Papercut is another one of those fabulous places close to my home (as in walkable) that I've been…read morewanting to get to and finally did with a group of friends made through Yelp. I felt the vibe instantly, like as soon as I put one foot in the door. Magical, sophisticated, worldly, wonderful and more were the feelings that spontaneously hit me. The dark and elegant decor, lighting, design, & layout made me feel as though I were in a high-end Tokyo cocktail lounge. The front room as I mentioned is an intimate bar and lounge area with artwork adorning the walls. It's a modern, minimalist, and sleek space. The artwork is ever-changing (every couple of months or so) and the cocktail menu changes right long with it. Note: artwork is available for purchase. What an absolutely glorious way of combining different mediums (liquid art vs physical art). The craft cocktails & mocktails are the epitome of works of art. I've had great cocktails and mocktails elsewhere but honestly I'd be hard pressed to find anything on this level. You're taken into an entirely different realm just watching the genius of mixologists. It's mesmerizing watching them hone their craft. In the back of the lounge is an enclave of eclectic art and other pieces that then leads you to Konbini, the sushi bar. It's an industrial, warehouse vibe with a long counter that screams hip, Tokyo inspired, late-night eatery. Service is impeccable and welcoming at this cosmopolitan venue. It's truly an amazing experience.

This may be my top favorite cocktail bar in Austin! I have visited twice and had amazing…read moreexperiences both times. I love how the menu changes and is on theme with the artwork. The bartenders are incredibly talented and creative. It's so fun to sit at the bar and watch them craft the specialty drinks. They had a clarified mai tai with tequila that I loved the first visit and the signature papercut cocktail is refreshing and delicious too! On my recent visit, I tried the balkan negroni and WOW - so good. And so detailed! Really sweet people and a very cool space. Great music too and just a perfect ambiance. 10/10.

These are moments I think why do I live in San Antonio ( and often work in Austin ) when I can just…read morelive here and enjoy great restaurants, bars and weird gothic haunts like this with weird dark goth decor, a scent of palo santo , superb music, a great crowd and amazing drinks! College me would have lived here !! Enjoyed a French 75, my husband enjoyed a smoked Old Fashioned and it was a great place to grab a drink prior to seeing Springsteen at the Moody seated amongst candles , a weird alter of sorts while enjoying some Stevie Wonder as is playing now though some weird NIN or Type O might have been more appropriate

I went to Whisler's and had one of the worst bar experiences I've ever had…read more I had one drink. I was completely sober for all intents and purposes. The bartender claimed I was drunk and cut me off anyway. I was at the bar talking to a girl while waiting to get a drink (the wait was long because the service is very slow, despite the bar not being very busy at all). She was clearly into me, and the bartender kept jumping in trying to talk to her too (instead of doing his job making drinks). He was doing all sorts of things to try and flirt with her and make her laugh: pulling out and showing her buckets of pre mixed cocktails, running and sliding under the bar, etc. She was engaging with both of us , and right in the middle of that, I get cut off out of nowhere. No explanation other than claiming I looked drunk, which I very clearly wasn't. It felt very clear what was going on--he wanted me out of the way. I left and asked the bouncer on my way out if I seemed drunk. This was literally two minutes later. He said no, not at all, and asked me why I would even ask that. I then told him exactly what happened and asked him to let the owner or whoever was in charge know about this extremely unprofessional conduct so they can discipline the bartender. His response was that the bartender has discretion to cut anyone off, and let me know the bartender is supposedly married so he couldn't have been flirting with any of the customers. Well, sounds like his logic is flawed--not only COULD he flirt with his customers, he WAS, and was therefore cheating. I hope his wife finds out. This is perfectly representative of Austin customer service lately and not normal in other places. I was in Tampa for an entire month earlier this year and this would've been unthinkable there. I'm not coming back.

Hands down my favorite bar I have been too…read more It's beautiful the moment you walk in. The architecture and design creates such a cool vibe. The drinks.... Seriously....The best I've had. Very impressed with the drinks and I enjoyed the inspiration of Japanese liquor and design. Our bartender was so attentive and friendly. He made us shots and it was the best thing I've ever had. I been dreaming of the shot everyday. I recommend this place to everyone now. It's dark, it's quiet, it's cool, it's THAT bar. I cannot wait to come back again and again and again. We aren't locals. Not even close. We drove 9 hours. 10/10 will be back

Cool spot with lots of potential but fell short…read more The bartender did not know how to make basic cocktails and the experience was extremely disappointing. At $20 per drink, there is an expectation of professionalism and competence behind the bar. I literally thought that ordering a beer felt risky as she would surely mess it up.​ She was being coached by colleagues throughout service, but unfortunately that did not improve the situation. Based on this experience, I would not return.

One of my favorite bars in Austin. Some people might see it as a little divey, but that's honestly…read morepart of the charm. The atmosphere is always friendly, relaxed, and easy to settle into whether you're there for a quick drink or hanging out for the night. The drinks are consistently great, and they also have really solid weekday food specials. The sliders and tots are definitely the go-to items on the menu and always hit the spot after a few drinks. One thing I especially appreciate is how much effort they put into the themed décor during Christmas and Halloween. It really adds personality to the space and makes coming back during the holidays feel fun and memorable every year. Just an overall great neighborhood bar with good vibes and a lot of character.

I realize I haven't updated this review since relocating to Austin two years ago. As you may have…read morenoted from my previous review, I'd come here twice a year when visiting from the east coast. One of my stipulations for relocation was to be within walking distance of my beloved Nickel City. Guess what? I am! Less than a five-minute walk. I love this place so much. It's not always about drinking. In fact, quite often I'll do mocktails, water, or soda. It's about community and friendship. The vibe at NC can't fully be expressed in words. It has to be experienced. The staff treat locals and tourists like friends. And, if you're lucky enough, you actually become friends. They're like a family. Same can be said about patrons, whether regulars, sometimers, or tourists, everyone feels the love. Everyone just gets it! They have some of the best cocktails around. The frozen Irish coffee is incredible. Espresso martinis on tap? Yes, please! And if you want the best bar/comfort food ever then order from their food truck, Delray Cafe. Crinkle cut fries A+ Smashburgers A+ Hot Dogs A+ Grilled Cheese A+ Pizza Logs A+ Tater Tots A+ Everything on the menu A+ Be sure to give the gang in the kitchen (food truck) some love! They're putting out the real deal. Oh and let's not forget Steak Night! Much love to my fave neighbor, Nickel City!

Cozy, hidden, and just the right amount of mysterious. The drinks were fantastic and dangerously…read moreeasy to finish, and the bartender was really good. The music was excellent and made the whole experience even better. Absolutely worth a return visit.

This speakeasy bar on East 6th immediately became one of my favorite low key spots in town!…read moreSituated right below Buenos Aires cafe, this bar brings sexy vibes, with swanky decor, a dim lit room, and excellent tunes. It's a small space with limited seating - and I would recommend reservations. On to their cocktail menu - EXCELLENCE! Don't be afraid to try something you normally wouldn't try, or to simply trust the bartender. I haven't tried the food here, but I will certainly do so next time I visit.

I discovered Marlow through a Yelp Elite event and knew I had to come back. We stopped by on a…read moreSaturday night around 9:30/10pm and had a great time! Great house music from the DJ, friendly staff, and an easygoing atmosphere that's perfect for hanging out. I was having a sober night and tried a few drinks from their Dry January Specials menu. Wow, they did not disappoint. The Alrighty Aphrodite was delicious, and the So Fresh, So Clean was exactly that, super refreshing with a great pineapple flavor. My husband had the Dusty Trail (strong and perfect for bourbon lovers) and a Coquito that was creamy and smooth with a hint of cinnamon. Parking is limited, but we found street parking nearby. Overall, great drinks, great music, and a spot I'll definitely keep coming back to.

In search of a bar that wasn't packed on a Friday night, we were lucky to stumble across Marlow…read more The atmosphere is dark and cozy. There's enough of a vibe for this place to feel lively even when it's mostly empty, yet it also avoids the earsplitting noise that may come with a more crowded venue. The bartenders are amicable, and the menu showcases some creative - and creatively named - cocktails. Lara went with a Moon Song (rum, blackberry, lime, and honey with lavender cold foam) and an espresso martini and enjoyed both. I opted for a zero proof drink: the high and mighty (agave, nonalcoholic ginger and floral liqueurs, jasmine tea, and spiced salt). It was refreshing but didn't quite hit the mark for me. What should have been complex and balanced came across as overly floral. All told, Marlow is worth a visit even if it is unlikely to wow you.

Such a nice find, went one time for a longhorn game and had to go back again for their wings…read more Their wings are sooo good, they have a perfect crisp coat to them, if they were spicier they would be a bit better. 9/10 The fries were good, can't go wrong with them, also a nice crispy to them not too soft. 7/10 Great music, will definitely be back! The only downside this visit was our waiter would get sidetracked and so we didn't get something we ordered. They also do a pre-authorization on some cards so just beware of that charge but it does go away! Overall great experience can't wait to go back!

Y'all, I was so excited to go to the busy signal for the first time! Especially with the cool…read moreChristmas theme going on right now and DJ Hella Yella was there. But I should know not to get my hopes up... Storytime... We had a resy for 8 at 9:45 for a birthday, we arrived at 9:45 there was no clear spot to check in, we asked around and they pointed us to the water station by the entry. After finally being greeted, we were told our section wasn't ready, the other party hadn't left yet. The server / hostess seemed frazzled and kept running around trying to get us a section and talking to people about leaving. We stood there waiting for about 30 minutes. Then we were finally seated in a section barely big enough for 6, we were crammed in like sardines, sweatin. We asked the parties next to us if they could push over a bit so we all could fit, luckily they were friendly and accommodating. We were greeted not too long after being seated, Our order was taken by the first server, It took about 30 minutes for drinks and food to start to come out. The birthday girl ordered a hookah and it took an hour and a half for it to come out. Then we were not checked on for about an hour, We finally ordered more drinks and then we never received them, We asked three different servers and were told several times that they were taking care of it and it was never taken care of, We left at 1:15 without ever getting our additional orders. One of the servers told us that the bar was crazy busy and that they were probably making our drinks and people at the bar were just taking them. So chaotic. We were finally helped by Heaven and Summer at the end around 1:00 a.m. when we asked to pay for our tab. Of course the tab was all wrong because it had all of the drinks we ordered that we never received. Again, chaotic. I felt bad for the birthday girl because she was really excited about being there for the first time with all of us and the experience was subpar at best. I will say, the best part was the DJ, HellaYella. And the jerk lamb chops. Also, If and I mean if, We ever go back, We will not reserve a section like that and we will get our drinks at the front bar and sit out on the nice patio. We'll see.

Here Nor There is a cool, intimate speakeasy that makes you feel like you've stepped into another…read moreworld through its storybook-style menu and delicious cocktails. The entrance is tucked away in a gated alley, and you'll need a reservation to receive the gate code. As soon as we walked in, we were welcomed with complimentary prosecco. Every drink we tried was fantastic, and you can tell the bartenders put a lot of care and creativity into each cocktail. I highly recommend the Milk & Honey and the Wildflower Highball. Toward the end of our visit, the staff surprised me with a complimentary Desert Water for my birthday. It was such a thoughtful gesture and made my night even more memorable!

Here Nor There is one of the best speakeasies in Austin, hands down…read more The drinks are always incredible--thoughtfully crafted and consistently good. The ambiance is moody and intimate, with music that makes the whole experience feel elevated. Definitely a go-to for a great night.

Super chill, retro diner vibes with a touch of sparkle. Aerie was super welcoming, it was my first…read moretime here so they gave me the lowdown. Just got off work, so I stayed on the first floor. I ordered 2 drinks off the menu, they were super fresh and tasty. Shay, who made my drinks, is definitely a pro, and super knowledgeable. I love that the crowd is super diverse. Thanks so much for the good experience, I will be back.

This place is a great vibe and probably the best place for a date night. Just to get it out of the…read moreway, the food is pretty good but nothing amazing. Their menu is limited but the items on it are classic and reliable. Their chicken katsu sandwich has a good taste and I like their salads too but the price is not really worth it in my opinion. The best thing about the place is the retro vibe. The decor is very unique and cool to see. They have multiple floors each with a bar and the staff are all friendly. Their drinks are good too and pretty good price. This is a great spot to come late at night after getting dinner somewhere else because it's best for sitting down and having chill drinks with friends.

Upon stepping in I felt like I was transported to Miami in the 70s or 80s. Once you enter you turn…read morein your phones making it easy to lose time in connecting with your company. The staff was super nice and attentive our waitress came by multiple times and drinks were good and quick. They have a fun magazine style menu and plenty of options including mocktails. The mocktails were well balanced and not too sweet and my husband enjoyed every drink he tried. We ordered the French fries which were so good the perfect blend of freshness and salt. Would definitely come back for the ambiance and the no phones was a great reminder to connect to who your with and be present.

The vibes are great, but I'm not sure they are worth the wait. There are two lines: one for…read morewalk-ins and one for those with reservations. We waited maybe 15 minutes at the walk-in line as others progressively started to pile on behind us. Then again, even people in the reservation line were waiting. This is definitely the kind of place that wants you to wait. The kind of place that wants to build a line outdoors to intrigue onlookers. We were treated nicely, but we definitely could have gotten in right away. By the time we walked in, the place was probably at 60% capacity. It was standing room only at the bar, but not overcrowded by any means. There is a dress code, but it's not entirely clear what it is. Some guy dressed to the 9s got turned away for not having sleeves whereas I got in with sneakers and a t-shirt. They ask for your cellphones upon entering and give you a key in exchange, but there doesn't seem to be any security to enforce it if you don't want to give them up. I have no problem with their policy, but I bet a lot of customers do. Interestingly, their little social experiment seemed to have a positive effect, where we ended up talking to strangers and vice versa. The Powder Room may be making America social again.