Austin Bar Takes Date Night Up a Notch – The Quill Room Brings Romantic Vibes With Style

Choosing the perfect bar for a romantic evening with your partner (or with a brand-new love interest) can be a challenge in Austin. That’s why we look to some of the city’s intimate hotel lounges for date-night purposes.

While popular Austin hotels often come with busy and buzzy main-floor bars, some boutique establishments also have serene bars tucked into their property’s quieter nooks, making ideal IYKYK date destinations. You’ll find a prime example in The Quill Room at the uber-hip Austin Proper in Downtown Austin.

1

2

The Quill Room (photo courtesy of Austin Proper)

2

2

The Austin Proper features gorgeous views of Lady Bird Lake, a chic Southwest-meets-coastal-California design scheme created by Instagram-famous interior designer Kelly Wearstler, and a food & beverage program developed by MML Hospitality, the talented restaurant group whose many ATX projects include Howards Bar & Club, Pecan Square Cafe, Sammie’s Italian, and Jeffrey’s Restaurant and Bar.  The MML spots at Austin Proper are The Peacock (a lively lobby bar and restaurant with Mediterranean-accented dishes and cocktails), La Piscina (a rooftop pool bar with modern Mexican cuisine and an agave-focused cocktail list), and a semi-secluded bar and live music space on the second floor known as The Quill Room.

MORE: Shaken, Stirred, Iconic — All About the Austin Martini

When you head into the Austin Proper lobby en route to The Quill Room, you’ll immediately notice that there’s no signage pointing you in its direction. That’s very much by design; The Quill Room is meant to feel a bit secret. Simply head up to the second floor. You’ll turn a discreet corner, and there you’ll be.

1

2

2

2

New menu feature cockails and small bites at The Quill Room (photo courtesy of Austin Proper)

The Quill Room’s luxurious decor

The decor at The Quill Room has a multilayered effect. On the one hand, rich brown and crimson tones and leather sofas and bar stools give it a masculine, cowboy-like energy. But on the other, boho accents like floral wallpaper, Persian rugs, live greenery, and vintage-style glassware soften its edges and make the space feel like your coolest friend’s living room. The outdoor patio follows a similar visual theme, with chic wooden lounge chairs and a plethora of gorgeously-tended plant life.

1

3

New menu feature cockails and small bites at The Quill Room (photo courtesy of Austin Proper)

2

3

New menu feature cockails and small bites at The Quill Room (photo courtesy of Austin Proper)

3

3

New menu feature cockails and small bites at The Quill Room (photo courtesy of Austin Proper)

New menu from MML Hospitality

For The Quill Room menu, MML Hospitality launched a new menu in late summer. New small plates incorporate the legendary barbecue from MML’s first restaurant Lamberts. It brings a truly modern take on Texas cooking. Menu additions include Blue Crab & Sweet Corn Fritters with spicy remoulade as well as Lamberts Brisket Melts on Texas toast with queso Monterey, and cornichon.

In addition to the new bites, the cocktail menu now showcases the best of Austin distilleries including gin from Still Austin, rye whiskey from Fierce Whiskers, bourbon from Nine Banded, and vodka from Tito’s with a list of all-local beers from Pinthouse and Hi Sign Brewing. Highlights include the Ruby Red Sour with Tito’s Vodka, St. Germain, Aperol, lemon and grapefruit as well as the  Smoking Gun with Nine Banded Wheated, Demerara, Angostura, Luxardo cherry and orange peel.

“This continuation of our collaboration with MML reflects our shared passion for refined yet relaxed hospitality,” shares Anis Khoury, Managing Director at Austin Proper. “Austin and, more broadly, Texas have a distinct culinary culture that our guests travel for and this new menu brings a cocktail party version of that to our intimate music lounge. We are excited to introduce a new version of The Quill Room to regulars and visitors alike.” 

The Quill Room is a visually stunning bar with comfortable seating and flavorful libations. Additionally, this venue is so appropriate for a special evening out with a special someone because The Quill Room was built specifically for intimate cafe-style musical performances. Austin Proper’s musical curators seek to highlight local talent.

If you’re looking for an evening in prime downtown Austin with great music, stellar cocktails, and stylish vibes, The Quill Room will serve you very well.

MORE: Austin’s Speakeasy Bars Are Easy To Get Into — If You Know the Right People