The Best New Bars in Austin: Where To Drink Right Now - Austin - The Infatuation

"Stepping through Trona’s metal gate in an alleyway off 12th and Chicon might as well be a portal to somewhere that looks an awful lot like a speakeasy in Marfa, Texas (there’s even a mocktail called Don’t Judd Me). The tiny bar seats 49 people, inside and out, and it’s full of desert plants, adobe tiles, and the smell of palo santo giving the whole place a warm, cozy feeling. The cocktails feel like they watched a lot of Westerns growing up, like the Mezcal Blossom, a margarita riff made with a blend of agave spirits, dehydrated peppers, and lime juice. Grab a reservation online or through Trona’s text-only line, or show up on Monday and Tuesday when the bar is reserved for walk-ins." - nicolai mccrary, matthew jacobs