I am a Midwestern Boy so I have fond memories of swimming in Lake Michigan and going for a great…read morecheeseburger afterwards in the little resort towns of Michigan. This place, while in the Southwest, made me think of those fun memories in the North! Simply put, after swimming for a few hours usually in Deep Eddy Pool (me? Barton Springs), you just want a good cheeseburger cooked well with zesty toppings. This is the place to go! Plus, its got a full tiki bar! I was there in April, so the weather was perfect, but I do wonder how the place is when its really hot or really cold outside. I loved the selections of food and drinks! Absolutely perfect and exactly what I wanted after swimming in Lake Austin!

After a day at Deep Eddy pool, food was in order. Pool Burger is located near Deep Eddy Pool on…read moreLake Austin Boulevard. It is reminiscent of the type of setup you might see in Hawaii...cool vibes only. The servers are dressed in Hawaiian shirts and surf boards can be seen throughout the venue. There is actually a bus onsite, which apparently where the food is prepared. I ordered a burger and fries (sold separately). The burger was flavorful, with mayo on one side of the bun and mustard on the other. The patty was good, though the bun felt a bit too large. The crinkle-cut fries were crisp on the outside and decently seasoned...not a fan of the fries. The menu also includes cheeseburgers and other options. Did Pool Burger satisfy by hunger? Yes. It was typical pool food.

Tiki Tatsu Ya on S. Lamar feels like you have been transported to a different place and time. It…read morereeks of Caribbean or tropical flavor. GPS Alert: The restaurant/bar is accessed from behind. It is hidden behind a travel agency façade. When you step into Tiki Tatsu Ya your sensory motor goes into overdrive...it's small...almost cave like appearance, dark and dank lighting, shell horn and hard water sound effects pouncing against your ears, and tropical artifacts hanging from the ceiling. Its dramatic...in a good way! We were celebrating a friend's birthday, and our friend wanted a drink from Tiki Tatsu Ya, a rum Barrell. So, we granted her wish. The over-the-top atmosphere makes Tiki Tatsu Ya truly unique. It's distinctive and memorable. It's colorful, laden with jungle-like items and items dropping from the ceiling on steroids. This was an ideal stop for my friend's birthday train. We had been to a sushi restaurant for dinner, stopping here for her rum barrel and then going to the Broken Spoke for some boot scooting. Service was excellent. All servers appeared to dress in the jungle like theme and super friendly. Very authentic... This Rum Barrel was a bit pricey but was supposed to be enough for 4 people. I only had a sip. The drink was a secret blend of rum, aged sake, spices, and tropical juices. The barrel was massive. Our friend was pleased! Then we were off to the next location.

We went out here for a girl's night since several of us have been wanting to try it. We reserved…read morefor party of 4, but only ended up having 3 of us come so they sat us at a 2 person table and just added a stool (not even a chair) at the edge in the aisle with everyone constantly walking back and forth making the experience very uncomfortable and awkward. Service was just meh. They were quick but something just felt off. Like there was a sense of urgency to leave whenever coming to our table. Food was also just okay. The portions were very small. Even the shareable / appetizers were enough for one person, which we resorted to. They were also out of some things we wanted to try on the menu but weren't notified until awhile after ordering it that they've been out of that item for a while now. It wasn't noted on the menu either. The drinks however were the real stars of the show. They were well presented, tasted great, and had a good amount of liquor in each one. The final shots we took after several drinks, that were served on a cute and smokey little boat, were our favorite. Also note, they only split the bill up to 3 ways evenly, not itemized so we had to coordinate with Venmo/zelle/cashapp-ing the primary payor and did our own paybacks accordingly. The ambiance was very interactive and entertaining. If you've ever been to rainforest cafe, this place reminded me of the adults only version of it. In the end, we were still hungry and walked to shake shack after. Overall I'd give it a 4/5 for the sake of coming here at least once for the experience.

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.

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.

This restaurant will be a fixture in Austin for decades to come! No other 5* restaurant is so…read moreScrumptiosly unique! If my scheduled allowed, I'd make reservations for lunch and dinner weekly!

Vas served us today, and she was just fantastic! Very attentive and helped us decide on what to…read moreget. The Manger Delanie came over to check on us and you can just tell they love working here. We will definitely be back soon!

Fun rooftop bar. They had very yummy slushy drinks and a fun atmosphere…read more The entrance is up the stairs next to the Beez Kneez

Right next door to Via 313 and a slightly sketchy alleyway lies The Cat's Pajamas, the most relaxed…read morerooftop bar you'll find in the area. We went on a very busy night but the line to get in wasn't too bad. Luckily this place is just off 6th so it doesn't get the foot traffic it should. The bar is beach themed, almost like a Maragaritaville with palm tree tops lining the bar and random jet skis offering photo opportunities. The staff is friendly and the venue is very accommodating of the weather with coverage and fans for the heat and heat lamps for those "cold" Austin nights. They have a decent amount of seating and TVs throughout the bar so you can definitely catch a game there. One of the best parts of the whole bar is the nighttime view of downtown. From there you can see the Cisco building and some other high-rises, definitely a nice contrast to the closed one or two story bars around. The Cat's Pajamas is a fun rooftop bar, not too crazy, not too sit down. It finds just the right spot for those who don't want to push through crowds on the street but still want a little bit of life out of their evening. Very much recommend it for those ending a night or wanting a slow ramp up before going all out. Also, drive safe and Uber if drinking. Parking around there is a nightmare.

This place is what I would call a hidden gem. Service is good. They don't over charge for beers and…read morethe bar food is actually good. There's also cheese curds in the menu now! It's a spot to go to in a downtown adjacent area. Definite place to come back to.

Once the kitchen closed at the Rosewood Social Club, we went over to Nickel City for some food…read more Fortunately, most bars in Austin don't require a cover charge. My Yelp friend struck up an energetic conversation about Australia and New Zealand with two out of town guests. It turns out Nickel City is considered a must-do activity when visiting Austin, and I've even seen it listed as a tourist attraction. My friend's boyfriend and I talked about various Texas cities, the bar itself, and details about East Austin. The bartender was making faces at the fur baby, causing its ears to perk up...there seems to be a playful love-hate dynamic between them, especially since the bartender gave the pet some treats. Although the bar was busy, it wasn't too loud; it was easy to hear people talk without any trouble. I've now experienced Nickel City both during the day and at night.

This bar was part of our Christmas Bar crawl for 2025; This was the last stop before crossing into…read moreDowntown and it's located on the western edge of the East 6th street entertainment district. It was busy on a Saturday night a couple of weekends before Christmas but the line to get in moved pretty fast. The set up is great as the bar to order drinks is very visible and everyone seems to stand in organized lines to order. Since i was drinking painkillers for most of the evening, I proceeded with their version which was pretty good. What's really cool is their outdoor area which is kind cool and built off of a hill so it's raised and there are steps to take you up to the outdoor seating area which has lots of picnic tables that can seat large group. Our group had about 10 people so we all were able to sit down. There were also a couple of food trucks to order from.

Mid drinks (80% ice) and pretty rude bartender. I usually don't give bad reviews but her attitude…read moregave me nightmares. Shame, seems like it's built to be a chill and vibey hangout spot.

Met up with a friend for happy hour. Upon entering, I was immediately greeted by the bartender,…read moreKyle. He told me about the happy hour specials and also informed me that it was free pool night (on Mondays). I'm not a huge fan of whiskey, but I've found that whiskey bars tend to have amazing craft cocktails. I browsed the HH menu and noticed a Whiskey Sour. I actually like a Clarified Whiskey Sour and was curious to see how it compared. The Whiskey Sour wasn't bad, but it wasn't as good as the Clarified Sour that I've had at Reserve 101 in Houston. Kyle told me they're working on some clarified cocktails. I also ordered a Boulevardier (which isn't on the HH menu). Kyle admitted that he had never made one. He quickly looked up the ingredients and made one for me and it wasn't bad! I've only had this cocktail one other time before so I didn't have much to compare it to, but I did enjoy it. They have a small cigar menu. Cigars can be smoked outside on the patio (which is shared with Las Perlas and Caña Rum Bar). I liked the laid back feel between the pool tables and the rustic decor (it felt like I was in a lodge). Though I'm not a big whiskey drinker, I did enjoy the cocktails as well as the ambiance.

If you are a whiskey drinker, you will find a fine collection of bottles here…read more Or rather - you will find a very very fine collection of scotches here. There are some highly interesting bourbons as well. The selection of ryes is thin. If you read Whiskey Advocate (which I have been known to do), the rye curating will give you no thrills. The selection of Irish is thin as well - but no blame on that point. The population of upscale Irishes is just not that large, once you pass some over-rated cliches like Redbreast. * * * Seven Grand however is not an abstract name. That is how much you will pay in order to drink here. The prices for two ounces of many of those beverages will make the eyes pop out of your head sideways and go running out the front door. In more than a few cases, two drinks here will cost you close to what you would pay for a full bottle purchased at a liquor store. Now to be sure - bar drinking is expensive. That kind of percentage markup is not unheard of in the industry. But when you move up the price range for the raw material, The absolute amount of money you are overpaying to have that drink goes up astronomically. I will pay big for a peak experience I will remember for the rest of my life. (See my review of Craft Omakase.) I will not pay big for a random experiment with a bottle that could be wonderful and could be overrated. It is more economical to just buy the bottle. If the experiment works, I get a free month of legendary drinking. To my mind, bottle testing at Seven Grand just doesn't make sense.

I'll admit I went in with pretty low expectations because I assumed this place might be a bit of a…read morehole in the wall--but I was completely wrong. The vibe is actually very cool, with a laid-back atmosphere and lots of locals, which is always a good sign. The process is simple: head to the back to place your order, then wait for them to call your name when it's ready. I decided to try the Chicago Burger with fries, and when it arrived I was genuinely surprised by the size--it was huge. From the first bite, the flavor was fantastic. The burger had perfect seasoning and just the right amount of juiciness, making it a really satisfying meal. There are also good drink options available at the bar, and outdoor seating if you want to enjoy the weather. Overall, this is definitely a place worth visiting if you're in the area.

DEEPLY UPSETTING EXPERIENCE: Harassment and Lack of Accountability…read more I'm writing this because I'm genuinely shaken by the treatment I received at Casino el Camino last night (Saturday, 4/25, approx. 2:15 AM). While my husband and I were quickly packing our leftovers after closing was announced, we were targeted by a staff member (short male, dreads, full gauged ears). He began aggressively throwing glasses onto our table and followed us down the stairs to intimidate us as we were leaving. As an Asian woman, it was heartbreaking to realize we were the only ones being targeted this way--the bar was still half-full, yet no other patrons were being rushed or hovered over. The situation peaked when the employee looked me in the face and called me a "fucking c--t" in front of my husband and friends. When we asked for help, the manager's "apology" session was a failure; the employee simply started yelling at us again. Instead of de-escalating, the front door staff slammed the door in our faces to hide him. When I asked for the General Manager's name, I was handed a blank business card--a clear attempt to avoid accountability. I gave the card back, as I won't be silenced by a generic brush-off. I am sharing this because a staff member who uses sexist slurs and physically intimidates women is a major liability. I truly hope management takes this seriously and handles this individual's employment appropriately. Check your security footage from 2:00-2:20 AM; it will confirm every word of this.