Equipment Room

“My wife and I went to The Equipment Room last week for date night and loved it so much that we brought a couple of friends from out of town back with us on Tuesday. We sat in the lounge both times, which we honestly prefer because it’s tucked away into a cozy corner of the beautifully designed space. The overall atmosphere feels like stepping into a dimly lit, stylish basement apartment from the 1960s in the best possible way — intimate, warm, thoughtful, and incredibly curated. The entire concept revolves around music and listening, with a DJ spinning from an extensive collection of vinyl records that help shape the mood of the evening without overpowering conversation. During our first visit, one particular song completely stopped me in my tracks. I walked up to the DJ station to ask what was playing, and he kindly handed me a small card with the artist and album written on it so I could explore it later at home. That moment introduced me to Bill Evans, and honestly, it perfectly captures what makes this place special. It encourages you to slow down, listen more closely, and discover something new. The cocktails were beautifully crafted and felt seasonally thoughtful, the food was delicious, and every small detail in the room seemed intentionally chosen. Even though the space itself is fairly small, it somehow creates room for people to fully relax, enjoy meaningful conversation, and settle into the experience while the music drifts in and out of your attention. This place feels less like simply going out for drinks and more like being invited into a carefully curated experience. Easily one of the most memorable spaces we’ve visited in Austin so far. I cannot wait to go back and try more of their creative, cocktails, and food.”

“My go to cocktail bar in Austin! This bar is always so fun. Atmosphere, lighting, and music are always perfect. The DJs really curate a nice environment where you could go to enjoy the music or it’s loud enough to have fun with friends. Cocktails are so good, and the food is flavorful- get the wontons!! Recommend getting a reservation.”

“This was a perfect date night location. The ambiance was perfect with the music and the lighting. We arrived early and they asked us if it was ok to sit at the bar, and that was great because we got to watch them make drinks all evening. We picked the first drinks but after that we let them pick drinks for us, and they were all good. The sake the bartender picked was amazing. We ordered the Whipped Guacamole, Tuna Tartar, and Charcuterie board. That was our dinner, and maybe a little too much food, but well worth it. The guacamole was very whipped but nice and the chips were good. The Tuna Tartar was served with pork rinds, but that went well with the foam on the tuna tartare. The foam tasted great and complimented the tuna tartare, and made the dish really light. The charcuterie was a great mix and everything worked well together. The Charcuterie was too big to be a snack, but probably not big enough to be a meal for 2. The music was great. A little louder than I expected but still able to talk. Getting a table would be a different experience than the bar, but looked like a nice way to relax. We will definitely be back.”

“We came for the drinks and stayed for the vibes! This was truly one of the best bar experiences I’ve ever had. From the moment we walked in, the front door staff, bartenders, and DJ made us feel like welcomed guests. The music selection is expertly curated, introducing guests to both local and mainstream artists. I even added a few new ones to my Spotify library! The handwritten note acknowledging my partner and me on our two-year anniversary was incredibly thoughtful. We truly appreciate you all for making our evening special!”

“This is honestly one of the coolest places I’ve ever been to. I loved the whole vibe. It’s a very immersive experience I barely took any photos because they really encourage you to be present, listen to the music and just enjoy the moment and honestly, I loved that. The music sounds amazing but you can still talk comfortably. We ordered a few bites to share: the guacamole and the little lobster sandwiches both were really good and we ordered a few drinks that were also good. In general it’s a pricey, but you’re definitely paying for the experience. You can even go up to the bar and ask what they’re playing and they will tell you the story behind it. They use vinyls and they even hand you headphones so you can listen closely. It’s truly incredible. Service was also super cool and matched the vibe perfectly. Loved the whole experience and would totally go back”