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.

Parking? Easy. They have a front lot off Congress and another one off Sandra (just South on…read moreCongress after you pass the bar). The drinks? Oh my gaaahhd. I'm usually not a fan of 'craft cocktails' out bc they're overpriced and not nearly as good as what my partner makes at home, but these were glorious. These drinks had layers of flavor. And fresh ingredients. And they were reasonably priced. Honestly, I don't even remember the last time we had such good drinks out (ok that's a lie but another review and it was at that place where Crowbar used to be - but these win hands down). The bartenders were nice and knowledgeable (Did I mention they make amazing drinks?). The outside has a similar feel to Cosmic but more secluded which is nice. They have plenty of seating, mostly outside, and food from an onsite truck, Sabor Tapatio. Honestly, I feel like this place is a unicorn. 78745 low key vibe but also with some old school Austin feels (I'm talking 2005 mid-Noughties - not 20-teen Rainey Street batch cocktails). They also have coffee in the mornings which we'll be checking out sooner rather than later. 10/10 recommend.

Met a friend here on a sunny Sunday afternoon. I was happy that it wasn't overcrowded - one of us…read moredid have to utilize the add-on parking in the back. There are plenty of different seating options but very few seats inside. The place is chill, ordering drinks took some time even with no rush. Seems like they have some pre-mixed type of cocktails. Honestly, neither of us liked our drinks much. We actually left it behind. The food truck is nice to have though we didn't get to try. Happy that South Austin is finally seeing some nice spacious outdoor hangout spots.

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.

Always a good time at Golden Goose! The staff is the absolute best. Friendly, fun and just make…read moreyour experience even better. As soon as we arrived the bartender saw our dog with us and immediately made him a whipped cream puppy cocktail with a bone on top. The sweetest gesture and our pup LOVED it! Theeeen she said ok what can I get you all to drink haha love it. They also have a small patio and a juke box. For $1 I think you get 3 or 4 songs. Perfect Sunday Funday for us all!

Golden Goose is such a cool spot! The drinks were solid and well-made, and the atmosphere made it a…read moregreat place to hang out for the night. Definitely a bar I'd come back to!

Cool little dive bar. Good and friendly bar service with a mix of different xmas themed cocktails…read moreand Christmas decor. We appreciated the $5 special which includes a small high life and a shot of whiskey. I'm pretty sure the pepperoni pizza we got there was digiorno though which I find a bit unusual.

We visited this cool bar initially because we had a coupon for a free cocktail from one of the…read moreapartment buildings we toured. We went on scooters on a hot day, and it was a great place to cool down and have a tiki drink! Our bartender was so nice and welcoming, and we had the whole place to ourselves. Very cute interior - loved the record wall and sign near the restrooms. There is a fun photobooth with hilarious photos people have taken too. They had just released a new drink menu, and I tried one that was made with vegan cream of coconut and tequila. It was SO good and refreshing. Prices are reasonable and they have a great happy hour too! We will be back at night time!

Tiger Lilly is the newest occupant taking over 400 Colorado Street. If you've ever been to the late…read moreEstelle's, it offers a similar vibe with moody, elegant decor, but with a friendlier, more inviting atmosphere. There are no food offerings, but the specialty drinks offered are immaculate (& ridiculously overpriced for the size). Open Thursday to Saturday from 6 PM to 2 AM, the space boasts vintage furniture, eclectic artwork, and carefully curated décor. Tiger Lilly has two floors, the first floor showcasing a bar and bar stools around and the second floor with more dining spaces and modular spaces for intimate conversations. There are also private rooms and a whole venue buyout for rent.

We visited Tiger Lilly for my girlfriend's birthday weekend, and let me just say, it was a vibe…read more She had been looking for a spot that had that moody, speakeasy feel with an artsy aesthetic for some birthday pics, and this place delivered. We actually found it pretty last minute and decided to go early since we knew we'd be taking photos and didn't want to deal with crowds. When we arrived, it was pretty quiet, which honestly worked out perfectly for us. The décor is bold and eclectic in the best way, think velvet booths, curated gallery walls, low lighting, and these amazing feathered chandeliers that tie the whole space together. We ordered the Tiger Lilly cocktail and the Elote, both were fantastic. The drinks are not only pretty but good, which isn't always a given in places that are more vibe-forward. Ours were balanced, flavorful, and well-presented. The DJ was there, early, which was a nice surprise, it gave the whole place some life without being overwhelming. The staff was super kind, especially the manager who came by to check in and even gave us a little background on the space. We appreciated how welcoming everyone was. We heard that the night before had been packed, so it sounds like this place definitely fills up later at night. We're looking forward to coming back when it's livelier to get the full experience, but for a chill early visit focused on ambiance, great service, and creative drinks, it absolutely hit the mark. Pro tip: If you're someone who loves a visually aesthetic experience and wants a place to snap a few pics before the rush, go early like we did. Can't wait to return!

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.

From the moment I walked into Wiggle Room, the vibe was uncomfortable. When I went to order two…read moresignature cocktails, I was met with eye rolls, dismissive behavior, and overall poor service. When I asked for the names of the drinks, I received a sigh and was spoken to as if I were an inconvenience. My tab was closed without being asked. I checked my receipt due to the lack of service and noticed a 20% automatic gratuity had been added. When I questioned it, the bartender said they have to add it because otherwise no one tips. That's not a guest problem--that's a service problem. Tips are earned based on the service provided. The Strawberry Fields and Watermelon cocktails were actually very good, which makes the attitude and forced gratuity even more unfortunate. With better service, I would have tipped more. Would not recommend.

The Wiggle Room's crowd definitely matches the vibe. It's a little too intimate and empty for me…read more Unlike the hustle and bustle of its surrounding neighbors, the Wiggle Room doesn't get overly packed or as bumping as the others. The DJ plays a ton of booty popping throwbacks, but the setting is off. For some, this might be exactly what you're looking for, but I'm out on West Sixth looking for something with more energy.