Speakeasy

Recommends

Monika Kowalczyk

Joined 4 years ago

Citysearch Editorial Review. From the red-roped entrance in an unassuming alley off Congress Avenue to the celebrated rooftop terrace, Speakeasy proudly exhibits its unique character. The convenient downtown location, drink specials and live music attract a crowd, but the various atmospheres encourage return trips. Young professionals grasping apple martinis mingle among dimly lit tables surrounding the dance floor and airy patio, while more intimate conversationalists settle into couches upstairs or at one of the alcoves flanking the entrance.

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josimon

Joined 3 years ago

Rock and Roll Bar. We Hoosiers are not accustomed to bars with no food. The 80's cover band, LC Rocks, did rock in the house, though and the seating was well arranged for music enjoyment.

Doesn't Recommend

txsrunner

Joined 3 years ago

Hidden Fees. be aware, they charge a holding fee of $50 when you open a bar tab..... and never tell you until you call asking what the charge on you account is for.

Doesn't Recommend

mbradley007

Joined 6 years ago

Used to be awesome, new renovations and staff turned it into a POS. I used to go here all the time; it's across from the Frost Tower, it's a cool little joint. However, ever since their remodeling, it's gone way downhill, and it's pretty unfortunate. The new bartenders are ridiculously rude, all of the mixed drinks are incredibly weak (like, embarrassingly bad weak), the whisky/scotch pours are shallow, and no one knows how to make a classic Old Fashioned.

I can't believe the bartenders argued with me. I can't believe they snobbishly ignored me in a conversation. I've never had that happen. I guess they're really happy making a bar hand's wage, because jesus. they acted like they were walking on top of the world.

The drink delivery was incredibly slow for the volume being served, no one could understand tabs and there was an insane mixup with a table's tab, the drinks were really below average and incredibly weak, and the bartenders were just complete jerks. The live music, however, was fantastic; even though they instituted a COVER.

Avoid this place at all costs for happy hours and parties, since it's beyond not being economical, and since they're huge jerks. My party of 12 wound up cashing out and going to a different venue. It was just really not worth it. Our money is much better spent elsewhere for a superior experience. Cover is never good, nor is slow, shafty, weak drinked service.

I would not recommend this place since its remodeling; before that happened, however, it was a great after-hours happy hour joint. Truly sad; I'm bummed as a frequent patron.

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jazzer23545

Joined 5 years ago

Place is Ok, Very rude door man little guy with short beard.. Place is Ok, Very rude door man little guy with short beard. I gave the door staff a $2 tip,mainly to the girl that loks like Cindy Crowford, this short guy look the $2 tip out the jar and said thats not enough. Bad attitude, Poor managment.

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shaft28

Joined 11 years ago

Ok club, odd clientelle. So in the heart of Austin party zone down an alley that looks unclean is the entrance to Speakeasy. You walk in this poorly designed club where you are ushered to walk by the bar in a small cramped place once the club gets going. You see guests from college hipsters, old bikers with ridiculouly long bleached hair (dudes), to the I'm still cool yuppy crowd out before their babysitter time is up.

Downstairs is just not very nice and it looks like part is under construction (I hope). You then walk up 3 flights to the roof where a Miami feel starts (so out of place with downstairs). Kind of nice albeit the fans don't help with the heat at all.

Note - get misters. Now.

We sat with friends for a party and were moved across the polace to a new seating that opened up....2 chairs to us. Why we listened to the manager I have no idea. They seem young.

Our waitress would squeeze up to the table with our special order drink and basically stood with her behind in one person's face. Uh, hello!

Drinked were average to pricey. We went to the bar and the waitstaff just seemed to be there for special orders as not once did she ask if anyone needed a drink or anything at all.

Cool spot but overcrowded and run poorly. Slightly run down.

When we left there was a huge line at the door ($5 cover) so word of mouth must be good (and wrong).

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foodwineanddrink

Joined 8 years ago

Nice place destroyed. this club had such a good start when it first opened, it is assame to see were it is now. The staff looked lost, the place need repair and the music is awfull. I would guess that someone no longer cares for this place and is just milking it for all they can.

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bigtimingit

Joined 7 years ago

incredible happy hour. I attended a private party happy hour last Saturday at Speakeasy's and it was just an incredible place. The booze was flowing big time, the runes were great and the service was fantastic. Laurel has got to be one of the best barmaids in all of Austin. The roof top deck is just an incredible space filled with plenty of cushioned couches and chairs. The food was excellent as well and I can't wait to get back there.

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leafsfan2028

Joined 8 years ago

This joint jumps!!!. I had my first experience last saturday and was blow away by the electricity in the air. there was a hot band playing classic swing music. the crowd was pleasing to the eye and ready to party.

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scottdpkt

Joined 9 years ago

The real treat is upstairs. My wife and I (24) vacationed to Austin recently and decided to "stop-in" to Speakeasy on our way to 6thSt based upon Citysearch's reccomendations......well...We never left! This place is that good. We started downstairs with a band.

But the real treat is upstairs at the patio bar You should get up top, grab a stiff drink, and sit in on of the lounge chairs. As your drink melts into you so does the atmosphere. Austin has a beautiful skyline and you can see 360degrees of it from here including the awesome FrostBankTower. What can I say, we were mesmerized. Staff was friendly, efficient, and never intrusive. The crowd ranged from 21-41: trendy, not pretentious. The drinks were reasonably priced, considering elsewhere , and mixed well. We will definitely be back. I just hope we don't stay the whole time again. But if we did; it wouldn't be a bad idea.