After hearing about this gem for many months, we finally had the chance to experience the Downtown Cocktail Room. Unfortunately for me, going to the valet here helped me avoid the pitfall of walking in the front door (which I never would've found). Sitting at the small table that immediately faces the front door, however, provided me a few hours of entertainment as I watched people feel around the glass, slam their knees into the concrete wall near the door or try in vain to pull the door open when it could just as easily have been pushed.
The libations were excellent with my companion enjoying a few mixed drinks that were masterfully created. While only one of the two did she truly enjoy, it was still a pleasure to see a truly mixed drink created instead of simply poured. I also had the pleasure of trying one of their new drinks: absinthe. While the brands they now carry are not truly absinthe, the flavor and alcohol content are still there (Lucid is 126 proof). You can have it traditionally poured or simply have a shot. It's the same price ($15 for Lucid) either way, so have it traditionally done. You'll never realize you've needed so many accessories to have a drink (spoon to pour water over sugar into absinthe, ice cubes and extra water to cool or tone down taste).
The atmosphere here is excellent. It's laid back, unpretentious and cool. The music and DJ were excellent...loud enough but not too loud to keep you from talking with your friends (or soon to be friends). There are private rooms and areas throughout that we didn't even get to see. In the main bar area, there is a large table that is cordoned off by a see-through mesh type of material which seemed like a great idea (kept the noise in/out, some privacy but allows others to venture in easily). The waitresses were excellent with excellent ideas for a drink if you can't figure it out.
Check the pictures already posted of this place, but better yet head downtown and enjoy it for yourself. Drinks are a little pricey for my tastes, but sipping a glass of absinthe or something more to your liking with a good friend or group can keep the price down. I'd rather spend $10 here on a good drink than $1 each for a crappy 1/10 ounce of tequila margarita at the Fremont Casino nearby.