The neighborhood bar this neighborhood has deserved for so long. Great liquor program- best margs…read moreand martinis in town- but no pretense. Music is always on point, and I swear the yacht rock seems to always come on at the perfect time. Just a great staff, and a great vision for what pub life can be. There's not a better bar within 20 miles.

Total trash management and server. Horrible quality of drinks and beer choices too limited for a…read morebar as well

This is such a lovely hideaway bar! The vibes are immaculate and I loved the dark moodiness of it…read moreall. We were a little lost when we first arrived because the door is quite subtle, but fortunately someone else was also entering. Our servers were all very friendly and we were seated by the manager. I highly recommend making a reservation--the only reason we got in was because another reservation for 10:00 didn't show and it was almost 20 past! The drinks were good and they have a pretty solid list of "experimentals" as well as some themed drinks for the bar. I had the Daisy and an espresso martini and enjoyed both. All in all, I think this place is great for a 1:1 or coming with a small group of 2-4 people. And our receipt came inside of a book, which added to the quirkiness of the place. Would definitely come back!

It's located next to Oasthouse and has an entrance either from inside the restaurant or outside…read more Large parking lot! I had the Nick+Nora+Des and the Daisy and while both were good my favorite was the Nick+Nora+Des. There is an upstairs section and even a small third level too.

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.

The old Austin Pizza Garden (RIP) got a glow up and it's lovely. The space has its historic charm…read morebut is trendy and cozy at the same time. The staff is attentive and passionate. The coffee and kava are great. They only serve pizza in the evenings Thursday-Saturday I believe but the coffee shop is lovely and I hear the pizza is still fantastic when it's available. It's a sprawling space to work or meet up with friends. Loved it!

Hidden gem! Exceptional service - quick and very friendly. Very reasonably pricing for great…read moredrinks/food. Was able to sample their garlic knots (WOW, if you love garlic like I do, these will be a big hit for you) and jalapeño cheesy bread (also yummy!). The space itself is very cozy, but has plenty of seating to choose from. Lots of EASY parking. To note, there is road construction right in front that makes finding it a little confusing. Will be coming back for their pizza and coffee! Thanks for having us (-:

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.

Checked out Far Out Lounge and Stage thanks to "Do More". Definitely a great way to "do more"…read morethings you wouldn't normally on your own! The venue has a divey, cozy vibe. The stage is out back, and check-in was easy at the bar for wristbands. There's a full bar inside and plenty of outdoor seating, plus a pizza food truck if you want a bite without leaving. Staff were friendly, and the atmosphere made it easy to relax and enjoy the music. Definitely a spot I'd come back to on my own if the lineup looked good.

The Far Out Lounge in Austin, TX is everything its name promises. Rad, laid-back, and full of soul…read more Tucked away in South Austin, this spot feels like a love letter to live music and the people who live for it. With its sprawling outdoor space, funky vintage vibes, and welcoming crowd, it's the kind of place where you immediately feel like you belong. The music is the heartbeat here. Whether it's local bands tearing it up on stage or national acts stopping by, the sound is always on point and the energy infectious. From rock to funk to psych to honky-tonk, the Far Out doesn't box itself in--it's all about good music, period. And the vibe? Pure Austin. Chill, unpretentious, and bursting with creativity. Drinks are strong, the food trucks keep you fueled, and there's plenty of room to spread out or dance up front. It's the kind of venue where you can bring your dog, your kids, or just yourself and still feel part of the scene. The Far Out Lounge isn't just a bar. t's a community that celebrates the music and the people who love it. If you're looking for the real Austin experience, this is it.

It's a rainy night in Austin. My girlfriend is in town because my cousin and her fiancé are getting…read moremarried in Austin. It's also the weekend of our one year anniversary. An hour ago it wasn't raining, but now it's pouring. A few months ago, I heard of a newer bar and experience called Equipment Room just right off of South Congress. Music means everything to me. Nothing can express emotions and instill a feeling in 3 minutes like a song can. I live for that. Equipment Room is inherently Japanese in concept. Existing in Japan for over 50 years, listening bars combine high fidelity audio equipment with impressively crafted cocktails and alcohol combining the passion of music in a space to gather with comfortable chairs and a beautiful atmosphere. The concept has expanded westward as all cool things inevitably do, but I would never think a spot would be successful in Austin like it would be in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and so on. As I back my car into a parking spot on South Congress, I grab the umbrella out of my trunk and walk my girlfriend and me to the entrance trying to not get ourselves soaked in the process. This is not the first time we have tried to go to Equipment Room. We tried to get a walk-in table just to see out of morbid curiosity and that was a failure. I booked her and me a table for this night and I was madly looking forward to it. As we got to the small entrance, we were introduced to the hostess who brought us from the stairs into the main underground space and to our seats on the couch in a large wraparound sofa with other parties sitting near us. The music is faint from the entrance, but once you walk through the main walkway, a wave of sound hits your eardrums. You're immediately engrossed into the music like walking into a concert hall or putting a fresh pair of headphones on for the first time. As we sat down, selections from Outkast's Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik were playing through the speakers. Our hostess introduced us to their "User Manual" (their menu) where it contained all the snacks and drinks you could get your grubby hands on. There's more than just drinks and food on the menu. The first page introduces the concept and gives a few house rules. The second page shows all the equipment this so-called room has, from the premium Klipsch speakers, their preamps and amplifiers as well as their turntables and mixers. It's a dream page for music nerds. I want a $15k speaker in my apartment, but those noise complaints would never end. Our waitress came by shortly to give us water and take our order. Their menu is quite expansive, but the main pages we were told to check out were their A-side drinks or the classics and their B-side drinks, which are more experimental. We had to go with experimental for starters because who knows when you'll get to try something similar again. I started with a Goca Dünya while my girlfriend ordered a Deceptacon. The Goca Dünya was a vodka based floral drink with pistachio foam and Amaro Nonino, an Italian herbal liqueur. The Deceptacon was a rum-based cacao drink with a touch of lime and mint. It took a little time for our drinks to come out, clearly, as they are quite intricate. I loved my drink, bluntly. The pistachio foam was a great balance to the herbal flavors at the bottom. My girlfriend and I continued to enjoy each other's company as the music continued. The space we were in was decorated with posters and memorabilia from legendary artists coming through Austin and some general music decor like that purple album from that Prince guy. The DJ-curator that night was on a tear playing incredible soul music holding the bar hostage with a taste of funk. Jimmy Smith came next before transitioning to a few tracks from Bobbie Gentry. The last albums he pulled out were Steely Dan's Aja (a stone cold classic) and Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life (a top 10 album of all time). Not only was he playing classics like Isn't She Lovely, but he threw down some deeper cuts like Black Man and Contusion. Incredible. We both got another drink with my girlfriend getting their A-Side Espresso Martini while I got the Brown Sugar from their B-Sides. It was a seaweed and mushroom infused whiskey with a few more bells and whistles and it was super unique. Quite a bit of their menu is Japanese-inspired in homage to the originators of listening bars. This includes Japanese beer, sake, and Japanese-inspired food and beverages on their menu. Very cool. The worst part of the night came when our hour and 45 minute reservation came to a close. I could've stayed there for another 3 hours and never grown tired, but with how popular this space has become, they gotta kick you out at some point. This is an experience you have to have. It's worth it. I'll be strolling back in soon enough because there is nothing like this in Austin and it's truly a special space. RIYL: Actively listening to music.

Loved this place so much..!!! If you want to go somewhere to just lounge with low lighting and have…read moresome delicious drinks with great music in the background , this is place is it! They play no digital music and their speakers are installed throughout the whole building. The sound is great! The menu was so cute and on theme. The furniture and decor is mid century modern. I went here for my birthday and they gave my table a round of Sake shots, which was nice! My table ordered drinks: the Brown Sugar, Goca Dünya, Suffer No Fool (non alcoholic), Vitamin C. They were all delicious and they did not skimp on the alcohol! It was well balanced! I seriously recommend the Goca Dünya--that pistachio foam was addictive! For food, we got the Cheese board to have something to pick on and we demolished it, haha. It came with marmalade and crackers. The cheeses were great, along with the dried fruits and nuts. The cheese selections seem to rotate every other season, which is cool.

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.

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.

Parking? Easy. They have a front lot off Congress and another one off Sandra (just South on…read moreCongress after you pass the bar). The drinks? Oh my gaaahhd. I'm usually not a fan of 'craft cocktails' out bc they're overpriced and not nearly as good as what my partner makes at home, but these were glorious. These drinks had layers of flavor. And fresh ingredients. And they were reasonably priced. Honestly, I don't even remember the last time we had such good drinks out (ok that's a lie but another review and it was at that place where Crowbar used to be - but these win hands down). The bartenders were nice and knowledgeable (Did I mention they make amazing drinks?). The outside has a similar feel to Cosmic but more secluded which is nice. They have plenty of seating, mostly outside, and food from an onsite truck, Sabor Tapatio. Honestly, I feel like this place is a unicorn. 78745 low key vibe but also with some old school Austin feels (I'm talking 2005 mid-Noughties - not 20-teen Rainey Street batch cocktails). They also have coffee in the mornings which we'll be checking out sooner rather than later. 10/10 recommend.

Met a friend here on a sunny Sunday afternoon. I was happy that it wasn't overcrowded - one of us…read moredid have to utilize the add-on parking in the back. There are plenty of different seating options but very few seats inside. The place is chill, ordering drinks took some time even with no rush. Seems like they have some pre-mixed type of cocktails. Honestly, neither of us liked our drinks much. We actually left it behind. The food truck is nice to have though we didn't get to try. Happy that South Austin is finally seeing some nice spacious outdoor hangout spots.