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.

My boyfriend and I came in for happy hour without a reservation and were seated immediately. The…read morebar had a dark, cozy, and intimate atmosphere. We ordered the Espresso Martini, Vodkadora, French 75, and Pisco Sour. All of the drinks were strong and delicious! The service was fantastic as well. The staff was attentive and friendly throughout our visit. Definitely check this place out if you're in the area! We'll definitely be back to try more drinks.

I stumbled into this bar and it is the most beautiful space. The couch/ alcove seating they have is…read moremy favorite. You can sit to face the beautiful bar and watch the old movies they play. There is no sound so if they put the words on you could know what's happening but that's not the point. The vibe is curated! Their menu takes your through time and has drinks from each decade. It's such fun experience to drink through different eras.

Entering from the lobby, it felt like a maze trying to find the right elevator and then figure out…read morewhere to go once I got off. After exiting the elevator, I ended up meandering through what felt like the entire rooftop pool deck with rows and rows of seating, a beautifully laid-out space, and a huge outdoor area before finally reaching the actual bar on the other side of the building. Verdict: best pool, least impressive late-night drink options. The rooftop space itself is massive and gorgeous, with seating spread around fire features and plenty of room to roam. It's the kind of place that makes you want to book a stay just to have access to the pool and outdoor area. Drink-wise, though, the menu was very limited, and they didn't have any mocktails listed. I asked for "anything mocktail," and they brought me a virgin Lady Bird. It was mostly juice, but still tasty and refreshing for $8.

My friends and I had a FABULOUS time here. The ambiance is beautiful and so cozy! Without a res on…read morea Friday evening (around 6:30/7) we were able to get a nice, big cabana area. The couches were so comfortable and the ambiance was so pretty. In terms of the drinks and food, it was okay! Got the job done, but nothing to rave about. I enjoyed the sliders the most. I enjoyed my drink as well (5th Floor Cooldown) once we added the extra sweetener we requested. Without it, I wasn't a huge fan (wasn't sweet, despite being told that it was). Valet parking is only $15 (for 2 hours) with validation. I appreciated that, as it made parking not a headache.

This is such a lovely hideaway bar! The vibes are immaculate and I loved the dark moodiness of it…read moreall. We were a little lost when we first arrived because the door is quite subtle, but fortunately someone else was also entering. Our servers were all very friendly and we were seated by the manager. I highly recommend making a reservation--the only reason we got in was because another reservation for 10:00 didn't show and it was almost 20 past! The drinks were good and they have a pretty solid list of "experimentals" as well as some themed drinks for the bar. I had the Daisy and an espresso martini and enjoyed both. All in all, I think this place is great for a 1:1 or coming with a small group of 2-4 people. And our receipt came inside of a book, which added to the quirkiness of the place. Would definitely come back!

It's located next to Oasthouse and has an entrance either from inside the restaurant or outside…read more Large parking lot! I had the Nick+Nora+Des and the Daisy and while both were good my favorite was the Nick+Nora+Des. There is an upstairs section and even a small third level too.

It's a rainy night in Austin. My girlfriend is in town because my cousin and her fiancé are getting…read moremarried in Austin. It's also the weekend of our one year anniversary. An hour ago it wasn't raining, but now it's pouring. A few months ago, I heard of a newer bar and experience called Equipment Room just right off of South Congress. Music means everything to me. Nothing can express emotions and instill a feeling in 3 minutes like a song can. I live for that. Equipment Room is inherently Japanese in concept. Existing in Japan for over 50 years, listening bars combine high fidelity audio equipment with impressively crafted cocktails and alcohol combining the passion of music in a space to gather with comfortable chairs and a beautiful atmosphere. The concept has expanded westward as all cool things inevitably do, but I would never think a spot would be successful in Austin like it would be in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and so on. As I back my car into a parking spot on South Congress, I grab the umbrella out of my trunk and walk my girlfriend and me to the entrance trying to not get ourselves soaked in the process. This is not the first time we have tried to go to Equipment Room. We tried to get a walk-in table just to see out of morbid curiosity and that was a failure. I booked her and me a table for this night and I was madly looking forward to it. As we got to the small entrance, we were introduced to the hostess who brought us from the stairs into the main underground space and to our seats on the couch in a large wraparound sofa with other parties sitting near us. The music is faint from the entrance, but once you walk through the main walkway, a wave of sound hits your eardrums. You're immediately engrossed into the music like walking into a concert hall or putting a fresh pair of headphones on for the first time. As we sat down, selections from Outkast's Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik were playing through the speakers. Our hostess introduced us to their "User Manual" (their menu) where it contained all the snacks and drinks you could get your grubby hands on. There's more than just drinks and food on the menu. The first page introduces the concept and gives a few house rules. The second page shows all the equipment this so-called room has, from the premium Klipsch speakers, their preamps and amplifiers as well as their turntables and mixers. It's a dream page for music nerds. I want a $15k speaker in my apartment, but those noise complaints would never end. Our waitress came by shortly to give us water and take our order. Their menu is quite expansive, but the main pages we were told to check out were their A-side drinks or the classics and their B-side drinks, which are more experimental. We had to go with experimental for starters because who knows when you'll get to try something similar again. I started with a Goca Dünya while my girlfriend ordered a Deceptacon. The Goca Dünya was a vodka based floral drink with pistachio foam and Amaro Nonino, an Italian herbal liqueur. The Deceptacon was a rum-based cacao drink with a touch of lime and mint. It took a little time for our drinks to come out, clearly, as they are quite intricate. I loved my drink, bluntly. The pistachio foam was a great balance to the herbal flavors at the bottom. My girlfriend and I continued to enjoy each other's company as the music continued. The space we were in was decorated with posters and memorabilia from legendary artists coming through Austin and some general music decor like that purple album from that Prince guy. The DJ-curator that night was on a tear playing incredible soul music holding the bar hostage with a taste of funk. Jimmy Smith came next before transitioning to a few tracks from Bobbie Gentry. The last albums he pulled out were Steely Dan's Aja (a stone cold classic) and Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life (a top 10 album of all time). Not only was he playing classics like Isn't She Lovely, but he threw down some deeper cuts like Black Man and Contusion. Incredible. We both got another drink with my girlfriend getting their A-Side Espresso Martini while I got the Brown Sugar from their B-Sides. It was a seaweed and mushroom infused whiskey with a few more bells and whistles and it was super unique. Quite a bit of their menu is Japanese-inspired in homage to the originators of listening bars. This includes Japanese beer, sake, and Japanese-inspired food and beverages on their menu. Very cool. The worst part of the night came when our hour and 45 minute reservation came to a close. I could've stayed there for another 3 hours and never grown tired, but with how popular this space has become, they gotta kick you out at some point. This is an experience you have to have. It's worth it. I'll be strolling back in soon enough because there is nothing like this in Austin and it's truly a special space. RIYL: Actively listening to music.

I visited The Equipment Room tonight to celebrate my wife's birthday, and unfortunately our…read moreexperience at the entrance was disappointing. When we walked in, the hostess asked us to return to the first room because she was not at the seating area. She then told us there was no available seating, which was surprising since I had just been inside and saw multiple open seats, including two that had just been vacated. The hostess--her name sounded like Constanza--explained that the room was full because of Memorial Day weekend. When I said we didn't mind waiting since it was only midnight, she then stated they would be closing soon at 1 a.m., even though the posted closing time is 2 a.m. These explanations contradicted each other, and her tone came across as dismissive. She avoided eye contact, offered no real assistance, and ultimately suggested we check for seats ourselves, which felt unwelcoming and unprofessional. For a venue with such a strong reputation, especially on a special occasion, the interaction fell far below expectations. I hope the team can ensure more consistent and courteous service at the host stand moving forward.

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.

The food was unexpectedly delicious! I wasn't so excited to go to a bar for dinner, but this place…read morewas truly worth it. All of this was about $80 without tips, which I think was very reasonable. We truly had a great experience!

It's been weeks since my first, (and so far, only) visit to The Little Darlin' and I'm still…read moredreaming of that hamburger I had. Seriously the BEST HAMBURGER I've ever had. Like, I'm probably never going back because I'm not sure that is repeatable . I like my hamburger well-done which usually means a fairly dried out burger, which I'm always fine with. NOT SO at this establishment! It was PERFECTION! Actually juicy, full of grilled flavor and expertly paired with toppings of their choice. I changed nothing and now I think I'm ruined because nobody will ever serve me a better burger! I also had the elote dip and it was also STELLAR! Bravo y'all!

This bar is crazy Its in a parking garage which the outside look is just ok Open the door and…read moreits a speakeasy vibe very dark romantic Romantic in a parking garage who knew Service exceptional drinks were delicious Our bartender was fun and easy to talk to Overall fantastic place

Truly enjoyed my experience here! We went a bit early so we can go with our toddlers. We ordered…read morethe pizza sampler and their ceasar salad and wow, they did not disappoint!! I enjoyed every single thing that was placed in front of me I dont remember our server's name but she was super nice and helpful as well! Our cocktails were great too! The ambiance was also perfect. Everything was dim and people were nice and music was jamming.

Checked out Far Out Lounge and Stage thanks to "Do More". Definitely a great way to "do more"…read morethings you wouldn't normally on your own! The venue has a divey, cozy vibe. The stage is out back, and check-in was easy at the bar for wristbands. There's a full bar inside and plenty of outdoor seating, plus a pizza food truck if you want a bite without leaving. Staff were friendly, and the atmosphere made it easy to relax and enjoy the music. Definitely a spot I'd come back to on my own if the lineup looked good.

The bartender/manager interaction here was honestly bizarre and unprofessional. I ordered a drink,…read moreclarified the tequila I wanted, and asked for salt on the rim, completely normal requests when paying premium prices for cocktails. Instead of basic customer service, I was met with attitude, irritation, and eventually being called "bro" and spoken to disrespectfully in front of other people. I work in service myself, so I'm usually very understanding, but this experience completely killed the vibe of the night. If you're going to charge upscale lounge prices, the staff should know how to treat customers professionally instead of acting annoyed that someone wants their order made correctly.

I was here for a work happy hour, and felt very lucky to experience this venue. The two bartenders…read morewere super patient with our orders. I got the mocktail that was mojito themed and it was very refreshing. The views, always unmatched. Golden hour & sunset? Even better. Later, I asked if I could take the leftover food they were packing up because I know the food industry recommends disposing of them. They gave me a whole bag! Unfortunately I didn't realize the pasta salad given wasn't the one I wanted I did get to have the cheese pastry and two of the breakfast sandwiches for breakfast the following days.

Attended an event here recently and had a great time. The venue offers comfortable indoor and…read moreoutdoor seating for 100-150 guests. The rooftop has some pretty spectacular views of downtown Austin. The bartenders were friendly and quick. Themed cocktail and mocktail drinks were innovative, strong and tasty! Parking is $5 an hour in the RiverSouth garage. The bartenders said that parking fee was capped at $10 for the event at the exit gate but they still charged us the full fee for 4 hours.