Bar
Unclaimed profileThe Butterfly Bar @ The VORTEX
Austin, TX · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The beverage program covers cocktails, wine, beer, nonalcoholic drinks, and spirits with unusual completeness. The cocktail menu includes a 'Hot Gay Summer' section and house-made components such as Garden Jamaica and Spiced Peach Liqueur. Wine spans red, white, sparkling, and rosé with named producers and glass or bottle pricing. Beer runs to ten named options, and the nonalcoholic section includes four named mocktails. Spirits are limited to a six-item well list at 7 each.
- What should I order?
- Start with the KC-Cillin, a Scotch drink built on Monkey Shoulder, Dom Benedictine, lemon, fiery ginger, honey, and Highland Park 12yr. For something lighter, the Tender Colada combines Diplomatica Reserva, Velvet Falernum, coconut water, pineapple, lime, pineapple gum syrup, and Angostura bitters. The Franklin Vespa mixes Gin Mare, Ketel One Vodka, Lillet Blanc, orange bitters, and lemon peel.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Groups looking for a full beverage spread will find cocktails, wine, beer, and nonalcoholic options side by side. Anyone who wants a named mocktail rather than a default soda has four to choose from. Wine drinkers who prefer by-the-glass flexibility can compare red, white, sparkling, and rosé without committing to a bottle.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Beers run 4 to 8, well spirits are 7 each, and mocktails are 8. Wine by the glass starts at 8 for House Sangria and 9 for several reds and whites, with bottles from 20 to 54. Tea or soda is 3, lemonade and cold brew are 5.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The nonalcoholic section is equally specific, with named mocktails such as Ilya & Shane and Max & Esther rather than a token option.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
The cocktail list is the program's strongest suit. A 'Hot Gay Summer' section anchors house specialties and elevated favorites, with named drinks such as Tender Colada, Franklin Vespa, and KC-Cillin built on specific branded spirits. House-made components including Garden Jamaica, Spiced Peach Liqueur, and Homemade Grenadine show a working prep kitchen behind the bar.
Menu strengths
- — Named cocktails use specific branded spirits and modifiers rather than generic well pours.
- — House-made preparations include Garden Jamaica, PB&J Shots, Spiced Peach Liqueur, and Homemade Grenadine.
Standout selections
- — KC-Cillin: Monkey Shoulder blended Scotch, Dom Benedictine, lemon, fiery ginger, honey, and Highland Park 12yr.
- — Tender Colada: Diplomatica Reserva, Velvet Falernum, coconut water, pineapple, lime, pineapple gum syrup, and Angostura bitters.
- — Franklin Vespa: Gin Mare Mediterranean Gin, Ketel One Vodka, Lillet Blanc, orange bitters, and lemon peel.
Wine
The wine list is organized into red, white, and sparkles/rosé sections with named producers and both glass and bottle pricing. Reds include Ferraio Tuscana Red Blend, No Curfew Cabernet, Firesteed Pinot Noir, Barbera d'Asti, and House Sangria. Whites cover Bosco Chardonnay, Famille Fabre Sauv Blanc, and Cora Pinot Grigio, with Francoise Cuvée and Monticello Rosé in the sparkling and rosé section.
Menu strengths
- — Named producers across red, white, sparkling, and rosé sections with both glass and bottle pricing.
- — Multiple regions and styles represented, from Italy and France to California and Oregon.
Standout selections
- — Ferraio Tuscana Red Blend, an Italy red blend at 9 by the glass or 34 by the bottle.
- — Firesteed Pinot Noir, an Oregon Pinot Noir at 11 by the glass or 42 by the bottle.
- — Famille Fabre Sauv Blanc, a France Sauvignon Blanc at 10 by the glass or 38 by the bottle.
Pricing: Red wines 9/34 to 12/54; House Sangria 8/20; white wines 9/34 to 11/42; sparkling/rosé 12/40 and 9/34
Beer
The beer section lists ten named beers and ciders with local and regional options. Lonestar, Modelo, Shiner, ABW Pearl Snap, ABW Fire Eagle, St. Elmo Carl Kolsch, Live Oak Hefe, Fairweather Cider, Guinness, and Meanwhile Tender Robot cover light lagers, Texas craft, and cider. Prices run from 4 to 8.
Menu strengths
- — Ten named beers and ciders, including local and regional choices such as ABW, St. Elmo, and Live Oak.
- — Price range of 4 to 8 keeps the list accessible across styles.
Standout selections
- — ABW Pearl Snap at 5, a local option.
- — Live Oak Hefe at 6, a regional wheat beer.
- — Fairweather Cider at 7, a cider alternative to the beer list.
Pricing: 4 to 8
Nonalcoholic
The nonalcoholic section goes beyond standard soft drinks with a 'Hot Gay Summer Mocktails' list. Named mocktails include Ilya & Shane, Bert & Ernie, Harley & Ivy, and Max & Esther, each with detailed ingredients. Tea or soda, lemonade, and cold brew round out the section at 3 to 5, with mocktails at 8.
Menu strengths
- — Four named mocktails with detailed ingredients, including house-made green pineapple agua fresca.
- — Tea/soda, lemonade, and cold brew provide straightforward lower-priced options.
Standout selections
- — Ilya & Shane: black tea, rosemary concentrate, honey, and lemon.
- — Max & Esther: house-made green pineapple agua fresca with fresh pineapple, lime, cilantro, mint, jalapeno, and agave.
- — Bert & Ernie: Garden Jamaica, pineapple gum syrup, and lime juice.
Pricing: Tea/Soda 3; Lemonade 5; Cold Brew 5; Mocktails 8
Spirits
The spirits section is a six-item well list at 7 each. Jim Beam Whiskey, El Jimador Tequila, Monopolova Vodka, Bacardi Rum, New Amsterdam Gin, and Redemption Rye cover the standard categories but do not extend into premium or aged selections. It functions as a straightforward pour list rather than a deep spirits library.
Menu strengths
- — Six well spirits cover whiskey, tequila, vodka, rum, gin, and rye at a flat 7 each.
- — Redemption Rye and El Jimador Tequila give the well list more character than a basic two-brand setup.
Standout selections
- — Redemption Rye at 7, a rye whiskey option in the well list.
- — El Jimador Tequila at 7, a named tequila in the well list.
Pricing: 7 each
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