cool place and well hidden. had a couple drinks. great place to hang out

This bar is my favorite ever! I love that it's hidden. There's nothing like the Indian paint brush, best drink in the game. Try to make it at least once with each Austin visit read more

Might of just been the night but this place did not do it for us. Hit it about 10 on a Saturday night, which was probably a mistake. Was expecting a speakeasy and chill vibe but it was packed and there was a line to get in. They were nice about the line, and told us 10 minutes, but it was 30. That's thirty minutes waiting in a dirty parking garage. Once inside they initially told us we would need to stand while waiting for a table, but they ultimately found us a table. It was very loud and chaotic. Again, this could just be a Saturday night timing issue, and maybe completely different on a weeknight or earlier. Drinks were fine, but we definitely preferred the drinks and vibe at Small Victory and The Roosevelt Room. read more

What's not to love about a bar inside of a parking lot! Great place to start a night out in downtown Austin. It's a lounge atmosphere with low light but great cocktails! read more

I'm a fan! Was wondering how it would work to have a bar literally in a garage - this place does it well and creates a unique environment to enjoy some delicious cocktails! Came at around 5:30 pm on a Friday and it was crowded enough to be loud but I didn't feel like I was battling for space. You can literally see cars coming into the garage, which makes for occasional headlights that somehow add to the atmosphere in a fun way. I ordered the Indian Paintbrush with gin and a gin-based cucumber Gimlet. Both were extremely refreshing (and strong!). Service is quick, the bartenders can customize your drink how you'd like and it's a fun crowd inside. Would definitely recommend if you're looking for a slightly different cocktail bar, especially if you have a group of people with you! read more

Good luck finding this place, because it's tucked away and the only sign is the word "garage" painted on the side of the garage building. sigh. BUT, it's definitely worth finding because the drinks are solid! I enjoyed not one but two of the Queen Anne's Lace because it was such a perfect mix of carrot, peach and gin. This was the best drink on the menu, in my opinion. While on the overpriced side,I ended up getting a Japanese Cowboy. I absolutely love Japanese whisky and the last time I had this drink was at an outstanding bar in NYC. The one I had at Garage was perfectly mixed (thanks Paul!) and brought me right back to that magic night when I first encountered the cocktail. The space was dark, it is tucked away in the heart of a garage. The light-up bar will draw you like a moth to flame, but don't miss out on the rest of the decor. Super-cute and well designed. The ladies bathroom was truly a show stopper. Definitely check this place out if you like a good cocktail. read more

So a girl walks into a parking garage... and discovers a beautiful bar just nestled under there snug as a bug in a rug. I'd heard of Garage but I really didn't know what to expect. I mean, it's a bar. In a Garage. Allow me to set your expectations: -- Easily found -- Beautifully styled -- Fantastic cocktails -- Reasonably priced -- Mid-century modern like woah -- Vinyl -- Cool factor 10 They've got a full bar but mix-y and accessible cocktails. I had a French 75 and a glass of rosé from our super sweet server. I love this little spot and I can't wait til they've got bites on the menu. (Can I request truffled popcorn?) read more

I have found my new favorite bar in Austin. It offers everything that makes me swoon: mixologist style cocktails, classic vintage furniture in a trendy clean space, unique location for a bar (in a parking garage), friendly waitstaff & laid back Austin vibe. I've been eagerly awaiting the opening of this place & the chance to pop in ---the wait was totally worth it. Ahh, I dig it!! Drinks range from $4-$6 beers, to $7-10 glass of wine, to $8-15 signature cocktail prices. HH from 5p-7p: cocktails & beer 1/2 off. Susie was my server & she was exceptional - accommodating & sweet. I was hesitant to write a review, I can't lie -- eek, because I want to keep this spot on the down low, but I love the vibe of this place so much I want everyone to know about it so Garage thrives & stays in business! read more

I hate posting negative reviews, but when I do it is only because I have had multiple negative experiences. By negative experience at a bar I mean terribly rude service, extremely slow, pretentious, overpriced/small drinks. I have been going to garage bar fairly regularly since they opened. I've been at different times with many different types of people and honestly had a lot of good times at this place. I do love this unique space and their "craft cocktails." When I read some reviews saying that it is "unpretentious" I am shocked. This place screams hipster pretention from the door guys (multi incidents with their desire to create exclusivity), to the mustache bartenders (how about 30 minute waits to get your drink when it isn't crowded), and above all moody table servers. I have had numerous appalling interactions with the staff here....and sorry, I am a super friendly, easy to like type of person that only requires a smile and some common courtesy in return. If you take anything from my review, order a Manhattan or a shirley temple. Otherwise, grab a drink down the street where they let a little fresh Austin air in. read more

I love to find me a hidden treasure and that's exactly what Garage is. I remember seeing Garage getting built a year or two ago and thinking, that's an interesting place to put a bar...inside of a parking garage...Yes, that's right, a PARKING GARAGE. We happened to be celebrating a buddy's 30th birthday and we were finishing up at the W's cocktail lounge and in search of our next stop. Garage popped up at the top of my list and I noticed that the lovely Ms. Courtney B had given it 5 stars, so I knew I was headed in the right direction. Not having read the reviews very closely, I didn't actually realize that it was the same bar that I had seen being built a year ago. In fact, I didn't even realize that it was inside of the parking garage until I got close enough to see a painted sign on the outside of the parking garage that my navigation led me to that said "COCKTAILS". Slightly confused, I walked up to the parking attendant, who pointed out the walkway to get to the bar. Needless to say, after having had a few cocktails that evening, I was a little challenged trying to guess which walkway. We opened the door to the bar to be greeted by a fairly packed room. We managed, however, to find a couch and some chairs. The bar is not very big - it has a cool speakeasy vibe though. Our cocktail waitress was very friendly and had great suggestions. They have a very inventive cocktail selection. One of the cocktails that one of the gals tried had carrot in it - I've never heard of a cocktail with carrot, but it was very good and not super sweet. Prices seemed fairly reasonable as well. TL;DR: a new swanky craft cocktail bar that you should check out. read more

I closed my previous review by saying "I'll definitely be back." Back I've been, a handful of times now. I still think it's different, sexy and cool. However, I have yet to walk away from any of the drinks I've gotten here saying "Damn that's a good cocktail!" (as I have when leaving some of my favorite cocktail bars in town and elsewhere). It just hasn't happened here and I've tried a number of their drinks. Even their "Official Drink of Austin 2015" Indian Paintbrush which one of my friends can't get enough of, I think is just ok without a lot of flavor. I have some other friends who agree. I feel the mixology here is more on the amateur level and I do not mean that offensively at all. Service has mostly been great with a little dash of pretension a couple of times. I just feel that Garage is more style than substance. For me to really like a cocktail bar I need some substance with all that style and a lot of substance is what a place actually provides, i.e. drinks here. Places that have both style and substance are the ones I will continue to come back to. read more

Whatever. I guess I'm not cool enough to "get" it. Whatever "it" is. Went with some friends last Saturday to stop in to see what all the fuss was about. We get there around 9 pm and there is a line. They are only letting so many people in and are already at capacity, so wait we must. No big deal, I can be patient. After about 15 minutes or so, out comes a huge party (with more coming out than will be coming in within our group), so we step forward only to be stopped by the door man. Wait, he says. The hostess has to clear you first. So we have to wait another 10 minutes until the hostess graces us with her presence. Ummm, ok. Once inside, I could feel my inner-Larry David screaming. It's too dark! It's too loud! Meh! It's a personal pet-peeve of mine when bars/restaurants feel the need to turn the speakers to 11. In a group of ladies, I could only talk to/hear the ones directly to my left and right. And even then, there was a lot of huh? what did you say? The bar was having an off-night as apparently their computer system crashed earlier and things were backed up. We were missing drinks, wrong ones came out, and the waitress was running all over the place and not too friendly. To their credit, they did comp a couple of drinks, but it was still a bad first impression for a loud bar with drinks ranging from "good" to just "ok". Austin has a million cocktail bars these days, so why settle? read more

This is a hipster cool joint where you get a nice cocktail for more money than you should spend but don't worry about it as they have nice happy hour and attractive prices then. The good: cool. Just cool. Who builds an authentic bar under a parking garage (which you literally walk through to get there) in downtown? Creative ATX peeps, that's who. The cocktail list is expansive, and my date enjoyed her French 75 served in the correct glass (we've been to other places where it gets served in a flute?). They do have a few beers (I don't do cocktails, but I did want to do my date so I compromised) but at $4/Shiner, you get the idea. This is not your neighborhood bar. The decor is retro and cool - you have to go at least once just to drink it in. Really nice job here. The not-so-good: not sure why but the lighting is extremely low. Like low. Like watch your step low. Great if you want to camouflage a few wrinkles, not so great if you're trying to read the expansive cocktail list. Or see your date. It is a small place, so between the lighting and the space it can feel a little claustrophobic. Also, for some reason at an early hour (7-8 pm) they had the vinyl (no stage here folks!) playing so loud I couldn't hear my date even as I sat right next to her. Why do bars feel the need to assault your wallet and your ears? Here's the bottom line - go try this place (no, do not wear shorts or jeans) and see if its for you. if you're hip or even in the neighborhood of hip you may just have found a new place to add to your after-work rotation. If you're like me, maybe that's not your thing but I'm not really the Garage's demo, so they'll be okay with that. read more

The owners or managers had my previous review removed so I have to write another one. There are plenty of bars in Austin. My advice is to find one that is a lot less pretentious and with nicer/friendlier staff. It shouldn't be that hard at all read more

Picture this: it's summer in Austin. It's about 105 degrees. Your shorts are plastered to your ass, you've already seen every movie playing at the Drafthouse, and if you stay outside any longer you're going to die. JUST. DIE. You espy a neon sign hidden inside a parking garage. It just says: "GARAGE". "Well, obviously, yes", you think. "That is indeed a garage." You heard it was a bar or something though, so you weave your way through the cars and head on in. Inside an old valet stand is one of the coolest bars in the city. Yes, it looks cool and also has nice drinks, but it is literally COLD inside there. Being surrounded by concrete and partially underground means it's a wonderful place to visit in the middle of summer to cool down. That doesn't mean it's cold in winter, thankfully, it just really shines in the summer. The decor reminds me of what a 60's bar might look like if someone designed it now (which is, uh, probably what they were going for). It's low lighting done well, where it's actually kind of sexy instead of HEY WHAT DOES THIS MENU SAY I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING. The cocktails are stellar. Their happy hour is excellent, with a half dozen or so classics for $6. They've also recently added a cheese plate so you can get something in your belly that isn't booze. But really, why would you want to do that? Just have another Black Manhattan instead. It's almost like food. read more

Located inside a parking garage between 5th & 6th street, I remember seeing the progress when they were building it. When we first drove up, it didn't appear open. But once we walked closer, the curtains from ceiling to floor gave that appearance of not being open. I LOVE the inside. The decor is dark and swanky, yet minimal leaving the natural ceiling and walls take on that job. The lighting is dim, but not too dim. The seating was comfortable and a lot more seating than I had expected. The wrap around bar is beautiful. The bathrooms were just as beautiful and everything about the place just flowed together. Our server took care of us and we ordered our typical Old Fashioned and a French 75. Our drinks were fantastic, and I had some doubts at first. I was terribly wrong, they know their vintage cocktails! Priced at $9 (the cheapest cocktails on the menu), our glasses were not tiny. I enjoyed the records playing from the record player. It appeared the staff were randomly changing out records as they pleased. The music playing fit the atmosphere. Hours are 5pm-2am Tuesday- Saturday. I love tiny bars like this that specialize in craft cocktails. I'll be back! read more

I guess I wasn't that drunk because I actually remember coming here. Thanks to the yelp check'in app - reminder! But seriously it did take me a second to remember if this was real life. Erik W confirms that. A bunch of us ended the night at this location for our friends 30th! Super freakin' cool to walk into a bar nestled inside a parking garage. Smart fact that they draped the windows of the place, I think if I was TOO drunk the fact of seeing cars wiz by may scare the shit out of me. The drinks were great, we were lucky and rolled up with a group of 8? and were able to snag a corner spot that managed to fit all of us. The waitress was awesome, we all loved her. She was personable, chill, and brought all our bills separately without breaking a sweat. If you're looking for a place to grab a drink and actually be able to hear what your friends are saying...then this is your spot! read more

In other parts of the world you will find some of the best food tucked away in places like subway stations (hello ramen and sushi in Japan) so don't be fooled into thinking that a bar in a parking garage in Austin, TX would be sketchy. Quite the contrary. If you know which parking garage to enter (hint: look at the Google maps) feel free to walk up the ramp into the concrete garage and you will see the neon glow of the "Garage" sign beckoning. Inside is a small(ish) dimly lit bar serving up outstanding craft cocktails. The mood of Garage is definitely cozy and sexy, and I definitely plan on coming back here for a date night sometime. These bartenders know what they are doing whether they are crafting a cocktail from their continuously changing, experimental menu or whipping up classic cocktails like French 75's and Old Fashioned. If you're looking for beer don't come here. This is a cocktail experience to be enjoyed to the tilt from sip to ambiance. As for where do you park your car? I think you can figure that one out. read more

This is quite a place! Everything from the decor to the music to the bartenders is MAGNIFICENT! The drink menu is short but, quality cocktails. The beer list is also short but, very inclusive. I can go with several different types of friends and they can all find something to drink. I find this to be the issue with most cocktail lounges/bars. I can invite certain types of friends to certain types of bars but now, thanks to garage, I don't have to anymore!!! Yaay! The location was a bit hard to find but, once I saw the neon sign, I knew I was in the right place. The decor on the inside is FANTASTIC! The location of the actual bar was intelligent and it was well done. The bartenders! My favorite part of my visit! Chauncey, the bar manager, was quite friendly, conversational and helpful. Ash is sweet, said my name when I was saying goodbye (I don't remember even telling her which made it double awesome) and knew how to tend bar. They all took such great care of my friends and I that I don't even consider it a bar or lounge anymore. I consider it a neighborhood hangout. Well done, guys! read more

First time to garage and we had AMAZING service from both Lauren and Paul! Of course the drinks were so good and flavorful as well! Give them a shot, you won't regret it. read more

This is the bar you've been waiting for. In the parking garage of the McGarrah Jesse building, there sits a chill, interesting, safe haven, where you can get a well-crafted cocktail, chat with friendly bartenders, listen to some blues & jazz, and enjoy. Guys, this one's a keeper. Let's keep it between us, OK? read more

See all

There's been an influx of new restaurants/ bars in Austin. No one can lie about that! I'm always happy when I find a new place, a place that someone can manage to attract both new and old Austinites- and Garage does just that. Whenever I tell people I love this bar, I keep on getting the same question: Why? Well Why is because it's just plain awesome. But besides that, they did the formula right. They have a great location, an awesome set up, an even better happy hour ($6.00 cocktails), and quality drinks to top it all. It's find to find all these qualities in an Austin bar these days, let alone one that actually does a real happy hour at happy hour time. I've only been here around 5:00-7:00, so I can't speak about their night crowd. But i've heard they've got an awesome night crowd as well. Three cheers for Garage, I hope they're here to stay! read more

This place has became my favorite bar overnight. First thing I noticed was its great location. It is tucked back into a parking garage marked by a sign that simply reads Cocktails from the street. Once inside, there is no overwhelmingly loud conversation or bass-filled music. The tunes are put out by an actual record player. The cocktails are amazing, and they do not skimp on the booze. You can get classics like an Old Fashioned or one of their own creations which are equally satisfying. Both the bar staff and waitresses were very helpful. And lastly you get to sip your cocktail in the comfortable seating area which wraps around the bar. It almost feels like you have made it into some secret cocktail club. read more

This spot is one of the COOLEST places in Austin. The cocktails are 100% worth every penny (this isn't a great spot to get hammered... like... dress up and go out with some classy friends... not your loud uncle). The flavor combinations and expertise of the staff was outstanding and I was so impressed with the consistency of everyone, the atmosphere, the music, the decor, the entire place was filled with a mystery that you wanted to leave untouched to keep the magic intact. Definitely go here, it should be on the "if I only have one night in Austin" list!. read more

Very cool location. They are way behind on the drink game. To call it a speakeasy is an overstatement. Its a hidden bar. A hidden bar fit for what felt an older crowd. Cocktails were nothing inventive. Decor was Miami-esque. Oh, a record player. Smh. read more

Popped in briefly for a drink and enjoyed the spot. Obviously a big part of the allure is the unusual setting, which actually works and provides a fun and intimate environment. What surprised me was that there was quite a bit more seating that I actually expected, as there are quite a few tables outside of the actual bar seating itself, which is nice. We came during happy hour and the menu was pretty basic, with pretty standard cocktails, and at reasonable prices. ($6 old fashioned, sazerac, etc...) I had a sazerac which I enjoyed and also tried a sip of the Indian Paintbrush ($9) which was good, but very mild in flavor and booze, I thought. Enjoyable drink if you like something a bit lighter. I'd be interested to come back to try out some of their house cocktails one day, but would recommend them for an affordable happy hour as well. Service was also attentive and helpful. Cool bar. read more

Fantastic hidden bar in Downtown Austin. Came here for a pre-dinner drink on a Saturday night around 7:00 and walked right in without a wait. We sat at two seats at the bar and ordered one Indian Paintbrush and one Old Fashioned. The bar itself was a very cool half-moon bar with some small tables around the edge of the bar. Seating for probably 12 or so at the bar itself. The drinks were carefully crafted and the bartender took her time making them with care and effort. Both drinks were phenomenal and would recommend these to anyone! Great music, great atmosphere, and a cool and unique setting to get a drink when you're in the area! Highly highly recommend! read more

If there is nothing else to do and you want a somewhat secluded spot to get liquored up for $20+ this is the place read more

Garage - Not much space - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

This is a secret bar so it is literally in a parking garage in the middle of the round-a-bout to get up the parking garage. There is a neon sign that says "Garage". When you go inside, the lighting is very dark and mysterious. There is a full bar as well as seating. We went on a Friday night at about 7:30 and it was super full. I got the "Girl with the green eyes" drink and the sweet tea flavor overtook the other flavors. read more

My most favorite cocktail bar in Austin. It's a in a parking garage - surprise! We passed it 2-3 times trying to find it and finally we did! It was super chill, great cocktails and friendly staff. I don't remember the prices since we been out day drinking but for a hand-crafted cocktail - it was worth it. Apparently, there's another bar attached which we didn't make it to, but I would highly recommend this place during the week for a low-key night with some rad vibes. read more

So last year I went here and didn't have a good experience and reviewed the place with a 1 star. I have come back and gave a better rating not because I've been back, but because of how the situation was handled. I had a not so professional experience (to put it short and nice lol) when myself and a group of girlfriends went in and gave details on it and such in a Yelp review. Not only did the owner comment on my review, he also sent me an email apologizing, letting me know how the situation was handled (it was handled very well btw) and even offered me and my girls to come in and have a round on him so we could see it was a fluke things. Unfortunately life happens and we are all busy working or are moms so we never made it back in. He even emailed me again asking if I had gotten a chance to come in yet. So for that, I'm changing my 1 star to a 4 star. Hopefully one day we can make it back over there and get that 5 star, but the professionalism and concern the owner personally took changes my decision to never return. The place has a nice ambiance, clean bathrooms, and decent drinks. read more

Reviews are so weird. They are time and space dependent. I guess everything is. It's literally in a garage. For the exact moments I was there, I could not imagine a more awesome vibe. I went back again and my impression went down a bit but nonetheless still 4 stars. Great bartenders, good cocktails and decent beer list. A little pricey but that is expected. Good for solo patrons, dates, married whatever. I would recommend coming early as I can see it getting crowded. read more

Excellent cocktails and excellent service! This place is located inside a parking garage downtown, so if you don't know what you're looking for you can probably get a little lost. The wait wasn't terribly long and it was certainly worth it! The Indian paintbrush, and bees knees were very well crafted here. They have an extensive selection of different liquors and mixers, so if there's something you don't see on the menu they can surely whip it up for you. Definitely check this place out if you're in the area and wanting some cocktails! read more

Walking into this place felt much like an experience I had in Guadalajara, where we visited a subterranean establishment. While the Garage isn't below ground, it does feel funny to enter from a parking garage. The doorman was friendly, and I was pleased to see him there. It's not exactly a threatening garage, but I might feel funny going in, alone. (Yes, they literally built this bar in a garage) Inside, I was delighted by the intimate space, comfortable seating and pleasant decor. There were 10 of us, so we took a seating area around and behind the bar and dove into the menu. The girls all ordered the "Indian Paintbrush" which the Garage promotes as the "official drink of Austin". I think it was $9, which was appreciably less than we'd just paid at Searsucker for mixologist cocktails. I was thrilled to see a 15 year old Highland Park single malt on the menu, and gladly opted for scotch. At $9 for a pour, I will definitely go back! And, the man wasn't left out---cold beer is available too. I hope folks don't find about this place--it's small and I'd like to go back. Often. read more

If you can find Garage bar you'll enjoy it. Nestled in the bottom of a creepy (at night) parking garage in downtown Austin, the inside isn't at all what you'd expect. Outside it feels stetchy, but inside is a cocktail wonderland. Everything from French 75s to Old Fashioned and Kir Royales. Their whiskey list is decent and prices aren't awful. The atmosphere is fun, very nice finish out and their staff is super friendly. read more

The Garage has delicious cocktails, a swanky and fun atmosphere, and excellent service! The Indian Paintbrush and Old Fashions are my favorite cocktails at the Garage. This place is always on my list of bars to take friends and family when visiting Austin. I highly recommend this place. Cheers! read more

What a fun bar. This place is in a parking garage and fairly undercover. Cool jazz, a menu of high end whisky, and fancy mixed drinks are served in a dark intimate environment. Reminded me of some bars I have been to in New York City that are somewhat hidden. read more

Awesome idea, cool inside but for $12 a drink it should be a bit larger than basically a small shot glass. Place to go, take a picture, tell your friends you went to a cocktail lounge in a parking garage and that's about it. Oh and if you go they do have a Happy Hour so I suggest hitting it up during those times for cheaper drinks. read more

Really cool! Great cordials and waitstaff! This is the perfect date night or small gathering spot. read more

Garage - Toasting with great cordials! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

Yesterday was my second time visiting Garage. The last time the place was packed and loud. Yesterday was a lot different, probably with so many folks still out Black Friday shopping. We only had drinks and so that's what my review is based on. I ordered the Old Fashion which was perfect. My other counterparts order a daiquiri which I tasted. I wasn't a fan, very heavy on the lime. The low light setting with candles placed through out the quaint space is a perfect date night setting or chill spot for low key spot for HH with the the crew. read more