An Inside Look at 3 New Austin Bars at Inn Cahoots

The term “hospitality compound” might not be all too familiar to most, but in regards to the new Austin space, Inn Cahoots, this sums it up perfectly. Located at 1221 East 6th Street and spanning almost an entire city block, this massive space offers group travel lodging in a boutique hotel setting, a collection of public bars and food trucks, and several venue spaces for special events.

Longtime Austinite Kristen Carson originally started Inn Cahoots as a way to offer group lodging accommodations outside of residential neighborhoods. She wanted to create innovated condo-style suites for big groups. Those celebrating friend gatherings, family reunions or even corporate retreats, can now do so within a bustling area of Austin. The suites at Inn Cahoots offer a private living room, kitchen, and multiple bedrooms — a layout that combines the comfort and convenience of a short-term rental with the amenities of a full-service hotel. Today, Inn Cahoots spans far beyond lodging.

In recently year, Inn Cahoots served as a venue for large-scale private events during big Austin festivals such as SXSW and ACL. Now it will be open to the public on a daily basis with a food truck lot and three bars.

“The Inn Cahoots team has worked tirelessly to make this dream come to life,” shares COO Michelle Chuang. “Whether you’re looking for a cozy cocktail lounge, a cool rooftop speakeasy, or a high-energy bar, Inn Cahoots has something for everyone.”

Vibes of Each Inn Cahoots Bar Space

With so much happening at this new venue, we wanted to get a better understanding of what to expect. We asked Inn Cahoot’s CEO, Kristen Carson, to give us a bit more insight into the design inspiration and style of each of the new public area of this hospitality compound. Here’s what Carson shares about the distinct environments of each space of these new Austin bars:

Bar Mischief is a 24-seat, high end cocktail bar that focuses on hospitality. Every element that goes into our drinks is painstakingly crafted in-house, from our hand-pressed juices and thoughtfully infused spirits to our meticulously prepared milk-washes. We take great pride in offering a menu that showcases our commitment to quality and sustainability, as we curate liquors with a focus on minimizing additives and prioritizing environmentally conscious choices. Reservations are recommended for Bar Mischief.

IYKYK is Austin’s most visible speakeasy. Overlooking Austin Garden and the entire city skyline, the bar and lounge boast the best views of downtown from the East side. Its menu features ice-cold cocktails made with house-infused spirits, and the space is equipped with a small stage for visiting DJs and musicians. IYKYK is the perfect place to unwind with great drinks, chill vibes, and an amazing view.

Austin Garden & Studio is a nostalgic venue that pays homage to retro-Austin. It blends the vibrant energy of live music, yummy food trucks, and exceptional cocktails in a cozy backyard atmosphere and indoor venue. We want this to be very integrated into the community, so we want to partner often with various community groups – for instance, we are partnering with Austin Sports & Social to host their cornhole league, and with NWSL2Austin to host the Women’s World Cup watch parties!

The Studio, a small building in the Garden, carries a rich musical legacy as the first Spanish-language radio station, and it has undergone a revitalizing transformation in collaboration with Fender guitars, immersing visitors in a fusion of culture and design. Here, you’ll find live music, DJs, comedy, drag shows and more. 

Favorite Cocktails at these New Austin Bars

We also asked Carson to share her personal picks of favorite cocktails within this expansive bar program. Her reply, “It’s so hard to focus on just a few, but here are my favs at Bar Mischief:”

Birds of a Feather
A tropical inspired cocktail with a multilayered palate that hits all flavor notes.
Paranubes Oaxacan Rum, Plantation OFTD Rum, Campari, Coffee, Hibiscus, Pineapple, Lime, Tiki Bitters

Tom Kha
Complex flavors and culinary layers take a thai dish and flip it into a layered cocktail
Gray Whale Gin, Tito’s Vodka, Nigori Sake, Mushroom, Lemongrass, Lime, Coconut Cream Foam

Monthly Margs for a Mission

Once a month, Inn Cahoots will select a nonprofit organization to donate $1 from margarita sales to as part of their Sip & Support program. At the end of the each month they will host a charity concert. The chosen nonprofits will rotate, and the Inn Cahoots team will be planning to support causes that their employees are close to. 

To learn more about Inn Cahoots and these three new Austin bars — Bar Mischief, IYKYK, and Austin Garden and Studio — you can follow on Instagram for updates at @inncahoots, @barmischief, and @austingardenandstudio.