Living Room Lounge - W Hotel Austin

Cool. Classy. Avant-garde. Chick. Sexy. Metropolitan. Weird. Unique. There are so many ways to describe the lounge at the W. It's a great stop for any visitor or local. There is people watching, there is the unique decor and ambiance, there is good music. It's very W and at the same time very Austin.The cocktails are great. They quality of liquor and the bartenders are well above the average. They make a very good mojito. Maybe the best I have had since Havana. Worth a stop for a drink or three. You will leave with a few more adjectives f your own.

A visiting friend was staying at the W and this was our pre-game stop before heading out on the town and it was actually pretty great.A couple of nights we ended up staying for a couple of rounds because it was just chill and the service was excellent.They make a mean Ol'Fashioned at the main bar and every cocktail we had was pretty on point. They do not mince on the booze, for sure!Several nights we chilled on the couches in the fireplace sitting area that is very Austin w/its floor-to-ceiling vinyl collection shelves and chic-contempo seating. The service here was fantastic and our waitress was so sweet to treat us to a bday drink! Would def recommend checking it out at least once whether you are visiting or local. The cocktail prices are a little on the pricier side, but at least, unlike a lot of similarly priced bars downtown, you don't get water-downed versions.

Came here for an event and I was very impressed with the layout, decorations, and stellar service.Every door was opened for us. Waiters were constantly coming by with what seemed like genuine smiles. The drinks were well made and poured on the stronger side.There are several rooms to this lounge, all well decorated and intimate. I loved the record room which had tons of records on the wall. Apparently there's days when a DJ comes and you take a record off the wall and he'll play it for you. Now that's neat! That same room has plenty couches and a fireplace. My fav room however, is the "Red Room" it's very cozy and sexy! Me likey. I would suggest going during happy hour to check it out. They've got drinks and select appetizers starting at $5. The truffle popcorn is a real treat. Happy hour is M-F from 5-7. Enjoy!

Came here for Happy Hour in the Living Room Lounge. Ordered 2 food items and 2 cocktails from HH menu. Street tacos and crispy fries. Can't remember the exact names of the cocktail drinks, but they were both delicious and perfectly poured/mixed. Cozy, modern, progressive atmosphere. Would highly recommend and can't wait to return!

Allow me to preface this bad review by saying that I liked this bar during my first visit. It's great for people watching as you sip your fancy cocktail. The decor is laid-back and trendy, almost reminiscent of what I've see in more upscale settings, and the vibe is rather chill.Having said that, I need to move on the terrible service I received last night. I brought a new friend here, having taken it upon myself to help her acclimate and get to know Austin and thinking that based on my previous experience, it would be the perfect refuge from the bars that had been taken over by the out-of-towners. Yeah, going to one of the most touristy parts of Austin during one of the most touristy parts of the year wasn't the smartest move, but that's another conversation.The vibe was off from the moment we arrived. The door guy was almost too distracted by the two women he was chatting up to barely glance at my ID, let alone offer a greeting or tell us that there was some kind of event going at the bar. I'm used to getting treated this way, and didn't even blink. My friend was kind of bothered, which set the tone for what followed. We hit the bar, and I noticed that the bartender looked me up and down and made a face as I approached. Granted, I wasn't clad in couture as most of his other customers were, but that hardly warranted the judgmental attitude. I'm no supermodel, but neither is he, so what gives, bro? Maybe he thought I was too poor to afford any of their offerings?He seemed almost annoyed when I ordered a drink for myself and my friend, and seemed to keep the alcohol in it to himself. The drinks were that weak. To make matters worse, I swear that he deliberately gave us lemon wedges when I'd clearly asked for limes. We sat down and tried to enjoy ourselves, but left after quickly finishing our very watery cocktails and feeling very much out of place. I don't know why it was so off-putting this time, but I doubt that I'll be back in the future. From the door guy who couldn't be bothered to the bartender who wanted me to feel that I didn't belong, I felt that I met the real culture of this bar, and I am not impressed.

The Living Room is Sexy and Lit everytime I go. First couple of times was on Friday, then again on a Saturday a few weeks later, no disappointments. Then I went out on a limb and tried it on a Sunday and was just as impressed with the good looking Women, drinks and atmosphere. It's quickly becoming one of my favorite hang outs for good drinks, appetizers and good looking Women. *Dress code is Casual but not the place for you if you like to wear jerseys and Sag until your undies show. This is for the Grown & Sexy Mature crowd, No kids allowed. The W

Maybe I was a bit ignorant, but I was hesitant to join my friends at the W Bar because for some reason in my mind, I was associating it with the last presidential administration. I was thinking GW had opened up boutique hotels to continue to flaunt his presence in our lives now that he's not on the news everyday (thankfully). I think this misconception was due to that movie "W", and if this was W's establishment, I'd be damned if I was gonna darken its doors. I imagined his decor to be of the shabby chic/decorative dead animal variety. Then I looked it up and discovered the "W" is for Westin, and I had a forehead slapping moment. So a few of us went early one Friday evening to check it out. And unlike the last president, this place is sophisticated, sexy and smart! It is actually divided up into four bars that reminded me a bit of the boardgame "Clue". The front bar is called the "Living Room Lounge" as it''s all comfy couches, wingback chairs and a large fireplace. The bar to it's right is the "Music Room", again with couches and fireplace and walls of stacked vinyls as well as a DJ booth set up (do they eventually play those vinyls? Would be a cool concept). The bar next to this one is called "The Secret Bar" and is all red lighting and red furniture. I couldn't help but start muttering "Reeed Ruuum" while walking through. This bar is very dark and conducive to murder :) And the last I believe our waitress called the Terrace which is the bar associated with the Trace restaurant and has an outdoor patio. I only give you this little internet tour because we all went in very confused, not knowing if they were all separate bars and also looking for The Library Room which is nonexistent (think it's the Music Room). There's just the one entrance for them all which is the main hotel entrance (except you can get to the Trace bar separately). Early in the evening (6ish) all of these bars were easily accessible, not crowded and all very cozy like being at someones house. We kicked our shoes off and tucked our legs under us in the plush chairs, just like home (if only they provided Snuggies!).Well, just like home with a waitress (and less dog hair). Like many bars now in Austin, they are trying on the mixology hat. I tried two drinks with "mixed" results. The first was the cucumber, jalapeno drink. Very spicy, very green and fresh tasting. I liked it pretty well but don't think I could drink a bunch of this very strong (in flavor) libation so I ordered a black pepper martini. Tasted like kool aid. Blech. Two drinks down and nary a buzz either. Not even a buz.We stayed til about 7:30 and that's when it did look like the crowd was picking up a bit. None of these bars have happy hour, altho they are starting one at the Trace bar and patio this month. Also, they brought us a Trace menu to the Music Room and offered to bring food to us there (did I mention how incredibly nice and accomodating all the staff were??). My grrrl was looking for tuna. She's on this crazy bodybuilding diet and not that much fun to eat and drink with anymore, but they didn't have any tuna so we left for Imperia. I will be back soon, I hope with some women who wine in tow for happy hour on the patio. Something symetrically beautiful about a W3 at the W. And we'll leave politics out of it.

I have been misleading people about The Living Room at the W Hotel. I have been telling people, "There are 2,000 records in that room, even if it is full of d-bags, it is still a cool room to be in." Upon closer inspection of the W's website, there are not 2,000 records in that room, there are 8,000. Wow! This, in my opinion, is a pretty friggin' good room to be in, no matter who else is in there with you. Yes, the drinks are expensive, but the drinks are really good. And if you work it, you should be able to get someone else to buy your drinks ;) But I don't really come here to drink, it is more about the music. I hear many remarks about the clientele: if Austinites aren't bitching about hipsters, they're bitching about rich people. They're the same as you and me, they just don't complain about $9 drinks like the rest of us. I've actually met some pretty cool people at the W, "yuppies " I think they're called...

So, it's the W. We had heard rave reviews of the famed mixologist that came to train the bar tenders. The hired "local forager" to source seasonal items for the restaurant. We've seen their legendary interiors in other cities. (Who can forget the all white-faux-fur-pink-lit-bar in NYC?) So I should preface this whole thing with: my expectations were HIGH when the W came to Austin.The interiors are indeed beautiful. Quite stunning, in fact. The multiple lounge rooms have luxe layers of hand-loomed carpets, inviting velvet-piped couches, deep pillows and fireplaces. The Main bar is red-light red velvet overload with a feature piece in its vintage stereo equipment. Trace, the restaurant is decked in silvers, blues and white, with an enticing menu full of gamey selections garnished with seasonal, local veg. But, and as it turns out it's a big but... Where's the Wow Moment? Okay, it's sexy. But the hot pink on white ethnic decor plays out with equal success at the Free People boutique on Lamar. The red on red, well, I don't have to say it. I had hoped to be blown away and it, sadly, didn't happen. There are nice moments, but overall, interior meh.The biggest disappointment though, was the cocktail menu. With so many bars doing such amazing things these days, the (very short) parade of cocktails on the menu were not much more than season-less mockery of good mixology today. I mean, watermelon and strawberry in December? I had the Scottish Pear. The palette was confused with both gin and scotch but mellowed after several sips. My friend's rum drink was better, but more befitting a cabana beachside than winter in Texas, however mild they may be. I'm guessing the menu will remain the same year round, which is disappointing considering Trace's menu is delicious and changes nearly every day. For round two we decided to guts it and order off menu, placing ourselves in the "well-trained" hands of the bartender. Whiskey with a wintery flair was the request (after he didn't know what a sazerac was). We got a ginger beer, cherry and bourbon concoction and a bourbon Cointreau cherry situation. The latter was more successful than the former... But I say when you want a good $11 cocktail there are several bars in Austin with far more capable -- if less beautiful -- 'tenders.

This review is about the "Secret Bar" here... just so you know!! You gotta love this swanky, retro, mysterious lounge nestled into the bottom floor of the W Hotel. I can't believe there were so many empty seats in here during Willie Nelson's concert (he was playing upstairs) at SXSW. You'd think it'd be packed, but it was actually pretty quiet and relaxing, which was a nice break from all the chaos this crazy festival brings to Austin. This is a seriously cozy and truly living room-esque space, complete with comfy couches, fat lounge-y chairs, and a ton of pillows. It's super dark inside... I actually almost fell asleep. But when I saw truffle popcorn on the appetizer menu, I perked up. Nothing's better than a good truffle popcorn and a cold, bubbly glass of prosecco, so this place has my respect and guaranteed return. The service was a bit slow considering there weren't too many patrons hanging out, but the whole atmosphere in general could be described as slow and leisurely, so it wasn't unexpected. Our waitress was friendly and answered all of my questions, and when they were out of the beer someone wanted, she was quick to suggest some other crafty options from the menu. The truffle popcorn came out hot, buttery, and delicious, and a friend's chocolatey dessert looked equally appetizing. The best part of our experience here was that they projected Willie Nelson's concert, live, on the wall. So we basically had front row seats in front of a huge screen with great sound and easy access to drinks, appetizers, and clean bathrooms! I'm not sure if they project movies or concerts nightly, but they should. It's the perfect space to do so!