We came to the inside bar for a drink late, not knowing they were closed, but the GM (Steve, I hope I spell it right) helped us anyways and went and got clean supplies (regardless of that bar being closed). They were technically "out" of a main ingredient for the martini I wanted, but he went and looked around firsthand and found an acceptable substitute of what we needed for said drink (due to my extreme dietary restrictions). The martini was perfect and my first experience was fantastic. Will be back! read more

First, there was absolutely NO SECURITY or anyone at the door checking people, unacceptable. It doesn't matter if it's a short-staffed night or someone called off, there should always be someone to check people. And this was on a SATURDAY. At the least you have someone on the weekend. We literally walked straight in--no questions, no acknowledgement, just straight to the back. Two, I came on Saturday and there were two DJs who were obviously having a lot of fun, which is good however, they do have the tendency to take you high and immediately low. For example, they would play a Sexxy Redd song and immediately Frank Ocean or even slower, Keith Sweat--the choices didn't make sense a lot of the time. WOMEN WHO COME TO DANCE don't like this, it really messes up the flow. I will say this is one of the few places that black people gather IN the city, so there's that. The bathroom is also disgusting but what can you expect when there's only TWO STALLS IN TOTAL, meaning there's no separate stalls for men or women. Also, these are the same two stalls that you share with restaurant goers so it can get busy. read more

Such a nice find, went one time for a longhorn game and had to go back again for their wings. Their wings are sooo good, they have a perfect crisp coat to them, if they were spicier they would be a bit better. 9/10 The fries were good, can't go wrong with them, also a nice crispy to them not too soft. 7/10 Great music, will definitely be back! The only downside this visit was our waiter would get sidetracked and so we didn't get something we ordered. They also do a pre-authorization on some cards so just beware of that charge but it does go away! Overall great experience can't wait to go back! read more

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Y'all, I was so excited to go to the busy signal for the first time! Especially with the cool Christmas theme going on right now and DJ Hella Yella was there. But I should know not to get my hopes up... Storytime... We had a resy for 8 at 9:45 for a birthday, we arrived at 9:45 there was no clear spot to check in, we asked around and they pointed us to the water station by the entry. After finally being greeted, we were told our section wasn't ready, the other party hadn't left yet. The server / hostess seemed frazzled and kept running around trying to get us a section and talking to people about leaving. We stood there waiting for about 30 minutes. Then we were finally seated in a section barely big enough for 6, we were crammed in like sardines, sweatin. We asked the parties next to us if they could push over a bit so we all could fit, luckily they were friendly and accommodating. We were greeted not too long after being seated, Our order was taken by the first server, It took about 30 minutes for drinks and food to start to come out. The birthday girl ordered a hookah and it took an hour and a half for it to come out. Then we were not checked on for about an hour, We finally ordered more drinks and then we never received them, We asked three different servers and were told several times that they were taking care of it and it was never taken care of, We left at 1:15 without ever getting our additional orders. One of the servers told us that the bar was crazy busy and that they were probably making our drinks and people at the bar were just taking them. So chaotic. We were finally helped by Heaven and Summer at the end around 1:00 a.m. when we asked to pay for our tab. Of course the tab was all wrong because it had all of the drinks we ordered that we never received. Again, chaotic. I felt bad for the birthday girl because she was really excited about being there for the first time with all of us and the experience was subpar at best. I will say, the best part was the DJ, HellaYella. And the jerk lamb chops. Also, If and I mean if, We ever go back, We will not reserve a section like that and we will get our drinks at the front bar and sit out on the nice patio. We'll see. read more

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Support Small Business! Support Black Owned Business! Busy Signal is one of my favorite neighborhood spots. It's just about a five minute walk from my apartment. It's a lively speakeasy that often has something going on whether it's a deejay or live music. The vibe is laid back, cool, and smooth. I'm often indecisive especially with a good cocktail menu because like a kid in a candy store I literally wanna try it all. The mixologists and bartenders are so knowledgeable and each time they make a suggestion, it's spot on. The Queen Collins is a refreshing gin cocktail with violet, lemon, & lavender. The food offerings are nothing short of super yum. That mac & cheese...wowee! Truffle fries and Nashville chicken sliders are a perfect comfort combo. Very fortunate to have this little gem so close to home! read more

I loveeee a good Black Owned Business! And this one hits the mark for me! I've been looking for a place like this here and now I've found my tribe! Food is A1, drinks are top tier and the service is great! I will for sure be a re re repeat customer and I'm so mad I waited this long! We had lemon pepper wings bc this was our 2nd time eating; the flavor and the crispiness was a 10/10! The waitress recommended a strawberry lemon drop with tequila instead of vodka and it was sooooo good and I'm not a tequila drinker! My date had a drink from the menu with tequila, also and his drink was really good and strong as well! They had a saxophonists there as this was a Friday night, who played amazingly well! There was a DJ before he came who played good R&B! The atmosphere/ambiance is perfect for a date night (it's sexy inside), and the patio is great for a guys or girls night out if you enjoy hookah! Check it out, it will definitely be a VICTORY! read more

This review isn't about the food (which is always really good!) and more about the service & setting honest expectations about the overall experience. I went to Busy Signal for their UT/UGA game football watch party. If you don't like outdoor seating or standing, I wouldn't recommend going to a watch party unless you reserve an indoor table via Eventbrite. They also offered $1 wings & $5 drinks, which were delicious! However, the server told me they only offered this special for the 1st half of the game. After 30 minutes of waiting, my server told me that everyone & their momma ordered a bunch of stuff at the same time since the food/drink special was for a short period of time, which resulted in extremely long wait times for food. The Eventbrite page didn't mention that the special was only for the 1st half of the game, which led me to believe that management pulled this not-so-bright idea out of his anus at the last minute. I waited over an hour for my food & when it finally arrived, it was not the flavor I asked for. The servers are very kind & had a great attitude despite the chaos. The food at this place is always really good. But the overall experience and timely delivery of food during their football watch party left a lot to be desired. I'm going to give this place one more try because you can't beat $1 wings (that actually are very flavorful) & $5 drinks on GameDay. However, I wouldn't go on an empty stomach. I also hope they expand their special for the whole entire game like it was the last time I went for UT/Oklahoma. ***UPDATE*** I returned for UT/Texas A&M. I paid $60 to reserve a table indoors. The service was a lot better! I really enjoyed DJ Hella Yella playing music during commercials. The overall vibe was great this time around. My initial review gave this place 2 stars, but now I'm giving it 3 stars. read more

We absolutely loved the service! Victoria, Zo & Bryson were awesome!! We had such a great time and look forward to coming back! read more

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We were looking for a speakeasy to hit up on Friday Night and found this on open table. It was a fifteen walk from East 6th street! We liked Busy Signal, but didn't realize it was a hookah bar which none of us do. The music was definitely energetic and blasting too loud to have a conversation. The service was really good, they gave out welcome shots and cocktails were around 16 dollars. There are definitely better cocktail bar speakeasies but if you like live music, party energy, you should try this place out. It's a big space with an upstairs area and downstairs area and a dance floor and a really pretty bar. read more

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I love a speakeasy and I love black-owned spaces so was super excited to check out Busy Signal which is new on 11th street. We went here for a girl's night and unfortunately, we all had higher expectations. I will say that this place is new so there's a lot that they're probably still trying to figure out and get organized. We made a reservation through OpenTable, which was not needed (as this place becomes more popular it likely will be needed in the future), I walked right in and went to the bar to ask if I needed to check in, he didn't know, and he couldn't find the hostess. He got me seated and eventually the hostess appeared and brought some water. After the rest of my group showed up, we all went with the 'La Bomba' as it was highly recommended. It's a 'Ritchie Valens' tequila-based drink with st. elder, creme de mure, lime juice and ginger beer. Very ginger beer focused drink and couldn't taste the alcohol at all. The alcohol was, however, felt. We were charged $16 for the drinks even though the menu stated that they were only $10. Gratuity is also automatically included. Per their website, they have DJs on Fridays from 8pm - close but by 9 o'clock one still hadn't showed. The music they were playing was nothing but hits, so we didn't mind that much. They also offer light bites, which we didn't get the chance to try as they were doing work in the kitchen, and hookah. Can definitely see potential in this place but they have some things that they need to get worked out. Look forward to visiting in a few months to seeing how things have potentially changed. read more

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The ambiance was not speakeasy-esque. Earlier in the night there was a sax player who was great but it was way too loud. Then at 10, it turned from jazz to club music that was also way too loud. The bass was vibrating my skull and the drinks. Had to leave the speakeasy part several times for my ears and head to come back to normal. Noise was so loud that it was difficult to hold conversations and hear other people. Music was too loud to talk with others but too mellow to dance. Probably not the best choice for the pop-up. The food was alright as well. We ordered the sliders and they tasted "okay" and were very greasy. They Upset most of our partys' stomachs. The themed drinks were nice. Liked the camp fire which was a smoked bourbon with a marshmallow and graham cracker rim. The eggnogy eggnog was a little disappointing as it was just a rumchata. The sugar cookie martini was also nice. A sweeter drink that tasted good. Service was a solid 5/10 the drinks took a long time to come out and servers weren't very accessible for the most part. (I'm assuming it's because there were a Lot of people and few servers so they were stretched thin). When it came time to pay the bill, we didn't see a server for a solid 10-15 minutes. I'll give them the befit of the doubt for how busy it was. I think if people are looking for an actual speakeasy this isn't the place. Solid 5/10 read more

Busy Signal - Camp fire - Speakeasies Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Cute speakeasy spot in East Austin. Great service, food and music! I will definitely be back. read more

Followed up with my bank and found out that my friend who came with me was also charged multiple times. 312$ for one hookah and two soda waters is insane. Now I have to go out of my way to come back to this place to get my money back Update: got in touch on a Friday at 9 pm with the assistant manager Zoe who I told I've been trying to call the location for several days and he got aggressive and started saying he didn't believe me.. and telling me they can't handle refunding me my money today because it's a Friday I have to come there on a Saturday before they open and they'll "look into it" . And then it could potentially take 2-3 business days. He was so rude I was shocked. Guess nowadays you have to report people to the better business bureau because there's no customers service. read more

Came here on a Monday night for some drinks with my sister. They were having Monday night blues and honestly it was pretty rough. The volume was really loud and the bands were not great. I think the ambiance is really cute and could've been nice if they didn't have the blues going read more

Busy Signal - Speakeasies Near Me - Austin, Texas

The best Xmas pop up I've been to!! The drinks were amazing and the food was phenomenal. I got the lamb chops and someone else in my group got the brisket Mac and cheese. Both were delish! There was an amazing saxophone player which only added to the cozy atmosphere. The service was a bit slow but they were very busy so it was understandable. Will definitely be coming back! read more

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This place is cool and laid back. I always bring friends from out of town here. It's my favorite East Side bar.

I was so excited to visit Busy Signal but sadly, it just didn't live up to expectations. It seems like they're not quite sure what they want to be, and that confusion trickles down into the guest experience. I've encountered this before where it seems as though the owner is simply attempting to fill an empty space with a new concept. But without a clear vision and proper execution, the result is underwhelming. The layout felt slapped-together. The aim seems to be for a chic, speakeasy vibe but it falls short. The ambiance comes off as half-baked, and it doesn't help that the staff doesn't seem fully "dialed in" either. ("Dialed in" -- see what I did there with the "Busy Signal" telephone theme? Ha!) One aspect that is pretty much always expected from a speakeasy theme is an array of specialty cocktails. But this place had only four from which to choose. My concern is that inexperienced patrons will land here and think that this is the best that Austin has to offer. With amazing options such as Small Victory, Here Nor There, Garage, and Milonga Room, it's a wonder that a spot like Busy Signal can even keep up. This place could be great with just a little more care and attention to detail. The staff was sweet and trying hard, but the overall execution was amateur at best. They may be going for a "speakeasy" vibe but it's lacking the polish, the cocktails, and the substance. I left disappointed, wondering if they'll ever truly figure out who they want to be. read more

The ambiance at Busy Signal was nice, especially with the Christmas decorations, and the door guy and waitress were friendly. Unfortunately, the rest of the experience was a mess. The hostess seemed completely lost--she was texting while trying to look up our reservation, and interacting with her felt like talking to a wall. Then, after waiting over 35 minutes for just two drinks, the bartender came to our reserved table and told us he needed it for another reservation. When I explained that we had a reservation, he asked for the name, found it, and then just walked off without a word. It was rude and embarrassing. The waitress was kind and apologized when I asked her what was going on, but by then the damage was done. I ended up leaving. I cannot recommend this place based on how disorganized and unprofessional it was. read more

I gave it 2 stars because they have really great staff, Destiny took great care of us! BUT, they had the worst bartender & DJ! I ordered a cosmo and got what tasted like vinegar and cranberry, only to hear she was new. Sent it back twice but no better results. And then there's the DJ! He came around 11 pm and ran everyone off because he's stuck on Drake & Niki Minaj and evidently he's heart broken because the rest was belly rubbing music, no dancing besides US! read more

The ambiance of this place is very cozy and hip. The jerk lamb chops and mac and cheese were to die for. I don't drink but the ones I saw coming out looked delicious as well! Sydney was the best server I've had in Austin so far. Her attention to detail and menu knowledge really blew me away especially because she said she was fairly new. Will definitely return with more friends. read more

Great spot, good vibes , they had hookah which you don't find a lot of overall great night

Dropped by Busy Signal on Monday night around 10:30. This place is drop dead gorgeous! And we were pleasantly surprised to find a live funk band performing, who said they're there every Monday. Everyone in our group agreed Busy Signal totally gives New Orleans vibes, with the live music and the vibe. There were quite a few patrons just lounging, sipping drinks, enjoying the music and the atmosphere. They have a very well stocked bar with a good range of options from quality basics to top shelf, and their craft cocktails are legit. Their kitchen was unfortunately not open on Monday, but apparently other nights stays open til midnight. We'll be back to try the food! read more

Disorganized, Misleading, and Not Worth the Money I booked a reservation for Busy Signal's Valentine's Day pop-up bar through OpenTable, as advertised on their social media. Upon arrival, we were met with a long line--despite having a reservation--and were then told we had to pay an additional $20 per person just to enter but somehow that came out to $43 for the both of us. Once inside, we spoke to the host, who admitted they had to cancel our reservation without notifying us because the restaurant was rented out and Open Table did not block off times "as they were supposed to". They could have easily sent a mass text to ALL people who booked after the correct time to inform them they had no reservation, but NO. So, after paying to get in, we had no table and nowhere to sit. One of the biggest disappointments was the food--we were so excited to try it, but because of how unorganized everything was, we didn't get to eat a single thing. The pop-up bar itself was overcrowded, uncomfortable, and nothing like the photos and videos they promoted. It felt more like a packed nightclub than a fun, themed experience. The seating options were tiny picnic tables with flimsy wooden chairs, which were somehow being sold for $200-$300+--absolutely ridiculous. The host did offer a complimentary drink, which was appreciated, but it didn't make up for the poor organization, misleading advertising, and overall disappointing experience. If Busy Signal plans to do another event like this, they seriously need to rethink their approach. Their website and marketing should be clear and upfront about additional charges, seating arrangements, and how reservations actually work. As it stands, this event was a frustrating waste of time and money. Do better. read more

I've been going to busy signal for months for their Saturday night parties, I came for the valentines pop up and they blew me away. The ambiance, flavor profile of drinks, food was fabulous and staff was friendly. I will for sure be back! read more

Visited last week and I liked the Christmas lights. Drinks were ok, tried 2 holiday cocktails. Just got on here because people should know someone on staff changed the tip amount I left on my tab. So bring cash, I def won't be back. read more

I contacted them to find out when the Christmas decor would be taken down and to make sure they were open. They said yes, decor was up until 1/6. I made a reservation for Thursday, Jan 2nd and spent $66 on an Uber to get there, only to discover they were closed! I called the number listed and their message said to text them, which I did. That was 2 days ago and no one has even bothered to respond. Not sure why I was able to make a reservation if they're closed, or why I was told they're open/decor is up until Jan 6th. But I'm out $66 for their error and they haven't even bothered to respond! Won't ever go back. read more

I made a reservation tonight for Valentine's Day knowing they were going to be busy. The host walked us back and made us stand there waiting for our table letting us know it'll be a few min. She then came back to tell us we don't have a table for us. No sorry, no longer wait, nothing.. with that being our only reservation we couldn't get in anywhere else. Will not be coming back after our terrible experience. read more

I went for their Juneteenth event which advertised $1 wings and $5 margaritas. I ordered one margarita and 6 wings and was charged $29.72. When this error was brought to the attention of the waitress (who did not know the promotion being advertised even though she was staffed) she stated that she would bring us another drink to even out the cost. It took nearly 2 hours to get the ONE drink and 6 wings, there was never a 2nd drink brought and when we complained, we were told the entire order would be comped. As of now, the charge has cleared my bank and they have not been helpful in resolving this. It's disappointing to know that many people were probably charged double due to their lack of transparency on the prices of their advertised event. I won't come back because the service was piss poor and the price gouging is unacceptable. read more

Amazing front bar!!! The speak easy closed but everything else was open!! The bartenders were amazing! The Host.. Nee Nee!' Say less! AMAZING AND BEAUTIFUL! The Manager SEAN was on his JOB! Taking care of everyone.. he even cleaned and picked up tables!!' Sam and Leticia geld down the bar!!! The food was presented and folks loved it! read more

Very horrible experience. Was not organized at ALL. Over booking and not taking accountability for it. We had a reserved section and was put on hold until they had to arrange a space that still did not accommodate our whole party even after talking ahead of time with the promoter. Times of the spot being reserved were unclear and we were told until 12am but it was actually 11pm so everyone that arrived after that time had to pay to enter even after arranging & booking the section. read more

My experience here on Saturday for the Longhorns game was horrible. We purchased a table which was outside. All of the cabanas had broken covers had no shade. The TV was so small for an outdoor setting to watch a football game. There was a glare and you could barely see the game also, they only had two fans that they provided for an outside establishment. I honestly expected more. I don't feel that their owner was well prepared to be selling tables for $88 for outside seating. It was horrible. we had purchased a ticket off of Evenbright. The only reason for us really go to this establishment was for DJ HellaYella, who was inside the whole time there was no speakers for the outside as far as you being able to hear the DJ. The reason for not being able to listen to the music outside during the day was because of an ordinance being given and complaint about the music being too loud. I honestly just expected more from this establishment. We also ordered food and never got our wings at all. 1 hour later we were having to look for our food to see where it was at. I feel like the owner should've been well more prepared to be hosting a football watch party a lot better than what he did on Saturday. It was horrible..... read more

My Boyfriend and I went to this bar, trying to support because it's black owned. Our reservation was at 10pm. We got there a few minutes early and were sat down right at 10pm. We were at the reserved table for 30 minutes and not ONE waiter approached us asking us if we wanted food or drinks, but yet they were helping every other reserved table. So I walked to the bar asking for a drink and food. The bartender said we could order food at the reserved table we had, so I preceded to tell him we have been waiting for 30 minutes and no one has approached us for food or drinks. He said he would let the waiters know. So after that me and my boyfriend were drinking our drinks that i walked and got at the bar. So Another 30 minutes went by and NOBODY CAME TO HELP us. Once again Every other table was helped except us. Im not trying to say it's because we were GAY, but seems there was some reason we did not get served. Maybe y'all were short handed, but yet again everyone else at there reserved tables were helped. Do BETTER! read more

Busy Signal - We had a reserved tablez - Speakeasies Near Me - Austin, Texas

The bar tenders are very friendly and make amazing cocktails. Was able to have a chill conversation with them. Ambiance was chill. read more

Busy Signal - Speakeasies Near Me - Austin, Texas

Came in and had a great time on a Tuesday, Jeff and Zane were nice and made some great cocktails.

great atmosphere! drinks were top notch ;). Upon walking in y oh wouldn't think this place would be as cool as it is but I truly think this is one of coolest bars in Austin! Bring a friend and come check it out! 10/10 would recommend read more