Retail Therapy Cocktail & Sushi Bar

A true modern-day speakeasy experience from beginning to end. This place gives you both intimate and inviting atmosphere. From enjoying live jazz music, sipping on 1/2 off bottle of wine with a special someone. To experiencing a top-shelf spirit and savory sushi rolls with colleagues or friends. But it’s truly the welcoming service and attentive staff that truly keeps me coming back by keeping you informed on their future events and happy hour specials! This hidden gem is an Austin must visit!

Nestled in Austin, Retail Therapy exudes elegance with its plush furnishings, muted lighting, and sleek marble countertops. The bar's ambiance whispers of luxury, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience. From meticulously crafted cocktails to a curated selection of spirits, every detail is thoughtfully executed. With impeccable service, this is the perfect setting for an evening of sophistication and indulgence in Austin's vibrant nightlife scene.

I’m totally blown away by the classy vibe of this lounge in Austin. From the moment you step in, you just know it’s on another level compared to other places. The attention to detail is superb. Count me in as a regular now – this spot has quickly become my go-to for a great night out.

Retail Therapy blew my mind. First of all, the toilet is BLACK (in a good way). Bee was our server and she was a queen goddess and so helpful. The espresso martini even came with a little tiramisu, are you kidding me??? The bar was sleek, gorgeous, stunning, the vibes were perfect. The drink menu is huge and to die for. The shoes when you enter? Taylor Swift basically offering you a drink?? Mouthwash in the bathroom, that may have accidentally been used as hand soap??? What more could a girl ask for.

I was initially excited to hear about Retail Therapy opening and took the opportunity to check it out. Unfortunately, there are some underlying issues that affected the overall experience. I had some high hopes on this one for service on June 9, 2024. Let’s start with the “dress code guidelines” or lack thereof. It’s understandable if there was a stated dress code at this bar (the website has no mention of this) but to not let someone in because they are wearing shorts is ridiculous as it’s 90 degrees in Texas. Honestly that wasn’t what bothered me the most, what DID bother me was the fact they didn’t let one of my friends in initially but they let other people enter while wearing shorts, bikini tops, mesh slips; some essentially half naked. Obviously dress code is not uniformly enforced (even the staff is wearing shorts inside as we would see). When my friend mentioned the people allowed entry and the inconsistent dress code enforcement, this resulted in the door man to finally let him in while aggressively asking him to not make a scene. Profiling should not be okay. When we entered, there was a considerable lack of people outside of the staff, and frankly, drinks were pretentious and basic considering the pricing. I’m an Austinite and always love to experience a good energy environment and enjoy amazing high quality drinks, but this place was just not it and it really disappointed. Retail Therapy needs a lot of work outside of the decor; unfortunately I won’t ever come back here due to the negative experience. This place does not represent the Austin vibe so I do not recommend if you’re looking for a fun cool experience.

We had wonderful experience with our friends last night! The staff was friendly and service was amazing. It’s a very nice lounge with good music and drinks. I love the dark, alluring and classy vibe!

Retail Therapy is an absolute gem nestled in the heart of Austin, Texas. From the moment you step through the door, you're transported into a world of luxury and sophistication. The ambiance is both chic and inviting, making it the perfect spot for a night out with friends or a romantic evening with that special someone.The cocktail menu is nothing short of extraordinary, boasting a delightful array of expertly crafted drinks that tantalize the taste buds and leave you craving more. Whether you're in the mood for a classic martini or feeling adventurous and want to try one of their signature creations, you won't be disappointed.But it's not just the drinks that shine at Retail Therapy; the service is impeccable. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and always eager to ensure that your experience is nothing short of perfect. They go above and beyond to make you feel welcome and cater to your every need.And let's not forget about the atmosphere. The sleek and modern decor, coupled with the soft lighting and cozy seating, creates an ambiance that is both intimate and upscale. It's the kind of place where you can unwind after a long day or celebrate a special occasion in style.Overall, Retail Therapy is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a memorable night out in Austin. Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur or simply appreciate the finer things in life, this establishment will exceed your expectations in every way possible. I can't wait to return and indulge in another round of exquisite drinks and exceptional service. Cheers to Retail Therapy for setting the standard for cocktail lounges in Austin!

Great new bar in Austin! Drinks were a bit pricey but very unique and delicious. Great service and an upscale environment.

The bar is unsuspecting from the street but you will find it is beautifully decorated, including the ode to Taylor Swift upon entry, aiming to be quite vibey. It was a bit empty when I went around 8 pm on Friday, as well as when I went back for happy hour on a Thursday, so sadly there wasn't much of a vibe at all outside of our hang with the Swift portrait. The cocktails are good and well balanced. On first go, I went for a standard martini and per the menus request, tried as is instead of my standard dirty martini. The martini is on the "affordable" page of $18 drinks. The happy hour menu has a selection of $10 cocktails so is deffo the move if you have been eying this spot. Outside of beer, the HH menu and the one page of $18 drinks, the spirited prices are outrageous, at $22-$25 per. This isn't the Jimmy Rooftop at the James Hotel, or Soho at all for that matter. The servers were knowledgable and friendly, and make great cocktails. With the right music and a more palatable price point, I think the people will come, it's almost there!

The concept was great, but sadly I will not return here. As soon as we walked in there was a sewer like smell and it didn't improve when you entered the bar. Walking in you get a complimentary citrus drink and then get guided into the bar. The cocktails weren't anything special. We ordered a dessert which was crazy expensive $15 for a cheesecake slice. Like really?? That's pretty ridiculous. I had the sherry cobbler which was fine.

I LOVED the atmosphere right away! It almost felt like a speakeasy. From the glittery heels on the shelves to the artwork and the mirrored door, which opened into the lounge/bar area. It felt very exclusive and fancy. The menu reminded me of a vogue magazine. The first drink I ordered (forget the name but it had boba) unfortunately wasn't great. The boba was hard and mostly why I ordered the drink, but fortunately the bartender offered to make me something else (their mai tai), which I did enjoy and appreciate! My friend had their spicy margarita which was really good and probably what I will order in the future. They also brought us a complimentary sample of food (they had just officially opened the day prior and are going to start serving food next week). It consisted of a sample of sushi, pan-fried dumpling, and fried chicken. I wish I had taken a picture of it but it was great. The chicken was probably my favorite.

This place is a speakeasy vibe, if you like Devil May Care or Here nor There, this is the same intimate feel and fun vibe. We went because we knew DJ Mike Swing was going to be playing and we love his music playlists. Shoutout to Nimbus the new bartender whose first night was this Saturday, he did a phenomenal job w drinks and keeping up w the crowd. We arrived right at 9p and although we didn't have reservations we were able to sit at the bar, by 10p it was standing room only. Didn't try any food but we'll be back for sure! Only knocking a star because drink prices are a bit steep with $22-$25 a pop. So be prepared to spend, they were all delicious though that we tried.

I was intrigued by this place because there's a Taylor Swift painting right when you walk in. As a Swiftie, i needed to check it out. My group of girlfriends and I had reservations on a Saturday night. We were seated in the closed of VIP room. It feels like a fishbowl but we didn't mind, as it allowed us to talk more openly and be able to hear each other. We chatted with the owner and appreciated hearing his efforts and thoughts behind this concept. It's a beautiful space. Drinks were varied but we decided on bubbles. They learned it was my birthday so they brought out a slice of confetti covered vanilla cake and a candle. I so appreciated that! The bathroom is really cool and lotsa opportunities and nooks and crannies for photos, especially if you're all dressed up. The DJ also played my Taylor Swift song request towards the end of the night. But the music was so good! Mostly hip hop.

Am I the first to review? Woohoo! So I wandered upon this place after dinner at Perry's with my date. We were trying to figure out where to go and I picked this place out from google maps. When we got to the door, we were told that this place had only been opened for a week and since it was still new and no marketing has been done, we were seated right away. It's very similar to here not there that it's mostly reservation based and they provide you with a small drink upon entry. The drink menu are made to look like magazines and the cocktails are quite expensive. All cocktails are $25. While I enjoy the atmosphere of the place for my date, the drinks are very similar to other speakeasies around town. It's definitely a great place for a date if you're looking to impress someone.

I hate to leave a review because I don't want people to find out about this incredible place. We were there to celebrate a friend's birthday. Going in feels like access to a very exclusive club. The drinks and the wall of shoes before entering are nice touch. The service and ambiance were immaculate. We had the honor of meeting the co-owners. They were both exceptionally kind. The birthday girl was treated as a VIP. We couldn't have asked for a better experience.

Amazing Experience! If you're looking for a classy, unforgettable experience, Busy Signal is a must-visit. It's a hidden gem that promises an evening of pure elegance, opulence, and, charm.

The ambiance is interesting going into what looks like a shoe store and getting into what looks like a club with tables. The drinks were okay and nothing to write home about. For the price they charge the drinks should have been much better and the bartenders should have been much more knowledgeable. I ordered a drink from the menu and he didn't know how to make it off hand and bottles had the amounts of each ingredient labeled on the bottle itself. Even then, he re-made my drink at least twice. Appreciated the effort but after all of that, it was still just okay.

Mixed reviews on this place. The TL;DR is Kaz is INCREDIBLE and the drinks are too expensive. The other server didn't acknowledge us for 20 minutes until we went up to the bar to order. She then came over to our table to apologize and took our order...but then never put it in since we waited another 20 minutes without drinks. For $22 a drink, this is insane. Kaz again to save the day. She came over and re-took our drink orders and they were out within minutes. So overall waited almost an hour for a drink that cost 2x normal prices. I think they have some kinks to work out with their service and should evaluate their pricing model but would be willing to check it out again with some changes.