirts and ripped jeans or work shirts with rolled up sleeves and stained khakis linger on their favorite stools or at out-of-the-way tables, keeping to themselves or chatting about their lives, wives, and neighbors. This place seems like their second home.
In the back, next to the stage, there's an old jukebox, and in the opposite corner a narrow hallway that leads towards the bathrooms and storage.
History
- The Red Castle Pub, as a sign behind the bar suggests, was established in 1944. It's been a fixture on Sunset Boulevard and has always been a venue for up-and-coming musicians. Signed album covers from bands that played on the stage line the walls, some names very recognizable, and the friendly, relaxed atmosphere often stands in stark contrast to the intensity of the more modern nightclubs that have become popular.
- Over the years, the popularity of the pub has ebbed and flowed with the same intensity as interest in local music and local brews. There's still a healthy collection of regulars, and Jake and Jenna do their best to keep the atmosphere exactly what they expect--a comfortable spot to unwind, make some new friends, talk to some locals, and listen to music.
- A few months ago, the owner of the establishment, Patrick Horton, passed away and left the pub to his granddaughter, Reine Monet Walker. She hasn't made any noticeable changes to the place, but despite rumors that she's as much of a tenacious, wild-tempered redhead as her grandfather, the regulars say she's never owned a bar before and many locals claim to be 'showing her the ropes' of the RCP.
