219 West

Went here for our first honeymoon dining and was blown away by the friendliness of the staff. The happy hour was great and so was the food. Martinis came with their shakers and the bartender would change anything for a person's likes. Try the Tuna on the martini menu, YUM! Everything we tried was excellant. From the fish to the meats. Try the ribeye, was so succelent that my husband was surprised. Our waitress (Demi Moore look-alike) was fantastic and so friendly that we felt at ease automatically.

Pros: Atmosphere, waitstaff, drinks, food, and fun

Cons: Limited Menu

Posted 09/12/09

We stopped in early Saturday for happy hour and a meal. The servers were very funny, good sense of humor and joked with us the entire time we were there. Good guys (our waiter went by NightHawk which is funny but he did say he earned the name so that works).
Food was good, not fanatatic but very good, and the drinks were really good.
We did get harrassed by 2 homeless guys, one which walked right intot he porch to ask for money but left when we declined. Part of the spice of being downtown.
Really enjoyed it, we'll be back.

Pros: Menu by drinks, service

Cons: Homeless begging (not their fault)

Posted 05/17/09

Tried something new and was very impressed...good job! This is definitely on my regular hang out area now.

Pros: Food is great quality

Cons: None

Posted 03/24/09

I took my honey here for his birthday and I was impressed in every way possible. The prices were great, decor is amazing, and service was impeccable. I'm so glad I didn't pay attention to the bad reviews because the experience was great. It was Thursday night- so we enjoyed the smooth sounds of the live Brazilian band. When I say the service was great- I mean we had several members of the waitstaff come over to our table just to say, "Happy Birthday." And the food....DOUBLE YUM. I'm looking forward to making 219 West my favorite after work spot. Will be returning soon...

Pros: Food, Service, Music

Cons: None

Posted 09/02/08

I love going here for happy hour. Great food and drinks at a good price. It has a cool, upscale atmosphere. The crowd is generally a little older than I am, a lot of people in their 30s. Generally the service is good, but I took a friend there once and she wanted to sit at a table rather than the bar so we waited for over an hour before finally taking a table by the bar. The hostess told me we were next on the list, but we saw at least two other groups get seated before us. Maybe it's because we were only two people and the tables are all for four, but the hostess could have told us that before we waited for so long! I recommend going earlier or on a weekday when it's not so busy.

Posted 04/21/08

I visit Austin twice a month and went to this place on a recommendation from a freind. What a cool concept. The menu is based on what you want to drink. Classy looking place with very freindly service (probably the best I've gotten in Austin). I went three nights in a row and tried different things each time. Everything was surpisingly good, but the fried yellowfin tuna was one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth. Great job 219West for creating a place so unique and refreshing.

Pros: Unique menu, good food and service

Cons: Hard to find

Posted 04/20/08

Went to this place for the first time, and it was great, (once we found it and a place to park). Cool atmosphere, kind of like an upscale American pub. The staff was eager to help us and service was pretty quick considering how busy it was. Our waitress was the best though, she was just incredibly ffriendly. We joined a large group of friends and had lots of appetizers all were very weel done. The little burgers were fun and tasty, but the best thing I've had in a long time were the fish nachos. I can't wait to go back for dinner.

Pros: Friendly Staff, Fish Nachos, Cool Vibe

Cons: PARKING

Posted 03/26/08

After reading the reviews here I decided to give this place a try. I was very disappointed . The beer was flat. The salad I ordered was made with wilted spinach and the dressing tasted like candy. The bread that cam along with the carpaccio was supposed to be "baguette" but it was burnt and stale croutons. My friend got a $10 burger and it was overcooked and dry.
Don't waste your money on this place!

Posted 03/24/08

wow!!! just as amazing as i remember! gorgeous decor, warm atmosphere, wonderful food and great happy hour but the real jewel of this place is the staff! everytime i walk though the doors i get such a warm welcome from the staff. i usually sit at the bar (when seats are available.) i hadn't been to 219 for about 2 months since my schedule is so crazy and wow how things have changed. i thought i'd be disappointed when i sat down and didn't recognize any of my old bartenders but i figured since i'm here and it's happy hour, i'll get some half priced appetizers (unless that changed too!) i was so wrong! within 30 seconds of sitting down i realized that all the good stayed, including the half priced appetizers and the bad was gone. i was so pleasantly surprised by how attentive and witty the bartenders were (and hello! hot too!) i used to get "asian love" from one of bartenders, but it's nice to see the upgrade! i wouldn't mind some asian love from him!!! anyway, the food was just as fantastic as i remember and the drinks are cold and tasty! i'll be there every thursday, friday and saturday when my schedule allows!

Pros: great service, cheap food and drinks

Cons: no valet

Posted 11/26/07

I've been here for HH many times but never on a Friday and we never have sat at the bar until this Saturday. My girlfriend and I had dinner here this past Sat. before we went out for the evening and our experience was a "first class, five star" service. The really funny thing were the two bartenders making us laugh because they were joking with one of the guest about not getting them two confuse, one has hair and one doesn't. The "no hair" guy greeted us and took our order. He went as far as placing napkins down for us. He just didn't take our order and ran off to make drinks. He made sure we were comfortable and satisfied before he moved on. My comment was, "Wow! VIP treatment"! We both agreed! Both of them checked on us and "no hair" made us an "Asian Love" martini. That was the best drink I ever had made with champagne. As we were sitting there, one thing we both notice was that everyone comes over to this guy and he treats everyone of them with the same courtesy. We've been to many bars and lounges but never have we been into one where one person entertains the whole audience and not only that but get them involve as well. His most entertaining moment is the "mojito dance." There were mojitos ordering just to see him dance and it was fun to watch. And not only that, but the mojitos were really good. I can't say enough good things about our experience on Sat. We even called our friends to tell them that we will meet them after dinner because we want to stay. To all the one that gave them a bad review(s), I encourage you to come in on Sat. and see what it's all about. Let the Asian Boys entertain you and I guarantee that you will feel the same as I do. In all fairness, to the staff, it really does depends on what day(s) you go and who your waiter, waitress, and or bartender working at the time. I look forward to coming back with a group of my friends to see him do the soldier boy dance!

Pros: The food, the specialty drinks, mojitos, and bar service

Cons: Wish I could've stay longer to see the soldier boy dance!

Posted 11/14/07

I"m in town for a friends birthday party and decide to stop by this place to try it out before we meet here tomorrow. Well, I'll just keep this review short and simple.

YOUR BARTENDERS ARE RUDE AND THEY NEED TO SMILE. GET A PERSONALITY FOR PETE SAKES!! I DIDN'T NEED THE ATTITUDE AND I DIDN'T NEED A DRINK THAT BAD FROM THIS PLACE TO WARRANT THE ATTITUDE THAT I GOT!!!!

Funny thing is, I have to come back here tomorrow and i hope that it's a better experience. I over heard one of the tables telling my friend that these bartenders are not the ones that he knows that normally work on a Fridays. Seeing as my friend's birthday is tomorrow and she all ready wants to come here to eat, I do hope that my second experience will be much better. I can promise you, I will let you know with my review tomorrow. JUST A WORD OF ADVICE TO YOUR BARTENDERS: DON'T TRY TO CHEAT PEOPLE ON THERE DRINKS WHEN THEY ASKED FOR GREY GOOSE AND YOU POUR THEM STOLI. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE MR. BARTENDER!!!!

Pros: Nice wine selection

Cons: BARTENDERS, BARTENDERS, BARTENDERS!!!!!!!! USING STOLI WHEN GREY GOOSE WAS ORDER!

Posted 11/09/07

The happy hour here is great, but the service is lacking. We sat, ignored, at our table for at least 45 minutes before a waitress approached us -- not to mention, once she did, we asked for drinks AND water. She brought drinks, and no water. I have been coming here for years, and lately the service has been so bad that while I wouldn't say that I won't return, it is definately not at the top of my list anymore.

Pros: Happy hour, extensive food menu, parking

Cons: Service, non-happy hour prices

Posted 11/06/07

Hi everyone!!....I wanted to comment on this too and I am a Austin Native and semi regular who comes to 219 frequently and their bartending guys have always been our total sweethearts and we love them!!. ..thats the thing that keeps me and my girls friends coming back.
But now I think they have changed the bartending staff out at the big bar on friday and Saturdays and these guys are rude. I'm sorry but someone even commented on it here before me. The new bartenders downstairs are like " what do you want, pay, and go away!" They're rude. It was not always like that.
I have been to this bar several times and it wasn't even busy that night and we don't expect special treatment because we are regulars but we do expect to be treated like the friends we are accustomed to. where are the regular guys over there serving drinks? Bring then back! I just think its a big step backward for 219.

Posted 11/05/07

Let me preface before I start, I have been to 219 all three times that I have been into town on business. The food is great but the service needs a little to be desire. I read several reviews on the place and agreed with everyone of them except for the one about the best service at the bar! I was in on Friday for Happy Hour with my co-workers and recieved the worst service at the bar. I realize that I'm not the only one at the bar but at least acknowledge the fact that I'm standing in front of you waiting on you. I see that he was busy making drinks for the waitstaff, so I patiently wait until he was done. The first word that came out of his mouth was, "what can I get you?" and when I replied, "May I have a menu." He gave me like this discuss look that I should have known what I want from the beginning. I order for myself and my friends an as he was making our drinks, he just had this look of incovenience on his face. I paid him and thank him and then decide to leave the area all together. So my question to you (owner and manager) is simple, where is this great service at the bar that everyone was raving about? I noticed that you display best bartender on the wall and was wondering if that's him, if it is I can't imagine what your worst bartender is like! I am sorry but you need to teach your bartender to smile and if he's going to make annoying faces at us not to do it facing the mirror so that we can see his looks. Your food was great and the waitstaff was great, but your bartender needs to get that chip off his shoulder! If he was having a bad day, then have a coke and smile. I realize why there was no one at the bar when I walked in, I would've gotten up an leave too, if he was my bartender. Just a suggestion, go and hire someone with a personality!!!

Pros: Great food and great waitstaff.

Cons: Rude bartender!!

Posted 11/02/07

I love going to 219 for happy hour because it's super cheap and the food is top notch. You can get an order of mini burgers, mini corn dogs, and cheese fries for less than $10. It's a lot of food and really good. Plus, they have a nice patio area for people watching and it's a great spot to start your night since it's in the heart of the Warehouse District. A nice place but not too pretentious, it's a good place to hang out after work or before a night on the town!

Posted 11/01/07

I had my birthday party here last year in the upstairs room. It was AWESOME! Just the right amount of space for all my friends. Drinks were great and the food is awesome. Definitely recommend!

Pros: great drinks and great atmosphere, they can accomodate large parties, swanky and fun atmosphere

Posted 09/26/07

The place has a great atmosphere and the staff knows how to be helpful without being smarmy. Great food. My date was especially impressed by the decor.

Pros: great place overally

Cons: busy area

Posted 09/16/07

Good location off the main downtown area just North of Trulucks, Sullivans, etc.. Specials on the weekends even!
My favorite item they serve is a Lump Crab & Asparagus appetizer, the perfect size and price for someone looking to eat lightly before a night out but still be satisfied and fufilled. Trendy upscale enviroment and several options for entertainment and ambience. Sit outside to relax and people watch, sit inside to socialize and savor the experience, sit at the bar for sports, go to the bars up or downstairs for a more party atmosphere. I have been to several private parties here and thay are never dissapointing. Their wine expert has guided me through several "flights" of wine and even though I am just not a wine drinker, she has broadened my horizons.
I will definately keep returning.

Pros: Well paired suggestions, great enviorment, great location, wonderful personal service.

Cons: Moderate to slightly expensive prices without specials, but we should all treat ourselves!

Posted 08/29/07

I have never been to 219 before but I will be back. My family went out of their way by treating my daughter to a dinner for her birthday last week and I still keep thinking about how much fun it was. Our server tuned in to our individual needs as a table because we were'nt there obviously to shoot shots or listen to the DJ, we were there for my daughter and he relized that and made us feel like the place was made for us. He made us aware that they had specials and quickly had us order because it was almost 9 and thats when thier happy hour ended. We were able to catch a round of martinis at a happy hour price and those of us that where having appetizers as entrees were able to get the half off deal with that. I am not sure if I have ever recieved better surface. I use to be in the service industry and our guy was real helpful to us and all the tables around him. I highly recommend this place for anyone that wants to feel comfortable and enjoy a great atmosphere. I will be back but next time i am going to try it with my girlfriends. Have fun. Patty

Pros: everything

Cons: nothing

Posted 07/23/07

Over all a good place to start the evening or keep it chill. Prices are slightly high, which is good b/c it keeps all the 21 year-olds out. Never rowdy, professional & calm staff run the bar and handle the door. Owner clearly hires good people. Nice little patio out front. Food is suprisingly good - have done some functions here, and found their catering to be good. You can rent out the back area. Overall good place for the 24+ crowd.

Pros: chill bar near the action

Posted 06/29/07

We ordered a Pinot Noir recommended by the wait staff as most favourite!
You know a Pinot once you have one. This definetely was not a "Pinot" and probably an overpriced cheap box wine. Not very impressed by their knowledge about wines. This was my 1st headache drinking a red wine.

Posted 05/27/07

I stopped by for lunch yesterday while on a business trip in Austin, and what a find this place is!!!
The Crab Dip is fantastic (served with pita bread), but it is enoughfor 4, and here were only 2 of us..But somehow, we managed through most of it!

I had the Mini Burgers with bacon and cheese, and a side of fries covered in cheese and served with roasted pepper ketchup, and they were awesome! These were not you run of the mill sliders I tell ya!

I understand this place has a pretty crowded night business, so on my next trip I am going to try th happy hour specials!!

Pros: Mini Burgers

Posted 05/22/07

219 West is awesome. The restaurant is chic inside, the service is great, and the food is awesome!! I have tried many things on the menu and I cannot say I have ever ordered something that did not taste excellent. The jalapeno crab dip is amazing! If you go during happy hour, the appetizers are even cheaper as well as the martinis. The martinis are strong but are not too overpowering in alcohol taste. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite downtown spots and you'll feel the same way when you come visit 219 west!

Pros: Amazing food for the prices, good drinks, trendy

Cons: Parking!! I hate parking downtown.

Posted 05/18/07

Our company recently held a private get together at 219 West. I enjoyed basically everything about the place, from the ambiance and location to the delectable food and drinks and the professional waitstaff who recommended a great Champagne. The server was able to accommodate our special requests like moving furniture around (more than once) so our party could be seated more closely, and recommending wheat / gluten / dairy free menu items to someone in our group. The prices were also very reasonable and the quality high. I thouroughly enjoyed the experience, it was a great time and I'd highly recommend 219 West to anyone.

Pros: Great location, upbeat and elegant atmosphere, delicious food, great wine list, excellent staff

Cons: Parking at 4th and Lavaca is difficult but the Warehouse District is always a great spot

Posted 03/05/07

I tell you what, this place is a great place to visit if you like to enjoy good food and great service. It may take a while but it's worth it, if you are not in a rush. But the best thing about it is the bartender, especially, the wild Asian one! He's got to be the funniest and the best bartender that I had ever seen; not to mention, ladies, he's very pleasing to the eye. I have been in there when he's not working and it's a total different enviroment and scene all together. People just flock to him. If you go there for happy hour or dinner, you have to eat at the bar just to see him in action. I can guarantee you his service is five-star and his drinks are second to none. Don't order the drinks from the menu, but have him create something for you. You will be in for a treat. I suggest that you get there early and get a seat in his bar area. I made the mistake of sitting at the dinning room table once and I'll never do that again. The service was great, but it was nothing in comparison to the bar service. There entire menu is great but like everything else, it's the staff that makes it appealling. I'll definitely be back for more "Asian Love".

Posted 02/18/07

219 West has been a favorite happy hour places for me and many of my coworkers for the longest time. Their happy hour includes 1/2 off appetizers and other happy hour deals on different days of the week from 5-9pm! They have some great happy hour events like jazz music and premium wine flights on wed (they also have normal wine flights that very from week to week). I enjoy this place a lot because for those that get off work late, it still isnt too late to go to happy hour at 219. Also, their appetizers like mini burgers, tequila shrimp scampy, mini corn dogs, jalapeno crab dip, and etc are Great Eats at a Great Price! There are very few appetizers on the menu that I did not really enjoy. With a late happy hour, if you are feeling up to you, you could always head on down to 6th or 4th street for some early partying as the bars start to open up. You could also check out happy hour places before 219 since it goes on for so long. I strongly recommend this place to any happy hour goer!

Pros: Great Place with Great Food for a Great Value (during happy hour)

Posted 11/19/06

My friends and I love this place. The happy hour is unbeatable for both drinks and food. My friends and I love to eat dinner here, watch UT games here, or just come for some drinks. It is truly our favorite. The service is awesome as well. It is a must!

Pros: Happy hour, service, atmosphere, and food

Cons: crowded late on Fridays and Saturdays

Posted 11/11/06

My friends and I discovered 219 last year and we go all the time now. I bet I've been there at least 100 times and it never ceases to amaze me how they can do such a fantastic job all of time. I have NEVER had a bad drink or poor service, in fact, they have the best Mojitos I have ever had and their bartenders and waitresses are the best. Each night offers something different, but when I'm strapped for cash, their Tuesday special is absolutely unbeatable and it's refreshing to go to a nice place and not get ripped off. The point of the Tuesday special is that it's cheap, but served in their really classy environment, by the friendliest staff I know of.

Pros: Friendliest staff in town

Cons: Too many other people love this place too! It's packed all the time

Posted 08/23/06

I remember when you didn't have to wait for a table at 219 -- at least not before 10pm. I know I keep going back because you just can't get anything like it anywhere else, and tons of other people agree. I see the same faces there all the time. 219 has one of the most creative and delicious menus I have ever seen, and I travel a lot. Their Turkey Fajitas are simply delicious and unique. Seemingly inocuous items like their Cocktail Corn Dogs are the best I've ever had -- try them with a great bottle of California Cab.. I'm not kidding. And speaking of wine, their wine list is well chosen and offers something for every occassion and budget. The laidback yet classy atmosphere combined with really nice employees, great drinks at reasonable prices and really delicious food has me coming back for more.

Pros: Creative, affordable concept in a classy environment

Posted 08/23/06

The building at 219 is nice and all materials are appointed well. What gets me when I go there is the food and drink quality. The food is a bit bizare and lacks some imagination in the quality and presentation. It's kind of like the buffet Clark and Cousin Ed visit in Vegas Vacation. The mini burgers have bread you can build a house out of which is good if that is your goal, bad if you are hungry. Granted it is cheap but maybe that's the point. The drinks are also terrible. I had a mojito that only had flavor in the bottom of the glass and a vodka soda that came in a small glass and was watery. My conclusion is that if you are going for cheap and don't mind sub quality stuff, they are right on. With such a nice club, perhaps they should go upscale, make good food and drinks, and attract people that don't mind paying for it instead of every cheapo that wants to pose on 4th.

Pros: Cheap food, located on 4th, $1 beers...let's go

Cons: Cheap food, poor service

Posted 08/22/06

I was in Austin visiting for the weekend and happened upon 219West. Out of all the bars and restaurants that I have gone to in Austin I kept finding myself going back night after night. I ordered appetizers and entrees that were always excellent. Even the crowd was friendly. The staff and managers even remembered me after the first night. I have not found service that is 219's equal in Austin. I have referred countless people there and they all share my views. If your in Austin and go downtown check them out.

Pros: Great service great food

Cons: none

Posted 08/22/06

Great food, great atmosphere and a great Happy Hour but HORRIBLE service. The waitress was extremely rude, had an attitude and didn't seem at all genuinely interested in taking our drink/food orders. When our table asked for a manager we had to wait forever and then the whole staff started to give us the cold shoulder while shooting disapproving looks. Needless to say it left a bad taste in both mine and my business clients' mouths.

I overhead someone talking about a new owner taking over, hopefully this person will upgrade to a more competant staff that won't detract from such a classy bar.

Pros: Seating for business meetings, classy atmosphere

Cons: waitstaff with a disrespectful demeanor

Posted 08/21/06

I first went to 219West when it was the trendy new bar and it was just that. Now it has settled into a truly class establishment. Great Happy Hour with some of the best food I've had since I've lived in Austin (all the little burgers are great and the asian fried tuna is amazing). The most amazing thing though is the service. In a town where adequate service is hard to find it is refreshing to find genuinely friendy and attentive service. 219 you just get better with age. Way to go.

Posted 08/11/06

Service incredible. Waitpersons are sweet and efficient, as well as utterly s--y. Couch tables perfect for special lunch dates. Non burger food is very, very good. First went with a group of 10 who have lunch together once a month: Never seen so many plates that looked licked clean! Shared a tuna stuffed tomato plate, asparagus with crab meat, and a cabernet poached pear with date. Just about the best food I have had in downtown at lunch!

Owner master-chef spens time roaming tables. Service very attentive. Plave is now on my once-or-twice a week list!

Posted 07/12/06

One of Austin's best kept happy hour secrets with 1/2 off appetizers and $4 martini shakers until 9pm. The ambiance is great. Once super trendy, now it's settled into a comfortable groove and isn't packed. The staff is super nice, always have the same excellent cocktail waitress who remembers me and my order. Music here always is great from live latin jazz ensembles on Thursday and DJs on the weekends. Not so loud that you can't talk over it, and there's always room to find a seat or place at the bar. Even better, the front patio technically allows smoking so you don't have to go without a drink!

Pros: Happy Hour, Staff, Vibe

Posted 12/19/05

I found myself smiling with satisfaction at 219West. The drink/appetizer theme menu was wonderful. The detail in the menu and presentation made for a very pleasant experience. I highly suggest 219!

Pros: Great Food, Great Drinks, Great Customer Servic

Cons: Ladies Bathroom Small

Posted 09/14/05

Everything about 219 is great. I bring all my out of town guests here and they always feel the same. The entire staff makes you feel welcome and makes an attempt to get to know you. 219 is unlike anywhere else I have ever been to, in Austin.

Posted 09/11/04

I always have fun at 219 on the weekends, but last week some friends and I went there for happy hour. It was soo different than the weekend. We went on tuesday and they have 25 cent corndogs and burgers and cheap pitchers. The food was great. The little burgers are tasty. So we went back on Wednesday and there was a cool lounge singer and a wine tasting. The people there are so nice too. I love that bar.

Pros: Food, value, good people

Posted 09/02/04

I always have fun there late night, but recently I found out they have a great happy hour. The food is cheap and really great, and the shakers are fun. The happy hour goes until 9 too.

Pros: Late happy hour, great food

Posted 09/02/04

I go in there on the weekends and always have a great time the music is great and the staff is amazing, but I discovered this week that their happy hour is the best in town, I didn't even know they had food. It was great they have these little burgers that ROCK! It's a completely different atmosphere than the weekends and we loved it. Mike is one of the best bartenders in town.

Pros: Weekend dancing, food, happy hour

Posted 09/01/04

I think this place is very creative and a lot of fun. The menu is separated into different "rooms" though you can buy anything no matter where you sit. It's great place to go with friends to share a plate of mini-burgers, crab dip, or any other of the finger foods available. The waitstaff sometimes seems a little clueless - my order was messed up on two different occasions (same waitress?) - but both times the manager/owner came over, was extremely friendly, and took care of everything. On Tuesday they have 25 cent mini-burgers!

Pros: Great Food, Varied Menu, Clever Concept

Posted 07/12/04

I found the moods created by the different settings to be quite enjoyable, on top of the attractive women present...

Pros: women, atmosphere

Cons: parking

Posted 12/26/03

To sum up my experience at 219, a beautiful and swanky atmosphere was completely wasted by extremely rude and pretentious staff. I never plan to return and definitely would not recommend this to anyone. Advice to owner(s) and management: Revaluate your bartenders and their customer service/lack thereof.

Pros: Good Atmosphere

Cons: Rude Bartender

Posted 09/28/03