03/07/09

Used to be awesome, new renovations and staff turned it into a POS

by mbradley007

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.

• Pros: good live music lineup usually, it has a legacy of being great
• Cons: horrible value, weak drinks, snob bartenders, lame service, no A/C, new venue and staff atrocious and damaging established brand

11/26/08

Place is Ok, Very rude door man little guy with short beard.

by jazzer23545

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.

08/06/08

Ok club, odd clientelle

by shaft28

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).

Martinis and mingling make this Warehouse District haunt a true date hot spot.

by Contributor

In Short
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.

07/27/06

Nice place destroyed

by foodwineanddrink

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.

01/18/06

incredible happy hour

by bigtimingit

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.

• Pros: great service, hot chics, roof top terrace

05/24/05

This joint jumps!!!

by leafsfan2028

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.

10/29/04

The real treat is upstairs

by scottdpkt

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.

• Pros: Atmosphere, Great View, Comfort

10/23/04

Overpriced, weak drinks

by sharonw

I went to SE on a Thursday night with friends and we sat on the roof top patio. The view was perfect but the service and drinks were terrible. It was not busy and it took over 15 mins. to get service. My vodka tonic tasted like tonic and was served in a plastic glass. When we requested a new drink she said they were "premade" that way. We asked how you premake a vodka tonic and she was clueless. Offered to make a double for us which tasted just like the first one. I say don't bother with SE and go to another place on 4th street for better drinks and service. They need to get over themselves.

• Pros: View

05/26/04

Karaoke Is Great

by thisoneisforme

I was so please to see that Speakeasy decided to add karaoke to it's lineup. I had the best time. The host is wonderful and entertaining. I have been to a lot of karaoke shows in the Austin area and I have to say ... she has the best song list I have ever seen. I will make this my regul;ar spot for karaoke.

• Pros: great song list, great host, good staff