• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover Austin Texas! An Austin blog with hundreds of unique articles.

  • Things To Do
    • Things To Do This Weekend
    • Things To Do This Week
    • Things To Do This Weekend With Kids
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

Austin’s Speakeasy Secrets (Shhh): Milonga Room

April 17, 2019 by Jonas White Leave a Comment

Milonga Room Austin Speakeasy
Milonga Room recreates 1920s prohibition era, set in Argentina

The rapidly developing east side of Austin is filled with just about everything you want in plain sight. Well, almost everything. In the case of Milonga Room, you have a speakeasy that resides underneath Buenos Aires Cafe, which is anything but in plain sight.

While most of Austin’s speakeasies tend to be in the downtown area, east Austin should be proud to have Milonga Room providing an experience you won’t soon forget.

Milonga Room Basics

Argentine art deco decor at Milonga Room
Argentine art deco decor at Milonga Room

The first questions with every speakeasy are 1) “Where is it?” and 2) “How do I get in?” Milonga Room is located at 1201 E. Sixth Street. You won’t see it right away, though. The bar is accessed through a nondescript door in the back of the building, but don’t think you can just strut right in. No, you’ll want to plan your visit in advance with a reservation and entry password.

To make a reservation, text the number listed on the website with your name, date and time you’d like to come by, and the number of guests in your party. After doing so, you will receive a password if your reservation is confirmed, which you’ll say to make your way through the nondescript door.

So if you’re looking for a different kind of evening on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday between 6 p.m. and midnight, you might be in luck. I visited this 1920s Argentinian-inspired speakeasy recently and was treated to a memorable night of food, drink, and live entertainment. I learned first-hand why this is a special place that deserves “must-visit” status here in Austin.

The Most Relaxing Room

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Milonga Room (@milonga_room) on Nov 17, 2018 at 2:00pm PST

While Buenos Aires Cafe has been around for almost a decade, Milonga Room is a far more recent addition to the scene, having opened on Valentine’s Day 2016. Paola Guerrero-Smith, owner of Buenos Aires Cafe, decided the space wasn’t being properly taken advantage of and that she could make something special of it. So she did just that.

Utilizing her degree in architecture and love for her home city of Buenos Aires, Guerrero-Smith created an intimate Argentine art deco-inspired room. The ceiling was repurposed. All of the decorations were brought in. The attention to detail is apparent, and the results speak for themselves.

What to Expect at Milonga Room

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Milonga Room (@milonga_room) on Dec 31, 2018 at 1:23pm PST

Milonga Room is unlike any bar I’ve been to in Austin. Upon entering, I was immediately transported to another place in another time.

True to its label of “speakeasy,” Milonga Room recreates the 1920s prohibition era…only in Argentina. The room is tiny and intimate, with an ideal number of occupants in the 20s. Like so many speakeasies, it feels like an escape from the craziness of the real world.

Speakeasies are just different, I’ve learned. Every detail is scrutinized; every nuance indulged. Milonga Room provides an experience you won’t find anywhere else in Austin. Travel back in time to another world and leave your worries on the other side of the secret door. This may be the most relaxing room on the east side. The lights are low, and the drinks are strong. Yes, the drinks…

Indulgences

Milonga Room Food and Drink
Food and drink at Milonga Room

What is a speakeasy without great drinks? Not a speakeasy I want to visit. But Milonga Room has no such problem. I sat at the bar and made my way through the menu of four specialty cocktails.

The menu changes almost every week with one or two new drinks. Experimentation is a part of the bar’s DNA. In fact, the bartenders all meet once a season to go over and taste various ideas for drinks.

The Italian herbal liqueur amero plays a huge role in the drinks here, and the bar utilizes its large collection in almost all of its drinks. In Italy, every town has its own amero, and the love of amero followed the many Italians who emigrated and settled in Argentina.

On my visit, three of the four drinks featured amero. Milonga Room has a goal of introducing guests to the stylings of amero.

Must-try Cocktail(s)

The Toque Sensual was a favorite cocktail. A mix of cardamaro, sweet vermouth, and averna. It was smooth and delicate, and felt appropriate for the cold weather outside.

I then tried the delicious Secret Garden, my favorite. A gin drink, it was both refreshing and intense, with fruity grapefruit notes.

Hungry?

All this drinking and decor-admiring can make you hungry, so I ordered a couple of empanadas from Buenos Aires Cafe. These empanadas are well known in town. When they were brought down fresh and hot from upstairs, I figured out why.

First was the carne picante, the spicy ground beef version. It was piping hot, and the shell was delicate and flaky. This makes sense, as the dough is imported from Argentina and a chef works in-house to create the pocket-sized holders of flavor.

I also tried the verdura empanada, filled with spinach ricotta cheese, parmesan, and onion. It was a delightful and delicious vegetarian option.

Always Something Happening

personalized name setting at Milonga Room
Personal welcome at Milonga Room

Milonga Room has great decor, drinks, and food, as well as entertainment. Yes, plan your night right and there’s a gold chance you’ll be able to experience live music or dance. There’s a tango singer who serenades the room, Argentine rock, and a DJ who inspires dance parties.

I was lucky to experience my first burlesque show during my recent visit. Full of empanadas and cocktails, I watched male and female artists dance, sing, play guitar, and make me feel like I might be sitting in–not only the most relaxing–but also the most interesting room in Austin.

Events aren’t limited to what the bar organizes. Milonga Room is available to rent for private events, parties, or even wine tastings. It seems the team is open to pretty much any type of event you can think of, albeit for smaller groups.

➡️ Keep reading: Milonga Room Speakeasy Reflects 1920s Era and Argentine Roots

A Destination, an Experience

Milonga Room Intimate Event Space in Austin
Milonga Room doubles as an intimate event space

Looking to spice up your normal dinner and drinks? Milonga Room could be just the thing for you. Come by for a drink and stay for a show. Just plan in advance, and get ready to relax and experience. A memorable evening awaits on the other side of the door.

1201 E. Sixth St. – Website


@theAustinot wants to know:

Have you been to Milonga Room yet?

Filed Under: Drink, Entertainment, Food & Drink, Nightlife Tagged With: eastside, speakeasy

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Connect with Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Things to do

Things to do in Austin this weekend of January 27 | Eastside Pop-Up + Handcrafted + Vintage Market

10 Fun things to do in Austin this weekend of January 27, 2023 include Eastside Pop Up Market, Sweeney Todd Musical, and More!

There are plenty of fun things to do in Austin this Weekend of January 27 which include Eastside Pop-Up + Handcrafted + Vintage Market, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, The Cathedral Open House, and more! Whether you’re planning a date or having fun with friends, these events and things to do in Austin this […]

Things to do in Austin this week Jan 23 | Karen's Diner Austin

10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of January 23, 2023 include Karen’s Diner Austin, Pink Martini Concert, and more!

Our top choices for things to do in Austin this Week of January 23, 2023, include Karen’s Diner Austin, Pink Martini, Cinderella at the Zach Theatre, and more! Austin is now among the fastest-growing metroplexes in the US! Keeping up with the growth, luckily, there’s plenty going on in Austin all days of the week. There are […]

Things to do in Austin with kids this weekend | Snow Day

Top 10 things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of January 20, 2023 include Snow Day at Science Mill, Kid’s Makers Market, and more!

If there’s one thing about this city, it’s that there is always something going on. So, if you’re looking for fun things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of January 20, 2023, there’s plenty of fun to be had, including Snow Day at Science Mill, Color, Music, Motion! A Lunar New Year Celebration, Kid’s Makers […]

Austin’s New Year: Fireworks from Afar

Austin New Years Eve 2023 fireworks guide – NYE party start time, entertainment line up, parking tips & more!

Are you ready to say goodbye to 2022? What better way to ring in the New Year than with fireworks at Austin’s biggest and official New Year party! This beloved, annual Austin event draws thousands of people including locals as well as visitors from neighboring towns in the Central Texas area. If you are googling […]

Johnson City Christmas Lights Spectacular 2022 - What to expect at this lighting event in Texas

Johnson City Christmas Lights Spectacular 2022 – A beloved Texas lighting event!

Come one, come all to celebrate the Johnson City Lights Spectacular 33rd Season! Johnson City is an area close to Fredericksburg, TX. Every Christmas holiday for the last 33 years, Johnson City transforms from a slow-paced, presidential hometown nestled on the banks of the Pedernales River, into a bright beacon of light — like a […]

Recent Posts

  • 10 Fun things to do in Austin this weekend of January 27, 2023 include Eastside Pop Up Market, Sweeney Todd Musical, and More!
  • 10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of January 23, 2023 include Karen’s Diner Austin, Pink Martini Concert, and more!
  • Top 10 things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of January 20, 2023 include Snow Day at Science Mill, Kid’s Makers Market, and more!
  • Romantic Restaurants Austin – Top 10 best date night restaurants near you
  • Healthy Food Austin – Your comprehensive guide to health friendly restaurants, cafes, and more!

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Trending Posts

  • Top 10 Austin Restaurants When It MUST Be Gluten-free
  • Foodies Try New Austin Restaurant Monthly With Taster’s Table Club
  • Bendy on a Budget: Free or Donation-based Yoga in Austin for Every Day of the Week
  • New Braunfels Day Trip Guide: Things to Do, Eat, and Drink
  • Irene’s Restaurant and Bar Tastes Fancy Without Feeling Pretentious

Copyright © 2023 · Log in

wpDiscuz