The Most Stylish Bars in Austin

In Plain Sight

612 Brazos St. Ste. C

The sister bar to the highly acclaimed Here Nor There, In Plain Sight in downtown Austin replaces Here Nor There’s dark, sexy atmosphere and reservation-only policy with a clean, transparent look. And we mean transparent literally: In Plain Sight features tall glass windows that look directly out onto East Seventh Street. The aesthetic is minimalist, the lights are colorful, the patio is charming and cheerful, and the clientele is well-dressed and enthusiastic about In Plain Sight’s inventive cocktail menu. Drinks like the Yellow Margarita, made with blanco tequila, pineapple, a five-pepper blend and lime, and the Purple Yam Old Fashioned, made with bourbon, cognac, purple yam, almond, barley and pandan, bring bold colors and flavors. So, if you’re determined to order a drink to match your outfit, the In Plain Sight team will be glad to assist.

The Quill Room

600 W 2nd St.

The Austin Proper Hotel downtown is home to several visually pleasing bars, but the Quill Room, a tucked-away boîte on the second floor, offers a special level of IYKYK energy. The space owes its vintage European-meets-Southern style to designer Kelly Wearstler, who combed through antique fairs and overseas boutiques to decorate and furnish the Quill Room. You’ll find leather sofas, floral wallpaper, luxe carpets and moody lighting, all of which boosts the jazz-club ambience (as does the fact that musicians regularly play live shows in the Quill Room). Settle in, order a cocktail — the Hermosa Rosa, made with jalapeño-infused mezcal, Lillet Rosé and rosewater, is a highlight — and prepare for an evening of music, relaxation and beauty.

Jupiter Supper Club

718 Congress Ave.

The Jupiter Supper Club describes itself as “maximalist”, and we have to agree. This large venue in a historic downtown building focuses its attention equally on plant-based cuisine, potent cocktails, live music programming and elaborate decor. Guests can move between four distinct rooms (one for pre-dinner drinks, one for their meal, one for performances, and one for nightcaps), and each room has its own aesthetic. Guests are encouraged to dress sharply and let the sights, sounds and flavors of Jupiter Supper Club wash over them.

Trona

1812 E 12th St.

An East Austin speakeasy with international flair, Trona takes the “secret bar” concept seriously. The entrance is located down an alleyway on Salina Street, where guests can find a sign bearing the logo that marks the bar’s door. Inside, the space feels dark and brooding, with deliberately placed pendant lamps and earth-toned wood and terra cotta covering the walls and floor. The cocktail menu blends Japanese and Oaxacan flavors; highlights have included the Mezcal Blossom (with mezcal, lime, peppers, sotol and chili salt) and the Somewhere in the Pacific (with gin, pineapple, yuzu, falernum, lemon and umami bitters). This is an ideal destination for a date you hope to impress or a group of friends seeking great drinks with a hint of secrecy.

Honey Moon Spirit Lounge

624 W 34th St.

An adorable renovated Craftsman house just north of the UT campus is home to Honey Moon Spirit Lounge, and once you step inside, you’ll discover that this bar and restaurant is one of Austin’s most romantic places to bring someone special. The furniture and decor lean in a vintage direction; antique paintings and wall hangings, plush velvet chairs and a crystal chandelier all do a great job of setting the scene. Once you’re seated, you can indulge in shareable plates (like miso corn ravioli, redfish ceviche and Honey Moon’s popular biscuits) and craft cocktails (like the On the Nose, with vodka infused with butterfly pea flower and jasmine, St-Germain, aloe liqueur, lemon and honey). Honey Moon Spirit Lounge was founded by a married couple, which makes sense when you notice the cozy couches and seating arrangements designed to keep couples close, engaged, well-fed and well-supplied with drinks.

Equipment Room

1101 Music Lane

Just steps off South Congress’s main drag, Equipment Room feels like a peaceful and very hip refuge from the bustling avenue. Equipment Room models itself after Japanese listening bars, which invite guests to unwind with a smooth drink while soaking up vinyl tunes played by the bar’s tastemaking staff. That’s essentially the experience you’ll have at Equipment Room; the space doesn’t discourage guests from chatting among themselves, but you’re urged to keep your voices down so the top-notch sound system can create the right environment. The bar feels modern and inviting, with low sofas that encourage lounging, comfortable armchairs and cushioned bar stools. As for the cocktails, Equipment Room divides its menu into two halves: A-Sides (its spins on classic drinks like the Mai Tai and Espresso Martini) and B-Sides (original libations inspired by favorite albums — for example, the Tom’s Diner includes gin washed with fennel pollen and olive oil, aquavit, mascarpone foam, honey, sourdough tincture and sun-dried tomato). Equipment Room is an interior design dream, with excellent tunes and equally high-level drinks.

Only the Wild Ones

1600 S Congress Ave.

A new arrival on South Congress, Only the Wild Ones comes to Austin by way of Los Angeles. Yes, we know — it’s from California! But it’s a space that still manages to feel entirely Austin. This breezy “wine garden” offers a spacious patio with boho desert vibes; tapestry cushions, limestone walls, wooden stools and terra cotta vases are all present and accounted for. The clientele generally fits this aesthetic as well, and the bar’s beverage offerings include the cool-kid favorite known as “natural wine.” This might be the hippest summer hangout in Austin, and we’re here for it.

Nica on 4th

117 W 4th St. Ste. 101A

Nica on 4th in Downtown Austin tries to emulate the sultry jazz clubs of the 1920s, and it does so with impressive results. This craft cocktail bar brings plenty of Gatsby-like panache, with dark wood furniture, tabletop candles, atmospheric lighting, a sleek marble bar top and a raised stage where jazz musicians can show off their skills. Guests are encouraged to dress in cocktail attire, and classic cocktails like the Sherry Cobbler (with Amontillado sherry, orange, lime, cherry and cream) can be irreverently — and enjoyably — paired with laid-back snacks like pizza and dark chocolate brownies.

Holiday on 7th

5020 E 7th St.

A bright and airy bar and restaurant in East Austin, Holiday on 7th is beloved by locals for its unpretentious vibe and consistently interesting food and drink options. This space is a neighborhood bar in the truest sense; it feels young and creative (much like its corner of East Austin), but it also honors Austin’s long-established love of satisfying dishes and frozen cocktails. If you visit on a Wednesday, you’ll see patrons in trendy athleisure and graphic tees digging into “Happy Meals,” which consist of a Wagyu smashburger, fries and a mini cocktail, all available for only $15. While you’re here, don’t forget to order one of Holiday’s signature drinks: the frozen Mexican Martini.

The Flower Shop 

1300 E 7th St.

The Flower Shop may have originated in New York City, but this fabulously retro, 1970s-inspired bar has been eagerly embraced by East Austinites in search of a fun evening hang. This quirky space really has it all: a leopard-print pool table, gaudy floral banquettes, wood-paneled walls and an old-school photo booth. The drinks have a similar sense of whimsy—the Pirate Rose, with vodka, grenadine, pomegranate rose water, lemon and bitters, and the Harry Styles, with mezcal, Aperol, watermelon, lime and basil, are as playful as they are refreshing. Feel free to arrive in jorts and a tank top or lean into the theme with bell-bottoms and platforms!

Small Victory

108 E 7th St.

Sometimes, a stylish bar is simply a place that knows exactly what it wants to do and how to do it. Those words aptly describe Small Victory, an intimate cocktail spot tucked inside a downtown parking garage. Natural wood beams, patterned wallpaper and cozy two-top tables give Small Victory an air of relaxed confidence—it’s a space that doesn’t need to show off because it offers some of Austin’s finest cocktails. Small Victory’s menu is extensive; the bartenders can make pretty much any classic beverage you might crave, and they also offer a number of playful originals that achieve a perfect balance of flavors. If you’re unsure about your order, just ask the bartenders to take the reins. They’ll ask you a few questions about your tastes and preferences, and before you know it, you’ll have an artisanal libation that hits every note.

Daisy Lounge

5701 W Slaughter Lane Bldg. D

Far South Austin hasn’t always been viewed as a cocktail destination, but Daisy Lounge — a gorgeous three-level bar on Slaughter Lane — is happy to change that narrative. Jewel tones reign supreme here; the furniture includes emerald green sofas and golden velvet armchairs, which work with the deep green walls and delicate light fixtures to create a luxurious yet comforting visual experience. Guests can order beer, wine, snacks and cocktails, and those who don’t drink alcohol will appreciate Daisy Lounge’s thoughtful nonalcoholic options (like the Jamaicano, with nonalcoholic bitters, lime and ginger beer). Patrons are welcome to arrive in cocktail attire or more casual ’fits, but one word of caution: The staircase to the second floor is steep, so take that into account when choosing your footwear.

LoLo

1504 E 6th St.

Wine bars sometimes get a bad reputation for intimidating those who aren’t especially knowledgeable about wine, but LoLo isn’t that kind of place. This indoor-outdoor East Austin joint specializes in low-intervention (or “natural”) wine, and if you have no idea what that means, its bartenders are more than happy to explain. The service here is warm and inviting, the wine selection is international and well-curated, and the energy is easygoing and casual. LoLo isn’t a sceney spot; instead, it earns style points for its unintimidating coolness.

Modern Bar

90 Rainey St. Suite 100

Modern Bar brings an elegant new cocktail destination to Rainey Street. Designed by Merrill Alley and Urbanspace Design Studio, the sophisticated space centers around a dramatic 30-foot bar, with wide-plank white oak floors, green marble countertops, living brass accents and reflective surfaces that glow beneath the backlit shelves. The cocktails are just as meticulously composed. The Golden Hour Martini features olive oil-washed gin and lacto-fermented Texas peach, while the Mushroom Manhattan pairs Irish whiskey with shiitake butter and PX sherry. Pair your drink with prosciutto-wrapped dates, stuffed olives, charcuterie or fresh sourdough.

Powder Room

301 W 5th St.

Tucked behind Manny’s, a Cuban sandwich shop in downtown Austin, Powder Room is an intimate lounge inspired by the extravagance of the 1980s. Warm lighting, plush fabrics and dramatic details give the small space a transportive quality, making it easy to forget that busy West Fifth Street is just outside. The interior was designed by PETERMAX founder and creative director Peter Maxwell Bowden, and it earned Powder Room a Top 5 finalist spot in the Hospitality Design Awards’ 2025 Bar, Club + Lounge category. Guests check their cellphones in secure lockboxes at the entrance, allowing the music, cocktails and conversation to take precedence. Browse the fashion magazine-inspired cocktail menu, order a plate of truffle fries or tostadas and enjoy the increasingly rare luxury of an evening without notifications.

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