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    The Cloak Room

    3.6 (102 reviews)
    InexpensiveDive Bars
    Closed Closed

    The Cloak Room Photos

    Business Info

    THE CLOAK ROOM ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Divey
    Juke Box
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - The Cloak Room

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    Entrance
    Heather B.

    I really don't want to write this review because I want to keep this bar to myself. Yes, it's THAT kind of bar. It's hidden downtown, down some stairs, in a small dim space. No fancy drinks. Just space for intimate conversations. During legislative session it's a hoppin' place, but other times it's perfect for average dive bar patrons.

    a martini on the bar

    Such a cool place hidden in downtown Austin. Service was amazing!! In fact since it was our first time, drinks were on the house as long as we come back! Super nice, friendly, all the above, a true GEM! THANK YOU!

    Dark and divey
    Ron U.

    Down the steps you go and a cool adventure is at hand. This is a cool dive bar where time stands still in the dark little hole. Its a small place but the bartender is sure to make you feel right at home. Close to the Capitol its easily within walking distance after a long day of meetings with your state rep's. Definitely off the grid and worth seeking out.

    Alexis B.

    One of the weirdest bars I've ever been to! The Cloak Room is the CLOSEST bar to the Capitol - as such, it's a hangout for Senators and Reps IN SESSION. During session, it can be crowded. It's a very strange experience - two TVs (one playing the feed from the Senate floor and one playing the feed from the House floor) and the darkest bar I've ever been in! I walked straight into my friend when we got inside because I couldn't see a thing - your eyes adjust after a minute! You can walk right past it-there's just a little sign saying Cloak Room and then you walk down the stairs. The bar is underground. It smells like it's underground. As weird as the bar is during session, it's ever stranger in the interim - because NO ONE IS THERE. How does this place stay open? At least they have a jukebox!

    Dark, quaint , nice and cold in this heat

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    5 months ago

    Tucked away in a basement, steps from the capitol- this spot is unique and fun. Excellent service in an intimate and cozy setting.

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    2 years ago

    Chad was awesome!!! Great spot!! Small old bar with an old jukebox...perfect!! Feed the friendly raccoons before you leave

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    1 year ago

    Great vibe at this underground (literally) bar. Great service and great service. Glad we found this place. Highly recommend!

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    3 years ago

    Great hidden gem near the Capitol. Try a Martini, they are on a different level. Friendly vibe.

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    3 years ago

    On my Bucket List since my time at UT in the 70s. Did not disappoint. VERY nice pours by the bartender. Cool "dive bar"

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    5 years ago

    Bar either is not open or need a code to get in. Hours of operations online show it is open but it was closed both nights we tried to go.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - The Cloak Room

    Review Highlights - The Cloak Room

    Close to the Capitol its easily within walking distance after a long day of meetings with your state rep's.

    Mentioned in 17 reviews

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    Dirty Bill's - ipa beer fire eagle $1

    Dirty Bill's

    3.8(160 reviews)
    0.6 miMarket District, Warehouse District, Downtown
    $

    What Five Stars? because this place is exactly the kind of dive bar that makes Austin weird in the…read morebest possible way. Dirty Bill's is gloriously unapologetic. You walk in and immediately know you are not in some polished Instagram cocktail lounge. It is loud, a little gritty, and full of people who are clearly there to have a good time and not pretend otherwise. The beer is cold, the Lone Star flows like Texas water, and the vibe is pure old school Austin. And yes, the legendary bathroom situation deserves its own paragraph. The men's room features a giant ice filled trough for a urinal, which feels like something out of a 1970s roadside saloon documentary. Somehow it is both ridiculous and perfectly on brand. It actually becomes a conversation starter because you walk out laughing and immediately tell your friends they have to see it and go pee. The crowd was friendly, the bartenders were quick with the beers, and nobody was taking themselves too seriously. I ended up staying longer than planned, drinking Lone Stars and talking to random people like we had known each other for years. If you want craft cocktails served with a rosemary sprig this is not your place. If you want a hilarious, slightly chaotic, authentically divey night in Austin with cheap beer and great stories, Dirty Bill's absolutely delivers. Five stars and I would go back in a heartbeat.

    Dirty Bill's (gotta love the name) is literally right next door to J. Carvers where we had dinner…read more Dirty Bill's was on and popping!!! We were drawn in by the music. They were spinning some popular tunes. The place was packed with a very fun crowd. It appears to be a bar you come to have drinks and chat. There was a small area where dancing could take place, but no one was dancing at the time. The staff including the general manager was super friendly. It felt like a wedding reception as you came into the club where you were greeted...very warm and welcoming. We had a drink and stayed a short while. It looked like a place you could come for a girls or guys night out or celebrating a fun occasion. Will definitely consider Dirty Bill's for a future fun evening...

    Photos
    Dirty Bill's - Cold beer and Dirty Bills Hat!

    Cold beer and Dirty Bills Hat!

    Dirty Bill's
    Dirty Bill's - Lots of beer

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    Lots of beer

    Elephant Room - Sit in the front so you can really appreciate the vibes.

    Elephant Room

    4.1(600 reviews)
    0.7 miDowntown
    $$

    First off, for a jazz club in Austin, it has all the ambience. Good conversation, pretty solid…read morecocktails and of course, great music. It is a very lively atmosphere that's accompanied with dim lighting after a long day. I really like how it's never too crowded since they control the amount of patrons allowed. However, service is not great. I hope it's a fluke, but consistency is present on how the waiters and bartenders interact with paying music enjoyers. Could not have begged more to order drinks or get a couple waters to a full table. I suggest tipping the musicians before being met with the lack of friendly service. Or even service for that matter.

    The Elephant Room is one of Austin's most widely known jazz venues. It is located below street…read morelevel on Congress Avenue. If you are claustrophobic, this might not be the best place for you. From the street level, you walk down steps to enter the club. This basement club delivers an authentic jazz experience. The dim lighting, narrow long room, and close seating create an intimate atmosphere. Live jazz musicians are hosted every night of the week, often with multiple sets, featuring a mix of local musicians, rotating house bands, and visiting musicians. Because of the tight space, you are always close to the stage. Tonight's headliner was the Concept Orchestra. Cover tonight was $7. Cocktails range $14-16. The room was pretty tightly packed creating positive vibes.

    Photos
    Elephant Room - We had a very enjoyable jazz-filled evening at Elephant Room.   IG: @coreyd123

    We had a very enjoyable jazz-filled evening at Elephant Room. IG: @coreyd123

    Elephant Room - Stage

    Stage

    Elephant Room - Looking out from stage left. IG: CoreyD123

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    Looking out from stage left. IG: CoreyD123

    Floppy Disk Repair - The bar

    Floppy Disk Repair

    3.9(280 reviews)
    0.6 miDowntown
    $$

    I can't believe I'm just now checking out Floppy Disk Repair Co., aka Red Headed Stepchild…read more From the outside it doesn't even look like a bar, but iykyk. So fun getting in since there's a keycode needed to enter. You can grab it from their website or from the bartender next door. Once inside, the whole place is glowing in red light and feels like stepping into some weird retro horror movie fever dream. The menu is huge with all kinds of wild drinks to try, and the staff totally match the vibe, funny, friendly, and clearly having a good time. The music was loud in the best way with 80s and 90s hits playing. The decor is horror movie stuff like The Shining, Psycho, Chucky, and more little details everywhere you look. They even have some bar swings, which looks like such fun spot! It's a tiny bar with a limit of only 50 people, so it feels crowded fast, but that's kind of what makes it fun. Definitely one of the more memorable bars I've been to and I will be back.

    A cool little speakeasy in downtown Austin. There is a code to get in, but we were lucky as they…read moreweren't busy the night we went :) The staff are so warm and energetic. LOVE! The menu is really fun, and the names of the drinks are edgy. I kind of forgot what what we got but it was delicious, and has mezcal in it. Only nit is towards the end of our visit, they turned up the music SO LOUD, my ears hurt and my voice also hurt from yelling while trying to make conversation.

    Photos
    Floppy Disk Repair - Inside

    Inside

    Floppy Disk Repair
    Floppy Disk Repair - Indoor

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    Indoor

    Lala’s Little Nugget - Four roses neat

    Lala’s Little Nugget

    4.1(324 reviews)
    4.8 miAllandale, Brentwood
    $

    How can you not like a bar that celebrates Christmas all year round? I discovered these guys on…read morethat Texas Bucket List back in 2024. I thought it was so cool beans and had to go check them out - and I did on Christmas Eve last year. Yeah, so last year Christmas Eve I was getting my last swim in. And spoke to a couple of buddies who I met there about what they were planning to do over Christmas. Well, both of them said not much and I told them I was gonna head over to this bar called Lala's that celebrates Christmas all year round. They also never heard of it, but we ended up meeting up there later that night. The place was packed, and everyone was dressed up in their Christmas sweaters, and there was a countdown clock to Christmas Day, which I thought was really cool. We hung out there until the clock past midnight and to a shot for Jesus's birthday. I don't think Jesus does shots on his birthday so we figured why not, it's a really big deal, and so we'll do a shot in his honor. Amen. My friends really liked the place and I enjoyed it. A few few months later, a friend of mine came in from out of town and I told her about this bar and she got excited and I took her there and she really enjoyed it too. It looks like it does have a few regulars, but the people there are generally very friendly and I always have a good time here. It can get very loud if there's a crowd, but there's also outdoor seating.

    A place for just all year Christmas vibes. The indoor and outdoor space is a bit limited. Mostly…read morecause it does get packed on weekends. Theres a pool table inside that takes quarters. Cocktails are a bit pricey for basic items like old fashions and White Russians. But it's a place to check out after browsing through records next door

    Photos
    Lala’s Little Nugget - LaLa Love

    LaLa Love

    Lala’s Little Nugget - Only 26,103 hours 'til Christmas!

    Only 26,103 hours 'til Christmas!

    Lala’s Little Nugget - The countdown is on.

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    The countdown is on.

    The Cloak Room - divebars - Updated May 2026

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