Powder Room
A Hidden Gem for the City of Austin
Powder Room is an intimate speakeasy, a velvet-draped hideaway secretly tucked behind the unassuming facade of a Cuban-Texas sandwich shop. More than a cocktail lounge, the acoustic-driven space distills Austin’s creativity into refined sophistication. The 2,600-square-foot space unfolds as a tropical-inspired experience at Manny’s, defying conventional hospitality standards. A circular bar anchors the lounge, complemented by curvilinear banquette seating and a sculptural wooden LED ceiling.
Austin's Nightlife Reimagined
RIOS collaborated with Lobos Hospitality Group and PETERMAX to create a speakeasy that redefines Austin’s nightlife into an immersive experience of discovery and connection. Each design element serves a deliberate purpose: curved seating creates private social pockets, while layered ceiling forms modulate light and scale, guiding guests through an experiential atmosphere. Above the bar, a taxidermy leopard, dramatically lit, serves as provocative centerpiece that sparks conversation and intrigue as an unofficial mascot.
Audiovisual and Spatial Energy
Powder Room elevates the cocktail experience through tableside mixology, transforming drink preparation into performance art. Carefully designed sightlines and acoustic treatments balance intimacy with vibrancy, supporting both quiet exchanges and live artistic performances. The space evolves dynamically throughout the evening, with lighting and spatial arrangements responding to the venue’s shifting energy.
Beyond mere aesthetics, Powder Room sparks cultural reinvention by nurturing meaningful human connections. Celebrating local artistry and keeping Austin’s “weird” reputation, it establishes a platform for culinary and artistic exploration. The result is a refined yet playful venue that goes beyond traditional nightlife, inviting guests into a realm of surprising and imaginative possibilities.
Project Collaborators
Client: Lobos Hospitality Group
Architect of Record: RIOS
Interior Design: PETERMAX
