The food was excellent. Both the steak and shrimp were cooked perfectly. We started with the Sake…read moreMac and Cheese, then had the Surf and Turf and the Shrimp Symphony, and everything was delicious. The owner even opened a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc so I could enjoy a glass which I really appreciated because it's not offered by the glass. I did try to make a reservation online but ended up calling instead. It was a bit amusing since the restaurant was nearly empty when we arrived, aside from one table and only one other couple came in by the time we finished our meal.

Once again, I wish I'd taken a picture of what I ordered, ...but when it's really good, I have a…read moretendency to forget. This food was REALLY good. I ordered the Cajun surf and turf (shrimp) on a bed of garlic noodles. Everything was cooked perfectly. The steak was crazy tender and well seasoned, the shrimp had a nice pop, and I could have JUST had a plate of noodles; they were that good. The Cajun sauce complemented everything well. Even the smattering of green beans, which were probably there to add color, were outstanding. The restaurant itself was comfortable ...which is a compliment. The parking was easy. The service was outstanding. The prices were ...lower than they should have been given how delicious the food was. I will definitely recommend CK Kitchen and Bar to my friends. We came here for a birthday dinner, but with Mother's Day and graduation around the corner, I can't think of a better spot. Well done, CK.

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.

Loved this place so much..!!! If you want to go somewhere to just lounge with low lighting and have…read moresome delicious drinks with great music in the background , this is place is it! They play no digital music and their speakers are installed throughout the whole building. The sound is great! The menu was so cute and on theme. The furniture and decor is mid century modern. I went here for my birthday and they gave my table a round of Sake shots, which was nice! My table ordered drinks: the Brown Sugar, Goca Dünya, Suffer No Fool (non alcoholic), Vitamin C. They were all delicious and they did not skimp on the alcohol! It was well balanced! I seriously recommend the Goca Dünya--that pistachio foam was addictive! For food, we got the Cheese board to have something to pick on and we demolished it, haha. It came with marmalade and crackers. The cheeses were great, along with the dried fruits and nuts. The cheese selections seem to rotate every other season, which is cool.

Excellent spot and a little hidden away from the street side - it blends in with the hotel it's…read morepart of. The coffee shop is a large, high-ceiling room adjacent to the hotel lobby, with an upstairs and patio. Upstairs is the place to go, it is a well-decorated, library feeling room that is quiet enough to do some reading or work, but still a level where conversation would be okay. Coffee itself has been consistently high quality with a small assortment of baked/prepared goods as well.

Great spot to hang out and grab a coffee with a friend (downstairs) or come and quietly read by…read moreyourself (upstairs). UPDATE: many reviews mentioned 4 hour parking, but this is no longer true - it is 2 HOUR parking the with a fee of $10 afterword. Not ideal for a remote working location for more than a short break. Matcha was one of the more expensive in Austin but solid. Food was great (got the birria tacos which were SO tender, although I did have a slight stomach ache right after - maybe just the grease). Went on a Tues during the day and there were many people working upstairs (quietly), but available seats for 2 or 3 ppl downstairs.

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.

I discovered Marlow through a Yelp Elite event and knew I had to come back. We stopped by on a…read moreSaturday night around 9:30/10pm and had a great time! Great house music from the DJ, friendly staff, and an easygoing atmosphere that's perfect for hanging out. I was having a sober night and tried a few drinks from their Dry January Specials menu. Wow, they did not disappoint. The Alrighty Aphrodite was delicious, and the So Fresh, So Clean was exactly that, super refreshing with a great pineapple flavor. My husband had the Dusty Trail (strong and perfect for bourbon lovers) and a Coquito that was creamy and smooth with a hint of cinnamon. Parking is limited, but we found street parking nearby. Overall, great drinks, great music, and a spot I'll definitely keep coming back to.

Marlow's has a very Austin vibe. I grew up in Austin and just moved back. Austin has changed a lot…read moreso I was happy to visit a place like Marlow that's dedicated to keeping the Austin vibe alive. The owner is also an Austinite! Marlow's has a really in interesting and delicious drink menu. I tried both mocktails (option to add THC) and really enjoyed them both. Most mocktails with NA liquor have honestly tasted a bit weird and a bit off. I usually have one and call it a day. However, I really enjoyed the first one that I tried the second one, which I also liked. The bartenders work amazingly fast and take multiple drink orders at a time and don't miss a beat! There's street parking and during weekdays, it's free to park after a certain hour.

Hands down my favorite bar I have been too…read more It's beautiful the moment you walk in. The architecture and design creates such a cool vibe. The drinks.... Seriously....The best I've had. Very impressed with the drinks and I enjoyed the inspiration of Japanese liquor and design. Our bartender was so attentive and friendly. He made us shots and it was the best thing I've ever had. I been dreaming of the shot everyday. I recommend this place to everyone now. It's dark, it's quiet, it's cool, it's THAT bar. I cannot wait to come back again and again and again. We aren't locals. Not even close. We drove 9 hours. 10/10 will be back

Cool spot with lots of potential but fell short…read more The bartender did not know how to make basic cocktails and the experience was extremely disappointing. At $20 per drink, there is an expectation of professionalism and competence behind the bar. I literally thought that ordering a beer felt risky as she would surely mess it up.​ She was being coached by colleagues throughout service, but unfortunately that did not improve the situation. Based on this experience, I would not return.

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.

"No I've never been to Austin, but I kinda like the music...all the people say it's crazy but I…read moreknow they don't abuse it..." (RIP Chuck Negron) This was my "Must go to" spot on the first day we were here...and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! I made a reservation per recommendation on their website and I am glad I did. As the evening went on it got very busy. The foyer where you check in reminded me of the lobby of a small theatre. There were 2 velveteen curtains separating it from the restaurant. When the curtains parted a huge room with high industrial ceilings and architecture was revealed. WOW!!!! The hostess led us upstairs to the smaller loft bar and told us to sit where ever we wanted...So, we sat with a review to the entire place! We ordered food and drinks from their huge cocktail menu. We watched the bartender make both drinks with fascination. *BTW The bartenders here need to know how to make every cocktail by heart and there are over 50 specialty cocktails! Rosie and I went with: Vodkadora - Wódka Vodka, raspberry syrup, ginger syrup, lime, soda water Cigar Box - Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, smoked black tea syrup, RR lavender bitters, tobacco essence, served on an ashtray with a flamed cinnamon stick Food: CLASSIC REUBEN w/chips - 5/5 sooo good (Rye bread with Rosemary-Garlic Butter, Corned Beef, Swiss Cheese, housemade Sauerkraut & Russian Dressing) SALADE VERTE 5/5 - light and fresh Loved the industrial space and decor. Great for large groups - don't really recommend for children ~ and that's all I have to say about that...

This was such a fun little find! We discovered this place when looking for somewhere to grab a…read morequick drink before our show at the adjacent Alamo Lakeline. You wouldn't think a bar in the lobby of the Aloft could be so trendy and fun, but we had a blast and some great and somewhat reasonably priced drinks to boot! The decor is a lot of fun as was our bartender, Sam! He was fantastic at being honest about which drinks were actually worth getting off the cocktail menus and he didn't judge when I ordered the "No Ducks Given" just for the floating rubber ducky! We ended up here because my friends were specifically looking for dirty gin & vodka martinis, respectively. I'm a bourbon girl myself, but Sam made some mean martinis! I also had the Tom Collins w/antique barrel-aged gin that drank more like a scotch and was fantastic! The only thing I would say is the spinach feta "pretzel" here was not good and definitely not at all worth $7. It was definitely the "pop in a microwave" variety and wasn't even really a pretzel, it was more like a p'zone if anything else. So can't rec that here, but the drinks were great as was the company of our fellow "barflys" for the evening!

Morgan made our trip! She was so warm and welcoming. Stayed at the Aloft for Formula 1.read more

This place feels like old Austin, in the absolute best way. The have good music, good vibes, good…read moredrinks and lots of parking available. Come here to see local music artists and have a good night with friends!

You know the best thing about this new version of Crow Bar is that it truly feels like an upgraded…read moreversion of Old Crow bar. They have sweet selection of fancy cocktails, craft beer and crap beer and damn near the coolest, nicest bar staff in the whole city. I like the new focus on live music. The Raven Room reminds me of the old lost well stage and so far the booking has been solid. I've already seen several great shows there. The patio is cool and he new areas where a tattoo artist can set up and the cool thrift store area also only add to the charm of the place. Crow Bar is a good time and totally worth visiting! I have as of yet not tried the pizza. I do love Chicago tavern style pizza and that's kind what they have here looks like. I'm looking forward to lots more fun at the new Crow Bar! P

I was in Austin for the evening and decided I needed a pick me up coffee run at the ripe time of…read more8:30 PM. I head to this fine establishment disguised as a house. I am immediately greeted with parties of 2-5 people all talking--felt like social bar vibes. Still a great place to study if you like background noise like I do. The drink of choice for today is a cold brew with a splash of whole milk; it is phenominal. Surprised the place is this packed at this hour. Great place to socialize with friends, catch up with an ex, and eat/drink great food.

Very artistic, cozy vibes. Tried their spinach kolache and latte…read more Kolache was a good size with creamy filling. Latte was not bad. Initially confused where the restroom was but it's around the corner of the cash register/front area. They also have seating outside and complimentary water station.