Toro Negro Lounge

Came to Toro Negro for  really quick drink. I'm going to go ahead and give it five stars because:

a. The price is right.
b. The place is spacious and clean.
c. THE SERVICE WAS AWESOME.

Okay, so we were like one of five people in there, and the other people in there obviously knew the owners, but that doesn't change the fact that I played dumb and didn't know what to order (which tends to happen quite often, actually), and had some assistance from the barkeep. I am a whiskey/beer chick, and wanted to try something more suitable to the ambiance. The place itself is dark, with short bistro tables and couches throughout the general area. The music is tropical: merengue/bachata/salsa/etc. I wanted something that screamed fancy... Or something with an umbrella. Either way the bartender took the time to probe me on my tastes, dislikes and made me something tasty and fruity that I downed in like two seconds. The lady owner (I think) walked right over and welcomed us and gave us a bowl of pretzels. The whole time I've worked service industry in Austin or gone to a bar for that matter I've never been served anything (food wise) that I didn't order. I thought that was kinda cool.

I'd like to see this place full of latin dancers, going crazy on the dance floor, drinking mojitos and speaking too quickly for anyone who doesn't speak Spanish fluently to understand. Alas, it is a new, hidden gem, and for that reason is quiet and uncrowded.

I dug it. Even if it was in a strip mall...

The strip-mall atmosphere is a little stale.  The staff is cool.  The happy hour specials are alright.  I live nearby, so extra points for convenience.

Toro Negro Lounge is a family affair, and when you're there it feels like you're with family (All the tios and tias checking up on you to see that you're doing fine type-of-thing).  Right now they're working on getting all sorts of permits, I hear, so you can enjoy your carry-out in the Lounge and they'll be cool with it.
I did enjoy their latin music playlist, but they're also working on getting live music, so if you're a musician, you should hit them up, like already did. ;)
I think I will stick to this place during Happy Hour only, or on a night when I feel like drinking cheap beer. ***pffffft***