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Red Bar vs. Blue Bar

Shutters avatar
Beach Comber
8,989 views
We're coming down next weekend with another family and for one of the dinners out with kids we were thinking of going to either the Red Bar or the Blue Bar. We call Cafe 331 the Blue Bar because it's owned by the same people, has pretty much the same menu and well ... it's blue.

My wife likes the Blue Bar because:
It has a better view of the sunset
It's less crowed
And has a swell out door bar

I like the Red Bar because;
It's closer
Has a better band
A cozier atmosphere

We both think the food is pretty much equal. Given that our guests have never been to either where would y'all go?

Thanks so much,

Shutters

Replies

30
shakennotstirred avatar
Beach Fanatic
#2
I don't think you can go wrong with either. I am with you - prefer the Red Bar because of atmosphere & the band. However, I have never sat outdoors at the Blue Bar. The wait at the Red Bar can be painful but once you place your order it seems like the food arrives very fast. Are you guests patient enough to endure the wait at the Red Bar? Will your stay there be long enough to fit a visit in to both places?
Jdarg avatar
SoWal Expert
#3
Go to both? :idontno:
Shutters avatar
Beach ComberAuthor
#4
Like always, I wish we could stay longer but this will just be a long weekend (4 day) trip. Right now the dining line up is:

With Kids,
Red Bar or Blue Bar
Shades (if they've haven't closed the old one) or Angelina's

Without kids;
Basmati's
Onano, or Borago, or Fish OOW.

So many good restuarants, too few nights.
RiverOtter avatar
got any pics?
#5
:idontno: What about the Green Bar :biggrin:

Smiling JOe avatar
SoWal Expert
#6
:idontno: What about the Green Bar :biggrin:


:floor::floor::floor: :clap_1:
SGB avatar
Beach Fanatic
#7
When we have kids with us we go to the Blue Bar. The kids can explore around the bay and play tag outside. Lots of room for them. If you eat outside on the upstairs deck you can keep an eye on the kids and the kids don't have to disturb the people inside. Ollie and crew are always very tolerant of the kids coming in and out of the restaurant, but we try to eat outside when we can. Great view too!
Sheila avatar
SoWal Insider
#8
We're coming down next weekend with another family and for one of the dinners out with kids we were thinking of going to either the Red Bar or the Blue Bar. We call Cafe 331 the Blue Bar because it's owned by the same people, has pretty much the same menu and well ... it's blue.

My wife likes the Blue Bar because:
It has a better view of the sunset
It's less crowed
And has a swell out door bar

I like the Red Bar because;
It's closer
Has a better band
A cozier atmosphere

We both think the food is pretty much equal. Given that our guests have never been to either where would y'all go?

Thanks so much,

Shutters


Though choice. However, crab cakes are avialable on evry night the Red Bar doesn't serve them. The deck at 331 is awesome! The Red Bar is aswesome as well.:clap_1:
JB avatar
Beach Fanatic
#9
To me, it comes down to crabcakes. Red Bar has them on the weekend, 331 has them on weekdays. So normally, I follow the crabcakes :cool:

But I will admit I like the atmosphere at 331 better. More laid-back. Almost no one utilizes the bottom bar there. I love to sit on the bottom deck and stare out at the bay while enjoying a few cocktails. Plus, they have sushi (or at least they did the last time I was there).
CastlesOfSand avatar
Beach Fanatic
#10
Yummy crab cakes!! I had them last night at Red Bar. And those potatos!!!! Excellent! :cool: Very nice Pinot as well.
jessifunn avatar
superJfunn
#11
red bar by day 331 by night. for the partiers of course.
Beach Fanatic
#12
Like always, I wish we could stay longer but this will just be a long weekend (4 day) trip. Right now the dining line up is:

With Kids,
Red Bar or Blue Bar
Shades (if they've haven't closed the old one) or Angelina's

Without kids;
Basmati's
Onano, or Borago, or Fish OOW.

So many good restuarants, too few nights.
Good choices. I would try the new Shades just east of Rosemary Beach. We think its better. Of your other choices, Borago or Fish Out of Water. We usually have Borago, Fish, and 30A in our starting rotation with an occasional Basmati's, Lake Place or Smiling Fish thrown in as "spot starters." Pardon the baseball lingo but its playoff time. The latter three are as good if not better but lack the bar atmosphere that we like. Oh, and I would go to 331 vs. Red Bar if we are talking dinner.
Kimmifunn avatar
Funnkalicious
#13
red bar by day 331 by night. for the partiers of course.

Yes. Agreed. You can see our picture better in the daytime! :lol:

My favorite was ladies night this past summer. When Synergy was there. We perfected the Love Train.

Gotta love DeJota Vladi and Charles In Charge as well. :clap_1:
whiteyfunn avatar
SoWal Staff
#14
Speaking of Love Train...I just heard it on the radio and someone had it as their ringtone!! I love that song.
Shutters avatar
Beach ComberAuthor
#15
Speaking of Love Train...I just heard it on the radio and someone had it as their ringtone!! I love that song.


I just remixed it and used it in a Coors Light commercial. It plays a lot during football. Gotta love the O'Jays.
Kimmifunn avatar
Funnkalicious
#16
I just remixed it and used it in a Coors Light commercial. It plays a lot during football. Gotta love the O'Jays.
What?! Can you send it to us! That's my fav! That's the song that plays when Laner calls me! :clap_1:
Shutters avatar
Beach ComberAuthor
#17
What?! Can you send it to us! That's my fav! That's the song that plays when Laner calls me! :clap_1:

Sorry, I wish I could. Coors bought the rights to broadcast it as part of their commercial, but not to give the song away. If word got out I was posting it somewhere, or even emailing it, I'd never work again. Not to mention the RIAA would just love to make an example out of a studio owner. .99 cents at iTunes is the way to go. "The Essential O'Jays" is also a very nice CD. I love that Gamble & Huff Philly soul of the 70's.
jessifunn avatar
superJfunn
#18
saw the commerical the other day and loved it. thought of the 331, kimmi, and laner :D
whiteyfunn avatar
SoWal Staff
#19
I just remixed it and used it in a Coors Light commercial. It plays a lot during football. Gotta love the O'Jays.

I can't believe that was you! I love that commercial. Of course I get up and dance everytime, but ya know...who wouldn't??
Kimmifunn avatar
Funnkalicious
#20
saw the commerical the other day and loved it. thought of the 331, kimmi, and laner :D

Pump the arm...

People all over the world, join hands, start a love train, love train! :clap_1:
CastlesOfSand avatar
Beach Fanatic
#21
Guess I better check out the 331 "Blue Bar" tomorrow!!! :cool:
Kimmifunn avatar
Funnkalicious
#22
Guess I better check out the 331 "Blue Bar" tomorrow!!! :cool:

Send DJ Vladi our love!

And don't be fooled when he tells you his b'day is Saturday! :rolling:
jessifunn avatar
superJfunn
#23
yeah don't fall for that one because his birthday is every saturday according to him
peapod1980 avatar
percy
#24
saw the commerical the other day and loved it. thought of the 331, kimmi, and laner :D
this makes me wonder--have a lot of the sowaller posters met IRL, then?
jessifunn avatar
superJfunn
#25
Irl?
peapod1980 avatar
percy
#26
Irl?
sorry--in real life

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