Equipment Room

The “It” Bars Across America Right Now - The Infatuation

"People in Austin appreciate a gimmick. Not a wine bar where the premise is “come take a photo for Instagram,” but a bar that tastefully leans into a music theme, like Equipment Room. Inspired by the mid-century Japanese listening bars, it’s a good place to have a moment alone with some jazz, or mingle with people who just put on a pair of closed-toe shoes after finishing up for the day at Barton Springs. The location helps the cool factor quite a bit: Equipment Room is off a major street that used to host mom-and-pop shops but now is essentially an outdoor luxury mall, so it feels like a throwback to the older, less commercial Austin." - allie conti