The Roosevelt Room is a hidden gem in Austin’s downtown warehouse district. Behind their large doors and curtains, lies an award-winning cocktail bar/speakeasy that will surely be an experience you’ll never forget. First opened in 2015, The Roosevelt Room prides itself upon concocting unique and unforgettable drinks, food and dessert. Did I mention even the desserts are cocktail-inspired? (i.e. Mezcal cheesecake).
Interior
This hidden gem evokes the feelings of a 1920s speakeasy—from the dim-lit decor, jazz music, to the black-and-white paintings on the walls—one step past their curtained doors feels almost like you’ve been transported to one of Gatsby’s haunts.
There’s a variety of seating throughout the bar, from sitting at the bar, privates tables by the entrance, intimate booth seating against the wall, or a banquet-sized table down the center.
If you want to take home a momento of your experience, the bar will let you purchase the drink menu if you’re not in the mood to buy a souvenir t-shirt.
Menu
The menu is thick like a book, offering a variety of food, dessert, and cocktail options. We did not order any of the food, but saw many people order desserts, sandwiches, and salads to accompany their drinks.
What’s amazing about their menu is their the cocktail portions are divided up into decades. If you’re interested in trying a cocktail that was popular during the Roaring- twenties, there’s a portion only for that time. The menu starts from the 1800s, to the Victorian Age and Industrial Revolution, to the age of Old Hollywood in the 40s and 50s all the way to modern day. There’s even some drinks inspired by famous writers such as Fitzgerald and Hemingway.
The Roosevelt Room also offers a variety of Non-alcoholic beverages that are just as carefully crafted as their alcoholic counterparts.
Drinks
The cocktails at The Roosevelt Room were truly a piece of art. We decided on “Too Little, Too Late” and “Cigar Box.”
Too Little, Too Late: Arette Blanco Tequila, red grapes, thai basil, coconut, honey, jasmine water, lycheee juice, verjus
Cigar Box: Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, smoked black tea syrup, lavender bitters, tobacco essence, served on an ashtray with a flamed cinnamon stick
It was a beautiful presentation for both cocktails. “Too Little, Too Late” was fragrant, creamy and the perfect balance of refreshing and sweet. “Cigar Box” was served with a lit cinnamon stick, first making its way to our table with the sweet and smokey smell of cinnamon. Both were delicious, but between the two “Cigar Box” was my favorite for the presentation, taste and the transformation of flavor as you sip the drink.
My experience at The Roosevelt Room has me looking forward to trying their extensive drink and cocktail-inspired food/drink menu. It was truly an experience that I will never forget, and it’s a place I want to share with everyone in a heartbeat. If you’re looking for an amazing, hand-crafted cocktail experience I recommend if you find yourself in Austin to visit this speakeasy.
For more information about The Roosevelt Room, click here.
The Roosevelt Room can be found at 307 W. 5th Street Austin, TX 78701
x Yzabelle