Best Whiskey Cocktails in Austin!
These three craft cocktail were recommended by several bartenders, distillery owners, and liquor distributors. How I met all of these people sounds like the start of a blonde walks into a bar joke. I read reviews for all of the recommended cocktail bars on yelp and narrowed my selection down to three bars. CU 29, The Firehouse lounge, and The Garage. I also have to give a shout out to our recovery brunch at the Moonshine Grill the next morning.
CU29:
The Story: Bar owner Jenny came to Austin from Ireland and didn’t want “just another Irish pub”. She set out to create a craft cocktail bar in the heart of Austin and did just that! I can assure you that CU29 is anything but “just another pub”.
Experience: We loved our time there from the cocktail and distilling décor to the way that the bartenders worked together to fresh hand whip egg whites for the cocktails. Hilary and I went into enjoy a pre-dinner cocktails we each ordered two wonderful cocktails but the clear favorite was the Friendly Stranger and Lu in New Orleans! It was so good it almost convinced us to be nice to strangers on the street. Almost! After the night out we ended it with a Jameson hot coco and a hot toddy before bed. It was the perfect atmosphere to start and end our night.
Recommendation: I would recommend this for anyone looking for a laidback craft cocktail experience. Its perfect for anybody looking to go out enjoy a cocktail and some company! The drinks were absolutely amazing and the environment was perfect for a date or group setting.
They had a great whiskey combination of rare, classic and local whiskies for anyone looking for the perfect pour. The drinks defiantly take a little bit of love so I wouldn’t go in if you are in a big rush.
The Firehouse Lounge:
The Story: The Firehouse lounge is a speak easy in the firehouse hostel behind the book case. The hostel is a converted fire house and looks a little scary from the outside but trust me, you want to go in…
Experience: I adored this location! It is speak easy and in true fashion make the prohibition drinks that I love so much. It is hidden behind a book case in the lobby. The moment I walked in I loved it! The bar is a bit higher than the patrons, this allowed you to hear and talk to the bartenders without shouting or feeling uncomfortable. On the contrary, the bartenders went out of their wat to make each guest feel welcome. I adored my old fashioned and time here. Sitting by the service station, I was truly impressed by the bartenders passion to make this bar the best it could be and the attention paid to each drink and costumer.
Recommendation: I would recommend this to groups looking to go out enjoy some good music, quality drinks and avoid the “club scene”. The entrance defiantly plays up the speakeasy feel and the environment is everything I could ever want in my speakeasy. If you are looking to impress your friends or date on a night with a different experience out head to fire house lounge.
The Garage:
The Story: The Garage use to be a valet waiting area for hotel guest and is literally located in the middle of a garage. Hint, the name. It was converted a few times before it ended up as the renowned craft cocktail lounge it is today.
Experience: It was just a popular as advertised and we waited in line for 25 minutes prior to getting in. The location, feel and bartenders are amazing but I am not sure where the music and strobe lights fit in. It was so loud that we had to shout to talk to each other and to our bartender, who was fantastic! The set up displayed a intimate feel while the music portrayed more of a club scene, minus the dance floor. We only stayed for one drink because we could barely hear ourselves think and the lights started to hurt our ears.
Recommendation: The cocktails were very good and they had a great although, slightly over priced whiskey selection. I would recommend this to a younger crowd or someone that enjoys loud music. I’m not sure if I’m getting too old for this scene or just do not like the addition of strobe lights to my cocktail experience, The Garage was not for me.
Moonshine Grill:
The Story: Moonshine is a historic location in Austin, originally a German dry goods and grocery store that doubled as a temporary home for German immigrants stayed open for almost 100 years. After it was utilized as several different businesses until it became Moonshine Grill.
Experience: I might have needed some delicious filling food to save me from the night before, moonshines did not disappoint. Not only did they have a utterly heavenly buffet including my favorite cheesy rice, chicken fried steak, and much more.
To make it even better, the manager is a bourbon enthusiast. He hand selected a barrel of Russell’s Reserve one of my personal favorites and they are selling the pappy 12 year for $35 a pour. As this point the I felt like the angels may have opened the sky because it got better.
At the same time I got my Pappy, a Bulleit trailer pulled up outside that opened on to a full bar display, couch inside and television on the back. Malcom said that they do events across the United States to “spread the good gospel of bourbon”. I’m not very religious but I may convert! Moonshine hosting that bourbon event that morning could not have been a more wonderful surprise!
Recommendation: I recommend this to brunch lovers everywhere! The food was absolutely amazing, even better after a night out. They have a wonderful bourbon selection with an even better price. The decor makes a perfect place to have a meal with friends and plenty of space to host a event. Most importantly for me it perfect for the day for a hangover brunch and a little bit of “good gospel” on a Sunday.
Have a great night out in Austin! I’m off to yoga. Cheers!
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