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- Hours:
Mon-Sun 4:30 pm - 2 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Wed, Thu
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
We are one of Austin's premiere hookah lounges offering over 80+ flavors of hookah tobacco, delicious Moroccan teas, great music, and a great atmosphere.
76 reviews for Crow Bar
Review Highlights
"Great jukebox, yummy specialty cocktails, and a nice draft..."
(in 6 reviews)
"Several hot bartenders (hey Lindsey."
(in 20 reviews)
"Cool bar and awesome mixed home made drinks."
(in 3 reviews)
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76 reviews in English
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Review from Molly c.
2/22/2012
i'm kinda an old-school, metal-/rock chick who isn't into crowds, pretension or mega-douchery.
enter the crow.
it's somewhat dive-y with a bit of a hard edge but make no mistake - this place has it all. the bartenders are super sweet and the jukebox has plenty of iron maiden.
the clientele range greatly in age, style and degree of soberness, alot of the guys look like they just woke up on the floor of a cab and ventured out but who cares. there's a cool seating area out front directly across from st. edwards campus so it's quite quiet and mellow but good for people or car watching. the bar outside usually only functions on the weekend nights. far enough away from 6th street, close enough to feel neighborhoody.
this place is my now-been-a-while go-to bar of choice.
rockin logo (crow skull & crossed crow bars) and tee shirts too.
the ladies loo always smells terrible, though. i don't like that. -
Review from Twelve B.
Austin, TX
11/28/2011
Best bar in Austin, hands down. I always have a good time, I always meet new people, and the drinks are always strong enough for me. And I'm no slouch. Michelle and Gillian are the best bartenders ever!!! Fun, personable, and quick. Gotta love it.
P.S. If you see me at the bar, buy me a drink, and I'll gladly getcha back. -
Review from Valerie P.
Sunset Valley, TX
11/22/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Interesting concept. There are not bartenders here, they are mixologists. Yes, the drinks are a bit more expensive, but these are not your typically Jack and Coke, Vodka and Cranberry type of drinks. These are culinary achievements. I love what the Mixologists do with cucumber, basil and ginger, trust me you put those together with gin or vodka and it is a partay in your mouth.
I intend on stopping by again for some post-flight drinks to start off the T-day festivities right! -
Review from Erin G.
Shreveport, LA
2/27/2012
Pool tables and strong drinks are all i really ask for in a bar, and this place delivers. Friendly staff who can make amazing drinks and tell decent jokes are just a bonus. There is also plenty of outdoor seating, and the music isn't the same hip crybaby shite other dive bars in the area play. and the fact that its barely a two minute drive from my house makes this my "go-to" watering hole.
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Review from LeeAnn C.
Austin, TX
2/6/2012
Great neighborhood bar atmosphere. My group actually found one of the two pool tables open. I did not have a mixed drink so I can't speak for the skills of the "mixologist", I had a draft beer that was cold and good.
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Review from Ryan R.
10/22/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I've been meaning to check out Crow Bar for a while. I swung by for an afternoon drink with a friend today, and this place definitely lives up to the hype. I felt like I got cooler just walking in the door; like maybe now I could pull off wearing a deep v-neck or something, and if anybody ever disparaged my choice of attire I'd just be like, "Hey! I hang out at Crow Bar. I've EARNED this deep v" and they'd be like, "Right on! Sorry about the mix-up."
You probably don't care about my inner dialogue so here's some other stuff: The beer and mixed drink selection left little to be desired. I tried a (512) Pecan, which instantly made its way into my all-time-favorites list but still seemed a little pricey at $5. The lone bartender served us quickly and was friendly/helpful.
The aspect of this bar that I really love is the atmosphere. The exterior is quaint but cool and opens up to a dark and edgy interior. The patio out front is open and breezy and comes complete with a nice little bar for those of us who enjoy the great outdoors. Given that I could throw a rock and hit Crow Bar from my apartment and have always wanted to wear deep v-necks, I'll venture to say I'll become a regular here.Listed in: Courage on Draft
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Review from Adam L.
Austin, TX
11/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
I go here every now and then to get my old school fancy fuck cocktails every now and then.
It is an alright spot to tie one on or just get a few. I pop in during the summer for a Pimm's Cup and in the non-summer months for a sazerac. I am not always in the area but when I am, Crow Bar gets a little consideration. -
Review from Coral L.
Austin, TX
11/7/2011
This place has the best section of drinks in SOUTH Austin!
You can't bring your dog though, not even outside (or hiding in your purse at the bar). -
Review from Jack C.
8/27/2011
Now, when Mr. Smidgens can walk into a bar and his Powers whiskey is poured and placed on the bar top before he can sit down, that's outstanding! Thank you Gillian.
I have been to the Crow Bar on several occasions. My big sis is quite the regular and she would always invite me. I finally went one night and was intrigued by the outside bar and all the inked Bettys serving up some tasty libations. I went several times before even setting foot inside where not only you can find the restrooms, but a pool table, ample seating at and around the bar, and to keep from melting A/C!
It's a place to talk your troubles away or just kick back and watch all the interesting peeps that hang out. I have introduced several of my friends to the Crow Bar and they quite enjoy it. With the exception of one time I took a friend and as we walked into the bar there was a faint smell of something I did not catch on our way to the outside bar on the patio.
Well as we made our way back inside...SMACK!! My nostrils were assaulted with the putrid smell of someones dinner that had made its way back out and onto the floor. YIKES!! No thank you very much! I guess some dipster had one too many PBRs and lost it.
The crew at the Crow Bar have since made sure there is no smidgen of that smell left in the air. So, it's safe to check out the inside bar again. I am sure when it cools off a bit the outside patio will be a pleasant sanctuary once again. They have plenty of beers on tap and tons of great mixed to order drinks.
You can start a tab at any of the bars and go back and fourth between both bars to wet your whistle. Remember kiddies, there is a $10 minimum on credit card tabs and if you forget to close out, they just charge you 20% gratuity. Not too shabby if you ask me. Are you asking me? No? Well no need to silly. I just told you.
Now go fourth and be mary or whoever you want to be, but give the Crow Bar a try and you will understand.
Kuuuuukaawwwwwwww!!!!!! -
Review from Hael F.
8/30/2011 4 Check-ins Here
I have found the mothership where aging pseudo hipsters come to imbibe in booze (which is typically a Lone Star tallboy). That aside, this is a pretty cool SoCo hangout.
Despite the heavily hipstered crowd there are redeeming factors that make this watering hole worthwile. One being their amazing mixed drink menu. I haven't seen such a stellar list of mixed and muddled cocktails since leaving Portland.
The atmosphere suffers a bit from acute bipolar disorder. The interior is lacking quite a bit; dark, dingy and uninviting. The outdoor patio on the other hand is the major draw to this place. The exterior booze garden is amazing; lots of seating, great lighting and good people watching with a bar only 15 feet away.
The staff can be hit or miss wavering between apathetic hipsters syndrome to genuine openness. Never been in a hurry to get a drink (even during the week) because you're not going to get served right away.
Parking can be a bit of a bugger when it's busy with most of the neighbor on-street spots being taken. It's best to park in the Ben White Florist lot which they have any agreement with.
Overall, this is the place to be on South Congress... the patio is so worth it! -
Review from Cory B.
Austin, TX
7/21/2011
It's 2011. If you can't afford to process credit/debit cards, then you can't afford to be in business.
I understand that there's a prominent sign that says $10 minimum on credit cards. I also understand that my bill came to $9. I'm a firm believer that if you're best answer is "It's our policy," then you need a new policy.
She wouldn't budge on the buck. Instead, she urged me twice to just buy another beer. When I declined, "Well, I guess I can just charge you the full $10."
Well done, Crow Bar. You won the argument and lost the customer. Enjoy the buck.
The bar itself is okay, but decks & Shiners are a dime a dozen in Austin. -
Review from Mark P.
Austin, TX
9/28/2011
I love Crow Bar. It's within an easy walk of my place, it's just slightly divey but not really, and always has a nice crowd. For the style of bar I didn't expect them to have awesome signature cocktails but they do.
I removed one star because they removed a bunch of arcade stuff recently that I think played well to their style. They had a World Poker Tour pinball machine that did suck, but I'd much rather have seen it get replaced with a different game than be totally removed. They also dropped their two touch-screen game machines which were so worth keeping for Erotic Photo Hunt. Bring pinball back! -
Review from Nandy S.
Austin, TX
8/31/2011
Love this place. Good beer on tap, great mixed drinks. Excuse me, AWESOME mixed drinks. Like Portland awesome. (Yes, I have to echo a fellow Yelper on this one). Their cocktail menu reminds me of the XV or the Space Room Lounge...except Texas style.
And Texas style means deck and freedom to smoke (unsnarked and dry). And motorcycles, obnoxious classic cars and prostitutes (or St. Edward's students) stumbling across South Congress.
The Devil's Tongue is by far my favorite. Soooo spicy and it will leave your lips humming. Kiss someone after you've had a few
I don't mind the parking situation, walking through a 78704 neighborhood at night isn't a bad thing. -
Review from Katherine C.
Austin, TX
11/21/2011
After reading Jackson M.'s reviews from August 28th and 30th, I probably won't return. REALLY?? The owner wrote to you? How unprofessional can you be?! What he should have done was thank Jackson M. and use the review to improve the business. Watch this business go down hill quickly...
Anyway, before reading that I probably would have given the place 2 or 3 stars. There isn't really anything WRONG with the place, there's just nothing special about it and the bartender seemed rather pretentious. (The door guy was cool though, so he gets 5 stars.)
And yes... $10 minimum. I generally always pay with cash, but I realized that I only had $4 cash on me and my tab was only $4 since I only had one beer as I'm not a big drinker. Soooo... the bartender wouldn't run my card for less than $10, which I'm not about to allow for a $4 beer so I was unable to tip her and felt bad! :(
(That isn't her fault of course, but I would prefer any bar that I call "mine" to work with me now and then and cut me a break on the days when I only have $4 since I do generally always use cash. I won't be calling this bar "mine".) -
Review from Jon M.
7/16/2011
Went on a Thursday night and there was a sizable crowd on the patio-kinda trendy. We went inside to the bar. The bartender took more than her sweet time to serve us including wiping down the other side of the bar, chatting with another bartender, and re-arranging bottles on the wall-did not play into my rating though.
We bought two different specialty drinks, one was ginger lemonade and the other was a blackberry (and gin I think?) mix. The lemonade was tasty and the blackberry drink was ok but overall I was not impressed ($8 a piece if I remember right). I love trying new drinks and original combinations but if I come to a place with specialty cocktails I expect them to be high quality. I've had less original but better drinks at cheaper prices throughout Austin.
It is worth coming to try some of their original drinks but I do not think I could ever be a regular. -
Review from Scuba F.
Austin, TX
7/5/2011
I went here for the first time the other night after passing by often. The first thing that grabbed my attention was jukebox. Just passing by it was open to a page that had Scott H. Biram, Nick Cave, Tom Waits and a couple other great artists that I can't recall. This is a good sign.
The next thing was the beers on tap-probably about 10 mostly(all?) local beers. Another good sign.
Then there was actually getting to the bar. Both bartenders were working on some cocktails and it was clear they were doing this well. I didn't want a mixed drink, however-I wanted a beer.
And I wanted for awhile. The line wasn't particularly long, but I spent a lot of time waiting for other people's fancy drinks to be done before I could get a beer. And it was on the higher end pricewise. It was the only sour part to an otherwise good experience.
I'm going to come back and possibly with regularity. The fact that, as someone else pointed out, they make a good old fashioned is going to make me return just to see for myself. -
Review from Rachelle M.
Austin, TX
4/11/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I really, really like the Crow Bar. In fact, its kinda my new fave. The Crowd is kinda artsy, but completely non-pretentious. Both visits we've ended up at a table other than our own and had some great conversations.
Beer selection is good, but overall drinking here is not cheap. They have a Veggie and Carniovore Friendly- BBQ Trailer that makes table top delivery.
Will most certainly be back! -
Review from Daniel J.
9/2/2011
Despite the fact that I paid $5 for a Fireman's 4 for the first time in my life, I will say that this was and would continue to be a perfectly fine place to spend a few hours engaged in pleasant conversation with a beautiful woman.
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Review from Merrill L.
Austin, TX
5/15/2011
Great jukebox, yummy specialty cocktails, and a nice draft beer selection. It has a very relaxing atmosphere, a definitely a good place to just hang out and have a few drinks with friends.
Crow Bar has a great patio area for the people who like to smoke or just enjoy the beautiful Austin weather. I've never had issues when it comes to parking. Speaking of the parking lot there is a little BBQ food trailer that is always cooking up something delicious. I've yet to eat there, but it smells an looks heavenly!
Before wrapping this up I wanted to let everyone know the bar tenders at Crow Bar can mix up a mean White Russian..... I'm not a fan of White Russians, but my boyfriend is and he LOVES the ones they make there. -
Review from Tony B.
12/8/2010 5 Check-ins Here
Man, I dig this place...
Pros:
1. Great bartenders. Friendly, fun to look at, attentive, are cool with mild stupid booze fueled harmless flirting, can mix up a mean drink. Dare I call them...Mixologists?
2. Patio. Big...ample seating...2 steps away from the outside bar!
3. Selection. Great classic cocktails done right! Decent beer selection.
4. Jukebox is BADASS!
5. Cozy and unpretentious.
Cons:
1. Not really a con, but more entertaining...psuedo-hipsters. You make me giggle! Finish your PBR and you can leave...
2. Patio doesn't allow dogs. That makes me sad...
3. What happened to that really cool burger truck next door?
4. Parking can be a pain sometimes...but then again, I really shouldn't be driving if I'm drinking...uh...hmmm...anyway...
5. You're not in my N Austin neighborhood. Damn you!Listed in: Liver shmiver...
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Review from Mad A.
Austin, TX
9/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
The Crows Nest is a pretty fun bar. Big draw for the St. Edwards crowd. Great mix of friendly folks and good conversation. I love the fact that the inside bar smells like a bar is supposed to smell...you know..like a bar! Pool tables and beer and liquor schwagg. The bar tender is spirited and with attitude and she knows how to pour a tap beer!! (believe me it IS important). Good selection of creative drinks and good variety of tap beers on pint night. Glad to see that the art of conversation still occurs here. Not much on the food menu but hot dogs right now, no worries.. I was not hungry because I was eatin' the 3 dollar pints. They say they will have a new food menu next week. Good music too.
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Review from Clint S.
Austin, TX
6/10/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Got wonderful options for drinks!
Local Hood Hang out -
Review from Jacob H.
Austin, TX
12/21/2011
this place is ok. i live around the corner from here and come here from time to time. more out of boredom or lack of options. they didnt use to have happy hour much when they first opened. now they do. not that great. otherwise drinks are average to high priced for basic drinks and beers. not the friendliest if they dont know you. kinda snobbish hipster at times. makes me want to go to 04 lounge to avoid this. overrral kinda disappointed in crow bar since it opened. there are so many better places with better drinks that are made by "mixologists" with good food and apps as well. this would never be a choice if i was looking for a specialty drink. this place is more like a 2nd to last choice.
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Review from Steve O.
Austin, TX
Updated - 12/18/2010
Went back recently with some co-workers and picked up the tab for a dozen people. People drank their fill and played free pool all night and I got out of there for less than $200.
This place is cool (but not too cool), the drinks are cheap, the 'tenders seem to have their stuff together, and I can walk here from (and more importantly, back to!) my house.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/24/2010
The owner of Crow Bar seems like a real nice guy that's proud of his bar. There's an indoor and an… Read more »
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Review from Jessica E.
Austin, TX
9/24/2010
After a day of work, I decided to meet my coworker at the Crow Bar on a Friday at around 5:30pm. The service reeks of California-esk better-than-thou attitude that I really did not appreciate. The "specials" consisted of a $7 mixed drink. The owner was unwelcoming which was surprising given that there were a total of four people inside.
I would not return as there are far better happy hours around town. If you're going to charge a lot for a drink at least be friendly...this is friggin Austin, not LA. I had higher hopes for this neighborhood bar. -
Review from Kevin N.
Give the place half a chance and it's likely that Crow Bar might surprise you: a visit to the website or the patio out front might make this place look a little pedestrian, like any manner of happy circumstance and hoppy delight, a brew-forward assortment of tables and friends. But dig a little deeper, venture a little further into the darker recesses, and you'll find a cocktail sensitive assortment of libations to be had.
It's true, they love to mix up a swirling dervish of wonderment in the back bar, and it's not unusual (at least it hasn't been in my few trips in) that you'll find a few folks enjoy the latest mixologist's delights. The drinks they feature seem to rotate out regularly, with an eye toward seasonality. And there are plenty of eccentric brews on tap to make this beer fan jazzed. I'll say this -- I've never found Crow Bar to be dull. And occasionally it can be pretty cool to find those initial appearances deceiving.Listed in: Austin!, Some Austin Night Spots, Drinking in Austin
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Review from Ashley J.
Austin, TX
10/7/2010
I was charged $2 for a small club soda. A bar in the airport wouldn't even do that. The Double Down Lounge has $1 beers at their happy hour and I was charged twice that for carbonated water at Crow Bar.
I was carded at the door at 5pm which is odd...I suppose they must charge for carbonated water so they can pay the door guy.
Also, they were not playing any music. It was a boring and over-priced bar. The patio is nice though. They get two stars for a nice patio. -
Review from Kelly S.
8/7/2010 1 Check-in Here
Crow is totally the new bat.
I drank something named "Odin's Breath" here... and apart from the implication that the gin based drink was issued from the mouth of a Norse god, it was damn good. Not too sweet -- and enough interesting flavor (basil) to perk up my tastebuds.
Outside of this drink, my two male companions both ordered something really manly... a belgian white. But they gave me the fruit :) The bar is laid out nicely -- small but with enough room to sashay around in your skinny jeans. I saw quite a few overgrown mustaches but nothing was in your face hipster.
The bartendresses had amazing ink and were also super nice. It's a great spot to have a plain old beer... or a specialty cocktail. And I just love saying that I'm going to the "crowbar." They should give out complimentary beer openers shaped like crowbars to celebrate their awesomeness.Listed in: Five Star Studs, Down and Dirty: Dive Into Dive…, Strength in Numbers (of shots), Patios In Austin, Texas, South Congress Cool
Comment from steve g. of Crow Bar 8/29/2010
Glad you dig our place Kelly-it means a lot!! We look… More » -
Review from Kimberly K.
Austin, TX
11/22/2010
I was told by a couple of friends about the Crow Bar, and finally made it out for a drink. Overall, I really like this little bar.
The bar has an intimate feeling, and always a plus - wifi! My favorite thing is the awesome mixed specialty drinks, which were really creative, oh so tasty and fresh! The drinks of the day change and there about 8 options on a big chalkboard by the bar the day I hung out.
I had a 'Odin's breath' which was a herbal and refreshing gin, mint, basil drink. My favorite drink was a "Lavender infused vodka, strawberry lemonade". It was the most delicious drink I've had in awhile. The lavender with the strawberries had a light , almost vanilla flavor - highly recommend!
The best part about this bar, outside of the drinks, was the customer service. The owner was behind the bar, smiling and friendly. The door guy was extremely courteous, as well as the rest of the bartenders.
Only two down sides - They don't allow dogs, though they have have a perfect outdoor patio for it.. The owner had a very reasonable explanation about insurance and was quick with a friendly "sorry!". Also, the specialty drinks are about 8$ each, and though they are extra delicious, you can only afford about two at that price.
This bar needs the word spread , so I hope you check it out and enjoy the lavender lemonade as much as I did! -
Review from Amanda S.
Austin, TX
3/2/2011
I love this Bar! This bar has kinda turned into one of favorite bars to hang out here in south austin. They have a great list of mixed drinks to choose from which are fun every now and then, and a great selection of beer. More importantly they have excellent outdoor seating and a trailer in back for when you need to get some food.
I find crow bar to be a comfortable and cool place to hang out in my neighborhood. I have hung out here with friends mostly, but I even brought the parents here when they came into town to visit and they enjoyed it as well. I think they really wanted to check it out bc I kept talking about it -- Crow Bar you lived up to the expectations ... thank you! -
Review from Chiqui B.
Kyle, TX
Interesting crowd every time. They have a jukebox, pool, and local beer on tap. And to the dude who wrote about the $9 bar tab he was so butt-hurt about: Go back to 6th street where you belong!
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Review from Laura G.
Austin, TX
7/8/2010 ROTD 8/17/2010
I'm FROM Austin; born & bred. I have heard, and seen, through the years the notoriety that spawned from the Cosmic Cowboy era. Days when the Outlaws roamed around the city; Willie, Waylon, and the Boys.
As kids, we dressed like we were extras from Kenny Rogers movie "Six Pack", and we roamed through Austin and made it the big city...small town that it is. We WoodShocked before there were festivals. We skated around the city, before Red Bull wanted to film it and call it "extreme". We always had time for a friend, and always were happy to make new ones.
The Crow Bar is what happens when good ol' Austin kids come home and make a bar; they make it RIGHT.
Plenty of parking, AC, a gorgeous deck, and what seems like a, "Where you been?" attitude. (In fact Leo, at the door, was already positive we were friends before I set foot on the entrance ramp.) You almost expect to see Wiley Wiggins hanging in the corner as Paula Nelson walks through the door.
Yvonne is so sweet it gives me a cavity just thinking of her hospitality right now. She's the kind Momma behind the bar asking you how you are. Lindsey is a living doll, who refilled my drink without me even asking (on the house -- cause you're already like family).
These are the kinds of people you WANT to get to know better. Thank goodness they have a place where you can do that. It's called the Crow Bar. Pry yourself off your sofa, & come on out and have a drink. -
Review from Whitney F.
Austin, TX
7/18/2010
It's early Sunday evening, and the theme of this weekend has been "day drinking". So here I sit, before the sun has even come close to dipping in the horizon, having cocktails with Hadley H. at our new favorite bar, Crow Bar.
The cocktails here are great--the owner made my Hemmingway and then discussed its similarities and differences to a Sidecar with me--but it was just one of 15 drinks currently on their cocktail board. Apparently these will change every couple months, as will their selection of craft beers.
In addition to the drinks, I love the inside with its dimly lit banquettes and hair metal-preferred jukebox. There's also the billiards room and a sizeable deck, but until the heat subsides come September, I'll keep hanging back in the main bar area.
There are few places in Austin I actually hesitate to review based on not wanting to ruin them, but I'll take the risk just because this bar is so hip. Crow bar, thanks for making South Austin just even better than it already was. -
Review from Emily F.
8/24/2010 1 Check-in Here
Anticipation built as I watched the outside of this vacant building transform into a magnificent patio. A bar in South Austin! Yippee!
Too bad I was sorely let down.
On a Friday night, my first impression was, "Wow - this place is hoppin'!" And this was weeks before school started back up, so the throngs of St. Edward's students were not hitting the place up.
Long story short, it took one long line, one "Sorry, try again - we're outta that!", 30 minutes and one REALLY slow bartender to even get our first sips. I appreciate that the bartender gave us a discount due to the slow service, but even then, the drinks were pricey.Comment from steve g. of Crow Bar 8/29/2010
Hey Emily, sorry your first experience was not great. I'm… More » -
Review from Jade W.
Austin, TX
8/30/2010
Crow Bar. Cool name, interesting atmosphere, pretty good juke box. The location is nice if you're in that neighborhood.
I'm giving it two stars because I hear its more of a beer bar than a cocktail bar. I went with some friends and my husband the other night. My friend and I were looking for good cocktails and thought we'd give theirs a try. Big mistake. I should have ordered a pint. My husband chose the safe route and didn't have any problems.
I ordered a Pimms Cup and my friend ordered a drink called Odin's Breath. Both were pretty bad and 8 bucks each. I didn't know it was possible to screw up a Pimms cup, but apparently it can be done. Odin's Breath was pretty bad, too. I'm glad I didn't order it. It sort of looked and tasted like radioactive bile.
Here's the deal, though. I can handle paying for bad drinks. Hell, I drank what I ordered and ordered 3 more. But my complaint is in the service. The bartenders were both REALLY slow and barely ever checked on us (we were sitting AT the bar). There were two bartenders; one nice and one who wouldn't talk to you unless you're a guy. At one point, I tried to order a drink from her and she acted very annoyed. Not sure if it was the fact that she was stressed out about making me another "signature" cocktail or the fact that I didn't have a penis. Either way, I'm going to leave you with this:
Go somewhere else. -
Review from Suzie M.
6/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
The husbster and I stopped in here for that one last libation after making an evening of it on SoCo, and I must say I really liked the joint. Mind you, we had been eating and drinking our way up and down the boulevard, so I only had one eye open by the time we stopped in here, but still...very relaxed atmosphere, nice and dark inside, sweet patio out front, nice beer selection...what's not to like? I'd stop by there again.
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Review from Stefanie Z.
Austin, TX
11/5/2010
Crow Bar was a huge disappointment to me. I chose to celebrate my birthday there because it is convenient to my apartment, and I was looking for somewhere low-key. Big Mistake.
The interior of the bar is unremarkable at best, and the bar staff is terrible. My friends and I are all S.I., so it's obvious to us when someone doesn't know how to make drinks. Their bartenders had no product or drink knowledge. They also failed to pick up empty glassware and bottles until right before last call. We seriously sat at our table with an ever-increasing centerpiece of dirty glasses. Unacceptable.
The only time the staff seemed to put any effort into their work was after last call. TABC law allows until 2:15 for patrons to finish their drinks. However, Crow Bar staff rudely ushered their customers out the door only 5 minutes after last call. Too bad the staff doesn't put as much effort into service, otherwise they might not have so many bad reviews.
Don't waste time and money at Crow Bar. It's worth driving a bit up the road to better bars like BSS. -
Review from Britton G.
Austin, TX
9/5/2010 1 Check-in Here
I have to say I like this bar. It seems that the owner does a good job at reading reviews and attempting to change things. (Ex: people say parking sucks, they put signs up that tell people where they can park. esc) Right when I walked in the door guy checked our ID's, he did not seem very friendly but the fact that he shot out of his seat to open the door for us was awesome.
The bartenders are the same way. We waited to get our drink behind two other people who were not really paying attention so they served us. Of course we get the glares from the chatty girls to which the bartender quickly informed them she asked them 3 times what they wanted with no response. The staff is interesting, they are not overly friendly but they are not rude. They are just right down to business. Its reminds me a lot of what you would see from bartenders in a busy bar in NYC.
The building must be made out of Marry Poppins bag because it looks tiny from the outside but huge on the inside. It has plenty of tables and two kinda cramped pool tables. Overall a nice environment but comes off more of a restaurant than a bar.
The prices were good if you were drinking beer. I on the other hand can't drink beer and drink ciders and $6.00 for a Strongbow is what made me give this place 4 stars. I get the whole thing that ciders cost more for them to purchase but with other bars in the area charging $4.00 to $5.00 for a Strongbow you may feel that your paying a lot more. What I should have done though is checked if they had Deep Eddie Sweet Tea Vodka which is AMAZING!
Overall the bar is awesome. Nice patio, great indoors and a staff I don't mind having to interact with. Hell who knows if I go there enough I may enjoy interacting with them. Its worth my drive from up north (Roundrock) to check it out. -
Review from Andrea L.
Austin, TX
Soco Bar! North Austin needs help with this! Cool bar and awesome mixed home made drinks! Not a mix drink gal, but they did look good!
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Review from Keri B.
This bar has only been open a week and bff and I checked it out last nite. We chatted with Mike, the owner, for a while. It's a really cool place (and I mean that literally. The AC is kickin!)! The building is roughly 85 yrs old and used to be a church AND a brothel (not at the same time, he says). It looks like a church which makes it that much cooler drinking shots in it. They musta desecrated it somehow so's I could step foot in there without spontaneously combusting :)
First of all, they have a nice parking lot (soo important on S Congress) with a mother of a tree beautifully embracing it (see pic). They also have a good sized patio out front facing Congress where bff could enjoy his "smokey treats". It was pleasant out yesterday evening, a bit muggy, but I made the sun come out for our date and it was nice.
Inside, they have a front, bright room with 2 pool tables and the main back bar room that is dark but comfy. I mentioned to Mike that it was a cool dive bar. He said he thought of it as a "classy dive bar" and I said that was only cause the floors and walls were so new and clean. After ROT this weekend??? well, we'll see......But Mike and his bartender, Yvonne, were great! These seasoned bartenders didn't strangle me when I asked to see some Tom Cruise "Cocktails" flare behind the bar (that was the Tuaca talking :). Mike also said they have an extinsive list of mixology concoctions that they will begin to offer soon.
They also have some cool Crow Bar artwork on the walls that were originals of the other owner and they intend to make them into Tshirts as well. They have an iTunes jukebox as well that was playing everything from AC/DC to Billy Squier to Teddybears. And they will let you have food delivered to the bar (Southside Flying Pizza is just down the road).
Bff and I will definitely (or defiantly as Joseph B says) be back!
