If it looks like it, smells like it, and feels like it; it is the real thing. Enjoy the romance of a genuinely elegant bar. You will love this place. read more

Located just outside the Hotel Magdalena, Equipment Room is a cozy, intimate space that makes for a great pre-dinner cocktail or last drink before you go home. Friendly staff, warm lighting, and big cozy couches you can settle into round out this Japanese inspired watering hole that serves a variety of small bites (cheese trays, shishito peppers,etc) and a nice selection of original craft cocktails. The vibe is quiet here - it's about the music - and so if your group is loud this is not the spot - but if you're looking for a place to quietly unwind (or wind up) Equipment Room has you covered. read more

I've been twice. The first time was about four weeks after they had opened. The second time was last night. Despite the two months between my first and second visits, my server (named Zeren) remembered me -- AMAZING! It's in the basement of the Hotel Magdalena directly below the "Summer House" restaurant. Japanese listening bars are becoming very trendy here in Austin. Howard's Bar [opened: fall of 2022] and Dante's HiFi [opened: February of 2022] are predecessors to Equipment Room but so far, the latter is my favorite. The menu is divided into two sections. The "A-Sides" are the classic cocktails and each cocktail listed on the "B-Sides" is an innovative twist on its coordinated original from the "A-Sides." Very cool concept if you ask me. Two of my absolute favorite cocktails of all-time (Penicillin and Naked & Famous) are on the "A-Sides" menu. The "B-Side" version of the Penicillin is called "Rikuo." It's sesame-washed sake, Grand Marnier, lemon juice, orgeat, and furikake dust. Wow -- so complex; so delicious. Zeren informed me that the Rikuo (which I ordered on both my first and second visits) was about to be replaced with a new cocktail. Though the replacement was not yet available to the public, she went ahead and made it happen for me. It's a truly incredible cocktail. Both Howard's and Dante's are very loud and can get quite crowded at times. Equipment Room has a strict reservation-only policy which contributes to crowd-control. Music is truly the centerpiece here. There's a custom Klipsch-designed sound system which is absolutely delightful. You can dive deep into the layers of the songs with the crisp high midrange frequencies perfectly complimented but the silky-smooth bass. Even the audio quality in the bathroom is impressive. If you want to escape the chatter of the real world and sink into the carefully-curated vibes by that particular night's "guest selectors" (which is the fancy name for their DJ's,) you can even bring your headphones and plug in to one of several personal amplifiers dispersed throughout the space. For one of the most elegant and luxurious cocktail experiences I've had in Austin, be sure to reserve in advance. A party of four will permit you to occupy a sofa/coffee table setup but honestly, I prefer the two-top tables for a more intimate listening experience. read more

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Incredible experience! Loved the tunes (vinyl choices curated live) and food. We came here visiting from San Diego and were pleasantly surprised with the vibes. read more

The service, cocktails and ambiance were so cool. Be sure to request a table with headphones to truly enjoy their vintage vibe. read more

Equipment Room - Speakeasies Near Me - Austin, Texas

I hesitate to write this review because I absolutely do not want this place getting so popular that I'll never get another reservation. However, when you're this good, you're this good and I have to give credit where it is due. First, because of my busy schedule and how quickly this place books already, I had to select a date almost a month in advance. Booking was easy and they send you reminders. Now, the Equipment Room is an elevated vibe. It's unassuming outside and when you step in there's immediately some stairs to the right, so don't try to cram a big party in if you're in a group. The woman at the front was kind and efficient. We were taken to our spot at the bar and had a great time. The food menu is more snacks than meals. Also, there is not a lot for vegans or vegetarians, but you can still order. Check with your bartender/server for vegan items. Some drinks aren't vegan, but can be made so. But I got the vegetarian Onigiri. Absolutely delicious. I had two! Highly recommend them. The cocktails were so good. I love a savory cocktail and they had several to choose from. You want a fancy smoked cocktail? They have it. You want something pretty and instagrammable? They have it. You want an understated just good drink? They have it. I absolutely have plans to come again, and I'll remember to take photos next time. read more

Cute cocktail bar, with tasty drinks...just wish you could pick out the records to play a song. It is up to the DJ on what is played, and while the music was good, thought it could be better to have the opportunity to select music from some records. Maybe one day they'll shift to that, but liked the intimate vibe and option for headphones. Will definitely stop by again. read more

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We visited this place for our anniversary, and while there were some great things about it, we were left with a rather frustrating experience. The venue itself is nicely decorated with a cool interior, and the music selection was refreshingly unique--think Fela Kuti and other worldly beats, definitely not your typical bar soundtrack. The drinks were creative and delicious, and the food was very tasty. However, despite making a reservation and noting that it was for our anniversary, we were seated at two swivel chairs at the front that were about 3.5 feet apart from each other. We spent most of our evening awkwardly leaning out of our seats just to have a conversation. When we politely mentioned this to the hostess and requested a different table, we were casually told to just deal with it. It's baffling that, after taking the time to select the "anniversary" option while booking, we ended up with arguably the worst seats in the house. What's the point of indicating a special occasion if it's not taken into consideration? Clearly, a lot of effort went into the ambiance, menu, and music, but attention to the guests seems to be lacking. Your mileage may vary, but we won't be rushing back. read more

Lovely space and some amazing DJs with terrific music taste but the service was very lackluster and my friend and I felt like they were rushing to kick us out. Nowhere on the reservation so they mention that tables have a time limit. We went on a Wednesday night that was moderately busy with a 7 pm reservation. Our server seemed disinterested in his job in general and even more disinterested in us. At about 8 (our reservation was at 7 and we ordered food) after we ordered a fresh round, he informed us that another party was arriving at 8:45. We came to watch a DJ who is a friend, so I asked if we could move to the bar. Multiple spots were open but he said he couldn't seat us there either. Talk about a stuffy vibe, pricey drinks and unfriendly staff. Too bad since the concept and music selections are so amazing. read more

Moody, chic and a fun spot for audiophiles and friends of audiophiles alike! We came here as a small group and had a fun time in the space, albeit time boxed so we had to rush through that second drink. We enjoyed some innovative cocktails, tasty bites with chill background music Super fun and felt exclusive. Y'all should check it read more

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Such a great find! The quality of sound in the lounge is top tier for being vinyl. The music was all over the place but not in a bad way, we heard Black Sabbath, and then Dead Man's Bones, Temples, and more. They do say that you need to watch your volume when talking with friends as to not disturb people who are there for the music. So this isn't a place to get rowdy with your boys. We ordered a few cocktails- I shaved my legs for this was bright and I loved it. Food-wise we ordered the karage and shishito peppers. They were both phenomenal. The chicken karage was perfectly crispy and was paired perfectly with the pickles on top. The shishito peppers were bomb on their own but they come with a dipping sauce that really was 100/10. The last thing we ordered was the cheese board but when the server dropped it off she mentioned we only had 5 minutes until the time on our table was up. No one gave us a heads up about the table having a time limit so it was kinda annoying we had to all chug our drinks and go to town on the cheeseboard before heading out. Overall a great experience, great food and drinks. Just remember to mention the time limit to patrons. read more

We walked up without reservations, pretty early one evening. Two hostesses were at the door, one was very kind, the other seemed to be bothered that we wanted to spend our money there. Honestly, her attitude totally turned me off and made me want to leave, but the other one was so nice, that we ended up staying. We walked down the stairs and the whole bar was empty, besides a few guests (and actually stayed that way the whole time). We sat at a cozy table in the corner. The ambiance was stellar. They did an incredible job with the interior design. They didn't overlook any details. The lights and curvature of the rooms were gorgeous. We were greeted by our sweet server, she recommended her favorite drinks. Both were top notch and creative and cost $18, a little high, but it seems to be the norm for Austin. The records spinning set the mood perfectly. All in all, I'd come here again, but they do need to have a chat with the hostess, she's not very good at her job. read more

Equipment Room - Bar area - Speakeasies Near Me - Austin, Texas

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So it took about 2 to 3 months to get a reservation and it ended up having to be during the week since weekends are booked out months in advance. I have to say waiting so long made me feel this place is going to have a huge hype. Once here I hate to say that it was nothing special to me. It reminds me of other speakeasy bars here in Austin. The cocktails were OK. I thought they could be better. The ambience in there is really nice, I like how it's dark in there and the lighting is great. The seating is very cute. Definitely a good date night spot. The hostess, and the waitress were very polite and very attentive. read more

Awesome and unique cocktail bar. Appreciated their rule of no cell phones & nice to feel unplugged. Their drinks are absolutely delicious and ambience is so cool. Looking forward to visiting again! read more

My wife made a reservation through Resy for 8:45. When we showed up we were told they didn't have our reservation she pulled up the confirmation still nothing so we left. The next day they charged us a $50 no show charge. If you make a reservation here just know there is a chance they will send you away and charge you for the privilege. read more

My friend and I had "mocktails" here. I contacted Equipment Room before via email to ensure that they could accommodate us order these drinks before going. They emailed me back right away which was so nice. The drinks we ordered arrived by our extremely kind waiter, and we loved them! I would HIGHLY recommend going here for an alcoholic drink or cool off from the Texas heat with a "mocktail." We did not order food, however we did also love the ambiance. It's a vibe! read more

Equipment Room is a vibe like no other. The McIntosh sound system's smooth and sexy output radiates balanced and vibrant along the textured and decorated walls into the ears and minds of the hippest listeners in all of Austin. Come get a hand crafted cocktail and escape into the underground heaven that is Equipment Room. Also, Amanda is awesome. read more

Equipment Room - Speakeasies Near Me - Austin, Texas

For a city that loves and takes its music seriously, The Equipment Room, is the music aficionado's haven. This is not your typical "party bar" that happens to play vinyl. When you descend the stairs, you are transported to another place outside the hustle and bustle of Music Lane and Soco. The sound system (Klipsch speakers nestled throughout the space and McIntosh receivers) deliver such an incredible sound. The Music Selectors (DJ's) start the night off with Jazz and then then you never know what direction the music might head into. Local record store Breakaway Records curates the music collection and staffs the Selectors. Some tables are equipped with headphones to really lose yourself in the music. The cocktail (and mocktail) menus are creative and they offer light bites as well. Reservations are a must for 1-2 hour listening spots. Cozy & romantic, don't miss this new gem. read more

Equipment Room - Romantic and cozy spot away from the hustle and bustle of Music Lane. - Speakeasies Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Staff was incredibly rude, dismissive, said they would put me on a waitlist, never did, never called, texted etc. Upon arrival we were told to wait in the hall, 'in the corner' - speaking to us like we were children, not well dressed, kind and excited adults. I was so excited to come try this place, but the level of pretension, lack of hospitality was a complete turn off. read more

We went with some friends for the first time here last Saturday after hearing such great things. This place did not disappoint! The drinks, service, and bar bites were so good! The vibe was chill and relaxing will definitely be back again! read more

Equipment Room - Espresso martini - Speakeasies Near Me - Austin, Texas

Normally, I leave pretty in depth reviews. This is the coolest bar in Austin. The drinks are incredibly unique. It's a music junkie paradise. read more

Such a hidden gem in Austin. Super cool speakeasy for audiophiles with amazing service, creative cocktails, and amazing vibes. Definitely get a reservation well in advance if you want to get a spot. It's well worth it! read more

This speakeasy is so cool. The music from the vinyl was amazing. Jamming deep reggae to underground hip hop while drinking Japanese whiskey (what is hip?) was the vibe. Can't go without a reservation. read more

Really awesome cocktail bar. Reservations required, and it's totally worth it. Their menu has their version of a "classic" cocktail, and their fun spin-off on that design. We had their cheese board and 2 drinks each. They keep a close eye on the time for your reservation and give you a 15-minute warning, but we didn't feel all that rushed. They let you take home a card at the end of the night with what was playing on vinyl during your stay. read more

Amazing night. Comfortable, great music, a really nice time. Waitlist worked really well

if you're looking for a place with exceptional service, great ambiance, and insanely talented bartenders, LOOK NO FURTHER!!!!! this place has everything. i went here last night to celebrate a friends birthday, and both of us were blown away by how good the cocktails were, amanda was our bartender, and i cannot stress enough how talented that girl is. manny and matt were also behind the bar and provided great conversation all night and great customer service. i'd recommend getting a seat at the bar instead of one of the tables so you can hang with these great people! thank you to everyone for making our night so special, we will definitely be back. read more

Equipment Room - Speakeasies Near Me - Austin, Texas

Cool place, great drinks, beautiful setting. That being said, we felt rushed. Bartender forgot to put in part of our food order and we were reminded that we only had 30 min left on our reservation. read more

Great small place with a cool atmosphere. The sound system is really cool and they'll tell you all about the equipment. Usual drink and food prices, but they have a list of beer for those who like it/don't want to buy expensive cocktails! read more

Equipment Room - Bar area - Speakeasies Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Gray spot vibe music and service ! Love it here - a real cocktail bar. I love taking people here

This spot is exceptionally well-thought out and provides an incredible ambiance. This is a great find for the vinyl-enthusiast. I thoroughly enjoyed the music and my drinks, made my Amanda, were amazing! Will definitely return to next time I'm in Austin. read more

My fiancé and I tried to drop in last night. There wasn't anyone at the entrance, so we walked in. This white blonde hostess told us sternly to get back into the hallway. She asked if we have a reservation, and I said no. She said we don't have any tables open. So I never got a chance to go to this speakeasy, but I wanted to post this review because this lady wasn't warm or welcoming at all and had a rude tone. I understand there weren't any open seating but don't sternly tell your clientele to back up and have an attitude when we asked if we can come in. Don't worry, I'm not coming back. read more

One of the best speakeasies that I have been to. Great ambience and equally good drinks.

One of the most interesting experiences I have ever had in a BAR. The guy at the door is very tense and has completely unfriendly attitude, aka jerk. He acts as if he is doing us a favor to allow us to come in and listen to a very mediocre sound system; we had to Shazam a song by REM because we could not understand the vocals while sitting right in front of the speaker. The DJ has the most indifferent and arrogant attitude and absolutely no knowledge of the crowd and what music is appropriate for the vibe in the place. The most boring music, beyond belief. Additionally, they require reservations which we left and made reservations went back, lol. There is a time frame how long you can stay, lol, several empty seats when our time ran out! My two friends and I had a couple of drinks; it was $ 160 plus a tip! The good news is the drinks were great and the bar tenders were very cool. In this day of limited entertainment dollars, I would suggest you buy a turntable and go to Waterloo and purchase vinyl, It was totally not worth it. read more

No complaints, what I expected based on other descriptions I'd read about the spot-- chill, music focused vibe, lovely drinks, we had a charcuterie type board that wasn't bad. The front door guy was really nice and helpful even though our group wasn't ready at the same time. read more

Great ambiance, the drinks are great. Bartenders are really fun too, they always have such great energy and sometimes I enjoy talking to them more than my actual date :) read more

such a cool funky spot!! drinks were wonderful, service was great. we love anything related to Hotel Magdalena so it was immediate yes for us to go read more

A waste of good equipment. If you want to fall asleep then go for it. Music was terrible.

This place is fantastic. Both food and drinks were delicious and refreshing. They certainly spared no expense on the design of the space or the hifi equipment. Top notch. This is a true oasis of the Soco area. read more

I brought a visiting friend to this amazing bar, where Matt created us the most amazing drinks. Matt is very knowledgeable about the profiles of each cocktail, and was able to guide each of us to a beverage we were sure to enjoy. read more

Normally I avoid the S Congress area like a plague due to lack of parking and crowds but I will be making frequent exceptions to go back to Equipment Room. We went with a reservation but from the second we walked in the door it was a refreshingly different experience than I normally expect at "speakeasy" style places. The hostess was welcoming and our server was beyond helpful, she walked us through the insane drink menu and helped us narrow our choices down from one of everything to a couple fun options. The presentation, atmosphere and menu was only outdone by the service. At multiple points I almost forgot we weren't the only people in the room and even when we were leaving multiple staff members who didn't serve us at all thanked us for coming in. For a place with such an elevated feel there was a level of genuine hospitality I wasn't expecting. I can't say enough good things but all you need to know is that I will be fighting for parking a lot more often to come back. read more