For those who love hidden gems, find the rusted door upstairs the courtyard of the South Congress Hotel. Behind the rusted door, you'll be greeted by a hostess who will direct you to your dining experience either at Watertrade &/or Otoko. While Otoko requires reservations (& advanced payment), Watertrade allows walk-ins. Inside, it's dimly lit with lots of black, elegant decor. It's giving mystery and features both a food & drink menu focused on the seasons. They have a solid listing of unique alcoholic and nonalcoholic cocktails. The biggest downside of Watertrade was the service. The waitstaff were disappointingly rude and unhelpful, acting as though serving guests wasn't part of their role. It was especially upsetting given that we were waiting for our reservation at Otoko after already spending over $450. read more

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Was absolutely blown away by this place. Tucked away in a small upstairs lobby on South Congress, we had some trouble finding. But when we walked in, it was like an insane portal. It was dark, intimate, cozy yet sophisticated. It also smelled vaguely of smoke in an endearing way. The staff were so incredibly friendly and attentive The place is quite small, a few couch tables and some bar seats. We were greeted with our complimentary toast, which you get the choice of sake or prosecco. We got the prosecco, which was beautifully crisp. The menu was a cocktail fanatics dream. They were categorized by season, and each of the drinks also had a flavor profile which was very helpful. Snacks: Nasu Frites: 10/10 I originally thought these were tofu but turned out to be eggplant! Which is insane because the inside was so soft and silky. The seasoning was delectable, salty and a bit vinegary. It reminded me of an elevated Chinese salt and pepper tofu. The crème fraiche sauce that came with it complimented it perfectly. Was still delicious even cold. Olive Karaage: 9/10 If you like olives, you would definitely love this. Perfectly fried, and the sauce it came with went well with the olive brine. A perfect salty snack to go with the cocktails. However, I was a bit surprised when I saw there were only 5 olives Mochurro: 10/10 Wow. Warm, freshly made churro with a red bean vanilla ice cream mochi in between. I don't remember what the dipping sauce was, but tasted very umami and was a nice contrast. Drinks: All of the drinks were beautifully crafted. I'm not much of a drink person, so I can't critique much, but I had such a fun time trying them. Heaven + Earth: Came out in a smoked dome. The glass was dipped in this addictive salt that was so good, it went very well with the drink which was quite sweet. You could definitely get the smoke aroma. Day is night: This one was very interesting. I was surprised by how much of the mushroom flavor you get, but it was a very mature drink. Hanagasuku: My favorite drink of the night. If you're not big on alcohol like me, this one was quite subtle and light, you could barely taste the liquor. Very floral and slightly sweet, this one was very enjoyable. I really loved the notes of honey. Yaeyama baby: Incredibly smooth. A bit umami but you also get the pepper notes. The shortbread that came with it was very yummy. read more

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This is one of my favorite bars in Austin. Came for the omakase at Otoko, but watertrade ended up being a more memorable experience for us. The menu is diverse and organized by season, and every drink I've tried has been delicious. The flavor profiles are unique and the menu does a good job of describing each drink with one-word adjectives alongside the ingredients. We also really like the snack menu which shares a few of the same menu items as Otoko. It is a very small bar so reservations recommended, but we have usually been able to walk in with just two of us. Definitely recommend! read more

Watertrade - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

Mixed reviews for Watertrade, which makes me sad to say. The ambiance is fantastic, sit at the bar if you can because you get to watch the mixologist make delicious drinks. Great selection of cocktails and since Watertrade is connected to an omakase restaurant you can order some unique dishes too. Why am I ranking Watertrade 3/5? The workers were pretentious and made us feel unwelcome. They would give a recommendation and if we didn't move forward with the recommendation it was uncomfortable. This not only happened with our primary waitress but also the backup that was walking around. Maybe they were just socially awkward, tired, who knows. But when you're spending $18+ per drink and order 14 pieces of wagyu treat your customers better. read more

Watertrade - Wagyu nigiri - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

This is definitely one of my favorite speakeasies in Austin if not my favorite. You should reserve it in advance, which requires a $10 booking fee. I've been here a few years ago for the omakase and had the pleasure of sitting at the bar before my meal, but I've never ordered an actual cocktail. I remembered how much I loved the vibes and felt like I was transported to a nice cocktail bar in NYC, and that vibe is quite hard to find here in Austin. My boyfriend is also a huge vibe chaser, so I brought him here as a surprise to celebrate a work achievement! We both fell in love. From food and light bites to presentation to the drinks to the bartenders, everything is immaculate. It feels like you're frozen in time in the bar, and there's nothing else to do besides enjoy some cocktails with some really delicious light bites. The cocktails are presented beautifully, and they're well-crafted. Watertrade is truly a gem. read more

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This is a great speakeasy! I think that is what it is. We came here after dinner so we came just for drinks. As soon as you walk in you see this dimly cool looking bar , a couple of seats and seating in the bar. They specialize in Japanese whiskey and they have a pretty cool menu. The drinks consisted of very interesting ingredients. The drinks we ordered were so good. Out bartender was very nice and described the drinks to us and even recommended us what drinks to order that were to our liking. We had some great service. read more

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Do future you a favor and make yourself a reservation at Watertrade. I showed up without one on a Friday night and was lucky to only have a 30 minute wait! The weather was warm-ish so I didn't mind just waiting in the courtyard at the bottom of the stairs. The vibe of this place is dark and mysterious speakeasy with a smoky smell. I was seated at the bar in between two groups, though I felt like my bartender did a great job giving me attention and making sure my drinks were filled. I started off with Heaven +Earth because I live mezcal based drinks. It was Negroni adjacent with the Campari. The smoke made for an impressive show. In the mix, I somehow forgot that gusano is the worm in mezcal and thus Sal de gusano meant that the salt on the rim had ground up worm in it! No worries though cause the bartender asked me how I was enjoying the worm salt, which was a funny reminder. I asked the bartender for the opposite of that cocktail for my second drink and he delivered by recommending the Summer Samurai. It was quite the show between lighting the alcohol soaked sugar on fire, adding cinnamon and then putting it out. It was so good that the lady next to me got one too! Highly recommend this place for an elevated cocktail experience. read more

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Such a cool place but service was terrible. We sent in our allergies ahead of time. Our server knew about it but didn't recommend anything, asked us what we want then said they didn't have. She should be telling us what we can substitute to instead of asking what we want. Brought a wrong drink, also missed one of our order. Didn't even apologize and just asked "so do you still want it?" We did not except this kind of service at a place like this. read more

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Super cute bar next to otoko! We came Saturday night around 9:30 and were able to get seated at the bar top - overall it's very cute inside but on the smaller side. Service was great - drinks are super intricate to make and there are 31 cocktails on the menu!! I ordered the tongue cut sparrow - tequila and pineapple flavors - very refreshing and crisp! I loved it and would definitely order another one! My fiancée ordered the heaven and earth - whiskey based I think and had the whole smoke show going on! Unfortunately my fiancée didn't love it but the flavor profile is rich - complex - and smokey I think - definitely for someone who loves that. Overall we had a good experience and would try other drinks from the menu next time! I think the description really helps find what you'll like. read more

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Oh Watertrade, you sexy seductress of a cocktail bar. Tucked away in the walls of South Congress Hotel behind an undisclosed metal door, you can discover an intricate cocktail menu that'll give you a small taste of Otoko. They have limited bites available but their cocktails are no joke. This place is pretty intimate so I don't recommend coming with a large group. Maybe 3-4 people max at that in my honest opinion. My favorite part of Watertrade is their extensive list of Japanese whiskeys and sake. The bartenders are really creative and you have to try at least one of their signature cocktails. This is the place to come to for a date night or to have genuine conversations without the loud ambiance and music. Highly recommend! read more

Wow!! This place is a hidden gem. Very cozy upscale vibe inside with only a few table/couch areas, then seating at the bar too. The bar is really pretty and love all the decor. When you first get there they offer a welcome drink of sake, sparkling wine, or an N/A option. We opted for the sake and it was very good! They offer a ton of N/A cocktail options too. We only came for drinks but tried the fries which were fried eggplant and surprisingly delicious, loved the sauce to dip them in. The Goma Fashioned (their version of an old fashioned) was one of the best I've ever had. The summer samurai was also great, and has a cool fire aspect to it when they serve it. Impressively everyone loved their drinks! Very great service and will definitely come back here for drinks and to try the restaurant Otoko next door! read more

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Officially my favorite cocktail bar in Austin!! The best part of Watertrade is that you get to sample some bites from Otoko, which also pair very nicely with their lovely selection of cocktails. Watertrade is located in the South Congress Hotel, and can be found up the stairs. They have validated parking. When you reserve online, you pay a 10 dollar deposits, which also covers the welcome drink. The welcome drink was bright, refreshing and great way to start the experience. For cocktails we ordered the double rainbow surprise and the risshun spritz. The Risshun spritz was well balanced and smooth! The double rainbow surprise came with a cute strawberry pocky that surprisingly elevated the drink experience! The cocktail menu was almost like a poetry book, which helped bring each cocktail alive. For food, we started with the Nasu Fries. The crème fraiche dip complimented the "fries" perfectly. The texture was something I was not expecting, but it was really good. We also tried the ocean trout and sea bass crudo which were both very fresh and delicious. We also tried the hamachi and Wagyu nigiri, which were both the highlight bites of the night! Watertrade is definitely up there in the top cocktail experiences in Austin! read more

One of the best kept secrets in Austin, known mostly to locals and guests of Chef Yoshi Okai at the neighboring 12-seater Otoko, this is where you'll want to snag a seat for some of the sexiest cocktails and bites in town. Dark but not brooding, paneled in mirrors, following the Japanese practice of Kaizen where materials from Otoko are preciously given new life in delightful drinks and dishes, this is where I found myself pre-concert making friends with Eddie, an expert mixologist if there ever was one. He'll show you Chef Yoshi's special sake, or toss you some Luck of the Sea - a smoky, toasty sweet twist on an Old Fashioned, made new again with Japanese whiskey, sesame, and nori. If you're not ready for a full tasting menu (do book that on your return, it's exquisite), a selection of seasonal snacks ranging from uni-stacked oysters to smoked tamari Hamachi sashimi (Yoshi's nod to TX BBQ) will keep you slim and snappy. All you have to do is make nice with Dustin at the door - he runs a tight ship! read more

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Cozy curated atmosphere in a beautiful small room tucked within the South Congress Hotel. Experienced either as a stand-alone reservation to the Watertrade, or as the welcoming experience ahead of dinner at Otoko. Note that Watertrade specifically refers to the bar space. It's well worth a visit in itself, and offers a menu with some bites that are all about super delicious quality over quantity -- including several that are in common with the menu at the adjoining omakase counter, Otoko. Libations are wonderfully and whimsically concocted, with a comprehensive and descriptive menu -- or for the more adventurous, let the bartenders craft something to your liking. Presentation is often low-fi spectacular... read more

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This place was a treat! We had a cozy little nook to enjoy our food and drinks. The service was the perfect speed and everyone was helpful. The waitress recommended the grilled hamachi and it was some of the best fish I have ever eaten. The bartender came over and gave us some recommendations for next time after seeing what we ordered this time. The drinks were beautiful, unique and tasted stellar. There is something for everyone on this menu. read more

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I went to watertrade as part of the ticket for going to Otoko. They give you a "free welcome toast" glass of either wine or sake when you buy the ticket to Otoko so I had a glass of sparkling wine, and I also ordered a cocktail. The bar itself has a low light, sexy ambiance - it would be excellent for a date night. The bartenders are helpful and check in often, which is always very appreciated. The bartender recommended a cocktail to me because I asked for something a little bit more sweet/fruity so the one I got was the tongue cut sparrow. It was very flavorful and I really enjoyed it, it's a little pricey at $17 (and that's on the cheaper end of the cocktails - most others were more), but it was clearly very high-quality alcohol they were using, and it tasted really good. It was actually a really lovely addition to my dinner as well since I didn't get any of the other add-ons that areavailable at Otoko (eg the sake flight add on). I would actually really like to come back to watertrade at some point either with friends or maybe on a date to try some of the other cocktail since they/the ingredients are all seasons of Japan themed, but again just need to be mindful that they're a bit on the pricier side so, so buying several drinks would add up. The other thing to be mindful of is that parking is kind of a nightmare in that area; if you're eating at Otoko they do validate parking in the south Congress hotel garage so that makes it free but if you're just going to watertrade, I don't believe you get validated parking. You can park on one of the side roads for free if you get lucky but even those areas tend to fill up. There is some parking on the street as well but also can fill up during busy times. Ideally if you're going to eat one of the restaurants on South Congress that has a lot then you should just park in whatever lot that is and walk to watertrade. To get in, I walked inside the courtyard at the hotel, and went up the staircase on the left just behind Maieday restaurant. You'll get to the top and there's just a single brown rustic door that says Otoko and when you go inside and the first area you'll see on your left is the watertrade bar. Overall, I can really only knock off a star because the cocktails are a little bit pricey and parking is a little bit cumbersome, however, everything else about the experience of watertrade is exceptional, and I would absolutely come here anytime and give them a five star review if it was just a little bit more accessible read more

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Highly recommend; a magical experience! From the speakeasy feel to the delicious drinks and apps, can't wait to go again!

Had a fantastic experience coming here on a Thursday night! The cocktails and small bites were delicious. The ocean trout crudo was our favorite - I could have easily had another order for myself. The escargot was not what I was expecting. It was fried and still tasted good but I preferred the nasu frites if we're going for something fried. The nine tailed fox was easy to drink and came in a cute little tea cup with a flower on top. The yokai berry was a bit more boozy but came with some fun pop rocks on the side. Overall, a fantastic experience and would love to go back to try some of the other cocktails. read more

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THEE sexiest place to get amazing drinks in Austin! A very small room with dim lighting, an impressively stocked bar, gorgeous seating arrangements, cool bartenders, and attentive service. We've only visited Watertrade once but we reminisce about our experience on an almost weekly basis and plan to come back as soon as we can. One of the things we remember most is feeling very connected to the staff who took the time to get to know us, welcome us into the space, and invite us back. Being present and curious to know people on a human level seems small, but it really left an impression on us (as well as the perfectly crafted and curates drinks). At a time when we're collectively experiencing an epidemic on loneliness, these moments of human connections matter the most. Even in a bougie little bar in SoCo. If you're looking for the nudge to go, then this is it! You won't regret it. read more

I was slightly underwhelmed by Watertrade which is sad because I love the entire concept. drinks: The menu is pretty big. The front has specialty cocktails separated by seasons and the back has classic cocktails. I mainly ordered from the Winter season. Also, I appreciate that they calculate the abv and display it next to the cocktail. Our first round of drinks was okay, but our second round was very good. My bf's drink came with a shortbread and it was a nice accompaniment. I think this place has potential, but you have to order the right thing. Not sure if I'll return to Watertrade, but I do want to try Otoko. logistics: We made a reservation specifically for Watertrade on a Friday. They offer complimentary valet and self-park at the South Congress Hotel. We wanted to valet but it was busy when we arrived so we had to self-park. They validated our ticket but we messed up and scanned the wrong QR code so we paid for parking. The validation sticker is on the back of the ticket and we missed it because that's not usually how parking validation works. Also, it's not located inside the hotel. It's next to the hotel, past the tunnel, up the stairs on the left. It's pretty hidden. read more

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This place has a great ambiance as soon as you step through the door. Japanese-inspired both in the surroundings and the whiskey selection. Food was really good, especially the escargots! Think small bites, probably won't be enough to make a full meal but good to munch on and try something new. Although not on the menu one of my favorites was an aperol cocktail infused with smoke (ask the bartender). The 2 other cocktails I had were alright, a little on the pricier side as far as cocktails go ~$18 but still pretty good. Got a taste of the gin cocktail (w/ flower in it), not bad! read more

Very speakeasy and posh. Loved the secretsy atmosphere. There's no sign outside the door. The cocktails are very expensive but perfect for special occasions. I liked the Kamapachj Dirty and Nine-Tailed Fox. Both are savory and unique drinks. read more

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This is a beautiful speakeasy-like space that's a little bit hard to get seats for, so make sure you reserve on Tock. The interior of the bar is dark and intimate, and casual Japanese accents dotted the space. There are brown leather couches you can sink into, or bar stools you can spectate from. The welcome experience is lovely - they gave us a little aperitif of some kind to sip on while we contemplated our choices. Their umami cocktail tasted a bit too much like vegemite for me, even though I ordinarily do enjoy umami flavors. The server was kind enough to get me a replacement and I really liked her suggestion of the goma old fashioned, which is a sesame fat-washed whiskey, but it's no longer the menu. I'll definitely come here for a nice date or to try their other cocktails; the bartender seems game to make something bespoke, just beware of how pricey those can get. read more

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Fav bar in Austin!! Amazing selection of drinks and small bites. The wagyu, hamachi, and ocean trout were so good and plated nicely. The bartenders were all very nice and had great recommendations! read more

This bar was right up my alley! I moved back to Austin a year ago from Chicago and The Aviary was one of my favorite bars to frequent. Like The Aviary, Watertrade also requires a reservation to get in, it is small, a tad dark, very sexy and you get an up close personal experience with the mixologists and their crafted drink skills. The drinks are fantastic and they are also willing to whip up a concoction for you if you do not see anything on the menu that tickles your fancy. We made a reservation for Otoko about 3 months in advance and a 30 minute reservation for Watertrade was included. We arrived about 45 minutes earlier and were allowed in without any issues. I do understand that this bar may be considered a little fancy for Austin and it is not everyone's cup of tea, but people that really appreciate the experience here are not people that like bars that smell like vomit and have cheap drinks and a tacky clientele. read more

This is the hardest low review I've ever given after being so excited about finally getting to try Watertrade. The ambiance is amazing, the service was really good, but someone in the kitchen ruined every small dish with WAY too much salt (assuming finishing flake salt). We had 6 plates and all but the himachi tasted like straight salt. The drinks, though $18+ we pretty good but about it. I still want to come back and try Otoko's omakase, but Watertade was definitely disappointing... read more

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Unique and fun speakeasy experience! My husband and I did a 90-minute reservation where we ordered from their a la carte bar menu. We were able to try several inventive and refreshing cocktails. They also made excellent whisky recommendations based on our preferences and put together an amazing personalized Japanese whisky flight for us. read more

Watertrade - Fun and inventive cocktails! - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Watertrade is a very cute bar within Otoko. Ambience was great; leather couches and intimidate feel. Service was decent, they have a lot of knowledge especially on their Japanese whiskey. They do ask you to come to the bar and order but it's a small place so wasn't overly crowded. Drinks are a bit pricey but makes sense in comparison to the restaurant prices. read more

Watertrade - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Such a fun and unique experience! A taste of fine dining without the commitment to a full dinner price. Really fun, extensive cocktail menu and knowledgeable staff. Cozy couches with an intimate vibe. We had small bites here and then got pizza later in the night (you likely won't leave super full but that's not really the point). Definitely recommend! read more

Watertrade - Cocktail - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Dimly lit bar that is attached to Otoko. Usually folks sit and have a quick drink before being called to their reservations. It's small - capacity for maybe 20 people comfortably at most. I think this is a neat place for a group of 4 or less. Goma old-fashioned are good, but I also like doing the drink that is basically a bartender's choice. They've surprised me with some great drinks. read more

One of my favorite places in Austin, Watertrade has a cool, speakeasy vibe without being pretentious. I'm a big whiskey fan so appreciated the extensive choice of Japanese whiskeys which can be difficult to find. But even non-whiskey fans will enjoy the cocktails and expertly prepared small bites. read more

This is an interesting bar to check out but mostly for the decor / atmosphere.The bar was really well designed and really beautiful, but everything else was okay, not exceptional, especially for the price. It was unfortunate that the drink I enjoyed least was also the most (unexpectedly) expensive. We went with the bartender's recommendation on pretty much every drink, and one of my two drinks was a $26 drink that wasn't really any of the things I asked for (light, fruity, sweet). Seeing it on the bill was a bit of a shock. I think the service was aiming to be Japanese style but missed the mark. The bartenders mostly just seemed disinterested. We like to sit at the bar to chat with the bartenders, and this didn't turn out to be a good place for that. It wasn't a bad experience, just not a great experience either. I wouldn't refuse to go again, but I would probably never pick it as a place to go myself. read more

Watertrade - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

Amazing drinks and great company! Can't get a better cocktail! Definitely check this place out when in town! read more

Watertrade is probably the best bar in Austin as far as atmosphere. The interior is just beyond and the drinks are playful and impeccably made. It's also small and secluded enough to make for the perfect night. This will become our go to. read more

Watertrade is an impressive place to bring a date even if you're not going to Otoko. The atmosphere is lounge-like and cool. It's a cozy spot to chat with friends and/or the extremely kind bar staff. I wasn't too happy about their signature old fashioned made with Japanese whisky. It's pre-made and for the price I wish it were freshly concocted. You should order an ordinary old fashion because the bartenders know what they're doing and it's not pre-made. read more

Amazing bar! Some of the best Old Fashioneds in town. This place is attached to Otoko which is a hidden gem by itself but if you are looking for a true speakeasy, this is the place you've been looking for. Small, intimate sexy setting with great drinks. read more

Billy, self described GM, arrogant and disrespectful. I live in the neighborhood and have been a frequent customer due to the convenience. Never again. For a bar that is rarely occupied in a hotel whose food and beverage business is losing money, you would expect them to welcome customers. Billy asked myself and a date to leave a half empty bar because two unoccupied areas were "reserved." He was disrespectful, unreasonable and clearly unfamiliar with any commonsensical GM behaviors in service. Plenty of great spots on S. Congress for drinks so recommend spending your money with people who will treat you with respect. read more

Disappointing. The hostess at the hotel was pleasant and enthusiastic taking us upstairs to the bar. Then it was so dark - like a movie theater dark. We were not greeted. The bartender (man) and order taker - but she made one of the drinks? (Woman) could barely be bothered to take our order, added nothing, no comments, no encouragement, no pleasantness. Put our drinks in front of us without a word. Never asked if we enjoyed it. We tried commenting on them, as they were unique and she treated us as if we were complaining when we were not. That's part of the fun of trying different cocktails at different places. We paid and left without a word. As for the drinks - maybe B to B-. The experience appalling. Certainly not the graciousness and attentiveness one would experience in the simplest Japanese bar. It was supposed to be a nice treat to start the holiday weekend, and I am still bothered by it. read more