Unfortunately, my partner and I were really disappointed with our visit. We really wanted to give the team the benefit of the doubt, but there was just a lot of consistent let downs.
We had trouble being served past our initial order even though we tried waving people down. No one ever asked us if we wanted a second round, even when our drinks were done.
During my first order, I had asked for the waiters opinion on a couple drinks, they recommended me a different drink instead which I ended up really disliking. I wanted to give it an honest try and got half way through the drink but wasn’t able to finish it. I was hoping to order a second drink to give the bar another shot, but hence my first issue of no one ever serving us again until it was time for the check.
Considering the costs and level of class this bar is aiming for, I was deeply let down. We were really excited for our visit as well. I hope it was just a one off, but as of now I’m not in a rush to come back I’m afraid.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 1
Elizabeth Stevenson
Great, innovative cocktails in a nice vibey enviroment. Often overlooked, but reservations are necessary most days, especially weekends as seating is intimate and limited. I will say the last time I was here I was slightly disappointed in the service, being that we were there to enjoy drinks and kind of made that clear to the waitstaff but I think maybe they had their new food menu and were trying to push sales. So not sure if this has turned more into a place where they expect you to get some apps with drinks now or if it's still the same fantastic cocktail bar it once was.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Khani Zulu
Wonderful experience. Amazing food, unique cocktails and excellent service! We will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shane Hertig
Maybe the best cocktail bar in Austin. For sure the best looking cocktail menu. While I don’t want anyone else to know about this place so we can still get in, they should know they’re appreciated! Bartenders are top notch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Kinan Hernandez
Fantastic small plates and cocktails
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Leigh Brown
A favorite cocktail bar with an intimate vibe. While some cocktails on the menu can be on the pricier side, they are truly works of art, and there are plenty of other options. The bartenders are extremely talented. Arguably, the best in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wayne Barkus
Hidden gem with true Japanese soul. Intimate, low‑lit atmosphere, flawless cocktails, and masterful attention to detail. A rare experience I’ll keep coming back for.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
María José Angel Mex
I've been to Watertrade a few times, and every one of them has been wonderful! On my last visit, our hostess was very kind to save our table as we were running a bit late from dinner. Drinks were awesome as usual, food was delicious. Looking forward to going back soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Charles Parsow
Intimate ambiance. Quality drinks and small bites. Super friendly bartenders. So happy we stumbled in here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jarrett Lindo
If you’re in Austin, watertrade is one of my top speakeasy’s to visit. Great selection for anyone who loves Japanese whisky. The menu is so large it’s almost overwhelming. The curated drinks are amazing and small food menu they have hits the spot. Would definitely recommend!
This place is really cute but we were rushed, when we first walked in they told us we can only sit at the bar for 30 minutes even though there weren’t many people there. They took awhile to make our drinks & immediately when the drinks came out the hostess told the bartenders to give us our checks. The bartenders were nice and the drinks were good but they were $20+ each.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 2
Katye Howell
We went to watertrade for my birthday and it was the BEST experience from the moment we walked in. The note in my phone about this place starts “the most incredible tasting meal of my life.” I mean it! The restaurant is intimate and dimly lit with comfy but oh so classy seating. We would have been happy at the bar, but wound up being seated at a small couch with a table that had plenty of room for the spread of food and drinks we enjoyed. The hostess and server were super informative and took such great care of us. We were greeted with a welcome toast of sake, immediately put in an order of oysters, and spent a good amount of time looking at a thoughtfully crafted drink menu. I loved that the drink menu was organized by seasons and there was a good mix of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks that all sounded unique and special. I liked our food strategy- we went through the menu and put in an order of a bunch of things, then we went back at the end and reordered our favorites! The oysters with roe were quite possibly the best thing I’ve ever tasted… so good (bright, fresh, fun texture!) we put in another smaller order at the end of the meal so it could be the last thing we tasted, too. We ordered the Jurojin’s dram and the Yaeyama Baby! For our first drinks. Yeayama was like nothing I’ve had before, and the flavor was really satisfying…I kept stealing sips, and the shortbread that came with it was tender and a fun complement to the drink. Jurojin’s dram was a little spicy and smoky but still bright and light with citrus. After oysters, we shared the chef’s choice sushi roll which was perfectly spicy and salty with a tiny pipette of soy sauce that was more than enough for us! Next came a white fish with super delicate mandarin pieces and yellow flower petals and Ocean Trust (Ponzu, asian pear, lemon balm, frozen tomato, cucumber, cucumber weed). We wound up getting the ocean trust again because it was also the best combination of fresh flavors and textures! There was a special sushi roll for gay pride month —Spanish ham with sardines and a white sauce and vinegar dip. Yum! The Wagyu bites were smoky and melt in your mouth tender, and I’m glad we got a couple per our server’s suggestion so we could each savor our own. We ordered the Aji Sashimi twice, too! It was perfectly smoky and salty…but also sashimi, so SO fresh! I can’t remember the name of the last drink we shared, but it was sweet but balanced. The escargot did not get a big shoutout in my note, but not because it wasn’t delicious. Served with shredded carrot and potato chips, like everything else it was balanced, interesting, and so special. I didn’t see the bill, and I’m glad because, even though it was a birthday treat, I’m sure I would have felt a little guilty. Even with the variety of foods we savored, dinner was light. I would not come here starving unless you’re ready to drop a tiny fortune. Grab a snack before hand, and enjoy every bite!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Adam Klein
In a city full of great eats, this place is an absolute gem. Come hungry or not. Sexy, comfortable space. Beautiful bar. Relaxed and friendly service. Inventive, complex, and highly diverse cocktail menu. Small food menu full of creative takes. I don’t think you can order wrong.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Toronto Reviewer
Unique Japanese bar in Austin. The drinks and food were well-done. The service was hospitable and the atmosphere was spectacular.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Dani Pruitt
Really enjoyed our first time at water trade. Josh and Stephen were great. Both made excellent recommendations from the drink menu and Stephen even took the time to offer us an off the menu drink which was one of our favorites of the evening. We can't wait to come back!
Unfortunately, my partner and I were really disappointed with our visit. We really wanted to give the team the benefit of the doubt, but there was just a lot of consistent let downs.
We had trouble being served past our initial order even though we tried waving people down. No one ever asked us if we wanted a second round, even when our drinks were done.
During my first order, I had asked for the waiters opinion on a couple drinks, they recommended me a different drink instead which I ended up really disliking. I wanted to give it an honest try and got half way through the drink but wasn’t able to finish it. I was hoping to order a second drink to give the bar another shot, but hence my first issue of no one ever serving us again until it was time for the check.
Considering the costs and level of class this bar is aiming for, I was deeply let down. We were really excited for our visit as well. I hope it was just a one off, but as of now I’m not in a rush to come back I’m afraid.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 1
Great, innovative cocktails in a nice vibey enviroment. Often overlooked, but reservations are necessary most days, especially weekends as seating is intimate and limited. I will say the last time I was here I was slightly disappointed in the service, being that we were there to enjoy drinks and kind of made that clear to the waitstaff but I think maybe they had their new food menu and were trying to push sales. So not sure if this has turned more into a place where they expect you to get some apps with drinks now or if it's still the same fantastic cocktail bar it once was.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wonderful experience. Amazing food, unique cocktails and excellent service! We will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Maybe the best cocktail bar in Austin. For sure the best looking cocktail menu. While I don’t want anyone else to know about this place so we can still get in, they should know they’re appreciated! Bartenders are top notch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Fantastic small plates and cocktails
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A favorite cocktail bar with an intimate vibe. While some cocktails on the menu can be on the pricier side, they are truly works of art, and there are plenty of other options. The bartenders are extremely talented. Arguably, the best in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hidden gem with true Japanese soul.
Intimate, low‑lit atmosphere, flawless cocktails, and masterful attention to detail.
A rare experience I’ll keep coming back for.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I've been to Watertrade a few times, and every one of them has been wonderful!
On my last visit, our hostess was very kind to save our table as we were running a bit late from dinner. Drinks were awesome as usual, food was delicious. Looking forward to going back soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Intimate ambiance. Quality drinks and small bites. Super friendly bartenders. So happy we stumbled in here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you’re in Austin, watertrade is one of my top speakeasy’s to visit. Great selection for anyone who loves Japanese whisky. The menu is so large it’s almost overwhelming. The curated drinks are amazing and small food menu they have hits the spot. Would definitely recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
This place is really cute but we were rushed, when we first walked in they told us we can only sit at the bar for 30 minutes even though there weren’t many people there. They took awhile to make our drinks & immediately when the drinks came out the hostess told the bartenders to give us our checks. The bartenders were nice and the drinks were good but they were $20+ each.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 2
We went to watertrade for my birthday and it was the BEST experience from the moment we walked in. The note in my phone about this place starts “the most incredible tasting meal of my life.” I mean it!
The restaurant is intimate and dimly lit with comfy but oh so classy seating. We would have been happy at the bar, but wound up being seated at a small couch with a table that had plenty of room for the spread of food and drinks we enjoyed. The hostess and server were super informative and took such great care of us. We were greeted with a welcome toast of sake, immediately put in an order of oysters, and spent a good amount of time looking at a thoughtfully crafted drink menu. I loved that the drink menu was organized by seasons and there was a good mix of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks that all sounded unique and special.
I liked our food strategy- we went through the menu and put in an order of a bunch of things, then we went back at the end and reordered our favorites! The oysters with roe were quite possibly the best thing I’ve ever tasted… so good (bright, fresh, fun texture!) we put in another smaller order at the end of the meal so it could be the last thing we tasted, too. We ordered the Jurojin’s dram and the Yaeyama Baby! For our first drinks. Yeayama was like nothing I’ve had before, and the flavor was really satisfying…I kept stealing sips, and the shortbread that came with it was tender and a fun complement to the drink. Jurojin’s dram was a little spicy and smoky but still bright and light with citrus. After oysters, we shared the chef’s choice sushi roll which was perfectly spicy and salty with a tiny pipette of soy sauce that was more than enough for us!
Next came a white fish with super delicate mandarin pieces and yellow flower petals and Ocean Trust (Ponzu, asian pear, lemon balm, frozen tomato, cucumber, cucumber weed). We wound up getting the ocean trust again because it was also the best combination of fresh flavors and textures!
There was a special sushi roll for gay pride month —Spanish ham with sardines and a white sauce and vinegar dip. Yum! The Wagyu bites were smoky and melt in your mouth tender, and I’m glad we got a couple per our server’s suggestion so we could each savor our own. We ordered the Aji Sashimi twice, too! It was perfectly smoky and salty…but also sashimi, so SO fresh! I can’t remember the name of the last drink we shared, but it was sweet but balanced.
The escargot did not get a big shoutout in my note, but not because it wasn’t delicious. Served with shredded carrot and potato chips, like everything else it was balanced, interesting, and so special.
I didn’t see the bill, and I’m glad because, even though it was a birthday treat, I’m sure I would have felt a little guilty. Even with the variety of foods we savored, dinner was light. I would not come here starving unless you’re ready to drop a tiny fortune. Grab a snack before hand, and enjoy every bite!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
In a city full of great eats, this place is an absolute gem. Come hungry or not. Sexy, comfortable space. Beautiful bar. Relaxed and friendly service. Inventive, complex, and highly diverse cocktail menu. Small food menu full of creative takes. I don’t think you can order wrong.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Unique Japanese bar in Austin. The drinks and food were well-done. The service was hospitable and the atmosphere was spectacular.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Really enjoyed our first time at water trade. Josh and Stephen were great. Both made excellent recommendations from the drink menu and Stephen even took the time to offer us an off the menu drink which was one of our favorites of the evening. We can't wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
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