Higher Ground

Cocktail bar · Congress Ave District

Higher Ground

Cocktail bar · Congress Ave District

3

720 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701

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Higher Ground by null
Higher Ground by null
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Highlights

Nestled in downtown Austin, this stylish church-themed bar serves up creative cocktails and tasty bites, all in a unique setting with both indoor and outdoor vibes.  

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720 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701 Get directions

highergroundatx.com
@highergroundatx

$$ · Menu

Information

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720 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701 Get directions

+1 512 291 2060
highergroundatx.com
@highergroundatx

$$ · Menu

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Last updated

Jul 11, 2025

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@eater

"Higher Ground at 720 Congress Avenue in Downtown Austin is adjusting hours due to the winter storm." - Nadia Chaudhury

Texas Winter Storm January 2023: Austin Restaurants Are Closing or Adjusting Hours - Eater Austin
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@eater

"The event takes place at downtown Austin bar Higher Ground at 720 Congress Avenue from Saturday, March 12 to Sunday, March 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The two-story bar space will also feature immersive art exhibits and scheduled “surprises” scheduled for 4:20 p.m." - Nadia Chaudhury

SXSW ‘Atlanta’ Television Show Pop-Up Includes Free Coffee - Eater Austin
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@eater

"Higher Ground, a new religious-themed bar and restaurant, will open at 720 Congress Avenue in downtown Austin across from the Paramount Theatre in July. It will offer Italian small plates and cocktails, including items like a porchetta sandwich and themed drinks. The decor features church pews, stained glass, and an organ-turned-DJ-booth." - Erin Russell

New Downtown Austin Bar Higher Ground Will Open With Religious Themes - Eater Austin
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Anton S.

Google
Unique church themed bar. First floor is very low key and calm. Second floor has 2 DJs. Indoor and outdoor. Cool setup, but the bar was relatively empty on a sat night (10-11pm) and we didn’t fully vibe with the atmosphere. Drinks were good.

Johnny !

Google
$7 - 12 oz bottle lone star, $10 canned seltzers, automatic 20% gratuity. Drinks are expensive, even for Austin. (2024) Well styled cocktail bar venue on Congress. Building has some neat architectural features such as a spiral staircase, and a draping garden outdoor patio on the back roof. Bartenders were friendly, good service. $1 East Coast oysters on Tuesdays until 10:00 p.m. I attended a Valentine's Day event that was a private DJ'd dance party and burlesque show upstairs. The event was really good, too, but that's not particularly related to the venue. So if you're looking for a neat space to host your event, the back patio is cool and good weather.

Tricia Valadez

Google
Absolutely wonderful south congress spot. Great happy hour, daily specials, and decent prices. Excellent staff, phenomenal atmosphere with an inside and outside areas. Downstairs and upstairs areas with bathrooms in both spots. The food was great, hot , and fast. Love, love. Cannot to do brunch or a girls night here.

Jennie Johnson

Google
The place and building were beautiful and very unique. The upstairs is only open at certain times not all day but they did let me go take a look even though it wasn’t open yet. They charge manhattan prices for cocktails definitely pricier then most places in the city. I’ve had better cocktails downtown not quite as expensive. It is a small place with seating outside. Might come to try happy hour with some friends. Service was a little hectic since they were preparing to open the upstairs.

Daniel Sweeney

Google
Had a fun time here, came out for more of a night spot than anything else. DJ was energetic, but did not always read the crowd well and did not ever change up the style of music which could have helped the overall energy. Drinks were good. Outside area upstairs was pretty cool, but not much out there (no bar or anything). Had a fun time, and not overly crowded.

Samantha Smith

Google
LOVE this place. We to austin for a bachelorette party. We just wandered around and came here on a whim. I’m so happy we did!! Their cocktails were the BEST out of all the places we went to in Austin.

Andrea Rios

Google
Upstairs service was amazing. Burger and fries were good. All the drinks were yummy. There are a couple of seats upstairs, but there is more seating on the outside patio. The table and our seats were all wobbly, so our drinks did spill a few times when the food was coming out. There was a DJ later in the evening, but no one was dancing, the music was kind of lame so we left. Overall feel like this place looks cooler online than it is in real life. It is very cute tho, and is great for the instagram girls.

Kyle

Google
Wonderful new cocktail bar on Congress Avenue. Fun and unique interiors and a tasteful cocktail menu. Loved the “Pride” cocktail. Staff was definitely LGBTQ friendly. The outdoor space was wonderful already but I think they have a few additions planned to that space.

Chelsea L.

Yelp
I like the interior design-it has a cool church theme and I went during their "holy hour". Since it was my first time, I was not aware of how the service is. You seat yourself, so you don't need to make a reservation, which our group did. Their menu is not updated. Most of the food items are not available, including the one I was anticipating, the Higher Burger. Got the patty melt-this is ok, nothing special. Burger was pretty good. Cheese oozes over the patty. Mocktails are a bit too sweet, but I enjoy the flavor. Cauliflowers are sweet-I wish they were salty. If I go back, I would try some drinks and more burgers.

Elle K.

Yelp
This place has a great vibe! The food and drinks were good, though the drinks are a little pricey. Great place to go for happy hour and the outdoor area is cool for shows.

Ramin A.

Yelp
I would have loved to review the place if anyone had bothered to serve us. Booked a birthday dinner here for a large group. When we arrived they ushered us to the musty area in the back and completely forgot about us. We waited 30 minutes and no one even acknowledged us. When we got up to leave they didn't even apologize for what had just happened.

Rachael Y.

Yelp
I think the pictures that I've seen of higher ground made it look a lot fancier than what it was. I stopped in here on a girls night and was very confused. They have a restaurant/bar on the bottom floor and a rooftop bar upstairs. There is a very narrow venue so it looks very small. it was quite packed on the first floor, but we made our way up to the second floor and it was dead. We came on Thursday night so that could have been the case. Upstairs felt very dive.-ish. It gave old bar vibes.. I could see how they try to make the aesthetic " churchy". But I guess I was misled thinking that it was a lot fancier and it's not. Was OK for what it was.. probably will not be back, was not too impressed.

Matthew M.

Yelp
Really nice bar staff as they gave us an overview of what we should check out on our weekend in Austin. They were spot on. Drinks were well made and hit the spot. I can imagine this being a great bar to hang out if we stayed a while longer. Come by here is you have a chance.

Sylvia O.

Yelp
I am actually typing this while nearing hour 2 of waiting for my entire happy hour meal to reach my table. What is this complicated, time consuming meal I ordered, you ask? 12 oysters, a mock tail, and a plate of French fries. I kid you not. I had a reservation and was seated on time, but no one came to help me until 30 minutes in. I was finally able to place an order. My "mock tail" was ginger beer with a splash of orange juice and club soda. I started with six oysters (they have $1 oysters on Tuesdays). They brought them, but then there was no silverware or napkins on the table. So I had to wait another 20 minutes for them to bring cutlery. Then I realized they didn't bring ketchup for my fries, which took another 20 mins. Took another 30 minutes to flag down someone to get 6 more oysters. They finally arrived. They took 35 minutes to come out. Now I am sitting here waiting for the bill.... I just want to go home This is my second time here. It is loud inside so not the best for trying to have a conversation. Happy hour is well priced. I'd recommend this place only if you have time to burn. If you are on a tight schedule (like I am right now), I wouldn't risk it. Highly recommend doing a reservation ahead of time

Khan S.

Yelp
Once a grand church, Higher Ground is now a chic lounge and rooftop bar that brilliantly merges historic charm with modern flair. The interior preserves the church's elegant arches and stained glass, creating a sophisticated ambiance. The lounge features church like seating, a well-crafted cocktail menu, and amazing house music DJs that keep the energy high. The rooftop offers stunning city views and a laid-back atmosphere that invites you to linger. With attentive staff and a unique setting, Higher Ground is a must-visit for an unforgettable night out.

Andre W.

Yelp
This place seems to be the go-to happy hour spot in the area. Looks like it used to be a church, but I'm gonna assume thats just the theme and design lol. There were about 3 levels and an outdoor deck that we were no able to experience due to rain, but it seemed cool. I love that they take your card to start the tab and give it back to you and that you can go to a different floor and they can pull the tab there. Very cool and convenient. We didn't stay more than an hour but we were able to grab 2 drinks and some fries as we had a reservation somewhere at Here Nor There. The Black Manhattan was pretty good as well as a mezcal cocktail that I had.

Chris G.

Yelp
Solid spot for food and drinks. It's a bit tight but found spots at the bar. Service was o.k. And the drinks were good. food is standard pub fare, nothing out of the ordinary but good and prepared well. Nice spot with cool vibe.

Spring L.

Yelp
Amazing $1 oyster happy hour all day Tuesdays but I think it was too amazing (and costly) that they may have since changed it to tapas Tuesday. Either way, love the spot and their other happy hours look great!

Alexandra M.

Yelp
Food 10/10 Environment 10/10 Service 20/10 Had the most amazing night with my sister in law and soon to be sister in law!! Couldn't have expected better food, I was sooo full and couldn't stop eating! The people around are chic and so interesting to people watch it was a spot of glamour ! The service... I've had nice servers but the group of ladies who helped us order, made recommendations, and even used the table lights to help light the pictures we asked them to take of us was above and beyondddddd ! If I had to go back to Austin, you bet I'm going back here!

Rebecca R.

Yelp
Visited Higher Ground on 12/21/2022 (1st time) to check out their Holy Hour specials, which is offered weekdays 4pm-7pm. Since sharing is caring, here are a few of my FYIs & Helpful Tips: ~Atmosphere: I just loved the spirited/church themed decor & vibe! From the spiral staircase that leads to the outdoor patio, candelabras, exposed brick that definitely adds to the charm, and even the menus were theme appropriate! ~Holy Hour Specials : Mon-Fri., 4pm-7pm, w/ a variety of food & drink items to choose from w/ the price range of $4-$10. I ate the burger and fries, both were fresh, hot, & oh so, tasty! I really liked the Pomegranate Ricky and the Bee's Knee's cocktails. Both made me feel just a little bit prettier & tasted so good! ;) On Weds. only they have $5 burgers (good size w/ 2 patties & very tasty) during HH. ~Location: on the corner of Congress / 8th street, across from Paramount Theater ~Parking: During my visit, I parked at the metered street parking and I'm not 100% sure but I think there is a small parking lot right behind the Higher Ground building for customers to use. ~Seating: Reservations can be made ahead of time for a table and there's also bar seating (1st come, 1st serve) for those who just want to walk in. FYI, I was told by one of the employees that they highly recommend a reservation being made on the more popular days (Friday/Saturday) because they do get super busy. They also have a super cute outdoor patio decorated w/ hanging flowers & at night, it lights up w/ purple lighting . There are outdoor heaters & fans to help keep you comfortable while enjoying a cocktail on the patio. The patio had great ambiance for sure and is located right next to the 2nd bar located upstairs (see pics & videos in this review of this awesome little patio area). I definitely need some more "church" in my life so best believe that I'll be checking out Higher Ground's Holy Hour again sometime soon! ;)) Till next time, Rebecca

Stephanie W.

Yelp
This bar is cool! I only stayed downstairs so can't comment on the club upstairs (only open on weekends if I remember correctly) but the downstairs area is nice. There's a long central bar with lots of bar seating but only a couple (3-4) tables beside that so not a huge amount of seating. I walked by once on a Saturday night and the place was totally popping so a reservation would prob be needed, but I came back with a res on a Tuesday night before going to a show across the street, and all the tables were wide open, just a few folks at the bar. They do a happy hour from 5-7 PM on weeknights where you get the special cocktails for $10. They're fun! I tried a couple with my friends and they were strong, enough that I went to my show with a nice buzz. The decor and low light in this place is nice too, it's "cathedral/church" themed. The bathrooms are also quite clean, all the way in the back just past the spiral staircase. Overall this is a cool place! The downtown parking situation can be a nightmare but apparently downtown street parking is mostly free mon-tues after 6 PM, and it's not too bad all other days re: price (but good luck finding any thurs-sat, it's always packed and usually you have to go for an expensive garage). Overall I do rec giving this place a try! It's too central/inconvenient to become a regular haunt but it's got great vibes.

Courtney S.

Yelp
What an interesting theme! I dig it. The outdoor patio upstairs was very romantic in a gothic way, with the wisteria and chandeliers. I got one of the mezcal based cocktails off their menu, and it honestly tasted like straight mezcal. That's not necessarily a bad thing, since you're definitely getting a strong drink. But just a note on that drink in particular. My friend got the daiquiri and it was light and refreshing. I do want to check out the downstairs in the day time, as it seemed closed off for the evening hours. The only thing I wish had been different was access to the Juliette styled balcony looking over congress. The balcony is actually what drew me in initially. It's very cute and a neat piece of architecture to the building, but the DJ was set up right in front of it so you couldn't access it.

Aarti P.

Yelp
Been here twice, both times earlier in the day, both times good just not amazing. I plan on going again when it's busier and has a vibe. I want to go hang out in that beautiful patio.

Bowie L.

Yelp
I came in specifically for the $1 oysters on Tuesdays and really enjoyed it. The space is pretty cool and pretty but casual and the servers are nice. The oysters are a bit smaller than ones I've had before but they're fresh and I'm not complaining for $1. Note that you have to order in increments of 6 which is standard. The pickled onion sauce it comes with is also really good. We also got shishito peppers which were pretty good, particularly the dipping sauce. Additionally we got a non-alcoholic and cocktail drink which were both good. I'd like to come back again for the happy hour deals.

Rosy L.

Yelp
We came here for drinks and food for a bachelorette party, the place is so unique and pretty! You feel like you're in a chapel with all the intricate decor. Definitely worth a visit if you're in downtown Austin. We started off with drinks which were so so good and the bartender was even able to make some off menu items or take a traditional drink and add a twist to it- she definitely knew what she was doing. There's a spiral staircase in the back that leads to a rooftop which is so beautiful. Definitely check it out if it's nice out. I'm deducting a star because we also ordered food and that's where I feel it like it slightly lacking. Their food menu isn't super hit and I ended up getting a customized rice bowl with ropa vieja. The food took so long and when mine finally came out it ended up being a wrong order which they quickly fixed. Nevertheless, worth trying for the drinks, but maybe plan ahead to go somewhere else for food!

Lisa O.

Yelp
We can here on a Friday night to see the Alvata show. Loved the dance music. Awesome DJ. Cool vibe. The bartender gave us a complimentary Shirley Temple, but he ran out of cherries. Boo.

Bethany A.

Yelp
I made reservations for Wednesday, when Higher Ground has $5 burgers as well as Happy Hour from 4p-7p. First impressions: Our hostess was very friendly and engaging, but the waitress was underwhelming. She took quite awhile to bring us water, didn't mention happy hour, and half answered the questions we had. The restaurant itself is really cool. Lots of small tables and a nice church-meets-bar ambience. Food and drinks: I ordered a HG burger, fries and a Pomegranate Ricky cocktail. The fries and drink were solid. Nothing extraordinary, but good. The burger left much to be desired. It lacked flavor, seasoning...really anything that would make it stand out. Obviously for the price point I wasn't too upset, but disappointed since it's on their everyday dinner menu. Would I go back?: If I'm downtown during happy hour, I'd stop in for drinks. But I won't be going out of my way to stop in, especially for food.

Najah C.

Yelp
***Service*** I was really happy with the service here. Felt like I was talking to friends of mine. Nice people with great personalities who want you to enjoy your time here. ***Food*** Not a lot of options but the trio sliders were good, I'd prefer them all to be the beef slider next time or I would just order a burger if hungry. The fries had no salt or seasoning but they were hot and came with ketchup and garlic aioli dips. ***Drinks*** The drinks were delicious. They have lots of liquor & they aren't afraid to make you custom drinks! Obviously you're coming here for the drinks as this is a bar, you will not be disappointed. ***Ambiance*** This place is so aesthetically pleasing! I loved the architecture it felt like I was in a museum a bit. The chairs, the walls, the dim lighting all made for a good feel. The crowd was light on a Thursday around 3pm everyone was cooling. ***Bottomline*** If your looking for a cool bar outing and your in the area come here.

Jessica M.

Yelp
High Ground has $1 oyster night every Tuesday! My friend & I splurged and each got 2 dozen! It was a steal. They're not the greatest oysters on the planet, they do the job and hit the spot. Amazing happy hour & loved the cocktails based on the 7 daily sins. We got a Pride & Lust. Both mocktail style as we don't prefer alcohol. These were banging and fizzy and beautiful. The service was okay. Everyone working their seemed confused. Haha. The real stand out is the ambiance. Get dolled up and have a cheeky photo shoot. You won't regret it. Sit on the patio! Higher Ground stands on solid ground. Will be back.

Jamie P.

Yelp
You seriously can't beat Sunday Funday at Higher Ground. We visited midday and the back patio was packed. They have $10 bottle of champagne...which is crazy! We got a couple mixers and enjoyed it out on the patio. They had a DJ and beautiful decor. We've also visited for cocktails during happy hour and sat at the beautiful bar downstairs. The cocktails are a bit pricey, but worth it.

Merrill O.

Yelp
This place was amazing. We got there early afternoon, but ended up staying quite a long time because all the DJs were great. It's rare that we find a spot that has house music that me and my two friends all love, but this spot was it. Nice outdoor patio with misters. Even at 106 it was perfectly comfortable. And the service was great at the bar. (I'm looking at you, Kendall!) We'll be back!!

Lucy J.

Yelp
Amazing ambiance at prime location. Had French 75, delicious. Bartenders are attentive and provided stellar services. If you are new in town, or only visiting for a few nights, this is the spot you must hit. Night view of the capitol building is also a must see.

Daichan S.

Yelp
This place has been on my list for a while and I was finally able to go with a friend during happy hour. On Tuesday they have $1 oysters but on this particular day they also had $1 bubbly to celebrate their anniversary. The place is smaller than expected so it is suggested that you make reservations. If you don't have a reservation, I believe they have a rooftop area that is open seating. The tables are also fairly small and close so it feels as though you're part of another group. We had a party of two and there was a party of 3 seated next to us. We may as well had a reservation together because that's how close we were while dining. We were also seated at the very first table near the front door which was a bit uncomfortable due to the waiting customers standing near and crowding near our table. As for the food, the oysters weren't as big but what do you expect for $1. They are served with a vinegar based sauce as well as cocktail sauce. I found them to taste better with Tabasco sauce that was available upon request. My friend and I ordered a dozen and a half of oysters as well as French fries with Parmesan and aioli sauce. I have to say, the French fries should have been the entree. They were nice and warm and fried to perfection! I can't remember the last time I had fries that good. I 100% recommend the fries if anything! I'm glad I was finally able to knock this place off my list.

Megan S.

Yelp
I love a themed bar and the theme at this place is SO cool and unique! I had never seen anything like it! The bar is two stories, both of which are themed like an old church. The benches are church benches, there's crosses and floral decor everywhere making you feel like you're in a chapel, it's so beautiful! And the most incredible portion is the upstairs outdoor patio with gorgeous pink flowers hanging from the sky, looks like a scene from a movie. Now let's get to the exciting part. Cocktails! They have everything you'd see at a standard bar plus their specials menu of Church themed cocktails. I tried a few from their happy hour menu that were delicious, delicate, and absolutely stunning in terms of presentation. They also have a small bites happy hour menu with things to nibble on. The Shishito peppers were to die for! One thing to note, parking is hard to come by as the bar is downtown Austin in the middle of the action. And prices even on happy hour are a little high for the area. All that to say, the scene is lovely and the food and drinks are great as well. P.S. on Friday's when where what austin holds a fun record music night that is super fun! We accidentally stumbled in on this and had a blast.

Sarah L.

Yelp
The service was subpar. Showed up at 2 pm when they opened and there was no greeting at all. It was so weird. It was like the few staff members there were bothered there were actually customers. Add to the fact that the 3 staff members were mostly chatting at the bar while the restrooms had no toilet paper or paper towels & I was not impressed. If it had been 10pm on a busy night, then absolutely places need to restock, but when you just opened for the day, there's no excuse to not have bathrooms supplied properly. Then when we order one of the appetizer specials only to be told a few minutes later they are out...that's something they should've told us beforehand. So we ordered the fries (which were good!) but had to ask for the garlic aioli sauce it's supposed to come with. The bartender looked at us like we had 3 heads. I know these are minor "issues" but it was just an overall lack luster experience.

Betty Z.

Yelp
Added an auto 20% gratuity for large parties when it was just me and my husband. They didn't call it out and my husband tipped on top of it and saw it on the customer receipt after. Just seems a little shady. Drinks were good though.

David C.

Yelp
The wait in the evenings can be terribly long, but there was some nice live music and after some time we were able to secure a seat at the bar. The bartenders were great, cycling around as necessary, water refills frequent. Everything seemed a bit pricey in relation, and cramped together spacewise. We had ordered drinks along the way, with some bruschetta, sliders, and shishito peppers to share. The food was decent I'd say. For the drinks I'd say I liked lust the most. I'd say everything was okay for the night, and not sure that the wait was worth. But the bartenders were good and made for nice conversation over the course.

Emily H.

Yelp
Super snazzy with open air/outdoor upstairs and a fun party vibe with views of downtown buildings and live music. Enjoyed the fresh Eastern oysters, croquettes, and the Oaxacan Paloma with mezcal. A lot of thought went into the funky gothic church decor (stained glass, chandeliers, candelabras, organ). Odd moment where only VERY hot water came the bathroom faucets upstairs. Lost a star because of the noise. With Covid I'm not as into being within spraying distance while someone is talking . Look forward to returning for brunch.

Alexandria O.

Yelp
Great ambience, delicious drinks, good food and great service. Very limited seating would recommend for a date night as it's very intimate.

Nora R.

Yelp
We made reservations here for a birthday dinner on a Saturday night at 7p. We arrive and are seated in the back at this table that is all by itself. It was not crowded at all either. We sit there for about 30 minutes and no one comes up to take our orders or even bring water. We told them in advance it's for a special birthday dinner. They didn't seem to care and it was honestly the worst feeling on a special occasion. We got up and left after about 35 minutes and walked over to Caroline and spent the birthday dinner there. Will never return!

Desiree G.

Yelp
Had reservations upstairs in this awkward corner. Seemed like we were waiting to go to confession. Outside was downstairs are all really beautiful. I wish we were sat downstairs. Drinks were yummy. Didn't see it on the menu, but we got candelabra shots that you could pick from a few options. We liked it. Made for cute pictures. Definitely an insta friendly place

Sarah O.

Yelp
The online pictures of this are excellent because I was expecting something much more upscale and elegant-- but after coming from the Roosevelt Room I was disappointed in the vibe. Still a good bar, but nothing like the pictures. That said, really good burger, excellent fries-- even more excellent in the huevos rots, good service, good drinks, but just a regular cocktail bar. This place would probably get a 5/5 from me if it weren't for their advertisement which overpromised on the decor/vibe.

Wes C.

Yelp
In town for work on a Tuesday night. It happened to be $1 oysters. The oysters were super fresh and delicious. I didn't try anything else. The bartender, Jacob, was very helpful and the drinks were great. I will definitely return.

Abby L.

Yelp
This place is awesome! I visited on a Saturday at Happy Hour. I had two drinks that were absolutely amazing. It was such a cool atmosphere. I sat at the bar, which in my opinion has the best view. The décor here is stunning. They had great music playing as well. The bartenders were funny, engaging and knowledgeable. The only thing that I hated was it was closing early for an event, so I didn't get to stay as long as I hoped. I wonder if this info can be found in the future on their website?? I did not try any food, but the Happy Hour menu looked great! I will definitely be back if I'm in town again.

Tomas R.

Yelp
Holy crap is this place a new fave of mine. When I was visiting Austin for a wedding, my friend suggested we'd grab drinks at Higher Ground. Now I recognized this location in its former life but Higher Ground did such a bomb job of a full revamp and creating its own identity. Higher Ground not only has a sick happy hour (we caught the end of it), but they also serve some great bites to have alongside your cocktails. I went for an old fashioned and ended up knocking back a few of them because they were made so clean. What I really loved about this spot was the intimacy yet open space. The staircase leading up to the second floor was my fave moment! There's an altar of some sort to snag a few pics and I was impressed there was even an outdoor space on the second floor. What I thoroughly enjoyed was the second bar up top as it had a different vibe than downstairs. This place is about quality and service so just know you'll be taken care of. Ugh still thinking about my experience here and the goth church vibes I got (aka I freaking loved it).

Michaela P.

Yelp
This is a happening place for pretty people. Bartenders are wizards and the cocktails are on point (and pricey). Cool vibe inside and outside but DAMN IT'S LOUD! As in I can't hear myself talk.

Stephanie R.

Yelp
Another spot that was underwhelming during this Austin trip. What's going on ATX! Walked in and it was dead (hour after open). Bartender was kind enough to tell us he was out of most things because he was prepping for later tonight. We walked out as there selection was truly limited. Was really looking forward to this spot based on reviews, but my experience was not a 4-5 star. Perhaps moving your hours to those of a nightclub might be more accurate and save you overhead cost ‍

Diana V.

Yelp
$1 oysters Tuesday! and happy hour until 7. Really good drinks and vibes during the early evening. Cons service was slow (but he was super nice and helpful) and oysters are small and really salty (some people like that but I don't). Overall I'll be back for happy hour- definitely make a reservation, we had to stand at a standing table outside lol.

Julie S.

Yelp
I will always visit Higher Ground when in Austin. Between the convenient location, delicious drinks, friendly staff and good music, it's already a wonderful spot. But the minute you go upstairs, you're simply transported. I want to get married again so I can married on this roof deck. We didn't have much time to spend here, as we were about to head to the airport, but I'm so glad I went before the recommendation slipped from my memory. Now that I've been, I'll never miss it again. I hope to come back soon so I can really spend some real time relaxing here. Like, I want to camp out upstairs with a book and a bottle of brut rosé. That may be hard to do when I'm normally here for short work trips, but I may just tack on a personal day next time -- that's how wonderful it is! I'm also excited to try the food next time I'm back.

Taylor E.

Yelp
Such a great pop in bar! We were cruising around the city and just needed a drink. Such a great environment and loved the experience.

Cortnie Y.

Yelp
Given the other reviews we were so excited to visit. We showed up as they opened and the vibe was off. Nothing was set up and it smelled. We took our drink to the top deck but it was pretty underwhelming. Probably a good place for late night but not an afternoon spot. The drinks were okay.

Courtney T.

Yelp
Ambiance was nice but as someone who didn't know what to expect, walking in ... do not come here if you believe in Jesus or have a relationship with God. They use the Bible and church as a joke and play on then anything.

Sara W.

Yelp
Let me start off with the obvious- this is a very cool space.The decor was all on theme and had gothic church vibes all around. 5/5 on the decor. Decided to try out Higher Ground for dinner on a Thursday. We walked in and were designated to find an available seat. It seemed to be the end of dinner rush, so the restaurant was pretty open. We grabbed a seat at the bar and were given waters as we browsed the menus. The service is where Higher Ground lost some stars for me. After we were seated for a while, someone came over and asked if we had our order taken. We informed them we had not, then they walked away. It took almost another 10 mins before we were greeted by a different bartender who took our food and drink order. It seemed like there was some disconnect in the flow of service. All the drinks looked incredible and I thought it was cool that they were all named after the 7 deadly sins. I decided on the Lust-a delicious mezcal berry cocktail. Our food did not take long to come out-crispy Porchetta, meatballs, and bruschetta. If the three, the Porchetta sandwich was DEFINITELY my favorite. The bruschetta had a good flavor, but the bread came out in one piece so we had to cut it on our own. Seems like a great place to revisit for live music at night!

Lauren G.

Yelp
Went here last night with two of my girlfriends, because we heard that they have the best happy hour on Wednesdays. On Wednesdays you can get $10 cocktails, five dollar burgers, and five dollar beers from 4 to 7 PM. We got there pretty early and made a reservation just in case at 4:30. The bar fills up pretty quickly so I recommend making a reservation, as long as you know there isn't a private event going on. The whole upstairs was reserved starting at 5:30 for a private event which included the outside patio. We would've loved to sat outside but unfortunately couldn't because of the event. I wouldn't say this is the most smooth experience I had at this place, but the absolute gem of a hostess and service here makes me automatically give it five stars. The kitchen ended up catching on fire while we were here and half of our food was only able to come out, because of that they gave us three free drinks, which was extremely nice. They even offered us a charcuterie board, but we turn down because they already gave us free drinks. The five dollar burger was just all right I think mine got burnt when the kitchen fire started. A lot of people left who were at the restaurant when the situation went down just because of the smoke coming out of the kitchen into the area we were sitting in. The fries were fantastic and the drinks were even better. I would definitely come back to this place because it's in a very cute and intimate setting, next time I would like to sit outside on the patio, but you really can't go wrong with such cheap drinks and food on happy hour. Thank you to the amazing hostess who is only day two on the job! your new employer is very lucky to have you, you are fabulous! Pros: service, drinks, prices Cons: upstairs and patio closed for events

Zacharias P.

Yelp
Fun bar located downtown. It has a vibe that's between dive bar and cocktail bar with a unique ambiance. Higher ground because they borrow some elements from a church setting - candles, stained glass etc. On Wednesday night they have a jazz artist upstairs and a pianist. We thought they were really good. Two bars, one down stairs and one up. Decent selection cocktails and a good friendly crowd too. Lovely outdoor rooftop patio to hangout at too.

Nastaran A.

Yelp
Came for "holy hour," as they called it here. I love a good theme bar and the vibe here was very cool. We sat at the bar and ordered drinks and some snacks before heading to a dinner. The cocktails were lovely and the charcuterie plate was perfect for 2 people. I also LOVE a good charcuterie plate so this place really suckered me in. Overall, this place had a good look, good drinks, and yummy snacks. I'd definitely go back.

Stephanie A.

Yelp
one of my favorite bars in austin for many reasons! 1st, they typically always have a dj during the nighttime to create a great going out environment! their specialty cocktails are absolutely delicious too! 2nd, every Tuesday they have $1 oysters and let me tell you, these are amazing! they are a great size & are always fresh, where they are immediately shucked and served once your order gets put in! they also have a number of other happy hour specials including fries & a charcuterie board (my favs)...i'd HIGHY recommended getting a resy for tuesdays, as they do tend to be extremely busy and I have been turned away in the past. if you are turned away, you can go upstairs and just order food and drinks at the bar and eat there! one thing to note it is a lot less formal than the downstairs dining, but definitely worth the deal! they don't have a dedicated parking lot so you can either street park or i'd recommend just ubering since it does get pretty busy in that area!