Good casual/divey spot to hang out…read more The staff is friendly, quick. Drinks selection is good. Plenty of indoor and outdoor spaces.

Neat little bar. I don't think they serve food here but there are quite a few food trucks around…read morewhere you can bring food in. The staff here are friendly. Drink prices are average. They have tvs and pool tables here along with a Photo Booth. Lot of space inside and out.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I made a reservation for (one) a few weeks in advance because I'd heard it has one of the best…read moresunset views in Austin, and I wanted to guarantee a good seat. I can confirm: the view is spectacular... if you can actually see it. Only 80% of the tables have a view worth making a reservation for. When I arrived, they seated me at a two-top right by the host stand, just inside the rooftop area. Technically outside, but functionally indoors. My view consisted mostly of the backs of people's heads, a sliver of sky with direct sun, distant buildings, and one very unfortunate, ugly rooftop. The host said she'd try to move me to a table on the "other end," but explained that some guests were overstaying their reservation time limits and hadn't left yet. Then, with a sliver of sun showing, they moved me to the good side of the bar. I was seated in a low lounge setup with a couch and two chairs in a space that could easily fit 5-6 people, and the view was completely different. From there, I could see the water, skyline, bridge, and the rest of the sunset as the sky changed colors. I didn't stay long, because now I felt rude taking such a large table for one person! What I Ordered Botanical Reset Mocktail -- $12 Chocolate Tahini Mousse -- $11 The mocktail was refreshing, but the mousse was the memorable choice. It was one of the best desserts because it was rich, balanced, and an incredible mix of textures and flavors. During bat season, this bar also has a fantastic view of the Congress Avenue Bridge bats, for some of the tables... This bar was confusing to locate. The elevator didn't list the bar, and the floor I initially got off on (following other rooftop wanderers) looked like it belonged to something else entirely. Here's how to find it: Go to the 6th floor. When you exit the regular elevator, turn right. Walk down the hallway to the end. Turn right again, and go down a couple of stairs. P6 will be straight ahead. There's also a separate elevator somewhere else, apparently, but I took the one from the lobby. Seating tip: If they seat you on the side as you enter P6, you might not get much of a view. If you're on the opposite side (like in the photos on their website), the sunset and bridge views are absolutely worth it.

Recently came here for the second time and I had to leave an updated review because this place has…read moreconsistently been disappointing with their service and food. I am not one to leave a negative review but the only thing this place has going for it, is its view. Service here has been very below average during both of my experiences. Our server was not super nice and we went long periods of time waiting for her to come to our table. The food this time around was ok but the shrimp I got to go on my caesar salad were honestly very overcooked. I hate to say it but I am just not a fan of this spot.