Aura The Cocktail Bar — Restaurant in South Industrial District

I don't know where to start... and this is coming from someone who's never had to write a bad review ever anywhere. Also coming from someone in the industry who is always at restaurant & lounge scenes in the city.

parking is impossible... you'll have to park somewhere blocks and blocks away Inside decor is nice, but too dark that you can't see much even with their little lamps on the table.. probably only good if you're 2 people. Music is a buzz kill. Goes from fun, upbeat house/hip hop to their "live" band who's a one man band playing musicals songs and classical music.. then when he's on break, it's back to the other music then switches right back again. It did not match the aesthetic or a weekend night vibe. Service is TERRIBLE. Never have complained so many times at a restaurant ever.. You have 5 different servers who take care of you so orders are getting mixed up or not getting put in the system (clearly they don't communicate with each other). Food and drinks took FOREVER, to the point where we had to time how long things were taking and we wanted to keep ordering but chose not to just so we wouldn't have to wait another hour. Btw this was for every table there we noticed it wasn't just us. Other people were celebrating things too, and it was the same for them as well. Constant complaints. Also you had to ask for cutlery, napkins, even water top ups AFTER your food got served... and still had to ask again and again. By the time they brought it for you, your food was cold. Basically anything you asked for took long, or never came. One of us ordered ONE appetizer, and they forgot to ring it in and she wasn't even able to stay long enough to wait for it to come out. Half of the table got their food and then 30-40 mins later the other half of the table got theirs.....we didn't all get to eat together Food was mid, for such a small menu and options.. maybe half the menu was actually appealing and good. Definitely more a cocktail bar, not for food. Sliders and flat bread was dry. Not enough bread for lobster dip. Not sure what kind of logic they had when one of the servers asked the birthday girl herself if she wanted her cake and how she wanted it brought out, when they specifically knew she wasn't aware of the cake....so surprise RUINED. They even brought out little plates and a knife before the cake to make it clear a cake was coming. 7.Even when you complain to the manager and owners, they don't do anything..actually they avoid you after and they don't even check in on you or offer anything for all the mistakes and inconvenience. Not to mention they still automatically added auto grat on the bills even with all the complaints (party of 8) and vocalizing how unhappy we all were.

Not so much for a good re opening. Maybe they should focus on fixating their system, kitchen, and customer service, rather than the thousands of dollars worth of halloween decor and paying for a live one man band. This place had so much potential, it is a pretty place inside, but if only they cared more about the customer service part. Or maybe they should have never re-opened and...

I had the absolute pleasure of dining at Aura recently, and I must say—it was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment I walked in, the ambiance was warm, inviting, and thoughtfully curated, creating the perfect environment for a memorable night out.

Let’s talk cocktails first. I tried two—Way to Japan and Forest Herb—and both were phenomenal. Way to Japan was an elegant and delicate blend, beautifully balancing subtle sweetness with floral and citrusy notes that transported my senses straight to Tokyo. It was refined and creative, with a finish that lingered in the most delightful way. The Forest Herb was equally impressive, yet completely different. Earthy, aromatic, and refreshingly bold, it felt like a walk through a serene forest captured in a glass. Both drinks were crafted with such intention and finesse that I found myself savoring every sip.

And then came dessert: the Pistachio Crème Brûlée. Wow. It was hands down one of the best desserts I’ve ever had. The custard was velvety smooth, infused with just the right amount of nutty pistachio flavor, and topped with a perfectly torched caramelized crust that shattered with the spoon. The balance of sweetness and richness was spot on. Every bite was a dream.

Beyond the drinks and dessert, the service was impeccable—friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. The staff truly cared about the guest experience and went above and beyond to make the evening special.

If you’re looking for a restaurant that delivers on flavor, creativity, and atmosphere, Aura is a must-visit. Whether you're a cocktail enthusiast, a dessert lover, or just someone who appreciates culinary excellence, this place will absolutely exceed your expectations.

Already planning...

We were excited to try this new cocktail bar in the south of the city — it’s always nice to see more places popping up outside the core. The atmosphere was genuinely lovely: spacious and stylish. We sat at the bar, looking forward to chatting with the bartender and learning more about the menu and unique ingredients, as we often do at cocktail spots. Unfortunately, the drinks didn’t quite live up to the setting — or the prices. We tried a few different cocktails, hoping to find one that really stood out, but overall they lacked balance and clarity. Some were overly sweet, some watery or not cold enough and a few didn’t reflect the ingredients they were built around. The presentation was occasionally fun, but that wasn’t enough to make up for the drinks themselves. The menu also had several typos, and we were told some surprising things — like the fact that even though many cocktails list 1.5oz, they're apparently all 2oz (without clarification), and that a $30 drink advertised as made with Japanese gin was actually made with Tanqueray. That didn’t sit well. Staff were friendly and the vibe was warm, but the level of knowledge and care we usually associate with cocktail bars just wasn’t there. For those who prefer lighter or sweeter drinks, this bar may still have appeal. But if you’re into classic, spirit-forward cocktails or looking for thoughtful mixology, it might fall short — especially at this price point. We wanted to love it, and we hope it evolves, but for now we’ll keep making the trek to other parts of the city where the creativity and quality...