This is one of my favorite bars in Austin. Lots of good drinks and usually good music. It right in the middle of downtown so its pretty easy to get to. read more

One could simply listen to the music selection to know that this place was a gem. Cold War Kids to accompany a fernet mule? Divine.

Well I was a bit worried being an older guy walking into this place. No need, one of the friendliest bars I have ever been to. Also for some reason I was in the mood for an old fashioned, they make an old fashioned that makes me think I am at a supper club in Northern Wisconsin but with younger, thinner and better looking people Highly recommended read more

I thought it was so cute to have to slide the bookshelf to go into the lounge. The place is small and quaint. I loved the music. Very relaxing vibe. I tried the grilled. Cheese sandwich and it was tasty. I wish they had a bigger selection of cocktails; that was my only hesitation whether to come back for another cocktail. The bartenders were nice and attentive. read more

Firehouse Lounge - Sazerac. Small but strong. - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

Crowded Speak easy feel, Great bar very alive. Ordered a glass of Red and a kentucky mule, both were great. ****STAFF ** PRICE *** DRINK read more

Came here for Happy Hour, 4-8pm Friday. The bartenders here are very well-trained: The Old Fashioned is very, very good - they used Rittenhouse Rye, and the result is very smooth, flavorful and rich. Their 'Fitzgerald' is fantastic - used Broker's Gin, very smooth - not dry at all, with lemon and bitters. The 'Brooklynite' is very tasty - rum, berries, and sugar. Simple, goes down easy! The Vodka Sour isn't as much sour as it is citrusy. Almost like a limeade - used Sobieski. The vibe of this place is really laid back, and the bartenders are knowledgeable, personable, and creative. read more

Discovered this place by accident and it was awesome. The vibe, the bartender, everything about this place was pretty cool. Will def come here again. read more

The sliding door sets the mood as you walk into the "secret" lounge. People there are friendly Drinks are good Cool Happy Hour I'd take a date here. read more

Overpriced, hipster joint. The best thing this place has going for it is the entry. You slide a bookcase open to get in from the lobby of the hostel. It's all downhill from there. I've been several times, tried to give it a fair chance, but I don't need attitude with my over-priced, badly made drinks. Assuming you can get the attention of one of the pretty boy bartenders, and if you don't have tits good luck with that, get ready to wait while they amp up the skills and give a good show of making your drink. Truly, the presentation is impressive. Sadly, the result is disappointing. News flash: an Old Fashioned is not supposed to be blood red, and I shouldn't have to ask if that's a carrot slice in it. It's supposed to have a orange slice, not a rind. Maybe the black cherry was supposed to be ironic, but it calls for a juicy maraschino. Truly, this place is like waking into a skit on 'Portlandia''. So, yeah, three strikes and you're out. I really wanted to like this place (LOVE the hostel), but it's just too cool for school. read more

This place is a true cocktail bar with a knowledgable staff and great drinks. I also got the opportunity to try a smooth mezcal at cost which is a great experience I highly suggest trying it while your here. The bar also opens up earlier then other good cocktail bars so it is a great starting point for a fun night of drinks. read more

Firehouse Lounge - Special mezcal tasting - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

Drinks are amazing here, staff in attentive and this place is the cutest gem. Hid behind a bookshelf. I enjoyed it here, but it was no seating. It's pretty small inside. read more

Such a hip spot. It's the epitome of "Austin hip" lol. Definitely check it out! The drinks are superb. Can't sit to come back!

Came down to Austin to celebrate my anniversary and didn't really know where to go since there were so many choices! Decided to come here based on the reviews and I love it!! Love the atmosphere and the bartenders are absolutely amazing and friendly!! I brought in my little 4lb emotional support dog and omg they loved him and treated him real nice! I will definetly come back, and will miss this place when I head back home to Dallas read more

We loved this place during a brief visit to Austin! The bar has a secret entrance (hint: its a bookshelf and the entrance is a hotel!) We asked the waiter to make us a drink that made me feel like i was on vacation, and a drink representing the south (my little bro's request whom is moving there) and the bar tender NAILED IT!!! Must stop and visit! read more

Walking into the Firehouse was a refreshing place considering it isn't in far East 6th or West 6th but retains some of the character and vibe that you might find in a bar more like something there. In other words, a good change of pace and sophisticated but fun place right off of 6th. I will definitely be a repeat customer with the excellent service from their friendly bartenders. read more

This place was our last stop of the night. We had a lot of fun on a few stops that night, and our night started off well at firehouse. The drinks were good and the atmosphere was enjoyable, but the bartenders were not happy to have us. Even though we spent a lot of money and didn't bother any other customers, we got a few comments that made us feel that we were wearing out our welcome. I think this place would be cool for dinner or a drink with a date, but they don't really know how to deal with people looking for a fun way to end the night. read more

Seriously. The coolest spot in Austin. The bartenders were very chill and friendly. The movie choices gave the place a fun vibe and felt right at home in the booths. Very fun and unique experience. read more

Yes this is a fun, unique place. Interesting "secret" sliding bookcase entryway. My wife and I visited on a Monday night around 11:00pm so not at all in the least bit busy. Service is bar only so obviously I ordered at the bar ..... the reason I rated this place at a 3 is because the bar tenders are just plain rude. Both the woman and even more so the guy were not just lacking in hospitality but actually rude -this was on the night of 11/4/19 - so mgmt check your bar tender who made a Sazerac that evening he needs to lighten up and get some manners .... otherwise visitors enjoy the venue aside from rude service it's worth a visit - service not withstanding read more

Check out this speakeasy. Enter through the hostel and then pull the bookcase open and enter into the lounge. Beer and mixed drinks.

I was introduced to Firehouse Lounge through a friend. The more I investigated about the Bar itself and what they are doing, the more impressed I became. Apparently they are turning the top floors above the old bar into Hostels for travelers. They bought the office spaces and are currently converting them over. They even have a "Scooby-Doo esque" book case that slides over to reveal the stairs and elevator to the upstairs floors. Now as for the bar, Robert, the Bar manager apparently brings a lot of experience as a true Mixologist to the table, on par with the bartenders at East Side Showroom. Honestly, I was sold when I was told he uses a special chainsaw to cut up his ice cubes for drinks. Wow! I mean that is fricken' cool:) Each of the bartenders I have been served by have cocktails they recommend and they are always influenced by Robert's guidance and consistently strong and good. It is very much as a Speakeasy, the entrance being off the beaten path of "Dirty 6th." I like whisky-based drinks, and taking out dates for creative drinks that are not just straws and sugar, and this bar never lets me down. Located across the street from The Driskill Hotel on Brazos, this is a destination spot for sure. read more

Stop here for a secret passageway, an excellent atmosphere, and the best old fashioned you can find. Paul was our bartender. He rocks. read more

What a complete let down. I came here wanting to surprise my husband with the secretive entrance; however, we ended up being stopped by the girl bouncer waiting outside the hostel doors for id check. That's fine, a little weird because it takes away from the speakeasy aspect but oh well. After checking our IDs she ruined the whole thing completely by blurting out in a I'm-bored-with-this-tone "just go in through the bookcase." REALLY?! Way to go to chick. That brought me down but thus we ventured on. Went through the bookcase only to be confronted by a college age crowd that totally filled the place to an uncomfortable level, and then to completely wreck the experience beyond measure there was crappy music being DJ'd. No live band whatsoever. We left immediately without buying drinks. What a waste of a stop. read more

Great place with an old-fashioned spirit, Love the drinks love the food wish we could've stayed longer. read more

See all

Enchanting fun location. Truly stepping into something different and different is good. The daquiri was great but the blackberry daquiri was better. Great time. read more

Beyond the bookshelf is a great little hideaway. We went in twice. Once early in the day when the traffic was light and had a good chat with the bartender. The second visit was later when the bar was a bit more steady. Still liked the ambiance, but the bartenders (not the same as previous) would spend 5 minutes making a drink for the same 3 people and not pay attention to anyone else. We waited about 10 minutes for the first round and rather than fight for attention again, went across the street. read more

Pretty cool little speakeasy located behind a secret bookcase in the lobby of a hostel. This place has a different type of layout from a typical bar. There are high tables, areas with couches, and a little nook where a few people cans sit off to the side of the bar. Good place to stop in for a drink while bar hopping. read more

My husband and I came with a friend a few days after Christmas. It's got a fun kitschy "speakeasy" entrance, but once you get inside it's a nice space with a great bar. I had a fabulous gimlet, and my husband and friend enjoyed their drinks as well. I'll definitely come back when I'm in town again. read more

Very cool speakeasy in Austin. The signature cocktails and overall mixology skills are insane! The bartenders put so much attention to every detail. Also - the prices aren't bad for being in the touristy part of 6th street. Would definitely go back the next time I am in town! read more

Finally checked this place out and was so impressed! Met my girlfriend there around 5:30pm for a drink before we went to a professional event a few blocks away. The first cocktail was so amazing (and for $6, wow!) that I had to order another one. And it was also awesome. So I can highly recommend both the Gold Rush and the Rye Derby. I think I liked the Rye Derby better by a nose. Warning, their drinks are deceptively strong so pace yourself here. The bookcase entrance is such a cool detail; I can't wait to take some out of town guests here sometime. And the bartender was an expert at his craft, makes me want to sit at the bar again next time I come despite those super high barstools. Have to take my hubby here sometime to see if he likes it as much as I do. I can't believe it has taken me so long to get here, but I will be back as soon as I possibly can. What a respite among a sea of chains and overpriced cocktail bars. 5 stars! read more

Firehouse Lounge - Gold rush. - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

I'll keep this one short and sweet. Good cocktails, nice bartenders, and quite possibly my favorite entry for a bar in Austin. Definitely a fun spot to check out and return to. They make an excellent Sazerac and I'd like to check out their food at some point too. read more

Okay, how can you NOT give five stars to a bar where you need to push a bookcase in order to get through it? Yes, this is real!! Find the handle, give it a tug, and use your strength to hull the door open and enter... the best speakeasy-style bar I have ever been to. When you step down, you're hit with darkness as the bookcase slams closed behind you. To the left are an assortment of small circular booths and some tables/chairs. Down the stairs to your right is the bar. Upon arrival to the hostel, me and my friend immediately sat down and toasted our vacation to that very moment. I ordered an amaretto sour and cheered to our lives. Wooo wow, that drink was strong! One of the strongest amaretto sours to date. They really knew how to mix it together. The bartender was very nice, British, and gave us a couple of recommendations for our trip (Home Slice, yo). She also happened to be our bartender each time we ended up at this bar. It wasn't always busy, but considering it was barely five o'clock and we were already tipsy, I didn't expect many to be out so early. This was also a good kickoff spot for Sixth Street. Get a drink, hit the town. The hostel is directly connected to the bar, so you go down the stairs, push open the bookcase, and voila! A starting point for all your adventures. Also, I know we were out of season for coming into Austin in January, but Firehouse Lounge was one of two places that actually had music while we were there. I can't help but feeling a bit disappointed in that. But the alternative/indie guy they had there was amazing! Never got his name, but his smooth voice made my drink go down just as smoothly. Mmmmm yes. read more

If you've ever been to 6th street on a Friday night, you know a place like Firehouse Lounge is much needed in the area. It's a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown Austin, and I've never had a bad cocktail here. I've sat at the bar a couple of times, and everyone I've talked to has been incredibly friendly and helpful. I always love learning more about speciality cocktails, and they've been more than happy to talk to me about them. And they make a mean Old Fashioned! read more

Great speakeasy! The sliding bookcase is very authentic. The drinks and atmosphere were top notch. Would definitely return.

Perfect place to start a 6th Street adventure. Starts at the beginning of the strip. Perfect way to surprise whoever you bring. Fair drink prices for the area. Places to sit around a candle or chat it up around a bar. Small dance area if you want to get your groove on. Well done Firehouse Lounge, you are a true 5-Star experience. read more

I had a two cocktails.. two daquiris. not the sugary frozen kind but the REAL cocktail and I would have gotten drunk off of those and only those had I stayed longer. the bartender was nice, too. read more

The only reason why I rate this place a 5 stars is that the drinks were made properly, the decor is great, the female that ran our meat & cheese plate to us was extremely nice, and the food was worth it. Went in..my bf and I were SO excited to try this place. However? The female bartender? She legit seemed to ONLY care about flirting with the guy at the bar. The place was pretty empty since we went around 6:30ish. Stood there for 5 minutes at the end of the bar - nothing. I went to the restroom & came back, my bf was getting irritated..she STILL DIDNT COME OVER. So I walked over to where the guy she was flirting with..and ordered. The entire time she took our order or whatever, she didnt even acknowledge us. She spent her entire attention on this dude. It pissed me off. Step your game up as a bartender, girl. I've been way to too many bars and tip well to be waiting on a drink when it's YOUR job that is based off tips. The female that ran our meat and cheese plate was very nice though. We should've tipped her instead. read more

What can I say about the Firehouse? Coming from New York's West Village, where great mixologists are practically a dime a dozen, it's sometimes hard for me to be impressed by a cocktail menu. The guys at Firehouse are geniuses. Unpretentious, the drinks here are actually GOOD. They don't rely too heavily on the latest trends like egg whites and flavored bitters, and there's something for everyone. I prefer lighter cocktails and those with a little kick; I really enjoy their Diablo, Slapdash and Blackberry Daquiri. And they have a great happy hour menu with prices you'd NEVER see in New York; $5 cocktails from 5-8! Plus, the bar itself is super cool, chill. I came once on a Sunday and there was a great band performing. The ambiance is perfect. Highly recommend if you want to impress your companion! read more

Awesome service. Really good drinks. Good banter too! Get their drink from the Austin drink competition. Spicy, smoky, and sweet all at once. Favorite drink I've had in some time! read more

I've only been to Firehouse Lounge once, but it was an occasion to remember. First off, as I'm sure is stated in many other reviews, you need to slide open a bookcase to get into the venue which is a nice personal touch. Firehouse Lounge is the kind of place that has such a laid back atmosphere, and warm vintage feel. It's the perfect spot to have a date, or go to with a friend to wind down when you want a drink or two. I went on my first date with my yester-bae here and we stayed from 8pm to close and must have ordered almost everything on the menu. Every drink was well balanced and presented beautifully. 10/10 would highly recommend this place to anyone. read more

A must visit every time I'm in Austin! Great atmosphere and drinks. Try the Bee's Knees!