In Plain Sight — Restaurant in Austin

DON'T SLEEP ON THIS PLACE - I honestly have no idea how these guys are not at the top of the discussion when it comes to coolest bars in the nation. I popped in for a few cocktails and the entire experience was wonderful, and that's not to mention the fact they mix a drink that will make you think you're getting served at some kind of space port orbiting Mars. The staff are incredible and the atmosphere is both unique and enticing. But the true show stopper is their unique bespoke cocktails. Anecdotally, I cannot remember the last time had such truly unique cocktails - like we are talking wholly new flavor combinations that challenge what you understand a cocktail to be. I'm no stranger to swank cocktail joints and these guys blow them out of the water like a Cape Cod sheriff detonating a scuba tank in the mouth of an anachronistic cartilaginous fish. The killer part is that the vibe inside is that of a dive bar at a job interview, both formal and familiar - none of that starch collar BS, the bar has a real deal Holiefield charm with the high-brow eye to both quality and innovation not seen since pre-revolutionary France. So all this is to say - if you are heading to downtown Austin and you are not on the wagon, you owe it to yourself to try this place so you can tell all your friends you liked it before Conde Nast or James Beard was hip to them.

Post Script - the whole playing with the senses vibe in the bar is delightfully refreshing in a city whose bar scene had been mutating into the same 3 tropes of trust fund tech-bro hipster tripe. I-P-S delivers a fully unique experience and (thank god) is still keeping its sliver of Austin weird in all...

What a gem! I had just left Here nor There next door, saw this bar through the window, and walked right in! The bartenders Finn and Angela are such cool and knowledgeable people. I loved the comparatively bright lighting, the rainbow lights, the unusually clean smell, and what I'm convinced is an authentic Yves Klein on the left wall. Every glass of water looked like a bubble because of the rainbows reflecting off the surface.

My favorite drink was the open sesame, so refreshing, full bodied, with that hint of sesame that gave it just a touch of savory. I liked the orange frappe but felt like the gin kind of ruined the aftertaste—apparently the original drink was more liqueur and no gin, but the liqueur's harder to find these days so they had to use gin to ration the liqueur. The spritz tropical was fruity in a complex, multidimensional way and not too too sweet, which I was pleasantly surprised about. The two jacks is basically a really good grasshopper if you're craving something more familiar. I also really loved the rye crackers and veggie spread; so simple, creamy, and crunchy!

I liked this bar SO much more than Here nor There—it's happier, more fun, and honestly the drinks felt more innovative to me. Will definitely go again the next time...

This bar is truly a unique experience! To begin with the entrance is very discreet as this is a speakeasy after all. We were immediately greeted by the staff who were super friendly and asked if it was our first time they walked us through the menu and helped us think of drinks we might like I ordered the Spritz Carlton which is just what I was looking for. I'm a huge fan of aperol Spritz and the raspberry aperol hit the spot. The only thing I was surprised about was that the drink the Santé, came hot but was so good if you like spiked hot chocolate or spiked coffee. It was really cool to be sitting at the bar since it's a really small place and seeing them craft cocktails right in front of us. They had a lot of cool things like frozen ice blocks, nitrogen gas pumps to freeze glasses, and just great art in general decorating the place. The bartenders have great worries and great recommendations so please talk them up if you're looking for a fun stop for a date or to bring a couple friends. Be mindful -- there's only like 8 seats inside. Gets packed and a line forms easily during peak hours! Overall...