cool places downtown`

Have some folks coming in and are staying at the JW.I am interested in any cool bars downtown. Most of the ones I know about are not within walking distance.

Also, any cool restaurants. I'm pretty much up to speed on restaurants but am seeking things like food trailers and perhaps some good but funky places with an Austin vib. Sorta like 'Manitas was.

Thanks, Stiki

I'm not up to date on all the trendy downtown bars, but I recommend Iron Works BBQ followed by Mexican Martinis at The Cedar Door.

I am a big craft cocktail fan. Here are a couple of my downtown favorites.

- Small Victory: cool little bar next to Stephen F Austin in a parking structure

- Firehouse Lounge: speakeasy hidden behind a bookcase in a hostel lobby, across from Driskill valet

- Roosevelt Room: swanky and cool bar with great cocktails and booths that seat a football team. Sit down only bar.

- Garage Bar: another bar in a parking garage. Colorado, north of 5th. Have their Indian Paintbrush, a great cocktail.

- Isenhauers and Half Step are very good bars on Rainey, but I avoid that area, its a bit "bro-y".

- Midnight Cowboy: former brothel, requires reservations much of the time. Great cocktails, they make many from a table side trolley. A bit hidden in plain site on 6th street.

Have fun!

There's some bar in the alley between Congress and Brazos. Haven't found it yet but I've been to most of EE's list. Cool places.