Equipment Room
Bar · Travis Heights ·
Artisanal cocktails & curated vinyl in a Japanese-inspired listening room
Artisanal cocktails & curated vinyl in a Japanese-inspired listening room
"For fantastic high-end cocktails in a cool indoor space soundtracked by hip music, head straight to this stylish bar tucked inside the Hotel Magdalena. The bar offers classic cocktails like an espresso martini along with its “b-side” version, like Bottom of the River with gin, nori amaro, black sesame aperitivo, macadamia liqueur, and coffee. The bar also offers snacks like shrimp chips or a kobayashi dog. Reserve online to ensure prime seating." - Darcie Duttweiler
"Fittingly located in the Music Lane development on South Congress, the vinyl listening and cocktail spot Equipment Room looks more like the living room of a very wealthy audiophile than a bar in the basement of Hotel Magdalena. It takes inspiration from mid-century Japanese listening bars, but instead of fully committing to the theme musically, you might hear bits of David Bowie and the Beach Boys mixed in with SZA and Janet Jackson. The drink menu is made up of a combination of classics and new creations—A-Sides and B-Sides, respectively—so whether you’re in the mood for Manhattans and boulevardiers, or a cocktail with sesame-washed sake, orgeat, and furikake dust, you’ll be able to find something great to pair with the okonomiyaki waffle, whipped guacamole, and other tasty snacks. photo credit: RICHARD CASTEEL photo credit: RICHARD CASTEEL photo credit: RICHARD CASTEEL photo credit: RICHARD CASTEEL photo credit: RICHARD CASTEEL Pause Unmute" - Nicolai McCrary
"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
"Fittingly located in the Music Lane development on South Congress, this vinyl listening and cocktail spot looks more like the living room of a wealthy audiophile than a bar in the basement of Hotel Magdalena. It takes inspiration from mid-century Japanese listening bars, and you might hear bits of David Bowie and The Smiths mixed in with old-school jazz. The drink menu has classics and new creations—A-Sides and B-Sides, respectively—so whether you’re in the mood for Manhattans and boulevardiers or a cocktail with sesame-washed sake, orgeat, and furikake dust, you’ll be able to find something great to pair with their tuna tartare and carnitas wontons." - nicolai mccrary, raphael brion
"Located in the basement of Hotel Magdalena on South Congress, this extremely aesthetic vinyl listening room takes the music selection as seriously as its cocktails. There’s a menu of snacks like a cheese board with yuzu marmalade, carnitas wontons, and steamed lobster buns, along with creative cocktails like the Mutt with prosciutto-infused vodka. Twice a month, Equipment Room hosts Omakase Vinyl, where attendees listen to a significant album in its entirety, in silence, and then discuss it afterward (reservations are required)." - Erin Russell
