A friend and I visited for the first time last night as a little Galentine's girls night! We had a reservation at 8:30 (and for the record, it was a Tuesday). The place was 2/3 full but got fuller as the night went on. A little know before you go- it's not really traditional seating at a table, it's these cozy little intimate areas and nooks. So, you will get sat pretty close and share like a coffee table with another party. We were up on a little raised platform that had a coffee table and on one side there was a couple on the couch and we had two chairs. The acoustics in there are so good though that we couldn't even hear the people across from us so it was no bother. Our waitress, I THINK her name was Izzy, was super nice and knowledgeable about the menu because we asked a lot of questions. I got a standard vodka martini just because I wanted one, which was dine. We then went on, between the two of us, to try the Alone in Kyoto, La Iguana, Army Navy and What is Hip. ALL OF THEM BLEW US AWAY. Like, these were GOOD cocktails. Masterfully made, beautifully presented, and just delicious. The La Iguana, which was a recommendation from our server, was one of the best cocktails I think I've ever had. My friend also got the ice cream sundae (more of a scoop than sundae) but the miso caramel was delicious AND THOSE CHERRIES. An amazing bite (I did try it). The ambience of the place is so cool, we were drooling over the lighting, the decor, the music- the whole vibe was immaculate. Most people talked about strict reservation time limit enforcement, but no one ever said anything to us, probably because it was a Tuesday- so we were there for a little over two hours. We cannot wait to go back!!!! read more

Equipment Room - Speakeasies Near Me - Austin, Texas

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This is such a beautiful cocktail bar. It's crazy that even on a weekday evening, there was a long wait. Austinites know good cocktail bars. I think it just recently opened, and the concept is super cool! They play records all night, and it's a really dark space so it's definitely meant for more intimate dates with friends or loved ones. My friend and I ordered two drinks each, and everything we had was super yummy. They definitely have one of the best espresso martinis in the city (I would dare say top 2), and I've been traveling all over the US to find my favorite. I also ordered another cocktail that had lychee in it, and that was a very well balanced drink. We didn't try any food, but I thoroughly enjoy that their food menu has a lot of yummy options. Equipment Room definitely has some Asian influences, and I really appreciate that. I am dying to come back again and have already told many of my friends about this place! Such a good addition to SoCo, and the cocktail bar itself is gorgeous. The light fixtures on the ceiling are super interesting and unique, and I literally gasped as soon as the curtain was drawn and I walked in. read more

We found this place on Open Table and made a reservation for the weekend. Found street parking (metered, paid a few bucks...there's also an underground parking garage that's $10-12? Can't remember). Great ambiance and vibe. Music was chill, service was great. The Chicken Karaage was amazing. We'd probably order two next time. But between the two of us, the three items we ordered was enough. Fantastic place. Will return. read more

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Pros: - Incredible vibes. Beautiful space. - My audiophile/musician boyfriend was very complimentary of the way they've optimized the space for music. He said it's very difficult to have music playing relatively loud but not in a way that drowns out conversation. You still will need to talk somewhat loudly to be heard, especially since the seating generally has you fairly separated from the others in your party. The chairs aren't super close together. - The food is delicious. Chicken karaage, charcuterie board, shisito peppers, olives...all of the dishes had really nice flavor and are more complex than they seem on the menu. For example, the olives are dusted in an interesting herb mix. Cons: - The time limit on the reservation is very strictly enforced, and you'll be reminded of this both as you arrive and about 20 mins before your time is up. I get that it's a new, popular space. But the peak experience here would be to be able to just sit and relax and not feel like you're being rushed. Especially since service is fairly slow!! It took forever to get our first round of drinks. (We arrived right at 5 pm, as did a ton of other people, for our reservation, and so I'm guessing the bar was flooded with orders all at once.) - The drinks are good but not great. Tasty and interesting but not mind-blowing. For example, the first drink on the menu currently is a gin martini riff advertised as having bell pepper and basil...so I was expecting something a lot more vegetal and flavorful than what was delivered. read more

Equipment Room - This is the entrance! Just so you know what to look for - Speakeasies Near Me - Austin, Texas

This is such a nice lounge to hang with a few friends and get some great drinks. There were no misses on the cocktail menu at all! Not too sweet drinks either but there are a few on the menu if you like that. Just really well balanced drinks. Hope to try their food at some point but we came way to plate for it. Will be back. read more

Equipment Room - Speakeasies Near Me - Austin, Texas

After looking for nearby bars during a recent Austin stay, the Equipment Room popped up as a well-reviewed spot. I decided to walk-in on a Friday evening but learned quickly that this is a popular bar and that it's better to make reservations in advance. Luckily, the next day I got notified about a late afternoon reservation that opened up! You can tell that the Equipment Room is well-curated and designed to create a certain vibe. From the music selection to the selective menu, it's engineered to provide a singular experience. I enjoyed both classic cocktails that I tried (the Vieux Carré and the Martinez), and the karaage was a tasty bar snack. I'm happy I got to check it out, and the Equipment Room is worth a visit! read more

This place was an interesting ambiance. I didn't expect it to be like a lounge with sofas. Because of that, it's full with very few customers. It's pretty quiet and cozy. My friend got a ginger margarita and I got a mezcal drink. Both were so good and tasty. I would definitely want to come back here but maybe next time we will have reservations. read more

My uncle is in town and taking us out to check out some of the new hyped up places in Austin. We had mixed feelings (also the name of the drink I got) about this place. The host wasn't warm or welcoming, almost chiding us to keep conversation to a minimum before we even got sat. The place though was really well designed and inviting. It's a listening room, but we didn't understand where/how we could choose a record or make it an interactive experience. The drinks were excellent but we felt immense time pressure after the first 45 minutes. They kept reminding us every 15 minutes that we needed to get up and leave, and sure enough, dropped off the check with 5 minutes left to the 90th minute of our reservation. I don't understand how you hurry up and relax. That left a poor impression. We didn't even get to finish our second drinks. read more

This speakeasy is probably the most fun and unique location I've visited. From the start, the entrance to the equipment room wasn't all too obvious, but it added to the fun. FYI- they're located right below summer house and have an E sign by the door. I highly recommend having a reservation. You're allotted 1 hour 45 min to enjoy drink, bites and the cured selection of music that's playing. I enjoyed the ambiance immediately. It wasn't loud like a regular bar, the music was loud but not too loud and the bartenders are not only skilled in their craft but it's obvious they love to do what they do. At the recommendation of our bartender, I ordered the wildflower perfume, and I LOVED it. Perfectly balanced, unique flavors and, most importantly, great tasting. We ordered a side of the chicken kaarage, which we smelled as soon as we got in and had to have. The chicken was freshly prepared, and so dang tasty! Not your average side, I HIGHLY recommend as well. Lastly, whilst the price is on the higher side, the experience you get from enjoying the mixology and super cool vibes cannot be beat. Stop by if you get a chance. read more

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One of the coolest bars in austin for sure. Reservations needed but worth it! Super intimate space with great music and sound system. All of the cocktails were solid! read more

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Went here for drinks after my friend's birthday dinner. Super cute little hidden gem! Love the ambience & the food! Super chill & vibey! read more

If you're a fan of vinyl and speakeasies, you've come to the right place. You'll find the entrance hidden in plain sight just to the left of the stairs that take you up to the Hotel Magdalena (or under the Summerhouse neon sign). Once you're in, you'll be greeted by a host sitting by a glorious stained glass window. If you're a planner, you'll be asked for your reservation (you're allowed up to 2 hours here), but no sweat- they do have some room for walk-ins.  Passed the curtain, you're welcomed into a well-curated and thoughtfully designed space. Though it's small, each nook was carefully planned out to give guests a cozy vibe in their respective areas and still have a view of the DJ's corner and what's currently spinning. I came with 3 other friends and was pleasantly surprised when we were led to the lounge area just right where you enter. It feels like your own private living room with that massive U-shaped couch, mood-lit lamps, and wall art. Plus, there were two speakers above on the top of the wall to give you great acoustics.  I read a few reviews where folks said some ingredients were unavailable for drinks they originally wanted. That wasn't the case for us, but the reso was at 6:30 pm on a school night, so that might be why. Our server was really helpful in guiding us on drinks after a few questions. I will say they're really good but rather potent. (Either that, or I'm a lightweight.) Some of us were peckish, so we asked about the onigiri. Just as the menu says, they're limited availability due to being made upstairs in the hotel's kitchen. If you're familiar with the ones at Asahi Imports, the Equipment Room's are a bit larger, so you might be okay just having one. The tinned seafood board was pretty sizeable and delicious. We had assumed it was all fish, but there are some octopus pieces in there, too, so if you're not a fan, heads up.  Things to note before your visit: 1) Don't come here expecting a full meal. The menu is appropriately named "Snacks" for a reason.  2) Since they aren't a restaurant, they do not have to-go containers if you do let your eyes get the better of you. At least onigiri is an easy one to wrap up in a napkin.  3) They can only split the check evenly, so don't try to complicate things. Luckily, all cocktails are priced the same, and if you split snacks, they should be equal parts anyway.  This is certainly worth checking out if you're in the area, or want to wow your friends from out of town. I'm glad to see Austin's got another avenue for music lovers to enjoy auditory bliss, and hoping to make my way back soon. read more

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Wow. This place was entirely worth the wait. Music lovers, this is your great escape. First, the girl managing reservations at the front was SO nice. It was our first time and she explained to us to way of the room as she lead us to a cozy couch, right in the middle of the room. Our waitress came over almost immediately (note: there's a 2-hour time limit) to offer us water and share the menu. My first choice was the 'obscured by clouds' which was by far my favorite of the evening. My guy has been playing music for 20+ years and he could not have been more pleased with this spot. He said everything sounded exactly how it was supposed to be heard; balanced, crisp, pure. The volume was perfect. We could have an intimate conversation without hearing the conversation of those next to us, all the while still hearing the vinyl that seemed to be delicately selected by the DJ. We even appreciated the DJ walking around the room occasionally to make sure the sound was pure from every corner of the room. We ate prior to coming to Equipment Room, so we weren't interested in apps. However, halfway through the evening we noticed waitresses bringing each table the caramel puffed cheese corn on the house. A sweet gesture for us newbies. We've already made a second reservation with more friends for a couple weeks and looking forward to it! read more

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We celebrated our anniversary with dinner and craft cocktails and it was one of the best date nights we've had in a while. We would typically order a bottle of wine with dinner, but something struck me to suggest stopping at a (new to both of us) cocktail bar after seeing what stood on our Yelp. My trusted Elites did not steer me wrong. The name doesn't give away the theme, but the name carries a bit of mystique and a nondescript entrance at the bottom of Hotel Magdalena. I didn't even realize those buildings were back behind the ones directly on Congress. Your best bet is to make a reservation. They make sure to hold you to your reservation and give you a window for departure, which was perfect for a "school night." We sat at the bar and the hostess introduced us to our servers, who worked as a team. They were both friendly, knowledgeable on their menu and willing to work with you if nothing tickled your fancy. Cool menu with classics and modern twists. I LOVE a good classic penicillin and this one did not disappoint. You get two pics of it cuz I couldn't decide which I liked more. We also ordered a cookie. It was a little too crispy for my liking, but the taste was pretty good. I saw some others saying the cocktails were overpriced, but that's Austin for 'ya, so I wasn't surprised. I would definitely go back and recommend that you check it out for yourself! read more

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The ambiance of this speakeasy is very nice! This is a great spot for a small group or if you make a reservation then for big groups. The apps were really good and the bartenders are very attentive to making the drinks good. I would definitely go back! read more

Equipment Room - Amazing apps! - Speakeasies Near Me - Austin, Texas

Last minute, my friend and I decided to check out this place. The last few times we were not able to get in due to availability but this time we were able to! The ambience, the lighting, the vinyl room/bar music make it a great date spot. We ordered the cheese board and two mocktails. All were delicious. I really enjoyed the crackers and corn nuts. The passion fruit mocktail was sweet & tangy which made it a perfect balanced drink. I would recommend this spot if you love speakeasies and want to enjoy crafty cocktails in a comfortable, quiet setting. read more

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Had a reservation/ got there early, but still had to wait 15 minutes past reservation to be seated. They brought us "complimentary" champagne because of the wait, but they did that to other tables around us too so not sure if we all were seated after reservations or if they just give out champagne to everyone. Regardless, the atmosphere was nice and the cocktails were good. read more

New "speakeasy" that has a decent ambiance. I personally think the drinks are overpriced but it's Austin ‍. I was seated in a small room with several other groups. The days the other seats in the big room were taken but very free were occupied. Worth checking out but only once for me read more

This place is so pretentious. The drinks were great but the whole vibe is a bit weird. We were told to go wait elsewhere for our reservation and finally just walked back to see what was going on. We were seated, but late and then still were basically thrown out 1.45 hours from when we were supposed to be seated. This place just tries too hard and the staff makes you feel like it's a privilege to be there. read more

Talk about good energy. Low lights vibey music. The drinks were tasty and servers were very helpful picking out drinks. When you make your reservations you can request *headphones* and they will seat you in an area that you can plug in and hear the music more intimately. They will provide the headphones. I highly suggest doing it bc it was so much fun.. we could not stop dancing! The reservation was automatically booked for 1 hour 45 mins which felt pretty perfect. We were able to enjoy 2-3 cocktails. We had such a good time here. It felt like we jumped into a time machine and went wayyy back. Loved it! read more

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This place isn't bad. Very cool on the inside and helpful service. Drinks are unique and the music is great. The DJ was really good with the vinyls. I would go back, just not in a rush. The whole place is sound proof too so that's cool. Comfortable seating..could get crowded so make sure you have a reservation. The hours on google are wrong. They are open later so call and ask. read more

Very cool ambience and my new favorite place to have a drink nearby! The cocktails were A+. It was fun to sit and watch the bartenders, and DJ ----one of the bartenders really had some skills with the cocktail shaker! The DJ played some really cool records and if you ask, they will give you a place card with the name of the artist and the album. What a great way to discover new music you may like? Anyhow, as far as the drinks, we tried three of them. " luck be a lady" was my favorite made with apple brandy. "Burning spear" was my second favorite, which was served burning! I guess the name gave it away, but I was surprised when they lit it up on our table! "What is hip?" Served smoked was also a sensation -essentially their take on an old-fashioned- - very smooth. Most of the drinks were priced at about $18 which based on the quality is a great deal in my opinion. Everyone was super nice and welcoming and I will definitely be back. Check out the photos for more. read more

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The drinks are on point. This was my second time here and the staff were really kind and super nice. They provided a great run down of the cocktails and ingredients. The drinks were flavorful and I didn't feel icky in the morning. The ambiance was nice and mellow with of course great music. read more

Equipment Room - Drinks! - Speakeasies Near Me - Austin, Texas

What a fantastic place to have a cocktail and relax and hear some great music. The bartenders here make some fantastic cocktails and the DJ playing real vinyl records is a real treat! The atmosphere is very chic and the mood is mellow !! read more

The best, coolest vibes. The sound was so good, it literally brought my date to tears. The drinks and food were also amazing. I don't know what they did to that tofu but it was one of the best things I've ever eaten. We had fun getting lost in their collection of coffee table books and it was just one perfect song after another. read more

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Such a cool bar that plays jazz music. Great setting for a romantic day or evening with friends. Recommend getting a reservation as it is a smaller space that gets busy. All the cocktails are delicious and unique! Very fun place read more

Equipment Room - Speakeasies Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I LOVE the concept of this place-- a cozy space for audiophiles with classic cocktails and their own twist to those. The ambience is intimate and pretty. The drinks and food are definitely on the high end. But I think this is a great place for a date, 1:1 time with a friend, etc. The service and music were great. read more

Equipment Room - Toast - Speakeasies Near Me - Austin, Texas

Awesome cocktails and overall just a cool vibe. Love how intimate the setting feels and love that you can listen to the records with headphones if you like read more

Amazing place Great cocktails, amazing music and just a great overall vibe. Creating the perfect vibe for the proposal I did afterwards. read more

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One of my favorite bars in Austin. Love that they make innovative drinks and have classic cocktails. Listening to interesting music but you're still able to hear your friends. Will definitely be making a reservation next time I'm visiting ATX. read more

I frequent the SoCo area often and I have dined at Summer House on numerous occasions and had not even known about this place until I saw it on IG. Although I am not a huge SM fan, I do love IG as it allows you to discover cool places like Equipment Room. I made reservations 2-3 months in advance as we were celebrating my birthday. After a fantastic dinner at Guest House, Equipment Room was a very nice, chill spot to end the evening. Our party was a group of 12 people and due to the size we were able to occupy the large semi-private room. The music was crisp, clear and the ambiance made you feel as if you were in someone's private recording studio. It was such a lovely spot and unlike any other speakeasy in ATX. I truly do not enjoy going out clubbing so I love the discovering hidden gems like ER and having the ability to truly enjoy your company without hollering. On this visit, I just enjoyed a glass of wine, but I plan on returning to enjoy some of their craft cocktails and more of their classic tunes. read more

Stopped by Equipment Room for a Wednesday night drink. Unfortunately they were out of the drink I wanted (Original Rhum Shaker) but Jessie recomendad the All Tomorrow's Parties, which was another rum based drink. Jessie was so nice, provided great conversation and knows how to make a strong drink! With me being newer to Austin, he even recomendad some additional places for me to to try. Equipment Room was beautifully decorated and played some great records. Will definitely be returning to try the Rhum Shaker! read more

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Comfy vinyl/cocktail lounge located in Music Lane on South Congress. In the few weeks that this place has been open, I've read about it on numerous websites/newsletters and been forwarded the location by several likeminded cocktail bar enthusiasts. By the time that I was able to get a spot here, I was very excited for the experience. The lounge is modeled on the Japanese "jazu kissa," which is a type of audiophile lounge that typically plays jazz music. The entrance to the lounge is decked out in sound isolation foam, preventing outside ambient noise from polluting the environment downstairs. Throughout the evening we enjoyed various vinyl records, mostly consisting of jazz and retro jazz-fusion tracks. Service was great and my only gripe was that the seat I was in could've been a bit more comfortable. Being in a Japanese-inspired cocktail bar, I was planning to try their signature take on a whiskey highball (Tokio Highballer), but unfortunately they were missing an ingredient. Instead, I tried the Rikuo--which was a very tasty and rich drink that kind of tasted like a less cloying version of a mai tai (probably due to the orgeat). My second cocktail was the 21st Century Schizoid Man, which was complex blend of smokey, coffee, and chili flavors--and was garnished with yummy chocolate Pocky sticks. Overall, the cocktails were really top notch here. Overall, I highly recommend this place as a chill spot to hang out and enjoy some great cocktails and unique music. read more

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I cannot get over the music listening experience coupled with the amazing cocktails. Equipment Room has got it going on with the vibes and the amazing drinks. I particularly enjoyed the cleverness of the menu with some interesting drinks that I feel that you casn't get elsewhere. I will definitely be back here again in the near future. My one complaint is that I wish it was located closer to the heart of downtown. Lost in Kyoto was by far my favorite drink of the evening! read more

Jazz music and a very exclusive feeling speakeasy. The two should pair up quite perfectly right? Well the equipment room nails it on all fonts, simply put you feel truly escaped (as if you're out of Austin) and complimented with some soothing jazz music complete with DJ on site. Atmosphere: Top notch atmosphere. You get the feel of a sound studio complete with sound proof walls and jazz vinyl decor and a hint japanese (heavily influenced by the 1950s Japan listening bar). This just oozes exclusivity feeling, perfect place to escape for a bit to both start/end your day. Food: As a bar they specialize mostly in drinks and some snack like foods. I admittedly don't drink that much but with that said there are still a good amount of non alcoholic options. Welcome to the Jungle, which is a pineapple style drink with a bit of spice and tropical flare. To snack I got the tomato toast, a nice snack that is a nice compliment to any drink. I wanted to try some of their Onigiri, but unfortunately only available at times closer to 7pm. Service: Friendly service, most my interaction was with the bartenders since I sat at their barstool right by the DJ records. Helpful and attentive as well as entertaining to watch make their designer drinks. Possibly one of my favorite Austin Speakeasies I've encountered so far. The feeling of escape and the immersion of the jazz really takes the cake on the theming. This will absolutely be my goto recommendation now to invite a friend for a quick chat or drink. read more

Unfortunately, my experience at this bar was disappointing. The service was below expectations, and we were unexpectedly asked to cut our visit short without any clear explanation. While they did attempt to make amends with a coupon, it felt insufficient--only valid on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5-7 PM and offering just $3 off wine. This response came across as more of a token gesture than a genuine effort to address the issue. I had hoped for a better resolution and overall. I was very excited to try this speakeasy, but will not be back. read more

The vibes here are immaculate, and the drinks were well-made and often creative. That said, the service was laughably bad. Upon arriving for our reservation, we had to wait a while to be seated in a cramped hallway walled with acoustic foam. We spent most of our time waiting to order or waiting for our drinks, even though the space was almost 50% empty at times and had plenty of bar/service staff. The funniest moment of our evening was when we were told our reservation had 45 minutes left... when we were surrounded by empty seats and had waited half an hour to order and receive a second round. When we left, there was nobody waiting outside to fill the empty seats. I'm not sure why this is such a hard reservation to snag beyond poor seating management. This could be a great bar. For now, it's a horribly managed experience. p.s. most of the reviews on here look like influencer astroturfing read more

Really nice ambience and vibe. The cocktails were really tasty. Definitely a good spot for a special occasion read more

Equipment Room - Speakeasies Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Super cool aesthetic with delicious cocktails! This is a great date spot. Definitely worth the splurge. read more

Equipment Room - Speakeasies Near Me - Austin, Texas

Cute atmosphere and innovative drinks. The 2 hour max rule was stupid. Nice location near main road