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    Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar

    4.3 (2.6k reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar Photos

    Business Info

    LORO ASIAN SMOKEHOUSE & BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar

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    Reviews With Photos

    Brisket bowl
    Amelia D.

    Outdoor seating, good ambiance, and plenty of space for a group of friends on a Sunday afternoon. We got a few dishes including the half chicken, the salmon bowl, the broccoli, the Asian salad, and the edamame to share. The salmon bowl had too much sauce but the salmon itself was tasty and flakey. We ordered more than enough food and the half order of chicken could serve 2-3 people with sides. I loved the flavorful Asian slaw salad as an appetizer. My only criticism would be that the food didn't come out all at the same time and some of the sides came out long after the mains. The edamame was spicy and great to share. I didn't have the boozy milkshakes but one of my friends did and I heard they're delicious. Definitely worth a stop on my trip to Austin.

    Order at the bar and they bring the food to you
    Dan S.

    Very cool spot we stopped in for happy hour and the prices were amazingly low. The smoked wings and pork sliders were huge hits. I love the gin and tonic frozen drinks. Great place and I highly recommend happy hour 2-5 pm Service was quick and friendly and love the option of eating outdoors under shade trees or indoors in the AC.

    Angelica L.

    Overall: 3.8/5 [dine in] Our friend recommended trying their ramen, which is only available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays after 4 PM. We did a walk in for dinner on a Wednesday night around 6:45 PM. While we waited to be seated, we grabbed drinks at the outside beer garden. The outdoor menu is slightly different from what's listed online, some drinks are only available inside, and the cocktails outside come in tiny plastic cups instead of actual glassware. They also seemed pre-made, so the quality just wasn't there. First and last time ordering outside for us. The Mandarin Margarita ($11) with luna azul blanco, mezcal, and tangerine tasted like juice with no detectable alcohol. The Typhoon ($10) with bacardi superior, passionfruit, lime, and thai basil was better but still low on ABV. Neither was impressive. We both ordered the Spicy Japanese Curry Ramen, one with char siew pork belly ($18.50) and one with smoked brisket ($19.50), both topped with buttered corn, roasted tomatoes, green onion, and ajitama egg. The ramen noodles themselves were good. The curry was very salty and umami forward, so I could only eat so much of it before hitting a wall. It's heavy and filling, so we ended up with leftovers. I liked that there were a lot of toppings, but it doesn't have authentic Japanese flavors. They gave us two lean dry brisket slices with no fat at all, which was disappointing. The pork belly though was delicious! I just don't think the meat combo worked with this curry because the curry was overpowering everything. The Spicy Bangkok Chicken Bowl ($16.95) was my favorite of the night. Nam tok, hot honey, peanuts, coconut scented rice, papaya salad, and piri piri aioli. It was a new special and they weren't sure how long they'd be running it, so we just went for it and I'm glad we did. I love their coconut scented rice so much. The fried chicken was okay and a little light on the portion, and the papaya salad was tasty. Even with those small gripes, this bowl was the highlight and the one I'd come back for.

    Brisket
    Darlene K.

    Loro on South Lamar was a really great spot with some standout flavors. The sake half chicken was incredible--super juicy with a sauce that tasted like satay, rich, nutty, and so satisfying. Easily the highlight of the meal. The Brussels sprouts were also amazing--slightly sweet on their own, but even better dipped in the fish sauce from the rice bowls. The rice bowls came out fast, which was nice, though they were on the smaller side. The wings, sweet corn fritters, and sake chicken took longer to come out (which makes sense given the prep), so the meal ended up a bit staggered--my husband and best friend had already finished their rice bowls before my food arrived. That said, everything was delicious and worth the wait. I'd definitely come back--especially for that sake chicken and those Brussels sprouts.

    Sesame noodles
    Kristi W.

    Still one of my favorite places in Austin. New menu items slapped! Smoked brisket bowl and sesame noodles - staples - are always tasty. Welcome to the menu spicy Bangkok chicken bowl! The Caesar salad was not as great as I had hoped but that was because it was slathered in dressing. Order the dressing on the side or light dressing. The shrimp on the salad was so flavorful I'd order it over and over. The spicy watermelon margarita was the best frozen drink I had all week and I had a healthy sampling! They have a great selection of tap beers. Order at the counter and the servers will find you and deliver your food. It doesn't always come out all at once. Lots of outdoor seating and you may have to share a table because this place jams. TVs inside and outside to watch games. Parking is a nightmare. Tip: do not park next door in the CVS lot as you're likely to get a boot on your car and have to pay $100 to have it removed.

    wonton chips & dip
    Carsyn F.

    Amazing smoked meats and great prices, lots of outdoor seating - great for groups, and delectable drinks (both cocktails & mocktails were super solid). I liked everything I tried here - the wonton chips, edamame, smoked salmon rice bowl, kyuri mule, ginger cooler, & spicy cucumber zero-proof drink.

    Margarita
    Sherrill J.

    We ate outside on the picnic tables since the weather was so nice. I had a Margarita that was tasty and well prepared. L ordered a Cheeseburger with Crispy Potatoes and I had Pulled Pork sandwich with Crispy Potatoes. The Cheeseburger had a very large flavorful patty. My Pulled Pork sandwich had excellent flavor. The Crispy Potatoes were outrageously good.

    Sake can chicken
    Anisya N.

    Loro has mostly outdoor seating with large, wooden benches. You order at a kiosk and then they bring it out to you. We got the chicken karage which was crispy, spicy and paired deliciously with some creamy aoili. Corn fritters were so so, needed more flavor. My main was the sake can chicken which was done so well! Chicken was a bit dry on the inside but the chicken skin was so crisp and the marinade was spicy and sweet. The rice noodles were pretty mediocre, again missing flavoring. I think Loro does really good proteins! Everything else needs a bit work. Cool spot though for some casual but slightly upscale food.

    Drinks
    Karl A.

    Holy moly! What a great meal! We had to wait a bit to order at the bar. It was amazing how fast the food came out. Everything tasted great. From the appetizers to my burger, I enjoyed every bite. The burger was cooked perfectly and the toppings added a new flavor I have never had on a burger. I hope I can get back to Austin to visit Loro again! Great food, great service!

    Salmon entrée
    Susan E.

    My great-nephew and I had a great Valentine's Day lunch at Loro. While I was concerned about the restaurant being crowded, we arrived around 11:30 am and had no problem parking and getting seats. We chose to eat outdoors (covered area) at one of the long picnic tables. As you enter from the back of the building, there's a station with hard copy menus and a QR code. Then you seat yourself and place your order from the bar and get a pager. We had an order of pork belly, an order of salmon, and charred broccoli. We had Sapporo on tap. While the menu is not huge, everything looked tempting. The beer selection, both draft and bottled, was very good. I enjoyed my salmon very much. The portion size was just right, it was perfectly cooked, and the sauce was excellent. My nephew said the pork belly and broccoli were excellent. Our entrées arrived at different times. Prices are moderate given the quality of food and portion size. There's no doubt I'll return, possibly to try the Domain location, which is nearer to home.

    Menus
    Jamila M.

    The atmosphere is lively and buzzing. It is pretty loud inside, especially on a Saturday night. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, and both spaces are large. There is also a waiting area outside. Important to know: they do not take reservations. You walk up and put your name on the list. We waited about 45 minutes to an hour on a Saturday night, which honestly is not bad considering it was prime time and no reservations are accepted. While we waited, we grabbed drinks at the bar. Once we were seated, we had a waitress, which I preferred. You do have the option to order at the bar and bring your food back to your table, but the line was very long, so having table service worked out in our favor. Now for the food. The sesame rice noodles really surprised me. They are served chilled, but they did not feel cold in an unpleasant way. They were refreshing and much better than I expected. The brisket was great. Very solid. One friend did not love the salmon dip, but another friend really enjoyed the smokehouse sampler. For drinks, I had the Mandarin margarita and the Mexican martini. The Mexican martini was the winner. It tasted great and the presentation was super cute, which always makes it more fun. Overall, I would go back to Loro. It is a cool spot with good energy, solid food, and strong drinks. Just plan ahead for the wait.

    Kim S.

    Loro is one of our go-to's every time we visit our son in Austin. I love sitting outside under the large shade trees but this time we ate inside which was nice as well. Their happy hour is amazing and from 2pm-5pm which is longer than most happy hours. We ordered our cocktails and food at the counter then sipped on our drinks as we waited for our food to arrive. The boozy slushies were so good and only $5! I especially liked the frozen espresso martini. The hard working staff brought our food out as it was ready and everything came out fresh and hot. Our table tried the smoked wings, the grilled edamame, the wonton chips and dip, and the pulled pork sliders. Everything was great! The edamame really stood out because it was prepared differently than most edamame, with lemon zest, white sesame, and sriracha powder that gave it a kick. We only get to Austin once every couple of years but I am sure we will return to Loro next time we're in town.

    Frozen Espresso Martini
    Emily C.

    Food was great! There was a wide selection for happy hour and decently priced. Went with my girlfriends for some shareables and Loro did not disappoint! On top of that, this was probably the best frozen espresso martini I have ever had. It was delicious and only $5. The patio is such a nice area, they have plenty of shade and fans set out. I would say, service was okay, but not amazing.

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    Page 3 of 65

    Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar

    Is there seating indoors?

    Yes, there is.

    Do you have halal brisket option?

    Yes!

    Soy free options?

    We have many soy free options! Upon arrival, ask to look at an allergy guide to see our soy free offerings! Our bartenders are more than happy to lead you through and answer any questions!

    Do they have misters on their covered patio?

    We sure do!

    Do they take reservations?

    No. First come, first serve

    Is there WIFI and/or outlets inside?

    No. Nor is there anyone who really cares about anything service related.

    Will Loro Austin be open on Christmas Day 2021?

    We will not be open on Christmas. We close at 5pm on Christmas Eve and won’t reopen until the day after Christmas at 11:30am.

    Are there highchairs?

    They may have 1 or 2, but mostly outdoor picnic tables. I'd say bring the stroller and wheel right up to the table

    Are they now taking reservations? I can't seem to find any way to reserve a table.

    They are walk in based

    Do you order at a counter and the food is brought to you/your paged to pick it up, or do you order from your table and a waitstaff?

    You order at the counter/bar area and they give you any drinks and utensils that you need on a tray. They give you a pager and waitstaff bring the food out to your table.

    Is the outdoor patio heated?

    Yes it is!

    What on the menu is vegan/gluten-free?

    Not the place for a VG/GF guests... maybe a couple of the veggie dishes but even most of those have fish sauce, soy or fried elements

    Do they close on holidays - hoping to visit on Presidents' Day?

    They weren't closed New Year's Day so I'd imagine they won't be on Presidents' Day

    Do i need to get there early to get a table on the weekends for lunch?

    You need to get there early even to just drive by the building.

    Gluten free options?

    Absolutely. All of our meat plates are gluten free or possible to make gluten free other than the Pork Belly. We also have a lot of additional items like the chicken karaage, oak grilled snap peas, texas sweet corn, and most of our rice bowls.

    Dogs allowed on patio?

    Yes, dogs are allowed on the covered heated patio. Bring a friend to take turns while you go inside and order :)

    Is this place kid friendly?

    For sure it is, its seat your self and walk up to the bar to order, serve your own drinks and clear your own table. It's way laid back

    Is there seafood in your BBQ sauce? (Many BBQ Sauces have it due to anchovies.) My sister has an allergy to it.

    It does not. Initially our recipe included Shiro Dashi with contains shellfish but we've since omitted it and revised the recipe. Matt Guzzetta… Read more

    Coming from Hou for the weekend. How long is the wait on average for a Sat evening?

    This past Saturday at 6pm there was no wait at all. Food was excellent.

    Is it hard to order gluten free items?

    Not at all

    View All 26 Questions

    Here Nor There - The code has to be entered

    Here Nor There

    4.7(399 reviews)
    2.3 miDowntown
    $$$

    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.

    Last night we rounded out our evening with reservations at Here Nor There…read more If I told you the location of this speakeasy then...lol. It's been around since 2018 so most folks know where it is by now. Heads up, you no longer have to use their app to make a reservation. Simply do so through Open Table and that's when you'll get the entry code. So glad it's no longer a members-only spot as well. The basement location gives anything but a basement vibe. When you enter, you'll see the infamous black paint on white walls mural but then you're transformed into something more. An elegant and elevated high-end speakeasy that transports you to what life in speakeasy settings must have felt like in the days of olde. Who doesn't love being greeted by a tasteful, giant, fake bear with welcome cocktails? The low-lit space brings a feeling of warmth, secrecy, romance, and mystery. You absolutely get the feeling you're in a special and secret hideaway space. From the refined wallpaper to hand blown glass lighting fixtures to the lush and velvety sofa seating, you are truly immersed in the vibe. It brings a feeling of noir and romance with even sexier drinks. Being seated in one of the nooks is my favorite and just really adds to the overall experience. If you follow my reviews then you know I often refer to excellent cocktails as liquid works of art. And, in this case, it's like the most exclusive, high-end art gallery of liquid masterpieces. Cocktails with branded cubes, top tier alcohol and other ingredients from around the globe make for a worthy piece of drinkable art. It doesn't end with cocktails! The mocktails are equally as beautiful and delicious. I highly recommend the cocktails and mocktails. Service is exactly what you would expect and want it to be in this environment. Yes, the prices are a bit higher than average but you're paying for art, atmosphere, and experience that is beyond wonderful.

    Photos
    Here Nor There - Amaretto Sour

    Amaretto Sour

    Here Nor There - We in it!

    We in it!

    Here Nor There - Milk and honey

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    Milk and honey

    Powder Room - Craft Cocktail Bar

    Powder Room

    4.0(135 reviews)
    2.1 miWarehouse District, Downtown

    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.

    Photos
    Powder Room - Spicy margarita

    Spicy margarita

    Powder Room - Leaving Powder Room

    Leaving Powder Room

    Powder Room - Craft Cocktail Lounge

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    Craft Cocktail Lounge

    The Roosevelt Room

    The Roosevelt Room

    4.4(918 reviews)
    2.0 miWarehouse District, Downtown
    $$$
    Full bar
    Takes reservations

    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...

    Photos
    The Roosevelt Room
    The Roosevelt Room - BUCK TO THE FUTURE
 rye whiskey, manzanilla sherry, strawberry-basil purée, nardini amaro, ginger syrup, lemon, barrel smoked black pepper

    BUCK TO THE FUTURE rye whiskey, manzanilla sherry, strawberry-basil purée, nardini amaro, ginger syrup, lemon, barrel smoked black pepper

    The Roosevelt Room - ZOMBIE
 rr tiki rum blend, donn's mix, falernum, lime,
 grenadine, angostura, flamed absinthe, served in a skull with flamed cinnamon powder

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    ZOMBIE rr tiki rum blend, donn's mix, falernum, lime, grenadine, angostura, flamed absinthe, served in a skull with flamed cinnamon powder

    Fortune Teller - Bar

    Fortune Teller

    4.9(30 reviews)
    3.0 mi

    Parking? Easy. They have a front lot off Congress and another one off Sandra (just South on…read moreCongress after you pass the bar). The drinks? Oh my gaaahhd. I'm usually not a fan of 'craft cocktails' out bc they're overpriced and not nearly as good as what my partner makes at home, but these were glorious. These drinks had layers of flavor. And fresh ingredients. And they were reasonably priced. Honestly, I don't even remember the last time we had such good drinks out (ok that's a lie but another review and it was at that place where Crowbar used to be - but these win hands down). The bartenders were nice and knowledgeable (Did I mention they make amazing drinks?). The outside has a similar feel to Cosmic but more secluded which is nice. They have plenty of seating, mostly outside, and food from an onsite truck, Sabor Tapatio. Honestly, I feel like this place is a unicorn. 78745 low key vibe but also with some old school Austin feels (I'm talking 2005 mid-Noughties - not 20-teen Rainey Street batch cocktails). They also have coffee in the mornings which we'll be checking out sooner rather than later. 10/10 recommend.

    Met a friend here on a sunny Sunday afternoon. I was happy that it wasn't overcrowded - one of us…read moredid have to utilize the add-on parking in the back. There are plenty of different seating options but very few seats inside. The place is chill, ordering drinks took some time even with no rush. Seems like they have some pre-mixed type of cocktails. Honestly, neither of us liked our drinks much. We actually left it behind. The food truck is nice to have though we didn't get to try. Happy that South Austin is finally seeing some nice spacious outdoor hangout spots.

    Photos
    Fortune Teller - Outside

    Outside

    Fortune Teller - Great patio .

    Great patio .

    Fortune Teller

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    Marlow - Mocktail (Grow a Pear)

    Marlow

    4.8(33 reviews)
    2.5 miDowntown

    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.

    Photos
    Marlow
    Marlow
    Marlow - Chicken slider

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    Chicken slider

    Whisler's - Left On Read - Delicious! (Tequila, Amaro, Bitters, Strawberry, Citrus, Spice, Egg White )

    Whisler's

    4.3(675 reviews)
    3.1 miEast Austin
    $$

    These are moments I think why do I live in San Antonio ( and often work in Austin ) when I can just…read morelive here and enjoy great restaurants, bars and weird gothic haunts like this with weird dark goth decor, a scent of palo santo , superb music, a great crowd and amazing drinks! College me would have lived here !! Enjoyed a French 75, my husband enjoyed a smoked Old Fashioned and it was a great place to grab a drink prior to seeing Springsteen at the Moody seated amongst candles , a weird alter of sorts while enjoying some Stevie Wonder as is playing now though some weird NIN or Type O might have been more appropriate

    I went to Whisler's and had one of the worst bar experiences I've ever had…read more I had one drink. I was completely sober for all intents and purposes. The bartender claimed I was drunk and cut me off anyway. I was at the bar talking to a girl while waiting to get a drink (the wait was long because the service is very slow, despite the bar not being very busy at all). She was clearly into me, and the bartender kept jumping in trying to talk to her too (instead of doing his job making drinks). He was doing all sorts of things to try and flirt with her and make her laugh: pulling out and showing her buckets of pre mixed cocktails, running and sliding under the bar, etc. She was engaging with both of us , and right in the middle of that, I get cut off out of nowhere. No explanation other than claiming I looked drunk, which I very clearly wasn't. It felt very clear what was going on--he wanted me out of the way. I left and asked the bouncer on my way out if I seemed drunk. This was literally two minutes later. He said no, not at all, and asked me why I would even ask that. I then told him exactly what happened and asked him to let the owner or whoever was in charge know about this extremely unprofessional conduct so they can discipline the bartender. His response was that the bartender has discretion to cut anyone off, and let me know the bartender is supposedly married so he couldn't have been flirting with any of the customers. Well, sounds like his logic is flawed--not only COULD he flirt with his customers, he WAS, and was therefore cheating. I hope his wife finds out. This is perfectly representative of Austin customer service lately and not normal in other places. I was in Tampa for an entire month earlier this year and this would've been unthinkable there. I'm not coming back.

    Photos
    Whisler's - Side bar

    Side bar

    Whisler's - Inside seating

    Inside seating

    Whisler's - Main bar

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    Main bar

    Equipment Room - Mocktail.

    Equipment Room

    4.5(120 reviews)
    1.5 mi78704 (South Austin)

    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.

    Photos
    Equipment Room - XS made NA -- Lustau Fino Sherry, Giffard NA Pineapple Liqueur, passionfruit, lime, blue spirulina, mirin, dragonfruit syrup, Liquid Rizz

    XS made NA -- Lustau Fino Sherry, Giffard NA Pineapple Liqueur, passionfruit, lime, blue spirulina, mirin, dragonfruit syrup, Liquid Rizz

    Equipment Room - Beautifully simple bar tops

    Beautifully simple bar tops

    Equipment Room - Bar area

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    Bar area

    Midnight Cowboy - Drinks LOOKED delicious

    Midnight Cowboy

    4.0(580 reviews)
    2.3 miDowntown
    $$

    I was unable to check out the quality or ambiance of this establishment as there were a number of…read moreissues with my reservation. Basically, I had a large group reserved for a celebration, and I didn't get a confirmation email and when I noticed this I scrambled to find another reservation. The reservation link I was sent to kept erroring out when I tried to process it. Apparently the incorrect date was selected and I did not notice I was charged an exorbitant amount of money because it was a larger party, but we had every intention of going and we would have spent quite a bit of money. After being charged a $120 no show fee I tried to contact them to see if they could at least squeeze us in or take the no show fee off but they said their policy was clearly stated and they don't respond to my last email. Also, there is no phone number which is incredibly frustrating as I would have called to confirm my 5:30pm reservation issue, but instead just assumed it didn't go through While part of this was undoubtedly user error, the process of reserving and confirming reservations was not easy. Furthermore, the establishment was not overly understanding Some tips: Go to a different bar. There are so many great bars, lounges, and speakeasy's in the area, and I wouldn't risk the potential hassle. We pivoted to the Roosevelt room last minute and we had a great time Cheers!

    5-star speakeasy...if you like cool, secretive, unusual speakeasy cocktail bars - this is the place…read morefor you! Located on 6th street in downtown Austin (near the Driskill hotel), in what looks like from the street an apartment complex. You buzz the "secret" button and if you have a reservation, they let you in and escort you to your beautiful, sexy table. Their menu is creative and their every cocktail delicious! The theme we experienced was tarot cards and we loved the presentation and creativity of cocktails. Service is excellent and all drinks are around $20. Worth a visit for sure - great 5-star speakeasy and so fun for a date or with a group.

    Photos
    Midnight Cowboy - Table side bartending

    Table side bartending

    Midnight Cowboy - Libations of the night

    Libations of the night

    Midnight Cowboy

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    Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar - smokehouse - Updated May 2026

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