Bandista

Booked for a large party of 9 on a weekday night and the staff on the phone was very accommodating to our size. Had a slight mix up with phone numbers and reservation times, but the staff tried to get us in as early as possible. The service was excellent and the staffs expertise and explanation of the menu is certainly part of the experience here! The drinks were pretty pricey but one could expect as much with a nice speakeasy like this. Ambiance was dark and intimate. Drinks were very good and there were many I'd lie to return and try for a special occasion!

We had a lovely time at Bandista. The bartenders were polished, professional, and appropriately talkative. The ambiance hit all the right notes and the cocktail art work of the team- top notch. If we are back in the area, it's a must do on our list!

Yelp FTW yet again! I saw Bandista on Yelp and was immediately intrigued. I love craft cocktails and I love a good speakeasy so I was eager to check this place out.I was able to make a reservation on Open Table a few days out. You have to have a reservation and if you cancel within 24 hours or no-show, you will be charged $25 per person. On the day of our visit, I was running behind so I called them to ask about moving back the reservation. I spoke to Alexis and she was so nice. They weren't able to move back our reservation time, but she explained that we had a 15 minute window to arrive. She also shared that I could text the number and let them know if I was going to be later than 15 minutes. She said that we wouldn't lose our reservation since we let them know, but we may not get the full hour and a half. We checked in at Toro Toro and waited for the hostess. Within a few minutes, a different hostess, Alex greeted and escorted us to the speakeasy. She gave us the code to get in and we were on our way. The bookcase door is a lot of fun and it was fun watching people's reactions as they walked in. We sat at the bar (you have a choice of bar seating or lounge when you make the reservation). Our bartender for the night was Sean and he was awesome. Upon entering we were given a complimentary glass of champagne, a bowl of pecans, and a choice of still or sparkling water. So fancy!Bandista calls itself a cocktail laboratory and it does feel like a science lab with some of the drinks. The prices are steep, but you're paying for fancy cocktails that are unique and interesting. You're also paying for the presentation and experience. As much as I wanted to try the Pimm's Cup, I went with the Primavera. For my second drink, Sean suggested I try a Pliny's Tonic which is not on the menu. It is cucumber forward but also has a spicy kick to it (not sure if the spice is chili powder). The drink was really good and I was able to tolerate the spice. Throughout the evening we got to chat with Sean as well as Zack. Alex even came over to see how we were doing. Service was top notch! As we were finishing up, Sean asked us if we had time for one more drink. We had dinner reservations, but we couldn't pass up the opportunity. He made us a gin martini shot. It was smooth and really good! Bandista exceeded my expectations! I loved the small intimate vibe and I felt like a VIP. If I could afford to be a regular at Bandista, I would be here on a weekly basis lol. I won't be here every week, but I'll be back for sure!

Great experience and ambiance. Limited spacing is available so be sure to reserve beforehand and expect to wait. Drinks are good and some are unique. Very cool entryway experience behind the wall with a password entry. The dead man walking was my favorite. I highly recommend to experience once.

The Four Seasons has recently been one of my new favorite weekend hangout spots because of all the cool venues within. This weekend we discovered this hidden gem, and by hidden I mean it is literally a hidden speakeasy. This is a reservation only type of spot so plan accordingly as spots fill up fast. When you arrive, you walk up to the hostess stand at Toro Toro. From there, you walk through the restaurant to what looks like a private dining room with a beautiful bookcase. The hostess showed us where the hidden keypad is along with a code and only asked that once inside, if we had to take a call that we be respectful and step outside as not to disturb the chill ambience inside. Pics are welcomed though. We entered the code and poof, the door slightly opened and we let ourselves in. Immediately upon entering you see this beautiful bar with high end spirits. There is nothing cheap about this place. The bar itself holds about 10 people and there is a lounge area that sits about another 10 people. That's it. I like that it has that exclusivity which truly gives it that speakeasy vibe. Once seated, we were given a complimentary champagne along with a choice of still or sparkling water, and a sweet and salty nut mix to snack on. Sean our mixologist for the evening introduced himself and let us peruse the menu. The leather bound menu added to the upscale vibes and was very detailed in describing what was in each drink. Sean helped me make a final decision and I went with the Dead Man Walking. It looked like a complex drink, plus I'm a sucker for cool presentation as well. This drink is made with overproof gin and clarified milk punch, along with a spray of absinthe and a rosemary and grapefruit infused vapor. It is presented in a ship in a bottle decanter. The emerald blue drink inside with the ship and vapors looked like a pirate ship on the ocean. Once poured, the drink was also smoking as well. Wow factor on presentation for sure! They limit only two of these per person and I can see why. There is enough for two nice pours and though it doesn't taste strong, it snuck up on me. The flavors were smooth and I tasted every bit of the ingredients described to me. For my second drink I wanted something more summery and refreshing. Strawberry Fields is what I got and again, another amazing drink. This was another rum drink which was very strawberry forward. What set it off was the addition of red wine poured on top when served. They suggested drinking straight through it and not sipping. I love when drinks comes with instructions. This was also served with a sweet and savory treat. A lemon cookie, topped with a goat cheese and peppercorn donut and drizzled with strawberry syrup. That one bite hit all the senses and paired so well with the drink. Overall, this was an outstanding cocktail experience. Customer service between the hostess, and Sean and Zach behind the bar was top notch. This isn't the cheapest place to have a drink, but you definitely get what you pay for here. I will definitely be coming back!

Bandista is Houston's take on a premium cocktail bar and its the mark extremely well. Take a high end location, intimate seating only setup, expensive liquor and a playful yet seriously talented bar team and you get Bandista!Sean was our master of libations for the night and he did a great job and recommending drinks on the menu and catering the mood and taste with off-menu ideas as well! An example of the expertise is the fact that my wife, who doesn't drink boozy cocktails or anything close to an old fashioned, proclaimed that the tequila old-fashioned Sean crafted was one of the best cocktails she's ever had! Overall, the intimate vibe is just right, the cocktails expertly made, the team entertaining and the prices appropriate for the experience. While definitely not an every week type of spot, this will go on our repeat list!

Loved this intimate speakeasy located in the four seasons hotel! Must reserve online with a credit card ahead of time. They do charge a cancellation fee if you don't show up. There's street parking and valet. Let the four seasons receptionist know you are there for bandista, someone will come down and take you up the speakeasy. It's located behind Toro Toro and behind a showcase wall. The bartenders were very attentive and easy to talk to. They give you a complimentary shot and nuts to snack on. If you're a fan of apple pies, must get the apple pie drink it was amazing, so smooth and tasted like pie in drink form. Drinks are pricy except to spend at least $35 on one drink including tax and tip. Definitely worth the experience.

To enter, you are brought in by a hostess who explains the journey and takes you a back way to the bar. I was initially confused on who the hostess was as they walk around with handbags to carry their radios. They have on long black dresses, so easily can be mistaken as hotel guests. In 2023, I'm not inclined to just follow anyone especially someone taking me back to dark hallways and service elevators.You have to enter through the kitchen (am I only the one who feels like this is unsanitary?) and are brought to a bookcase where she explains how to grant access with a code and a special push of a book.They provide welcome champagne, dip and some kind of roasted mushroom chip thingy that really is too soft to dip.To be fair, this is really just not my vibe. Overpriced drinks, a production to enter/exit with no easily accessible bathroom. Even ordering a drink not on the menu won't save you much. If customized, luxurious, fancy cocktails and intimate, dark ambiance are of value to you, I'd recommend.The service was favorable, the bartender was knowledgeable and my group was checked on often.Reservations are a bit difficult to snag; definitely have to plan well in advance. The waitlist is a joke; I never received a text in one of my attempts.

I don't even know ow where to begin because this bar is beyond impressive. Let's start with the fact, if you want to attend this secret bar, you must make a reservation via Open Table.Once you arrive, you check in with the hotel staff, whom will escort you to the Bandista and provide the passcode for the entry that is behind the bookcase. Once you input the passcode, you push the bookcase that open to enter BandistaThis is a very intimate, cozy, trendy/modern, and luxurious style hidden speakeasy. The food they serve comes from the Turo Turo kitchen but I only a few of their cocktails which I will be sharing here.Once I sat down they offered me a drink that tasted like a really good sparkling water and the bartender said it is to clean your pallet, which I found quite interested because it felt like that's what it did. Afterwards, I ordered my first drink which was called, "Ritual." The cocktail comes in a clear skull head with a burning holy wood called Palo Santos, which is used to rid your space of negative energy. The bartender burned the wood and waved it around while explaining that to me then said, "Now to perform our ritual." The ritual was putting the drink it my glass and having at it. Lol The creativity was all way too cool for me. This was exciting and adventurous. Their entire menu was rather distinctively unique. The names matched the entire presentation of the drinks and some of the drinks (like the Ritual) had an entire performance that came with it. I tried quite a few of their cocktails Lol. I had the, "Sparkling Courage, Ménage A Trois, Call Me Sambaldy," I didn't have the Pimms cup which is the drink that looks like a tennis racket. I just took a picture of someone else's because it looked delicious. The service was absolutely exceptional, the bartenders were very knowledgeable on all of the liquors and the menu. This is definitely a place you can bring someone to impress them. There is so much more I could say but this review would be a book by the time I'm done. Pull up Houston!

The ambiance and vibe of the place is absolutely amazing. However, I didn't just love the drinks. I didn't feel as if they were anything special especially for the price. Service was amazing and the staff was very attentive. I don't know if it's worth the $200 price tag for 4 drinks.