Laidback speakeasy bar with a good selection of classic cocktails. Hidden behind a bookcase at the Firehouse Hostel, this speakeasy offers some solid classic cocktails and other drink options. Once you get beyond the bookcase entrance, the interior is a bit more evocative of your typical lounge-type bar, with a dance floor area in front of the bar. There are also a few nooks and crannies on the periphery of the inside where you can get a table and get away from the crowds. Out of all the speakeasy bar options in downtown, this is by far the most "laidback" of them. For one thing, you don't need a reservation (in fact, I don't believe they actually accept reservations). You aren't assigned a table to drink at and you instead find your own seating (or standing room on crowded nights). The dancefloor draws a younger crowd for sure. Additionally, the bar serves a few classic standards (e.g., negronis, saezeracs, etc.), which are tasty, but doesn't hold itself out as a snobby cocktail bar with tons of custom-made options. It hits a happy medium between an average dive bar and a more upscale cocktail bar. One word of caution: this place is usually popping on the weekends, so it's best to set expectations if you're coming here late on a Friday or Saturday night. That said, it's a great option if you don't have reservations anywhere else. read more

Enjoyed the Firehouse Lounge. It's less speakeasy and more dive bar. The cocktails were reasonable and well made. It was really dark inside and there was a dj for this small space, kinda overwhelming. But always good people watching! read more

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Located in a retired OG 1885 firehouse (maybe that's how they came up with the name), FL is one of my personal fav downtown haunts. Everything about it is just...cool. See what I did there? Hardy-har-har. ;) Hidden just beyond the bookcase in the lobby of the adjacent hostile, you walk into a dimly lit quasi-swanky, speakeasyish, hipsterish (without so many skinny jeans) space with cozy couch seating and a smallish bar that has stools so tall my 5'6" self has to literally crawl up onto. Caution: the trip down post libations is even trickier. FL has some great mixoligists. Lots of sig cocktails. Or, tell them what you like (vodka) and/or don't like (overly sweet foo foo) and they will create a unique masterpiece with your name on it. Very light bar snacks available (think nuts, etc.), live music sometimes, and a very diverse crowd - drifters off dirty 6th, visitors venturing from The Driskill across the street, young peeps who are bunking upstairs, & regulars. Bonus, great boozy happy hour daily, open to 8pm, including weekends. Cheers to that! read more

Firehouse Lounge - Find your way in... - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

Well not a good night for Firehouse... the competition was stiff and they definitely can in 3rd out of 3 venues! On a prohibition pub crawl that took us to three freak speakeasies this one was my least favorite. Now I have been here before and I loved it! But this night they were stacked up against what might be a couple of the best locations I have been to yet in Austin for artisan cocktails... The location wAs packed with a more college type crowed and this crowd had been indulging for some time. It was loud, slightly obnoxious, and not good for a good sized group to try and get drinks in. The place is still a must visit in my opinion. It is a cool spot... just for me.. I'll return at a less busy time in the future. read more

Really cool bar located in the heart of downtown. I really enjoyed their nice ambiance and great drinks. Enter by sliding a bookshelf. It's crazy but fun, like going into a secret hiding spot. I ordered some kind of gin drinks. I just explained to a bartender what I wanted and he mixed something up for me. Something citrusy with gin tasted so good. Loved everything about this bar, hope to come back again at my next visit to Austin. read more

Firehouse Lounge - Door to this bar.... yes I am being serious - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Bradleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey. When you plop a seat down at the bar and the bartender remembers you (fondly), you know you've found a good bar. I've felt all kinda welcome on both visits and I like that they focus on the classics (gimlet, Manhattan, daiquiri, Old Fashioned). They do some have original cocktails, too, as well as beer and wine, but it's a classics bar all the way. Happy hour is until 8pm with $2 off all drinks. "Secret" entrance through a bookcase via a hostel, plenty of seating, and dark lighting make this a great spot to take visitors but also to become a regular. No table service; order everything at the bar. read more

Firehouse Lounge - Gimlet - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

A cool bar that has a speakeasy entrance as it is behind the bookcase. The inside is not too large and has a simple feel to it. We came on a Friday night and it was packed. They also have a DJ spinning some music. I could see this place being a more intimate type bar on the slower days as it is dimly lit. I ordered a drink that was from the chalkboard on top, Baptist, from the bar and just sat and enjoyed the crowd. The prices of drinks were reasonable. read more

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U go into what looks like a closed business then push open a very heavy bookcase. Very cool entrance . The bar is small and enclosed . Great for a tequila shot ! Cool hanging Christmas tree. read more

Great hidden spot! Loved the atmosphere! Great drinks and great bartender! I dont have anything else to say except CHECK IT OUT! read more

In an area that is surround by nothing but touristy dirty bars Firehouse is a breath of fresh air. Firehouse is a cool joint to stop in and grab a few quick drinks. Its kind of fun walking through the bookshelf. If was traveling I'd totally want to stay at the hostel and as a bar customer meeting the guests and getting to know new people is always fun. They do great classic cocktails, I didn't find many of the drinks that inventive but they had all the typical classic stuff with new names. Service is a bit slow as they always seem to have one bartender trying to make classic cocktails for the entire bar. The drinks come out perfect so its hard to complain too much. Firehouse is great everyone should check it out. read more

Great bartenders and the vibe is fantastic. Do not be afraid to provide a flavor profile and let these experts come up with something unique. The gin old fashion that I received was outstanding. read more

Hidden inside the firehouse hostel is a cute little speakeasy bar called the firehouse lounge! You step inside the hostel and the host (who can also check you in for a room) will ask if you're checking in. Let him know you're here for the bar and he will direct you to sliding open a bookcase. It's a secret entrance into the Firehouse lounge! There are specialty and classic cocktails here and the bartenders perfect each little glass! Plenty of seating on a Wednesday night! One of the best bars in town and would love to check it out again before I head out! read more

Firehouse Lounge - Classic cocktails - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

This place is super hidden! It looks like it's a actual hostel but.... It's a fun speakeasy!! Cool drinks, a little stage but no one was playing while we were there! It kinda looks like the lady from Twin Peaks would be signing creepy jazz! I had a gimlet, it was regular and only $12. When you go, you will not see a sign for this place, just go into the hostel and tell them you want to go to the bar... sneaky sneaky. Fun place to take people to. read more

Firehouse Lounge - Gimlet and an old fashioned - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Wow - this place had a great place in my heart until today. My girlfriend fell trying to get a glass of water, which was inexplicably on a stairway. She didn't see it and took a tumble. Our fault, no big deal, so I went to the bar to get a glass of water. I stood in line patiently for 10 minutes. The drinks here take a long time to make, I get that. Then I was at the bar and noticed the barback wasn't busy and I tried to get his attention - obviously anyone can get me a glass of water. What was the response? The bar tender told me not to talk to him. Then he says "do you want his number or something? Hey what's your number this guy wants your number?" He also added some homophobic slurs that I won't repeat. What???? That's the most insane response ever. Tossing aside how homophobic that is, how is that the response there? That's the most absurd thing anyone has ever said to me. I told them they're out of water and that's what I was asking for. Begrudgingly the bar back gets me a glass of iceless water. Not the hardest thing in the world, but he decided I needed to be slurred in the process. The guy who decided to say I needed to get someone's number instead of a glass of water was wearing a red hat, grey shirt, beard, and it said damn on it. He didn't give me his name but if I get a picture I will update. Stay away especially if you're part of the lgbtq community. read more

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I'd heard this was one of the best bars in downtown Austin, so I obviously had to check it out when I was in the area a couple months ago. You'd think a bar hidden all Harry Potter style would be cozy and quiet, but the word is well out about this one - even at 5:30 PM it was pretty busy - took a few minutes to get a drink, but they were completely aware of that, and the bartender was super apologetic when he got to me, so I have no complaints about that. When he did get to me, I wasn't totally feeling anything on their list at the time, so I'm happy to say he was totally happy to make something up on the spot. I asked for something spicy and smoky, spirit-forward with mezcal, and the result was everything I asked for - served like an old fashioned, with vida mezcal, ancho reyes, amaro, bitters and a jalapeno garnish. Great! Properly spicy without extra prompting, the way I like it - they don't mess around in Texas, I guess! Was 8 bucks on happy hour, and pretty strong. Only complaint is that it's not a large space for the number of people they can pack in, so it gets pretty loud. And that was at 5:30, mind - I can't even imagine it later at night. The drinks are great (or at least mine was, but I'm extrapolating), but it definitely felt more like a place you go to *drink* than a place you go to relax. read more

Firehouse Lounge - Spicy mezcal drink made up on the spot :) - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

I love speakeasies! I think this is one of the coolest ones that I have been to in the United States. It isn't overly fancy and there wasn't a secret code or anything. But the bar was concealed behind a bookcase in a hostel. If you didn't know, you would probably never guess there was a cool bar behind the bookcase. I definitely liked the vibe and was glad our tour guide had told us about this place. read more

Best Moscow mule I've ever had! This place is cute cozy and warm with great atmosphere, music and the drinks are top notch! Also tried Charo's Kick, delish! Lou the bartender was great!!! read more

Firehouse Lounge is a fun secret bar in Austin although based on the number of people inside, it's not so secret anymore. Great place to grab some drinks and hang with your friends. Sometimes it is a bit hard to find a table but remember there are some spots by the exit. If you haven't been, go check it out. read more

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Beautiful hidden little bar located in a very unsuspecting area within downtown Austin. This place is very small but yields some amazing drinks, a great vibe and some outstanding live entertainment. To get into this place, you literally enter through a retracting bookcase located within the lobby of a hostel... Can't make this stuff up lol. Once inside, there is ample seating and a fully functional bar. The drinks are served by friendly bartenders and are extremely potent. The live entertainment kept the place rocking all night. Overall, a great little hidden bar! Pros- Cocktails Hidden and unsuspecting Nice and functional layout Friendly staff Fantastic live entertainment Nice acoustics Inexpensive Seating Cool vibe Nice clientele Drink potency Cons- Very small Limited entry (pro & con) read more

Firehouse Lounge - Negroni- Gin/Absinthe/Vermouth - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I can't believe after 7yrs in Austin that I had never been here before!? First off, the novelty alone is worth a visit! It is attached to a hostel (by the same name) downtown and "hidden" behind a sliding bookcase! Some people scoff at such things, but I love it! The bar itself is actually kind of a mix of something you'd find in NYC and Miami. It's part loungey and part industrial. The bartenders here are a bit brusk, but they know their stuff! I had a Sazerac and an Old Fashioned and had no complaints about either. There wasn't anything really happening here (as in live music), so it was nice to just people watch, group chat, and slow sip our cocktails. The stools at the high-tops were a bit uncomfortable, so I would have definitely enjoyed nabbing one of the loungey couch-ish options. Next time...because there will definitely be a next time! read more

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20% automatic gratuity added to bill at bar. Not coming back. I'm not gonna tip more for drinks than at a restaurant (which requires a lot more work by a waiter). read more

Great little hidden gem downtown. Love the entrance into the lounge and the fact it's hidden behind a sliding bookcase- Bartenders are knowledgeable- Eat before going- no food services- Worth checking out- read more

This place is quickly becoming my favorite bar. They have happy hour until 8pm, which is $2 off of everything, and the bartenders are amazing. Paul and Bradley are both awesome. They make great drinks and take pride in the quality of the cocktails served at the bar. They're a little pricey, but if you're looking for a place that makes real cocktails by hand, it's so worth it. I highly recommend the Sazerac and the Old Fashioned. It's a cool atmosphere and not too big of a place. I especially like the vibe earlier in the night before it gets too busy. read more

Firehouse Lounge - An Old Fashioned - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

I came across this cute little speakeasy a few weeks ago and couldn't have been more presently surprised! I'm not quite sure how to get in the real way but the door was propped open when we walked by. I didn't get the full experience of its secrecy as the bookshelf had already been pulled back but it did NOT take away from the vibe. There was a performance going on the night I came in and the experience was just a vibe! I'm not sure how the environment is any other time but my guess is that at the very least, your service and drinks will be on point. I had an amazing time and didn't even stay long! From what I can recall seeing, there were booths to sit at in addition to a few barstools you could sit at as well. Drink selection was a mix of speciality cocktails and an open bar so it didn't look like much was off the table. I hope to visit again and get the full blown experience! read more

Firehouse Lounge If you are trying to find a great bar to have a drink and not be found, then this is your spot! It is located in a hostel and in order to get to the bar you have to go through a secret passage way to get in. There is a book shelf on the right hand side as soon as you walk in and that is your entrance in. Walking in to the bar was entering a whole different scene. It has the speakeasy vibe to it and you won't find your usual drinks here but instead you will find the classic drinks such as Old Fashioned, Tom Collins and many more! Each drink is made fresh and the flavor really stands out. I decided to try a new drink tonight and I was not let down. I tried the ________ and every sip had such a refreshing and delicious taste of alcohol with that perfect blend of fruit juices or whatever was in it. The drinks were not the only impressive thing here but the service and the staff made the experience wonderful. They were friendly, funny and carried on a great conversation as well as recommending other great bars in Austin to check out. The crowd here is really laid back, not too many tourist but instead there were many regulars. If you are in the Austin area and looking for a different but fun bar to hang out, then this is your spot! Make sure to ask about other speak easy bars or bars that need codes to get in...the bartenders just might be able to help you out Come on yelpers Come yelp this place read more

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My friends and I decided to check out this speakeasy bar the first night we got to Austin based on a blog post recommendation. It was a quaint spot with unique drinks. There was only one other group there and the vibe was a little slower than we had hoped, but we were there around 5pm on a Thursday evening. The music wasn't our favorite and the place was a little too dark for us. Still worth a visit, but maybe come on the weekend or later in the night. read more

Loved this spot! Very cool decor and bar tenders who know and love their craft. I loved the vibe overall and the cocktails. Check out the walls. It was a great evening. read more

The atmosphere was very enjoyable. Out of our group, two drinks ordered were good and one was very below average My main complaint being the service, I have experienced more polite bartenders at dive college bars. Our bartender rolled her eyes ( I counted ) three times in our singular interaction. Much better speakeasy-type bars in Austin. Don't waste your time here! read more

It's probably called firehouse for a reason... it felt like a fire house in there! Extremely hot hot hot. Candles everywhere, bad ventilation, extremely crowded... all for that extra heat in this fire house. Ordered some old fashions... one was like half the glass the other was 1/4... not sure if the bartenders are actually good... or if he was extremely busy? But also ordered beers and can't go wrong with that. But overall, a cool lounge. The entrance is cool too, I wouldn't have figured it out but we were with 2 locals friends. read more

I found this place on Yelp looking for the highest rated lounges near 6th street and I was pleasantly surprised. I came on a Friday night around closing time and it was pretty much empty. Meanwhile, 6th street was packed with a bunch of wild college football fans so it was a nice change of pace. The drinks here were surprisingly cheap for the quality. I ordered the Old Time shrub, a margarita, had a chance to taste the Regal Gold Rush , and thought they were all delicious. You can't go wrong with the house recommendations. If it's too hot outside, this indoor lounge is the perfect place to cool off and enjoy some delicious drinks. read more

Firehouse Lounge - Entrance - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Nice vibe to the place. It's hard to get drinks though and you end up standing in line for 10 minutes.

Stopped in on an early night out and to our surprise - they have happy hour until 8:00 pm! This was a great surprise, $2 off almost all drinks, how can we complain. You enter through the hostel entrance. It was cute and kind of traditional speakeasy but they aren't trying to actually hide. The drink menu has some cute cocktails, draft beer, and canned beer. We were served relatively quickly. Only complain: the place is kind of small and there were not a lot of places to sit, or even stand. Seems like they may have a live band here sometimes. Given the size of the place it may be really really loud, but hey just not my cup of tea. Cute spot for a date and hopefully it's not crowded next time you stop in! read more

Firehouse Lounge - The back of the entrance door - cute! - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

Lowkey but fun. Great bartenders and great vibes. I've been during the weekend and weekdays and the vibe is consistent.

Such a cool place! My husband remarked that he felt like he was in Nola or NYC. I couldn't agree more. Firehouse is such a vibrant little spot tucked away in our beautiful city. read more

fun to walk through the bookcase -- it's like a different world. Outside is like a hotel / regular building and once you open that door, you hear loud music and people talking at the bar pretty cool. only problem is it's really small, so there's no place to sit, and it was kind of hot in there. Humid. they need better air circulation in the small crowded space. (this was on a saturday night at around 10pm) good drinks, good atmosphere, i recommend this place to check out! read more

Came on New Year's Eve and had such high hopes for this place to be my favorite bar in Austin. However, it did not live up to the hype. Maybe this is just because of the NYE crowd but for a nice cocktail bar, NEVER serve drinks in plastic cups. There is just something wrong about you making my old fashioned using a plastic cup and stirring with a steel spoon! It was way too crowded and one of the servers even cut his hand on a knife. Blood was on the cup he served! We had to actually ask for a different cup. Maybe a better experience is to be had on a not so crowded day. read more

Firehouse Lounge - The logo - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

Firehouse Lounge presents itself as a well-equipped neighborhood bar. I was in town for the weekend and found this place. I liked it so much I went here two nights in a row. This is a bar that I wish was in my area at home. I'd transport the bartenders and the vibe right to my hometown :) The drinks are very reasonably priced: $11 for an old fashioned, for example, but don't let the lower prices scare you. The bartenders are very friendly and very skilled at what they do (they use real eggs to make a whiskey sour rather than a mix...this is a great sign!) They definitely focus on classic drinks -- gimlet, old fashioned, sazerac, moscow mule, etc. But don't get me wrong... their menu lists a bunch of other drinks too. (TIP: If you want to balance out the night, make reservations ahead of time at Here Nor There, a speakeasy right across the street...a more upscale place with pricier world-class craft cocktails.) There's no bar food here (no fries!), so eat before you come. Honey roasted or salted peanuts, cracker jacks, chips and salsa, and pretzels, all for about $3.00, is what they offer. There was music playing in the background the entire time I was there, but the DJ officially kicked in at 10pm both nights. What I really loved is that the music was cool but relatively low key, and not overpowering. You could still hold a conversation without saying, "What? Excuse me?" throughout. For ears like mine, which are closer to 50 years of age than to 30, this is imperative. lol The crowd is decidedly jeans casual. Yes, there were 21-year-olds sitting next to one side of me, but a 40+ year old couple was sitting to my other. This venue has a little bit for everyone. But if you don't know what's playing on mainstream radio and only tune in to NPR and PBS, this place may be too lowbrow for you. Paul, our bartender both nights, was very nice and made us feel at home. Like I said, a neighborhood feel but a place you can get a solid drink at the same time. I disagree with those who call this a dive bar. I'd say it's a lived-in bar. The bar counter and floor aren't sticky like a dive bar (though the restrooms are definitely lived-in :)). Definitely our go-to place in Austin every time we're in town from now on! read more

So fun. Great drinks and has the best chill vibe I've seen in Austin. It's small enough to feel intimate but doesn't feel crowded normally. Bartenders have always been super great, my personal favorite spot to go out. Music selection is so great. read more

I've come back here a couple of times since I last reviewed it and in my following assessments I have concluded that the the overall service sucks balls and their drinks are weak. Still, it's cool that this joint is behind a hidden door. read more

So I was with my daughter looking for places to take a company group out over the next three days. I just wanted a look - my daughter wasn't allowed in- no big deal... so I asked for a quick peek inside the door to check it out. I was told no its not allowed it's a bar there's nothing... special ... and given a shrug. I was sorry I troubled her. I'm sure we'll find a great place though. read more