Have you heard of a silent disco? Have you been to a silent disco? Well, I had not heard nor been to a silent disco until a Yelp friend invited me tonight to Highball. We were celebrating a friends belated birthday and apparently, she loves silent discos. [[HIGHLIGHT]]In a silent disco you are given neon headphones (ours lit up green, blue and red). There were three corresponding DJ's that spun tunes for their respective colors[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. As a disco dancer, you had the ability to change your colors and therefore, music by clicking a switch on your headphones. It is always good to expand yourself by trying new things. Let me be the first one to say this was really weird, at first. But I eventually got the hang of it. [[HIGHLIGHT]]When I walked into Highball, I saw a dance floor full of individuals swinging their arms, and gyrating their bodies seemingly to no music. It was like something from a sci-fi movie[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. It felt like I was having an out of body experience...no loud music vibrating the walls and floors, no synchronized dancing and certainly not line dancing. The dance floor was laced with bunches of people moving to the rhythm of music only they could hear. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The glow of neon headphones lit up the room like glow in the dark rings except they were not rings but headphones. What a site to see![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Silent discos gives you opportunity to hear a variety of music at your pace and sequencing. You can easily toggle between dance hall, hip hop or another genre of music at the flick of a switch[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It is an opportunity to connect with people. Since the music is not blaring, you can easily have a conversation with a friend or strike up a conversation with someone new[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. Also, I noticed this interesting phenomena...the green headphone people tended to dance together and the other colors similarly danced together. It is quite the sight to see at first glance. While was it was funny to watch people dancing to different songs, it was definitely a thing!. The headphones allowed you to form a bond with your people (red, blue and green)! [[HIGHLIGHT]]A silent disco is disrupting nightlife. It balances high-energy dancing with conversation you can actually hear.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Also, a silent disco turns music into a shared yet individualized experience. The entry price was free, free, free!!! Great fun!!! read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Great location! Amazing ambiance! Perfect for a date night with your partner or friends night out![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Alamo drafthouse connected so enjoy a movie before or after! Definitely going back again tonight for PowerPints! A comedy show where people present different topics via power points! Definitely recommend! read more

The Highball - Burgers Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I walk by here all the time to go to the movies. Didn't realize that this was a different venue, until my boyfriend booked us tickets to Drag Show Game Night. LOL. [[HIGHLIGHT]]it was a great venue to have a great time! There are small tables in the center, with booths on the side and then the bar to the left.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I thought the drinks were kind of pricey or maybe it's just me. ($40 for 2 casamigos on the rocks) and I don't know if they charge consistently for each drink or how they even come up with the price. You can also order food, but we didn't eat. Anyways, the show was GREAT. We enjoyed participating and watching others in the audience participate. Celia Light and Mars were sweet, fun and super funny! They totally engaged with the audience and I loved it. read more

This is still a solid bar to stop in before or after a movie at the Alamo. [[HIGHLIGHT]]There's a good selection of liquor and seating at the bar and at tables.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] If you drink before a movie, you can take your drink with you into the theater. As for bartenders, they have yet to make a solid positive impression on me. Sometimes they seem cold. That said, I wouldn't consider this a neighborhood bar for me to hang out in, so it's not like there would be a chance to build a solid relationship with any of them. I will note, this is part of the Alamo; the 18% service charge is automatically included in the bill. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]I came here with a group for PowerPints and we had a good time. [[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]I[[HIGHLIGHT]]t was a packed house [[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The guy at the front was really friendly. I wasn't sure if the group event was going on and I only knew the organizer. He was really patient with helping me find the group and helping me with buying a ticket. T[[HIGHLIGHT]]he group found each other and we had some good laughs and a good time. [[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]We were talking about coming back to the next one at Highball. Also, I just watched a movie at Alamo so it was perfect to finish the movie, hang out a little, and watch Powerpints at the High Ball read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Had so much fun singing with my friends that were from out of town! We had a blast![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Very cool themed rooms.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I do have to say that it is a shame none of the 18% gratuity goes to the workers on the karaoke side. We ended up tipping 40% at the end because auto grat was there and we were told it all goes the kitchen. So unfortunate for the workers. Dropped a pretty penny to make sure the staff was taken care of. That is my #1 complaint. Treat your staff better. read more

compare the gross of full time karaoke joints like Top Spin or Common Interest and you'll see Highball---the best empty karaoke stage south of the river----is losing opportunity. Not a single weekly stage karaoke night there...disappointing in the heart of the music capitol. A mngt decision made long ago makes this a move-theatre add on as opposed to the stand alone fulltime stage karaoke joint it should be. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Great music, decent drinks, free parking and lots of fun to be had[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. Just BEWARE the bar will add an 18% service fee but will not tell you that they're doing it. I got tricked into paying a tip on top of an 18% charge. Learn from my make my mistake. The service is good but not 38% good read more

The Highball - Peterson Brothers!! - Burgers Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Haven't been here in a minute and now I remember why. First n foremost, the staff is super friendly, drinks are on point, and I love the food. And the variety of events is excellent. That being said, we are here for the power pints event, sitting at the midway point by the water stations, and three times now latecomers have arrived and stood in front of us and the 15 or so people seated behind us, blocking our view of the stage. Each time this happened, staff delivering food and what not have walked around these people without asking them to move. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Each time, myself or another patron had to get up and ask people to move because they were blocking lots of seated people.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Also also, at the halfway point, a line formed for drinks. Some people, upon seeing the line, walked up to the bar to order and received their drinks. What irks me is either have a line formed everyone to get in or tell people to just crowd at the bar. Staff is friendly, but management could ensure that all customers are having as good a time as possible. read more

I love this lounge attached to Alamo! Old school, swanky, jazz club vibes. Super retro, Nice place to chill out while waiting for a movie to start. Friendly staff and pretty good drinks too. read more

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The Highball - Perfect Venue for Live Events It's been a while since I last visited The Highball, and I forgot how convenient it is for special events like Mortified ATX. Easy in/out, plenty of parking, and the bar is right by the entrance--great for grabbing a stiff drink before the show. Quick and friendly service from the door attendant to the bartenders. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The intimate setting makes for a fantastic live event experience.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Highly recommended venue! read more

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I love the Highball. Convenient location at the Alamo on South Lamar. Garage parking available. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The vibe is very chill.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They have excellent bar food and well made cocktails. read more

The Highball - Cosmo and old fashioned - Burgers Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I often end up here, and I love it. There are typically events held here, and rarely have I come to the Highball for just a regular day. I have seen this place host Mario Kart Tournaments, Queer Film Theory, some table top games, and even Drag Queen game night. I think they also have a nerdy trivia night sometimes, but I haven't attended that. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The overall layout is spacious and the chairs are pretty nice.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The stage here is big, well lit, and lovely.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]On the days nothing goes on, it's still a great little bar.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It's clean and the staff is so friendly and fun, and they are fast with their service. They crank out orders like no one else. The drinks are so good. The menu is pretty much the same as the attached Alamo Drafthouse and The Bees Knees cocktail is appropriately named. You also have a selection of beers and ciders. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Came here about a week ago for a cute drag night.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Was having a great time until I paid my tab, was accidentally charged for 9 drinks when I had four. Got it taken care of with our bartender then was told that the 18% gratuity wasn't going to our bartenders and that I needed to leave an additional tip. That is actually insane. I feel for the bartenders if that's the truth, everyone deserves to be tipped. But who on earth is going to pay double in gratuity? Please figure out the additional fees and take care of your staff instead of taking advantage of customers. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]This place was so much fun for karaoke.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Able to get a small private karaoke room at great price for only $30 an hour last minute[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]], and drinks were good too. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Fun way to spend a cold or rainy night in Austin.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service was great too! read more

While they have a solid drink selection and the environment wasthe drink prices are not really worth it. Maybe if the bartender with the white beard and glasses wasn't such a stiff. Guy barely acknowledges you're speaking to him, even when complimenting a drink made. Guess it's bc tips are included? read more

Ben is AWESOME. 10/10 experience. You will want to ask for him to be your server, I promise. Great guy and we always have so much fun having him here with us! read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]We rented the 80's themed "Totally Outrageous" Karaoke room at Highball for my 30th birthday and it was such a blast![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The song list was really impressive, they had so many options to choose from, even songs and artists I thought they FOR SURE wouldn't have like Bo Burnham and Tenacious D.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our server, Chris, totally made the experience as well. He was quick to check in and bring drinks whenever we called and brought the vibe! We had the room booked for 2 hours and ended up extending and staying for 3.5 hours. I can't wait to go back and try more of the rooms with different themes! read more

Visited 4/7/22 at about 10pm. Visited before a late night movie. It was extremely loud music from a dj on stage in a mostly empty room. The bartender was attentive and she made great drinks, but not very friendly service. There was nothing much for her to do but she was actively avoiding having to make conversation with anyone, which was a little fair because the music was too loud for that anyway. We were helped right away when we walked in. We picked drinks on the signature cocktail menu. They were done perfectly and they were not shy on the liquor. Pretty standard prices for Austin drinks and for being attached to a money sucking void of a place like a movie theater where everything is expensive nowadays. The floor and bar top is all bowling alley floors from the old Highball which looked really cool. I think there are better fits for music and atmosphere. It felt jarring and sad to be so empty and to play random pump up hits from the mid 2010s super loud for maybe 5 people in the room. The vibe was just all wrong. It was trying to be a lot of different places all at once. I love the vintage style of the bar and red lux looking furniture in the room. I would lean into making it a slightly elevated place and part of the movie experience instead of a dance bar. The bathroom was clean enough, but again could use a major facelift. Overall this place felt abandoned and like a great place to go drink alone, but not to go have a good time. If we ever see a movie at this location again we'll probably pop back in, but if not we probably won't be back or think of this place amongst all the choices S Lamar has to offer around it. read more

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Drag Queen Game Show nights are on Tuesdays! Very engaging and entertaining. Had a blast watching the audience participation in the Price is Right and Bingo! Drinks were great! They don't serve food but at this visit they allowed Door Dash delivery from nearby restaurants (I'd recommend Mandala Kitchen's delicious truffle oil edamame!). Bring cash so you can tip your performers! read more

Went there to see a show last night. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The venue is super cute.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Seating was wonderful.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] But the bartenders... I don't know if they had a bad day, but both of them were dismissive and rude. A smile goes a long way as well as a thank you. Felt like you were bothering them to ask for a drink or ask a question Not sure if I would go back unless there was another show that I wanted to see. What a shame. read more

Wish there was more room for dancing. It is a great band , that plays here. The service is good except when they are crowded.

0 stars. We reserved a room for 2 hours and we got there a few minutes late and had already given it away. Then they were not accommodating and very rude, threatening to call the police on our group if we didn't get out. Just ridiculous behavior when we proactively booked the room. read more

Nice bar but was having an off night. The drinks were fair in terms of taste and price big dance floor so lots of moving space. There were plenty of available seating and tables. Will give them another shot in the future. read more

10/10 recommend for private karaoke rooms. Nice and decently spacious rooms with water, temperature control, great mics (without too much echo), and a few screens and the ability to control the volume level. Service was great and drinks were affordable and quick and pretty good! The selection of music is what wow'd me. They had so many options including: Japanese, Indian, Spanish music with a decent selection of each. I didn't look into the other categories but there was a ton of different languages as well. Not too pricey either, would definitely come back if I'm in the area! read more

Fun all the way around, karaoke drinks and dance your heart away!! The staff was busy with all orders so it's understandable to have a slight wait time but this place is fun to go with friends and even make new ones!! read more

The Highball - Burgers Near Me - Austin, Texas

My friends and I met up at Highball before our movie for a drink. The bar is located inside the Alamo Drafthouse to the right when you walk in. We were able to snag a large booth. The place looks pretty swanky and their tables started to fill up when we were there, which was around 6-7pm. The vibe was just ok. I'm assuming the energy might change as the night goes on. There wasn't anyone doing table service at the time so we had to go up to the bar to order any drinks, which was fine. It's a typical overpriced S. Lamar bar. My Negroni was $16 and it was just ok. read more

This bar is high in my list. This dark place is one I can see myself dwelling in with no looking back lol. The menu of drinks leave you indecisive and even flows within the mood you feel at the time. I do feel they need to be a lllliiillll more watchful on cutting some people off cause some poor girl ran right into a couch and needed help to the restroom. The gem store was my favorite and the popcorn there is ppprrreetttyyy tasty. If ya every in need of a "REAL" kickback place with all the fixings this is the spot... read more

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Watch out for the fun police here!! We'd been looking forward to coming here for weeks but our evening was ruined from the moment we arrived. We were cut off from alcohol for 30 minutes BEFORE we even ordered any, despite not one person in the group having had more than 2 drinks prior to arriving. Some hadn't had their first drink yet! We were just laughing and being silly, not overly so either. We were treated like delinquent 17 year olds trying to sneak in to drink alcohol. Management was so rude to us!! Mind you, all of us are past our 40s and 50s+. In a private karaoke room. It was humiliating, baffling, and embarrassing to be treated like that. They ruined our night for no good reason at all, except for sort of apparent judgmental power trip. So sad and unnecessary. New management without a major chip on her shoulder is needed here ASAP. Current one will seriously harm this business, if allowed to stay. read more

I bought two beers, each listed for $10.25 on the menu and the tab came back at $25. I didn't know sales tax was 25%. Because I'm not a jerk I gave a $5 tip. That's $30 for two beers. It's just not reasonable. read more

Drink prices are insane...almost $40 for two drinks plus tip. There's no way an otherwise average bar can justify that.

We came here to one of the private karaoke rooms for my best friends bachelorette party and boy did we have a good time! Our servers were kind & attentive and even asked if we wanted to extend our time until the next party arrived because they could tell we were having a blast. Highly recommend this spot! read more

Trivia night is super fun. Unfortunately I was disappointed that The Highball doesn't actually sell the Bottomless Popcorn they list on their menu, nor the milkshakes. I was pretty upset about that. Additionally, I don't know if there's faulty wiring or what but every couple seconds random lights would flash like your photo was being taken and it would blind you. After a couple minutes it got real old and started to give everyone at the table a headache. read more

The Highball was once a fun place to go. Sadly it is No longer the case. Bartenders are not friendly and the place is sad and dark. Save your time and money and go to a different place in the area. read more

It's a decently clean place once you get past the construction outside. But I learned my lesson. Sure, adding an automatic 18 percent tip on my modest gun and tonic isn't too bad. But when it brings the total fir that one drink up to $11.50 or so, no thanks! I am sorry, but that's just plain overpriced. read more

I never have very good service when I come to this bar...but they do have cool events despite the way overpriced cocktails! I've also booked a large karaoke room here for a bachelorette party. You can only make a reservation two weeks prior and there are set times that you have to choose from. There's only one room that would hold so many of us and it was not a cutely decorated room...the inferno as in hell themed? Upside down crosses etc haha nottttt exactly what we wanted for a fun girls night but oh well! Only $50/hr, but longggg flight of stairs up and no bathroom on that floor:/ I'm sorry to all the diehard highball fans, I'm just not one of them! read more

The Highball - Burgers Near Me - Austin, Texas

I've lived in Austin since 2010 and was so excited to see that the Highball came back after Covid! I'm not much for karaoke, but was dying to go back and see some live music at this previously fun venue. I decided to drive my significant other and a friend down to listen to a great cover band, and was rewarded by being charged $7.60 for a coke. I know what you're thinking...a Coke and what, a Jack and Coke, a rum and Coke....Nah I drove, so being responsible, no alcohol for me, just a coke...Thanks for being so accommodating, Highball! read more

So the new revamped Highball I have mixed feelings about... However, let me get to the point. I was steered here for their Frito Pie and my first experience was more than disappointing to say the least. The frito pie came out w/cold chili and unmelted cheese and off-tasting sour cream. I brought this to our waiter's attention and they came out w/a second attempt (that honestly was probably just them nuking it because the cheese was semi-melted, but the chili was still semi-cold and the sour cream still had a funk to it). Instead of risking possible food poisoning, I let the waiter know that "thanks, but no thanks" and they took back the uneaten FP and did not charge me for it. I came back for their Cards Against Humanity and Tittie Bingo night, which is a BLAST! You can also win free Alamo tickets and food credits! Our waitress was top notch and I decided to give the Frito Pie a second chance and told her my previous FP tale of woe and she swore the sacred oath of awesomeness that I would have a good Frito Pie experience. Soooo, when my FP came out subpar yet again, she personally took it back and demanded excellence! While the new FP I got was not mindblowing, it was waaaaay better than anything I had had up to that point and I owe it to our beautiful and gracious waitress for making my Highball Frito Pie dreams come true! I went on to win the Cards Against Humanity Twitter Post that night and had a very NC-17 time playing Tittie Bingo. I highly recommend experiencing each of these for yourself. I have not been back since, therefore I can't speak to any of the other goings-on there, but I do know on the wknd they charge cover, so there's that. In any case, I do see myself going back for another round of CAH and TB, but that's probably it. read more

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Highball is always so festive. Halloween, New Years, Tuesday's...they always find a reason for a dance party. I like stopping in for a drink before my movie or just spending an evening with friends to see whatever band or DJ they have performing. The floor made of the bowling lane wood from the old Highball is so nostalgic, a really nice touch. There is a game on the wall in the area that faces the street and I haven't figured out if you can actually win it or not. It may be that I just stood there like a fool pushing a button 10 times for effect. Please tell me someone has "won" this game. read more

Bring BUTT STUFF BINGO back! What happened to this place? Seriously? Bankruptcy sucks.