Karlie Redd has built her career on reinvention. Known to millions through Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, she has also carved out space in music, acting, and business.
Now she is taking another major leap, this time into fine dining with the launch of Red Room Bistro, opening September 28 in downtown Atlanta, according to Nation’s Restaurant News. The 3,000-square-foot lounge will seat 85 and aims to bring together food, culture, and nightlife in a single space.
For Redd, this new venture has been a long time coming. “For years, I’ve dreamed of growing into the restaurant industry,” she said. While she already co-owns Johnny’s Chicken & Waffles, she explained that Red Room Bistro allowed her to push herself further. “I wanted to challenge myself to create something new, something that truly reflected who I am. Red Room Bistro is that vision. It’s a more elevated lounge experience, and it gave me the chance to finally branch out on my own while also partnering with my brother to bring this dream to life.”
Her decision to pursue this path is rooted in family. Redd credits her father and late stepmother, who owned a Caribbean restaurant for decades, with sparking her love of food and hospitality.
“My love for food and hospitality started in childhood,” she said. “With Red Room Bistro, I wanted to honor that legacy by blending American soul food classics with Caribbean-inspired recipes and flavors. It’s a way of going back to my roots while introducing guests to a cultural mix that feels both nostalgic and fresh.”
The restaurant business in Atlanta is competitive, but Redd has a clear mission. She has spoken openly about wanting to change the city’s reputation for uneven service. “Great food should always be paired with great service, that’s what keeps people coming back,” she explained. “In Atlanta, there is a reputation that service hasn’t always been the strongest, and I want Red Room Bistro to stand out by making customer care the priority.”
The food itself reflects that same philosophy of mixing comfort with innovation. Tapas-style offerings range from burgers and wings to island-inspired seafood, with one standout being the snapper paired with house-made jerk sauce.
Redd sees it as a signature: “At Red Room, we’ve elevated it with a sauce that makes it unforgettable. It’s both rooted in my heritage and a bold statement of what we want our menu to represent, familiar but with a unique cultural twist.”
Events will also set the tone. Red Room Bistro will host themed nights and activations, including a monthly “Bunnies and Bubbles Brunch,” where the energy is just as central as the food.
“Not many people know this, but I was once a Playmate at the Playboy Mansion,” Redd said. “I wanted to bring that playful, glamorous energy into something fresh and fun for Atlanta. It’s not just brunch, it’s an immersive, once-a-month experience.”
The space itself was designed with intention. Styled in a sultry red palette, the lounge atmosphere aims to embody the name at every detail, from couches to artwork to table settings. “Red is bold, passionate, and unforgettable, and I wanted the atmosphere to reflect that same energy,” she said. “When you step into the Red Room, you’ll feel transported into a luxurious, sultry escape.”
Entertainment has always been an integral part of Redd’s identity, and it continues to be a key aspect of the new venture. Live DJs, poetry nights, and special events will be part of the lineup, but she also wants to utilize the platform for community engagement.
Looking forward, Redd sees this as just the beginning. Expansion is already part of the vision, with “Red Room Express” concepts planned for airports, malls, and other cities. Still, she is clear about where it all begins. “No matter how much we grow, Atlanta will always be the flagship, the place where it all started,” she said.
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