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.

My boyfriend and I came in for happy hour without a reservation and were seated immediately. The…read morebar had a dark, cozy, and intimate atmosphere. We ordered the Espresso Martini, Vodkadora, French 75, and Pisco Sour. All of the drinks were strong and delicious! The service was fantastic as well. The staff was attentive and friendly throughout our visit. Definitely check this place out if you're in the area! We'll definitely be back to try more drinks.

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.

Here Nor There is a cool, intimate speakeasy that makes you feel like you've stepped into another…read moreworld through its storybook-style menu and delicious cocktails. The entrance is tucked away in a gated alley, and you'll need a reservation to receive the gate code. As soon as we walked in, we were welcomed with complimentary prosecco. Every drink we tried was fantastic, and you can tell the bartenders put a lot of care and creativity into each cocktail. I highly recommend the Milk & Honey and the Wildflower Highball. Toward the end of our visit, the staff surprised me with a complimentary Desert Water for my birthday. It was such a thoughtful gesture and made my night even more memorable!

Here Nor There is one of the best speakeasies in Austin, hands down…read more The drinks are always incredible--thoughtfully crafted and consistently good. The ambiance is moody and intimate, with music that makes the whole experience feel elevated. Definitely a go-to for a great night.

Entering from the lobby, it felt like a maze trying to find the right elevator and then figure out…read morewhere to go once I got off. After exiting the elevator, I ended up meandering through what felt like the entire rooftop pool deck with rows and rows of seating, a beautifully laid-out space, and a huge outdoor area before finally reaching the actual bar on the other side of the building. Verdict: best pool, least impressive late-night drink options. The rooftop space itself is massive and gorgeous, with seating spread around fire features and plenty of room to roam. It's the kind of place that makes you want to book a stay just to have access to the pool and outdoor area. Drink-wise, though, the menu was very limited, and they didn't have any mocktails listed. I asked for "anything mocktail," and they brought me a virgin Lady Bird. It was mostly juice, but still tasty and refreshing for $8.

My friends and I had a FABULOUS time here. The ambiance is beautiful and so cozy! Without a res on…read morea Friday evening (around 6:30/7) we were able to get a nice, big cabana area. The couches were so comfortable and the ambiance was so pretty. In terms of the drinks and food, it was okay! Got the job done, but nothing to rave about. I enjoyed the sliders the most. I enjoyed my drink as well (5th Floor Cooldown) once we added the extra sweetener we requested. Without it, I wasn't a huge fan (wasn't sweet, despite being told that it was). Valet parking is only $15 (for 2 hours) with validation. I appreciated that, as it made parking not a headache.

Really enjoyed this rooftop bar at the top of Marriott. It's totally open, but they have space…read moreheaters. The decor and the views are nice. Lots of space, comfy couches, and a good drink menu with some small plates as well. Our servers were also friendly and prompt. Great times, Highly recommend.

Great mixology for all of the drinks we had! Whatever shot the bartender mixed up for me was yummy…read moreas well. The food was good too but it is definitely small bites, so we got more food after drinks here. Service could have been better with the server for our table, who we caught rolling her eyes at us with an attitude several times and the most irritated look on her face from greeting til check. Otherwise the bartenders and hosts were all great and welcoming. This place is great for photo ops with views of the city all around! We parked in the parking garage across the street ($10 for the time we were there, about 3hrs?). You take an elevator up to the place but there is a just downstairs that directs you prior to meeting the hosts upstairs.

I always enjoy going to Firehouse Lounge. I love the speakeasy feel and the hidden entrance. The…read morebartenders are always friendly and they make great drinks. The prices are more than reasonable. And the best part is the live music and vibes. They always bring great artists that bring energy and fun. This is easily one of my favorite spots in Austin.

This bar is located in the Firehouse Hostel. In fact, it's a speakeasy hidden behind a sliding…read morebookshelf right in the lobby. It's rightfully named as the building was once an actual firehouse that was built in 1885. Like all good speakeasies, it's got dim lighting that accentuates the building's rustic, 1800s era architecture. Hip and cool interior design with vintage furnishings and accessories. It's cozy and comfortable. This popular spot gets busy and it's easy to see why. The hip decor and good service mixed with excellent drinks makes it apparent why they're so popular. They offer frozen cocktails (my fave) that often change. The craft cocktails are spectacular. The bar menu offers a variety of beer as well. In addition, they do an incredible mocktail and offer different varieties. If you're going for a cocktail, the daiquiri and paper plane are perfection.

A total vibe! I loved this spot and the outdoor bar area. It's lit up by twinkle lights with plenty…read moreof TVs to watch the game. They had a frozen watermelon rose I tried which I really like, if you get an additional shooter to go with it, make sure you mix it in! They have a good amount of drinks to choose from, it's a great place to chill with friends and enjoy the weather. Lots of seating and picnic table style seating. I've been twice and would definitely go back!

I recently visited Upstairs at Caroline for a Logitech SXSW installation event, and the experience…read morewas a great mix of creative energy and Austin atmosphere. The venue itself has a lively, open feel with an urban backyard vibe and plenty of space to move around, mingle, and actually take in the installation without feeling crowded. What stood out most was how well the space complemented the event. The layout made it easy to engage with the installation while still enjoying the social vibe. They had space for working virtually as well as displays to test some of the technology. There's a nice balance between indoor comfort and that signature rooftop-style setting, which gives it a relaxed but elevated feel. The staff was friendly and kept things running smoothly, and the overall setup felt thoughtfully organized. Whether you were there to focus on the installation or just take it in casually, the environment supported both. The line was somewhat long to get into the event as it was at capacity and could only allow more people as people were leaving the event. I was given a drink ticket and got to try the Patio Pounder with ilegal mezcal, primo aperitivo, tropical citrus, coconut, grapefruit soda. The bartender was efficient even though the lines were long. The cocktail was enjoyable with the balance of smoky and citrus flavors. They also had a variety of food bites available including chips and queso. creamy street corn, and sliders. The food was gone relatively quickly due to the crowds but it would be replenished periodically. Overall, Upstairs at Caroline proved to be a solid venue for a creative SXSW event versatile, welcoming, and very on-brand for Austin's arts and tech scene.

Eden Cocktail Bar is a great spot in Austin. The drinks are excellent and I loved the Maravilla. It…read moreis their take on a mezcal old fashioned and it is absolutely fantastic. The music is on point and it makes the whole place feel lively without being overwhelming. One tip: reservations are highly recommended because it fills up quickly. Also, the entrance can be a little tricky to find the first time. You enter from the alley between 6th and 7th Street on San Jacinto. Overall, amazing drinks, great vibe, and definitely a place I recommend checking out if you are in Austin.

We've done Eden Cocktail Room's Valentine's experience in the past and had a great time. We've also…read morebeen on other occasions and have always enjoyed the drinks and the atmosphere, which is why we chose to return again this year for a Valentine's surprise my husband had prepaid for. When we arrived, we were asked for a credit card, which was confusing since the experience was already paid for. My husband asked our server what the prepaid experience included and was told it came with "2 pairings," so we reasonably assumed that meant two drinks each. At the end of the night, we were presented with an additional $80 bill. When we questioned this, the manager explained that the prepaid "pairings" were actually just small pieces of truffle chocolate meant to accompany drinks, and that the prepaid price was for the chocolate and "access" to the Valentine's Day menu -- not the drinks themselves. None of this was clearly explained upfront, and the wording of "2 pairings" is misleading. Had we understood that the $60 per person covered only chocolate and menu access, we would have made a different decision. What was meant to be a special Valentine's surprise ended up feeling confusing and disappointing due to poor communication. Clearer explanations and transparency would go a long way.

We visited Prohibition ATX and loved our experience! Although it took us about 5 minutes to find…read morethe entrance, once we did, we were glad we made the effort. The atmosphere is very relaxed and cozy/fun. The bartenders were very helpful and the drinks were delicious. I highly recommend the old fashioned!

I am a sucker for a speakeasy when it is done right. I love the idea of being somewhere that not…read moreeveryone knows about. It feels like an IYKYK atmosphere. Located off Anderson Mill in the corner of a strip mall is a bookshelf with a door on the right side. If you cannot figure out the entrance, there is a doorbell to ring as well. I believe it is owned by the same people who own The Mill bar right next door, which makes it feel like a cool bonus space. My friend and I sat next to a faux fireplace, where we were greeted by the only bartender working and placed our order. Once he opened the tab, it was disappointing that he never came back to check if we wanted another drink. It wasn't super busy on the Monday we went, but since he was the only one manning the bar, the bartender was always doing something, so I don't blame him fully for not checking back in with us. I ordered a drink called the Velvet Vice. It looked nothing like the picture and tasted similar to an Aviation cocktail with egg whites. I happened to really like it. It is a very relaxed space, but once the speakeasy gimmick wears off, it does not have much else going for it. It is still a cool place, but I am not sure it was worth the lengthy drive to get there. RIYL: A bar hidden behind a bookshelf

The view from Otopia is beautiful, especially at sunset. They also have a nice pool, if you care…read morefor a dip. I wouldn't exactly do laps in it, it's more for lounging. My coworkers and I had a few drinks, and some tacos and enjoyed ourselves.

On 15 January 2026, I watched the sunset from the Otopia Rooftop Bar while enjoying one of the best…read moremargaritas either salt, pulled pork sliders, and buffalo cauliflower bites. The service and attentiveness of the bartender and staff were great! I recommend this happy hour spot for a date night, and/or girls or guys night out. The view was on point!