About Us

Red Rock West Saloon was founded in April 1996. It was formerly known as the East Boondocks, a blues bar where jazz musicians, both famous and infamous, would drink and jam. It was considered risqué for it’s day. Many a former patron will come in and reminisce about their crazy antics at "the old Boondocks. "Now, it’s a rock n’ roll bar with a bit of country mixed in, but the wildness is still the greatest part of this corner local.

In September of 1995, the corner of 10th Avenue and 17th Street was a gutted shell. One of the only things left in tact from the Boondocks were the swinging saloon type doors with faded paint reading "Sunday Gospel Brunch." A walk through these doors today can tell you a lot.

What Red Rock has become is a compilation of the many bartenders’ talents and traits. They’ve given their creativity and their style, their humor and their rage, lent their ears and opened their hearts to many a wayward customer. The myriad of differences in the staff has made it a welcoming refuge for everyone from the misfits to the beautiful people. This is what turned this old brick building that stands on its own, into a roadside haven for all.

We have provided a home to many of the local union workers, firemen, neighborhood characters, tourists, and many a celebrity. (Who? Sorry, we don’t kiss and tell!) At Red Rock West Saloon everybody is somebody.

So much has changed since our corner was home to "the old East Boondocks." With our neighbors the Chelsea Market and Chelsea Piers, our bar under the abandoned train trestles can’t really be considered "the Boonies" anymore. And the surviving swinging doors enticing you to come in for a little "Sunday Gospel Brunch" are now littered with union stickers. Just as well. There’s not much that goes on behind those doors that’s fit for a Sunday; and well, not many of our customers can wake up in time to catch a serving of brunch anyway.

We’d like to thank all the people who have come through our doors and helped make Red Rock West the bar it is today. It couldn’t have been built without them.Ain’t that the Gospel truth!