Discover 16 Amazing Secret Bars in Austin

Although many residents of Austin enjoy day drinking on a scenic patio, there is also something to be said for indulging in a secluded, dimly lit spot. In the city of Austin, there are numerous bars that offer this kind of atmosphere. From covert speakeasies such as Firehouse Lounge, which is cleverly hidden behind a bookshelf, to exclusive cocktail lounges accessible only by secret codes, like Here Nor There, and even underground bars located in parking garages, such as Ego’s and Small Victory, there are plenty of options to make one feel like a VIP, even though Prohibition is long over.

Located within the Schoolhouse Pub’s lower level, this mezcaleria, run by the same owners as Mi Madre’s, is nestled in Cherrywood. Guests can access it through the side patio and ascend the stairs to indulge in copitas of mezcal in the softly lit interior, or opt for a robust margarita to savor on the charming rooftop patio.

Do not be deceived by the central placement – ascend the stairs via a parking garage to discover cozy sofas and booths within this intimate bar for cocktails. Along with a wide array of cocktails, they also offer a vast range of spirits, wines, and other aperitifs.

Navigate through a gated passage adjacent to the Driskill Hotel in downtown Austin to reach Here Nor There, located underground. While initially planned as a members-only establishment, this hidden bar now offers reservation options through its dedicated application. Simply submit your desired date and time, and upon approval, a code will be provided for entry. Upon descending, visitors will be welcomed by a massive stuffed bear, a dimly lit atmosphere, and a selection of the city’s finest (yet pricey) cocktails. The menu is constantly changing to keep things fresh.

Upon entering the Firehouse Hostel located in downtown Austin, one can slide open the bookshelf next to the check-in desk to access a bar designed in the style of the Prohibition Era. There is no need for reservations, which means that this watering hole situated on Dirty Sixth Street can become quite lively on weekends. While there is a selection of handcrafted cocktails available, the full bar is just as impressive, offering a variety of beer options in the spacious setting.

The bar in downtown is situated inside a parking garage – as you might have already guessed. It is recommended to make reservations at this small bar, where one can imagine Dom Toretto delivering a speech about the importance of family. To find the entrance, look for the “cocktails” neon sign above parked cars on Fifth and Colorado. Inside the mid-century style concrete room, you can indulge in creative drinks.

You have arrived at the correct location in downtown Austin. Simply locate a red light and a purple door, situated across from a dumpster in the alleyway that links Brazos and San Jacinto, between Sixth and Seventh Streets. Enter the dimly lit and alluring room, adorned with wooden and exposed brick elements, for a bar themed around Biblical sins. Enjoy drinks with names such as “In the Beginning,” “Naked and Shameless,” and “Fruit of the Forbidden.” It is highly recommended to make reservations in advance.

The downtown area was previously a brothel, and this change occurred not too long ago. Therefore, the Midnight Cowboy Modeling website remains the same. Although it is no longer under the ownership and management of Alamo Drafthouse, the Dirty Sixth speakeasy remains unchanged. To secure a spot, make a reservation or check for a lit light by the door. Upon arrival, press the Harry Craddock button and take a seat in one of the elegant black booths to enjoy traditional cocktails.

Formerly a brothel, this speakeasy with a whiskey theme can be found in the basement of the former Fado Irish pub. With over 70 types of whiskey, you’ll feel as though you’re in the French Quarter, perhaps due to the rumored presence of Blanche DuMont, the previous owner’s ghost.

To gain entry to Red Headed Stepchild, one must possess the correct code, concealed beneath a “Floppy Disk Repair Co.” sign and mirrored exterior. One can either establish a friendly relationship with the bouncer or join the confidential messaging group to obtain the monthly access code. Upon arrival, patrons are welcomed by bar swings (yes, you read that correctly), a neon sign that reads “mmm…your hair smells pretty,” and creative cocktails.

Also called the “Red Room,” this compact lounge located in the downtown Austin hotel can be reached by passing through the Records Room within the Living Room on the first floor of the W Austin Hotel. Operating on Thursdays through Saturdays, the room illuminated in red offers a comfortable spot to spend a peaceful night.

The Treasury is a recently opened, secret bar in East Austin that has a theme of a bank. It is situated behind Shangri-La and does not take reservations. Thus, it tends to be packed on weekends, but it does provide a daily happy hour from 6 to 8 p.m. Fancy an espresso martini? Additionally, you can order burgers from the Golden Castle trailer located upstairs.

Access to the hidden basement speakeasy located beneath the East Austin Argentinean restaurant Buenos Aires Cafe necessitates reservations. This cozy bar specializes in Amaro drinks and is an ideal location for a before or after-dinner drink, in addition to offering the same delicious empanadas as the restaurant above.

This hidden underground lounge, situated in the downtown restaurant, is managed and run by the same individuals who own Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill. To enter, guests must use the stairs located next to the bar. In the 170-year-old basement, patrons can enjoy a variety of straight or ice-cold brown alcoholic beverages, as well as order traditional to contemporary drinks from the Prohibition Era. Be sure not to miss out on the Old Fashioned.

This Whisler’s upstairs bar in East Austin does not accept reservations and is exclusively open on weekends, resulting in high occupancy. Make sure to plan ahead. Take a trip to the upstairs area of Whisler’s and relax in a small wooden room scented with palo santo. The menu exclusively features mezcal.

This is not a speakeasy, however, due to its location within a parking garage on South Congress, it is crucial to know the precise location in order to visit Austin’s top karaoke bar. On weekends, there is typically a queue extending outside, and being able to sing requires arriving early. While waiting for your turn, indulge in unique and daring shots.

Although it may not fit the traditional definition of a speakeasy, the bar at South Congress Hotel is certainly not easy to find. It’s located within the courtyard of the intimate Japanese cocktail bar, attached to omakase restaurant Otoko. The bar is open to both the public and Otoko diners, who can enjoy it before their dinner reservation. Advance booking is recommended, but there is also a possibility for walk-in availability. Additionally, the bar offers a limited selection of izakaya-style dishes for those looking for a bite to eat.

Located within the Cherrywood area, this mezcaleria is owned by the same individuals as Mi Madre’s and can be accessed through the side patio of the Schoolhouse Pub bar on the ground level. Visitors can ascend the stairs to indulge in mezcal served in copitas in the dimly lit room, or opt for a robust margarita to enjoy on the charming rooftop patio.

Don’t let the downtown setting deceive you – ascend the stairs via a parking garage and discover a cozy atmosphere with comfortable sofas and booths at this charming cocktail bar. Along with a vast selection of cocktails, guests can also choose from a wide variety of spirits, wines, and other aperitifs.

Travel down a secure alleyway close to the Driskill Hotel in downtown Austin to access Here Nor There, an underground speakeasy. While initially intended for members only, this secret establishment now accepts reservation requests through their exclusive app. Simply submit your preferred date and time, and if approved, you will be granted a code for entry. Upon descent, visitors are welcomed by a large stuffed bear, a dimly lit ambiance, and a selection of the city’s priciest but most delectable cocktails. The menu is frequently updated to offer new choices.

Upon entering the Firehouse Hostel located in downtown Austin, one can slide open the bookshelf adjacent to the check-in counter to gain access to a bar reminiscent of the Prohibition Era. Reservations are not necessary, resulting in a lively atmosphere at this Dirty Sixth Street watering hole on weekends. Although the menu features craft cocktails, the large space also offers a variety of options at the full bar, including bottles of beer.

Situated in the heart of the city, the bar is situated in a rather unconventional place – a parking garage. It is recommended to make reservations at this small bar, where one might imagine Dom Toretto delivering a speech about the importance of family. The entrance can be found by locating the “cocktails” neon sign among the parked vehicles on Fifth and Colorado. Inside, you can indulge in creative drinks in a room made of concrete, designed in a mid-century style.

Welcome to the correct location in downtown Austin. Search for a red light and a purple door opposite a dumpster in the alley that connects Brazos and San Jacinto between Sixth and Seventh Streets. Enter the dim and alluring room made of wood and exposed brick, which follows a Biblical theme of sin and offers drinks with names such as In the Beginning, Naked and Shameless, and Fruit of the Forbidden. We highly recommend making reservations in advance.

Indeed, the downtown area was once a brothel, and this was only a short time ago. That is why the website for the Midnight Cowboy Modeling establishment is still the same. However, the Alamo Drafthouse no longer owns or runs it, but don’t worry, this hidden bar on Dirty Sixth remains unchanged. To secure a spot, either make a reservation or keep an eye out for a lit up sign at the entrance. When you arrive, simply press the Harry Craddock button and take a seat in one of the stylish and dark booths to enjoy timeless cocktails.

Located in the basement of the former Fado Irish pub, this whiskey-themed speakeasy used to be a brothel. With over 70 varieties of whiskey, the ambiance of this place will transport you to the lively streets of the French Quarter. Some say that the spirit of the previous owner, Blanche DuMont, still lingers in the air, adding to the overall atmosphere.

To gain access to Red Headed Stepchild, one must possess the correct code, which is concealed under a “Floppy Disk Repair Co.” sign and mirrored exterior. To acquire the monthly entrance code, individuals can either establish a friendly relationship with the bouncer or join the covert text group. Upon entering, guests are greeted with unique bar swings, a neon sign that reads “mmm…your hair smells pretty,” and a variety of enjoyable cocktails.

This cozy lounge, also known as the “Red Room,” is located in the downtown area of the W Austin Hotel. To enter, one must pass through the Records Room on the ground floor of the hotel’s Living Room. Operating from Thursday to Saturday, the dimly lit space offers a peaceful atmosphere for a relaxing evening.

Located in East Austin, the Treasury is a recently discovered hidden bar that follows a bank theme. Hidden behind Shangri-La, this bar does not take reservations, which means it can get quite crowded on weekends. However, it does have a daily happy hour from 6 to 8 p.m. where you can enjoy an espresso martini. Additionally, the bar allows customers to bring in burgers from the Golden Castle trailer located upstairs.

Guests must have reservations in order to access the concealed basement speakeasy located beneath the Buenos Aires Cafe, an Argentinean restaurant in East Austin. This cozy bar specializes in Amaro drinks and is an ideal location for a drink before or after dinner. However, it also offers the same delicious empanadas available on the main floor.

Managed and run by the individuals behind Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill, this partially concealed lower level lounge can be entered through the stairs next to the bar in the downtown eatery. Inside the 170-year-old basement, patrons have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of dark liquors straight or with ice, as well as order from a selection of both Prohibition-Era and contemporary favorites. Be sure not to overlook the Old Fashioned.

Due to its popularity and limited opening hours, the upstairs bar at Whisler’s in East Austin does not accept reservations. It is recommended to plan ahead as it tends to get crowded. Once you make your way upstairs, you will find a cozy wooden room scented with palo santo. The menu is focused on one main offering: mezcal.

While this may not be a speakeasy, it is important to know the exact location of this hidden karaoke bar within a parking garage on South Congress. On weekends, there is typically a queue outside and arriving early is essential if you want to have a chance to sing. While waiting for your turn, why not order some unconventional shots to spice up the experience?

While it may not fit the traditional definition of a speakeasy, the bar at South Congress Hotel is certainly hidden from the mainstream. It is located next to the exclusive restaurant Otoko, nestled in the courtyard of the cozy Japanese cocktail bar. The bar is open to the public and also serves guests of Otoko before their dinner. Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Additionally, a limited menu of izakaya-style bar bites is offered.