The Roosevelt Room — Restaurant in Austin

I have been to Roosevelt Room 5 times now and my opinion is that it continues to improve -- which is impressive given that it's already excellent. The cocktails are masterpieces and the list is diverse and creative. It takes you through the history of cocktails as well as adding a few of their own and some weekly specials. Everything is well balanced and the owner and GM are everywhere and making sure people are taken care of and systems are quality controlled. It's impressive as I really thought this place might tank since it's so big and there is a lot of competition in this space. Their success is a testament to the management and owners. The space has added a lot of thoughtful decor pieces as they have settled in and it makes the space feel cozy, which is surprising given its size. I strongly suggest checking it out -- but either eat before or after as they don't have many food offerings.

One thing I should add is that most cocktail bars this size would be a lesson in frustration management as drinks this complex take a while to make. They have built a system which seems to accommodate for that as the servers work with bartenders on pacing to make it so new table orders are expedited and waitresses hit tables prior to there being an empty glass so your next drink arrives in a timely fashion. The wait staff is skilled and knowledgeable, which is also a feat.

Updated review: We made a reservation and I thought we had confirmed it online by making the size of our party smaller. We arrived at the bar to be told they had given our table to someone else and we were 43 minutes late. I showed them the reservation proving we were actually 13 minutes late due to rain and difficulty parking. They hostess rudely told us she would have to tell the people she gave our seats to that they could no longer sit there — as it to blame us for her mistake. Never did she acknowledge that she made a mistake. Then they told us we had to leave by 9:45 as there was a party coming who would take our spot. We agreed to this. At 9:45 the place was almost empty and there wasn’t a line outside. I don’t see why they didn’t offer to move us to another spot or let us stay where we were as unless a wedding party was relocating there, they night was going to be a dive for them. The owner was nowhere to be seen. I like The Roosevelt Room but all of this struck me as pretentious and like it totally missed the point of what people pay for here — a high end customer experience. I know I won’t...

If you want a quite relaxing evening or spend an evening with adult family members and friends or even to celebrate an occasion in Austin, Texas, I highly recommend The Roosevelt Room. My best friend made a reservation for four of us a week ago.

We were welcomed at the entrance by a young girl with a smile on her face and seated at a convenient table at the corner.

The ambience is good. It is little dark creating a relaxing atmosphere with nice music. The menu is quite large with several varieties of drinks and food.

The staff are very friendly and gave excellent service. Especially our waitress Ms. Hanna is a very enthusiastic young lady with excellent knowledge of the food and drinks.

She has a smile in her face all the time. Very attentive to the needs of the customers and suggests appropriate food and drinks as per the taste buds of the guests.

We bing vegetarians and one person being a teetotaler, we could use Ms. Hanna's help and totally satisfied with the service and the quality and quantity of the food.

Please don't forget to ask for Zombie a rum blend mixed with other fine ingredients and served in a Zombie skull mug decorated and comes with two straws enabling a couple to drink simultaneously from the same mug.

The Zombie is presented to the guest with rising flames created with cinnamon powder.

Don't forget to taste warm olives. Very delicious. (Wish they are pitted). Humus and pita, popcorn are two other delicious dishes.

Highlight is the ZOMBIE for sure.

I highly recommend Roosevelt Room in austin for both vegetarians, Vegetarian Plus, teetotalers and those who enjoy alcoholic beverages.

If you are satisfied with the service, don't forget to thank the staff and waitresses and waiters.

I sure thanked them. Thanked my friend for booking in...

Tucked away in the heart of downtown Austin, The Roosevelt Room doesn’t just raise the bar—it ages it in oak barrels, infuses it with smoke, sets it on fire, and serves it with a hand-chipped ice sphere and a knowing smirk.

The place oozes class like a well-shaken Negroni oozes regret at 2 a.m.—but make no mistake, this isn’t your average mixology joint slinging overpriced syrup. This is cocktail alchemy at its most deliciously pretentious. And I say that with the utmost admiration.

I sampled the Cigar Box, a mezcal old fashioned so smoky I half-expected to find my grandfather’s ghost sipping it in a leather chair. It was bold, brooding, and carried the emotional complexity of a divorced jazz musician.

Next came the Silver Meadows—bright, herbaceous, and so delicately layered it felt like drinking poetry written by a drunk botanist. And then Aphrodite’s Ambrosia—a cocktail so sensual it should come with a safe word. Light floral notes flirted shamelessly with the spirit base in what can only be described as liquid foreplay.

The spirits list reads like a love letter to the international liquor gods, and the bartenders? Part chemist, part therapist, part magician. You don’t order a drink here—you submit to an experience.

Whether you’re popping in for an elevated nightcap or trying to impress someone with your knowledge of obscure amaros, The Roosevelt Room will exceed expectations—and probably convince you you’ve been drinking wrong your whole life.

Rating: 5 out of 5 meticulously polished bar spoons. Would I go back? Absolutely. I already have a reservation—with destiny and a barrel-aged...