There are few things that Austinites love more than a good craft cocktail or glass of rose, or Lone Star tallboy, or really any liquid with an alcohol content. There are bars in libraries, bars in gas stations, bars in parking garages, and even a bar at the Capitol. Read on for the inside scoop. In Buenos Aires, a "milonga" refers to an after-hours joint where people go to hang out, drink, and dance the tango.
The blood-red velvet couches, dark turquoise walls, embroidered curtains, and glowing, wall-to-wall candlelight all add to the ambiance. To access Milonga, enter through the unmarked blue door in back—just be sure you secure the password and make a reservation in advance. With its stained glass fixtures, dark wooden floors, and Mexican artwork, Techo feels like a cozy old-world throwback.
Once you've finally found your way in, treat yourself to a gin martini; classic cocktails are what this swanky bar is known for.
The aptly-named Garage—it's located inside an actual parking garage on Colorado Street—is one of Austin's most covert bars, and it's also one of its best, with bartenders churning out superior craft cocktails inside a cozy, dimly lit space that you'd never be able to discern from its industrial exterior.
The Cloak Room is a historic watering hole nestled in the basement of Austin's year-old Goodman Building, which is located just steps from the lawn of the state capitol building. Accordingly, this is where high-powered lobbyists and state legislators gather round over extra-strong whiskey drinks—and, as rumor has it, engage in under-the-table political dealings.
