Bar veterans Chad Hughes and Brad Watts are opening The River Room today in the former location of Red Star Bar in downtown Baton Rouge.
Hughes, who owns Ivar’s, and Watts, who used to own Uncle Earl’s and Happy Note, have extensively renovated the space at 222 Laurel St. since purchasing it in June from former Red Star Bar owners Gabe and Robin Daigle, and Jeff Kaufman.
“The people who used to go to Red Star who have come in and looked at the space are floored,” Watts says. “It’s really a much different vibe and concept.”
Watts says the decision to open the bar today came after a soft opening was held Thursday night, and the feedback was “phenomenal.”
“We’re primarily a whiskey bar. We have about 50 different whiskeys and 30 scotches, and that’s going to be the appeal of the place,” he says, adding there will be “really good” wine list but a limited beer lineup.
Aside from bar seating, The River Room features all lounge seating and no tables or chairs.
“If you want to escape the madness of Third Street on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, then this is the place to go,” Watts says.
The River Room will be open today at 4 p.m. Regular hours will be 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 5 p.m. to midnight on Sunday.
—Steve Sanoski
