Red Shed a new option for a fun night out

The newest addition to the Strip's bar scene opened its doors Friday night, with nearly 700 people coming by to check it out over the weekend.

The Red Shed, which is located across from Crimson Café on 13th Avenue, is the joint effort of two men with strong ties to the University and Tuscaloosa.

Co-owner John Mosley became a seasoned bar owner in Montgomery and wanted to return to the city of his alma mater to open his latest bar.

"I have a lot of history in Tuscaloosa," Mosley said. "My dad won two national championships under 'Bear' Bryant, and I also studied here 14 years ago. So when I wanted to move somewhere else, Tuscaloosa was the first place that came to mind."

Cliff Smith, Mosley's partner, also had an interest in moving back to Tuscaloosa, and had always wanted to open a bar.

"I've lived in Tuscaloosa two or three times in the past, and I just wanted to move back here," Smith said. "I love being around people, and opening a bar's just something I've always wanted to do."

The new bar features a large room with a pool table in the back, red and white checkered flooring, three large TVs, several tables located in the center of the room, a bar in the back corner and an indoor stage near the entrance.

The bar also offers a soon-to-be finished outdoor area that will have a small stage, additional seating and ceiling fans to keep students cool.

Smith said he wants the Red Shed to be a comfortable place for students.

"I want it to be a bar where everybody knows everybody," Smith said. "I want it to be really warm and a place where everybody wants to go hang out."

Though the bar officially opened its doors Friday, it will be closed through Thursday to have everything installed by Oct. 15 - the anticipated completion date.

"We were cutting it pretty close even getting it open this weekend," Smith said. "But we would have hated to not have it open for Homecoming weekend."

Unlike some bars on the Strip, the Red Shed will not charge cover on a regular basis.

"I've always believed in not having cover charges," Mosley said. "I'd rather have people come and spend their money at the bar having fun with their friends. There's not going to be anything pricey about this place."

However, the bar might charge a cover on certain occasions, Mosley said.

"Once in a blue moon we might charge a cover to get in and then you can have all-you-can-eat crawfish and seafood all day and night," Mosley said. "Or we may try to bring in a huge band and we will need to charge cover to help pay for it."

The Red Shed will offer beverages such as beer, mixed drinks and shots, with prices comparable to other Tuscaloosa establishments.

Though the bar's owners are primarily focused on finishing up the bar at the moment, they said they still have many plans for the future.

Smith said they would like to have $3 pitcher weekends and crawfish boils, and they welcome any new ideas that can be placed in a suggestion box they plan to have.

"We are really open-minded and have had a lot of people give input," Smith said.

One of the most common suggestions from last weekend was the bar hosting occasional beer pong tournaments in the porch area, an idea the bar owners are open to.

"I've always enjoyed having fun games at the bar," Mosley said. "And if everyone's interested in playing in [a beer pong tournament], I will be happy to look into it."

They are also considering offering wireless Internet access.

"We are thinking about making it a Wi-Fi hotspot, so on a pretty day people can come out with their laptops and relax," Smith said.

The Red Shed is a 21 and over venue and will be open Monday through Saturday.