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Black & Tan / Orchid
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon-Sun. 9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Wed, Sat
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
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"Staying at the Hyatt this was a wonder bar to visit in the evening. It's chique, large, modern and littered with friendly people there on…" read more »
7 reviews for Black & Tan / Orchid
What is art? Black & Tan made me ask myself this question Saturday night. Here's what I figured out: art is subjective, art is personal, to some art is the photography in those Fantastic Sam's hair catalogs, and I'm a total bitch.
Overall Black & Tan's interior is attractive and clean; tan suede-like couches, cool wall hangings with a branch motif, and beautiful yellow glass light fixtures. And then there are those two huge black and white photographs over the couches. One of them has got to be pulled from the Fantastic Sam's hair catalog photography collection; the other is of a naked woman with a strategically placed American flag. Some say patriotic, I say embarrassing for our entire nation.
Just like their choice of art-work, the restrooms confused me as well. There are no doors on the stalls, but suede-like curtains. Huh? Why not doors? Like those dressing rooms with curtains instead of doors, it's hard to get them to close all the way, you can't tell if someone's in a stall so you feel like you and all your glory will be exposed at any second, and I'm pretty sure a suede-like curtain will hold more germs than a door you could actually clean.
Music was fun. I still have, "99 problems but a bitch ain't one," going through my head. Our bartender was extremely friendly. There is a back patio.
I'd like to give Black & Tan the benefit of the doubt because they are new, but like art, bars are subjective, bars are personal, to some bars are like Black & Tan, and I'm a total bitch.
Popped into Black & Tan to see what the hubbub was about earlier this week, and I like what they've done with the joint. This has been one of those 'hard-to-thrive' locations in times past, in no small part because the previous incarnations of this bar frankly tried to build something unsustainable. Like a regular crowd.
Well, the new guys have shaped up the place and simplified its formula, and I'm eager to see where it's headed. Gone is the blaring sonic assault that used to permeate here, replaced by a pretty decent jukebox, a patio that cleans up nicely, and the Orchid space next door, which appears to be primed for the bump n' groove. The owners were in the place the other night, and mentioned how excited the Mugshots guys are to have the latest version of this bar in place right next door.
And the way I see it, that says something positive. Here's to good juju.
Last night's Grand Opening for Black + Tan/Orchid was hot and bothered like the middle school dance (sans all the fingerbanging).
Lots of making room for the holy ghost, 80s breakdancing, Elvis/Prince (circa 1991) lookalikes, and sexyfaces everywhere.
Did I mention the $2 Jager shots? All 12 of them?
Their outdoor area is my fave.
Their SXSW lineup promises to be hot as well!
Disclaimer: I like to drink drink drink dance dance dance and am friends with one of the guys who owns this place!
Most bars in this area of Austin don't stick around long. Let's hope this one does. Anything north of Sixth downtown is an immediate plus, as I can avoid the crowds and park closer. The lighting and couches are solid, and the venue had some phenomenal drink specials the night I went. There's not a lot of floor space for standing, and less for dancing, but that makes it all the more fun when I read of DJs doing disco sets here and race to down a few shots so I can be "that guy" standing near the front, nodding his head fervently with approval and losing motor control of his limbs. Favorite bar downtown. I hope it becomes successful yet still remains the hidden gem of Austin nightlife.
Heard of Black & Tan thru one of their Dj's I met at a local art gallery. So a gang of us went to check it out on a Wednesday because that day was recommended. Wednesday's has local rappers and an open mic. Fun ! I loved the enviroment and had a good time BUT just our luck the night we hit the lounge Black & Tan had just hired a new bar tender, that just started that night. Very rude and she had no idea what was behind her bar. She even asked my gf if she wanted a new cup as she ordered another drink. Keep in mind the cups were little clear plastic cups ! Are times that hard?? Other than the rookie bar tender, we managed to laugh it off and continue having a good time. For a Wednesday, they coulda had better specials. Not to mention there were only maybe 20 people in the lounge and half weren't even drinking-too busy on the open mic.
I first sampled Black and Tan at least week's unofficial opening, and came back this week for the "official" opening. One of my good friend's happens to be friends with one of the owner's girlfriend's so I originally kind of got dragged to this place, but I turned out to be pleasantly surprised. Black and Tan is fantastic!! The first night there the place was totally packed, but at the official opening not so much. Not sure why.
The outdoor area is very plush, with some comfy lounging couches. And the Orchid side that is now open is great, with ample dance room, and a couple of pool tables.
I'm pretty sure the $2 yager bombs are temporary, and if you're a big red bull fan such as myself, go ahead and skip the bomb part. Their red bull substitute on hand was not tasty in the least!! But after a few straight yagers, all was forgiven. All the bartenders here also seemed really cool, and I had a great time with a cute one with blonde and pink hair who helped me in solving some beer cap riddles. I'll definitely be back.
I've been to black and tan twice. Once for SXSW and the second was a couple of weeks ago. Not impressed at all. Drinks were really shitty and during SXSW my old job was sponsoring a show there and the lame door guy they flew in from Las Vegas or wherever the hell he was from was such a douchebag. The music selection was just awful. Mugshots and the new bar next door are the only reasons I'd head in that direction now.
