Departure Lounge

So there I was just landed in Austin Texas after waking up at 3 AM not sleeping the night before and all I wanted was a beverage and a good sandwich and then behold the departure lounge was there Dante the bartender provided one of the most memorable experiences at an airport bar, I will forever be thankful for his service. five stars for him it was amazing because of him I’d give him a big raise.

Food was good. Drinks were steeply priced. But what irked us is that we were clearly watching a particular game for over an hour, with our school’s gear on, and they change the channel for someone who just walked in on a whim. Maybe consider those who have been here longer first.

I always stop here when we are at ABIA! I travel twice a week for business and stop here every time. We ALWAYS have a great experience! Wanda helped us and was so nice! She always goes out of her way to make us feel special and take great care of us. Quality of the service and food is awesome. I especially love their espresso and blueberry scones. Highly recommend trying Departure Lounge when at ABIA!

I ordered cranberry and vodka. When served the lowboy glass was half full. When I asked why I was told by the server that they were instructed to pour less than a full shot (1 oz). I then went to another lounge at the airport and ordered the same drink. I received a nice full drink. I think that Departure Lounge at AUS is a ripoff.

The manager and her staff are extremely friendly! They made our wait for our flight that had been delayed by 2 hours fly by! Thank you so much!!

Amazing service at breakfast this morning. Solid breakfast choices. Glad to see more option at the airport, the place opened 6 weeks ago. A few nice carry-on options as well. Full bar for the weary.

I LOVE the free coffee refills! Mary was super friendly! The southwest chicken wrap is a full meal! I am trying to fly through Austin’s south terminal more to enjoy the space.

This place was definitely a vibe! I was having a horrible trip, was rerouted to Austin, pretty much anything, and everything that could go wrong did. I stopped in departure lounge for a drink and instantly fell in love with the employees/atmosphere. The employees were amazing, the service was fast, the food was great, and the drinks were the cherry on top! If I’m ever in Austin again, best believe I’m stopping here again.

Great chicken Caesar wrap! Quick and friendly service. Clean and open tables. What more could you ask for at the airport?

A perfect spot to grab a morning cup of coffee or a later morning alcoholic beverage. Comfortable seating as well as bar seating. An assortment of pastries, sandwiches and fresh fruit, and bottled water.

Great service. Fun to sit here and watch people walk up for double shots and make their way into the unknown. Prices are airport prices so we can't fault them for that. Full liquor selection, few draft beers. I almost always make a stop here when I'm at AUS.

Very nice staff, good people watching spot. Enjoyed the flatbread and smoked salmon sandwich

While everywhere else was closing up, Departure was actually open. No complaints here!

The service is slow but when there's one person working, who's fault is that? The bartender was friendly and I watched him make the eastside old fashion with care and flare. I didn't like the wine I ordered but so be it. Most of the wines on the menu are from Colombia which I found strange. The drinks are expensive (typical airport style) but at least with the wine you get a 9 ounce pour. Good place to hole up for an hour.

The only place in the entire airport that has comfortable chairs! When your plane delays for hours, and you don't want to sit on a metal chair, this place has big comfy leather chairs. Staff are all sweet and friendly, drinks are perfect!

Flatbread is meh. Not really a flatbread but more of an overtoasted tortilla with cheese, tomato sauce, and pepperoni on top. The one waitress was doing everything, waiting on all the tables, so there was really no time for her to refill waters. Way overpriced for mediocre food and little service but kind of expected at a busy airport.

Airport Aperol Spritz while waiting for the flight to New Orleans. Nice bartender but you already know I paid too much.

Never been to Austin airport before. Arrived at a late hour waiting for my delayed connecting flight. Decided to have a couple glasses of wine while I waited. Olivia was super friendly, professional and knows how to give a customer a respectable pour! Recommended all the way.

This is beautiful place to sit and drink and have something to eat while waiting for your flight. Service is good, Wendy was very quick but pro in making good cocktails. I had Mozzarella flatbread, Long Island and Hazy IPA. I highly recommend this place if you are legal age.

The staff is rude. We waited at a table and nobody came to take the order. When she finally showed up with a menu, she said we'd have to hurry up and order or we'd have to leave like we were loitering or something...but they never brought a menu in the first place, so what were we supposed to? Anyhow, she was really rude and grating so we just left. If she were one of my employees, she wouldn't be working for me much longer. On the upside, we across to Second Bar and Kitchen and they were great!

Wow, poor service!! Bartenders talking to each other and previous guests for extended periods of time instead of greeting and taking orders from new guests. I got a little frustrated, as I had a flight to catch. They were very slow!

This place gets busy, so if you can find a chair, grab it. It took a couple of mins to order, but when I did, The amber beer was good. I later got hungry, so I ordered the ham and cheese sandwich. Pretty expensive for what it is, especially with chips. I had to wash the food down, so I got the Bloody Mary. It was good. Overall, the bartenders weren't always busy. At times I waited, but they just didn't help me. One time, one of the bartenders was eating food, came from the back room still chewing, stood in front of me for a min or so, then walked away. He came back shortly after and then asked me what I needed. Really odd. I guess I will be back, I fly out of here quite often. But won't be my first pick.

I sat in one of their comfortable lounge chairs before my flight waiting for someone to come take my order and after an hour when it was time to catch my flight I left. Service has really gone down. Good thing I wasn't that thirsty.

I should have read the reviews before coming here I was honestly just looking for a comfortable seat (See photos below). Once I sat down I was greeted by my server Richard and he was running 100 miles per hour like he drank 5 red bulls before his shift! I would order a drink then he would run off without asking me if I wanted anything else like he had biscuits cooking in the oven and forgot about them! I ordered an old fashion w/Basil Hayden's and he nodded up & down when I asked if they had "Basils" he brought back Old Fashion with Woodford Reserve...SMH. I also then ordered plain Flatbread Pizza he didn't ask which one and I thought to myself this guy is fast and a mind-reader, but to my dismay found he was still hopped on his energy drinks and didn't hear or listen to what I asked. I got the Flatbread with Pepperoni the kitchen staff brought it out and asked I wanted something else, but I said it's okay not your fault I'll still eat it since I am starving after this 4 hour delayed flight! Would I recommend this spot, only it you want to sit on the comfy black chair and bring your own food & drinks!

The atmosphere is nice until I tried to order a pepperoni flatbread and it wasn't available along with half of the items on the menu were also unavailable. I finally asked the waiter for a sandwich with one request. NO RED ONIONS. My sandwich came with red onions and I am very allergic to them so I sent it back and he gave me attitude!!! Seriously??? This bar tender waiter sucks! I would have left a decent review as the food was finally ok, but this asshole of a server was the reason for this review.

Girl at counter was so rude to me when I asked for milk for my coffee. She replied that I know you are on vacation and don't wanna read but it's on the screen so look at it. This all happened before noon today. Charlie

A very nice new location in the Austin airport... Located across from gate 8 they have opened up this nice little spot that has a full bar, light food, and a very inviting space! Several high back swivel chairs, small tables, and a great bar with power and hooks at every seat! The service was outstanding. RJ was behind the bar and made a great breakfast suggestion. He never left me wanting for anything. It is an airport location so prices are a bit steep... but no worse then most. The croissant with bacon, eggs, feta and spinach was pretty good! Messy but good. The coffee is good too... a bold brew that tastes like coffee! They also have a to go counter if your on the run. The location has only been open for 3 weeks so it is very nice, neat, clean and sparkly!

The bartender Wendy could have been a little nicer when she refused to sale me a latte- stated its closed and open in the mornings- just new to yelp so while I'm waiting for my flight I decided to write some reviews from this trip.

Asked for a gin martini, delicious but it cost me $20 and the glass was half full. Bartender claimed that he has to measure portions of alcohol because he's under a camera. I don't mind it costing $20 just fill up my glass!

We love this bar! Drinks are significantly better priced then most airports we go to but they are not going to be dive bar prices. Martin makes killer double bloody Mary's and is super nice... Rena is super sweet and was a pleasure to speak to. They both take extra care on the drinks adding little flavor touches that isn't needed but greatly appreciated. I would highly reccomend! Thanks guys!

Great place to hand while waiting for your flight. Good drinks and food. Had the hummus and the club - would get either again. Plenty of seats as well as plug-ins at the bar. (Frequent traveller from another airport)

Rude customer service. I wouldn't go back if I was desperate to drink my troubles away.

I like departure lounge when in AUS and glad for other options outside of second bar and grill. I appreciate the vegetarian and healthierish options offered. I wanted a breakfast platter and was able to sub bacon for Kale so yayyyy....on my initial visit I had the hummus which was great as well and of course I took a glass i.e cup of wine to go. I will say that it can get pretty busy so be prepared for a possible wait if you're wanting a seat, otherwise there's a to go counter. Happy Flying

There was a good amount of bar seating and open tables available when I stopped in. Service was very quick and friendly. Overall a great spot to grab a drink while waiting for your flight, especially if your gate is fully packed with people.

This bar was pretty expensive but the drinks were very good. I ordered a watermelon martini and double shot of tequila and the boyfriend ordered a Bloody Mary... the Bloody Mary was so delicious and so was the martini. Very good but very pricey 4 drinks costed us around 75$!

Rude. I was just buying a bottle of water, the only customer there. Two employees stood there in front of me, talking about how to make a coffee. No acknowledgment of the customer. Then they started to discuss how to make a different coffee. I asked them if they were working and one of them said irritably, "yes, just a minute" and kept on talking. I left and went to a different vendor. No one needs this rude lack of service.

Take your business elsewhere! Place is slow, dirty, and servers are very rude. I'd award 0 stars if that were an option. Dropped in for a cup of jo and a baked good. Stood at coffee counter for several minutes (2-3?) waiting for someone to arrive. Someone appeared, but ignored me while unboxing supplies. After another few minutes, I had to "interrupt" the employee to ask for service. Took another good 5 minutes (I'm not exaggerating) to get a cup of coffee. Not a latte or americano, but a regular coffee that had already been brewed and was sitting in an insulated urn, just waiting to be dispensed. Went to add cream, which was empty. Waited another few minutes to get cream, only to discover that the stir sticks were sitting unwrapped at the bottom of a box, sprinkled with sugar and other detritus. Then went to grab a seat to enjoy the brew I worked so hard to get, but was chased away by another employee. Told me he was saving the seats for other customers who might tip him for table service. To sum up, don't go here. It's slow, dirty, and employees treat customers extremely poorly. Makes me wonder if this is not locally owned. Austinites just don't do it this way. If you're visiting Austin and have a bad experience here, please accept my apologies on behalf of the entire City. We're much better than this.

Nice lounge to hang out at while waiting on your flight. They have a fair amount of seating and a good drink selection. There is also a little coffee shop on the end which has a good selection as well

Evon aka Jon is amazing!! Positive attitude, customer service is on the spot. He was a bright light to beginning our travels! Thank you Evon!!

If you order coffee only they won't let you sit down, you have to be doing "dine in" service coffee is mediocre. Staff not that friendly, would not recommend

I had a marvelous time at the Departure Lounge at ABI on my way out to Las Vegas a few weeks ago. The bartender, Martin, gave my party table-side service (at eight in the morning, no less) and was happy to answer any questions that we had about the menu. Our water glasses were always full, and when my strawberry bourbon lemonade slipped from my had, he kindly topped my drink off free of charge! A+ service!

Horrible service, slow, rude, ridiculous... avoid unless you absolutely have no other option. Waited over 20 mins for bartender to even look at me and place was not even busy. Get better staff that understand that travelers do t have all day to sit there while you chat with your coworker.

Terrible service. Blatantly lying in our faces. I ordered a flat bread togo, server said 15 min. I come back 15 min, she said another ten minutes. I come back in ten min, she tells me another 8 min. So now I wait there. After another ten min finally comes, no fork or utensils. I asked for the metal ones saying I will return but she won't let me take it. Don't bother going here.

Delightful. Forrest was accommodating and very pleasant. Tasty sandwich and good drinks.

Once is an isolated incident. Twice is a problem. Had to ask for help both times. Dirty glass both times!

Im a frequent traveler... once a week to airport is standard..: Probably the rudest service person I encountered in the airport.. I was asking for a coffee... felt like I asked her to go change the oil in my car in the parking lot. I paid in cash, and had my dollars in change plopped in front of me and the coin gently flicked across the counter. WTF. Didn't say here's your drink, or thank you. Just slid it toward me on the counter. Wow. Bad day? Maybe, but it'll be my last day going there. First impressions are everything in a fast paced airport... this was a bad one. Do not recommend Two stars for a nice latte. :)

Come to the airport early just to eat and drink at the Departure Lounge! Great sandwich's and super drinks! RJ will take care of you every time!

Extremely rude and poor service! Stopped by on a Sunday evening at 4:45 and stood at the coffee/pastry shop that's connected to this dump and the bartender looked at me at least 5 times and never acknowledged me. Finally a guest at the bar asked if were waiting for a seat and I expressed I just wanted to purchase a slice of cake and the bartender then proceed to scream "IT'S CLOSED"! I stayed well I have been standing here and there's no sign stating it's closed and the lights are on and he stood there looking stupid.

I ordered an açaí bowl from the smoothie bar next door and asked for a cup of water. The smoothie bar instructed me to ask the Departure Lounge and they should provide it. When I arrived, I did not want to wait by the bar and disrupt the bartender, so I waited by the coffee counter. The male bartender with glasses and tattoos shouted across the bar that the coffee side of the Lounge was closed in a very condescending manner. He then proceeded to berate me and make me feel really bad for asking for a cup of water. He stated that there multiple times that there are "fountains everywhere" and that I was "wasting his time". Additionally, he went on a very loud rant that I am not his customer because I am "not tipping" and that I am "not of importance". He said this so loud that the whole bar looked at me and this embarrassed me greatly. This was upsetting because a simple no would have sufficed but the fact that he berated me in front of the whole bar was not a very hospitable thing to do, especially at an airport terminal in a great city like Austin. Keep in mind that the bar was really empty and I was very throughout this absurd experience. It appears that this is a common issue at this establishment. This definitely soured my visit in Austin.

Lack of service. Closed early by 8:30PM While many nearby gates were open. Lost a lot of business from many travelers.

We were greeted immediately upon shooting down. No pressure at all, helpful advice on the wine and pleasant conversation when I initiated. Overall a great experience. Of course, airport prices are what they are,

As a regular customer of departure lounge in Westlake I know what expect from the level of service. The departure lounge at the airport is a completely different story. This evening, me along with seven other people who have been standing in line for 20 minutes, were abruptly told that they were closed even though it was 15 minutes till closing time. The gentleman who assumed the position of the manager and the grumpy lady behind the counter were so rude that it boggles the mind that anyone would employ them. If it were not for the sweet angel named Doris who came out from the back when she heard the commotion and proceeded to help who have been waiting, we would have left empty handed. I suspect the owners or investors at departure lounge would not want to know that hundreds of dollars of business was being turned away only because the employees wanted to get home early. There are many places to spend your money in the airport. This is not one of them.

Extremely rude! Sat there for over 10 minutes and was never acknowledged so we got up and left.

RJ killed it! He made specialty drinks at a busy time. Plus recommended great food. He put the final touch on our great experience in Austin. It's not how you start but how you finish

RUDE bartender served me a warm glass of champagne just now. I asked for ice and he put a huge scoop in my glass which caused it to overflow and spill. He then threw a dirty wet bar towel at me and said told ya. Not the way I intended on spending my 26 anniversary!

I fly in and out of Austin every 6 weeks, so tonight my flight is at gate 8 right across from this lounge. I sit down and wait patiently while one bartender is explaining the food selection to a lady to my right and another is giving a customer the bill. I make eye contact with both and smile, but neither acknowledge me. 5 minutes go by and another gentleman walks up to the left of me, I hand him my menu out of politeness and he is immediatly acknowledged and served... guess I'm not welcomed and I will not be back