Brown Bar

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201 W Eighth St
Austin, TX 78701

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(512) 480-8330
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Brown Bar - Austin, TX
Brown Bar - Austin, TX
Brown Bar - Austin, TX
Brown Bar - Austin, TX
Reviews
( 18 )
( 8 )
( 1 )
( 1 )
( 1 )

Best

Took a friend there Saturday night, half expecting the place to be awesome and disappointing at the same time. Perfectly tucked away on 8th street, you could pass by it without ev...

Worst

THE BAR IS MUCH BETTER THAN MOST IN AUSTIN BUT IT STILL LACJS THE FRILLS THAT WOULD ATTRACT MORE MONEY CUSTOMERS. IT SIMPLY NEEDS CHARACTER. Pros: UPSCALE Cons: ATMOSPHERE

Nice Martini Spot! A 'Secret Spot' Downtown!! 2/1/2009

Took a friend there Saturday night, half expecting the place to be awesome and disappointing at the same time. Perfectly tucked away on 8th street, you could pass by it without even noticing if you're not looking closely. Once inside though, we were thoroughly satisfied!! The atmosphere was inviting, the crowd MATURE and well-dressed, the music loud enough to hear, but not deafening. Our bartender, John, was perfect from the greeting upon reaching the bar til we closed out our tab. We tried the Manhattan, the Pomengrate Martini (perfectly yummy with a sugar-rimmed glass), and the Mango Martini. All of them were delicious!! I noticed some reviews complaining about high prices, but I have no complaints. I've lived in way bigger cities than Austin and have become accustomed to spending upwards of 10 or 12 bucks a drink and the Brown Bar prices are lower than that, so I don't know, maybe it's just me....I will definitely return!! Pros: Awesome martinis, great bartenders, mature crowd Cons: location is a little hidden more
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Yummy Mojito's 1/1/2009

Only went there to have a place to wait while waiting for a table at Gumbo's... But it was a pleasent surprise, Friendly staff, Strong yet tasty drinks... & a fun crowd... Will go again very soon! Pros: Drink, Staff, & Crowd Cons: Don't think I have any... more
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Nice atmosphere, delicious drinks 1/3/2008

I like The Brown Bar. I like the laid-back lounge feel. Some of my girlfriends and I went there for Happy Hour after work just before the holidays and it was great. Cool low key vibe, good music but we could still hear each other. The "bar" food was fabulous--best bar food I've had in a long time. The place is very upscale but not snooty. The martini's are YUM! worth every penny. The staff is attentive and professional. Great place, cool vibe! Pros: Great vibe, good service, great food & Drinks Cons: I wanted to plan a Happy Hour on Monday but they are closed on Mondays. more
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Best Martini's! 11/29/2007

I loved the Brown Bar! The atmosphere is awesome and the DJ, Bill, was incredible! He played chill music that was very catchy and nice to listen to...Everyone is friendly and the staff is very attentive... the Wedding Cake Martini was my favorite more
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Best Martinis in Austin 11/2/2007

This is a great bar with the BEST martinis in Austin. My favorite are the wedding cake martinis. They are like dessert! The bar is filled with late 20s to early 30s crowd. A lot of the Brown Building residents hang out there. It's upscale and the martinis can get pricey but they are definitely worth it. Although it's not a dance bar, they do have a dj from time to time and we've definitely created our own little dance party before. A good place to start your night on the town or to take your girl to because the atmosphere is kind of romantic and dimly lit. more
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A real disappointment. 9/30/2007

This is my first post. Hadn't been to the Brown Bar in a while so I stopped by with some friends, we were all amazed at how much it had gone down in service and quality. It seems they've forgotten the basics...the waitstaff was slow (20 minutes to get a drink and they got it wrong!), the prices were high ($100 for 3 drinks!), and the food cold (the oysters I used to love tasted like they were a week old!), the music was too loud (don't expect to be able to carry on a conversation). Cons: Lack of service, over priced, and noisy. more
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best dj and dancers in town 7/7/2007

I have frequented the Brown bar for many months now. I have noticed that there are a couple of fine female dancers on the floor regularly. They really jazz the palce up and make it worth checking out. The DJ, Steven, is the bomb! Keep up the rockin' move and sweet drinks! Pros: Dj and dance floor Cons: none more
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Awesome staff!! 11/20/2006

Brown Bar is consistently wonderful. Their drinks are by far the greatest. (Cable Car, Wedding Cake Martini, etc) The staff is always nice and very attentive. The bar is almost never too crowded, and the crowd is always fun. Definitely a great place to hang out!! more
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Great Martinis, Great Appetizers, Great Service with a Patio! 7/16/2006

I have been to the Brown Bar quite a few times recently. Being a downtown resident I cant express what a plus it is to have the Brown Bar as part of our neighborhood! The management and wait staff Ive had the pleasure of meeting are outstanding as the consistently GREAT dirty martinis and food proves. They recently opened a patio which is the best kept secret downtown and easiest way to wind up a long day at the office. I highly recommend checking out the Brown Bar for its happy hours and even trying something from their appetizer menu. My favorite appetizer (as of today) has to be the Cajun Calamari. Pros: Patio, Friendly Service, Drinks Cons: None more
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Great classy but not old 6/9/2005

charming sexy waitresses in black corsets . Great atmosphere. Very upscale. Owner is very nice and friendly. more
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Brown Bar=The Best Bar 6/2/2004

The Brown Bar is the best bar in Austin. It is urbane and upscale without being the least bit stuffy. The drinks are unique and wonderful, the music is terrific and the service is simply outstanding. Do not miss the food and order yourself a Cable Car or a Brown Bar Cosmopolitan to get a real feel for the place. Pros: Drinks, Service Cons: , A bit expensive more
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good drinks, that's it 4/21/2004

The martinis here are good and the service is hit-or-miss, usually pretty good. But the place really isn't that great. The clientele think they are way cooler than you and way more important than you. If I am going to wait in a line to get into a bar, there better at least be good music there, with a DJ that you don't have to climb over to get into the place. There are many other better/trendier bars in Austin. Pros: good drinks, decent service Cons: , cooler-than-you crowd more
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Best bar in Austin 1/31/2004

My boyfriend and I would come here before dates. Very nice crowd, pre-professional, and no college kids. This is the closest thing you'll find to a NYC bar in Austin. When I was single, the Brown Bar was the only place that I wouldn't feel sketched out meeting guys at, since most of the people I'd meet there were young, successful 20-30somethings with jobs, brains etc..., so whether you're single or attached, this is a great place to go. more
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Not too shabby 6/19/2003

The best thing about this place is the austin powers style circle couch. It is too much in the business district - attractive ladies - cool DJ's. Pros: Good space Cons: Hotty Toddy People more
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Brown Bar Rocks! 1/20/2003

This is a spectacular bar with the most personable and professional bartenders in the city.It's always nice to have someone remember your name and smile when waiting on you. Contrary to popular belief the patrons are warm and humble as well. By far the best bar downtown! more
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It's definitely a hot spot 11/15/2002

Great atmosphere. Live DJ live people and greta drinks. Hands down the best after work spot in Austin! more
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BROWN BAR 11/9/2002

THE BAR IS MUCH BETTER THAN MOST IN AUSTIN BUT IT STILL LACJS THE FRILLS THAT WOULD ATTRACT MORE MONEY CUSTOMERS. IT SIMPLY NEEDS CHARACTER. Pros: UPSCALE Cons: ATMOSPHERE more
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Tasty twist 10/14/2002

I wouldn't say very New York, but great for Austin. Yes, the crowd is a bit yuppy, but friendly. Drinks have been perfect every time. They put an interesting twist on the cosmos that gives their version a unique flavor...I won't complain, it is tasty. Music gets a bit loud, but it is a bar! Size of crowd fluctuates nightly. This place I would recommend to a friend and stranger. They definitely serve the best dirty martinis. Pros: great martinis, friendly bartenders, quaint Cons: doorman, seating more
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Too bad for the yuppies 9/5/2002

Great atmosphere, music was a little obnoxious, a whole lot of yuppies.. good cocktails (pricey) and nice waiters (good looking waiters, also). If it weren't for the yuppiness I'd give it a 10. more
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Barssssss!!!!! 8/28/2002

This is the best place to go and I had a blast doing it. thanks so much again. more
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Menu for Brown Bar


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Editorial

  • This street-level lounge in the refurbished downtown Brown Building condo complex is known to typically house politicos, lobbyists and successful, single, 30-something professionals during business hours. The Turkish marble bar top, glowingly lit from underneath, is the fixture of the otherwise darkened room. The bar also serves as a waiting room adjunct for the adjoining Gumbo's restaurant. The creative, yet pricey, full bar offers everything from single malt scotch to specialty martinis like a Key Lime Pie with Absolut Vanilia, lime and pineapple juice.

  • 1/25/2010 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Thur 4-Midnite Fri 4-2am Sat 530-2am
  • Payments: American Express, Discover, Visa, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: Downtown
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