Elephant Room

I read a review that said “Come for the jazz, leave for the drinks” and I couldn’t agree more. The Elephant Room is a basement jazz bar with music every night. Their daily hours and cover charge depend on the day of the week. They have a calendar of performers on their website. We got to see the Elias Haslanger Quintet, and they were absolutely wonderful. The music is not too loud, even with a relatively close seat. We came on a Saturday a little after 9 pm (which is when the headliner was starting that night), and there was already a line out the door. We waited at least 30 minutes to be seated. The room itself has a non-ideal layout; it’s a long room with a bar that runs along the left side, and a small stage at the end of the room. The issue is, there are pillars that support the ceiling, which completely block your view of the performers if you’re seated anywhere near the bar or towards the back of the room. We were initially seated at the bar, but we were able to switch to a better table after seeing a group of people leaving. As for the drinks, we tried the jazz juice (the description on the menu says it’s a traditional rum punch) and the placebo (a non-alcoholic cocktail, bartender’s choice). When I think of rum punch, I think of rum and fruit juices, and perhaps a sweetener. Unfortunately, this rum punch only had one flavor: anise/licorice. Licorice is an incredibly polarizing flavor - some people love it, but personally I find it incredibly off-putting. I really wish the description on their menu specified this ingredient; if it did, I would’ve known not to order it. Sadly, the placebo cocktail wasn’t any better. It was so sickly-sweet, my brother described it as “sugar water”. My recommendation to anyone that wants to check out the Elephant Room would be to get there early (before the headliner is set to start) so you don’t have to stand in line too long. The music is definitely worth it.

Had such a wonderful first experience at the Elephant Room! We found a candlelit table right up front with an excellent view of the stage where we could enjoy the full power and sound behind the instruments. We caught the end of King Daddy & The Flat 5, who were all jamming out and bringing such an amazing energy, and then we stayed for Chase Baird Quartet! They were so much fun to listen to and watch, and I loved the way each performer had solos during their set to showcase their unique styles and impressive skills. Every musician who performed throughout the night was insanely talented! This is the perfect place for anyone who appreciates jazz and blues and who is seeking an immersive music experience. This space has maintained an "old Austin" feel which is really nostalgic! We will be back!

This place is absolutely wonderful in all the ways you would want a jazz music venue to be. Let's get to the basics: 1. The service is amazing, fast, and friendly 2. The music is of the utmost top quality professional musicians. 3. The location is easily accessible (as soon as all this construction downtown is finished) 4. The atmosphere is the best part about the whole facility. Dimly lit, not too crowded, and perfect for a date night. -The only reason I don't leave 5 stars is because no food. With food choices, I'll come back and update my review to 5 stars.

Watched the BIG BRASS BAND that plays every second Tuesday, AMAZING! Waitstaff was friendly, engaging, and knowledgeable. The basement feel lends to a Speakeasy and the atmosphere was relaxed. Took a friend of mine to listen to the music, she was blown away! Will be returning when I am back in town. Stop by and check them out. You will not regret it!

The Elephant Room is hands-down one of Austin’s most iconic hidden gems and a must-visit for any jazz lover. Tucked away underground on Congress Avenue, it’s got that perfect speakeasy vibe—dim lighting, cozy seating, and walls that seem to hum with decades of music history. The atmosphere is intimate and inviting, making it just as enjoyable for a casual night out as it is for a deep appreciation of live music. The talent here is consistently top-notch. Whether it’s a local legend or a touring act, the musicians bring their A-game, and the acoustics make every note feel like it’s just for you. There’s something magical about being only a few feet away from such incredible performers. The drinks are well-made and reasonably priced for downtown Austin, and the bartenders know how to keep the mood relaxed and friendly. Service is quick, even on busy nights, and there’s a great selection of beer, wine, and cocktails to suit any taste. One of my favorite things is how unpretentious the place feels. It’s not about flashy gimmicks—it’s about the music, the vibe, and the people. If you’re in Austin and want a true live music experience that captures the city’s soul, The Elephant Room should be at the very top of your list.

This is exactly the place you would expect to see live jazz. In a basement, low level lighting, just you and the band. Waiters and staff were very accommodating and friendly. They only serve drinks, but allow outside food in. In fact, they encourage it. We arrived early for the first singer and after they finished their set, we decided we were hungry. We had a great table and didn't want to lose it, so the staff put a reservation on our table to let us walk a couple blocks down and grab some food to bring back. They even removed our trash when we were finished. Amazing staff and perfect ambiance.

Come for the jazz leave for the drinks. Elephant Room is a fantastic jazzy escape right on Congress Ave that is one of the greatest examples of Austin’s true love for music. The setting is very intimate with low lighting throughout and a lot of tables aligning the path down to the stage. We were able to snag a table pretty close up but we would recommend getting there early as the place was decently full for a Thursday night (also to beat their cover that begins at 8; cover amount depends on the day of week). The service is friendly and quick with ordering and getting drinks. Obviously with any jazz bar, the music is the main show and the band was great. They performed a few different styles of jazz and it all sounded fantastic with funny little skits in between their sets. It’s very easy to see why Elephant Room is a go to for many music lovers in the city. I will warn however that the drinks were not great. With a limited cocktail menu we went with familiar favorites of ours and none of us were very impressed with what we received. The Manhattan was very strong, even for a bourbon centric cocktail. The espresso martini was just alright but not as good as many other places. And lastly, the jazz juice just wasn’t as sweet and flavorful as other traditional rum punches. They do have a decent wine and beer selection so maybe stick to those. You can’t go wrong with great music and that’s exactly what Elephant Room provides. Although the drinks were a miss, the atmosphere and setting are a can’t miss and we highly recommend anyone looking for a casual date night to head here ASAP.

This Jazz centric, old time Austin haunt has a special place in my heart. I have been coming here for over 30 years and enjoyed every single time. I was not lucky enough to have be an original Austinite but as they say, got here as fast as I could. I have seen Austin change from a smallish, music centered town to a sort of big city wanna be Mecca yet, The Elephant Room keeps on being a magnet for those of us who believe we are relevant and a part of Austin history. You know what, if you come spend some time listening to what they have to offer you just might become that. I know in my mind what I have experienced by sharing in this Austin institution is special. I encourage you to experience it, there’s only one. Try it.