Goodbye Room 710
I’ll never forget the very first time I walked in there. Jasmine was behind the bar and Mercyful Fate was playing on the jukebox. I repeat…MERCYFUL FATE WAS PLAYING ON THE JUKEBOX! I knew that I had found a home. I had just moved to Austin from Virginia and was checking out some of the places on Red River St. It was early in the evening so there really wasn’t anyone else in there. So I had a few beers, talked with Jasmine and commandeered the jukebox with 2 or 3 dollars. Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Celtic Frost, Thin Lizzy. Judas Priest, Mercyful Fate etc etc.
I love that place. They staff was always the best in town. No matter if a band was playing there that I liked or not, if I was downtown, I would always stop in for a drink.
They had some great shows there from all of the local rockers (including both of my bands) to some national and international acts. I got to see Vicious Rumors and Witchcraft there. Both great shows for me.
The new owner apparently owns One Eyed Jacks in New Orleans. I’ve heard good things about that place. I’ve also heard that they will remodel Room 710. Probably not a bad idea but I hope that they can retain the Red River vibe and even more importantly I hope they can retain some of the staff.
That place is special…to me anyways. So thanks to Room 710. I have a lot of great memories and even some fuzzy ones.
This is from the first show I played there:
The Metal Files 
That’s a pretty sweet shirt you’re wearing.
jeanne
August 3, 2009 at 11:37 am
he is a pretty sweet dude
patrickmeredith
August 3, 2009 at 11:57 am
touche’….i will really miss room 710(like the backroom),,,can never be replaced. my favorite place to play in austin,,,staff treated us like kings and had a clubhouse feel about it,,a METAL clubhouse!!!..710 was the first club to book DRIFTER ever, and it was our home away from home…R.I.P. room 710.
and thank you 4 everything from DRIFTER!!!
Stony g.
October 29, 2009 at 8:47 am