The Best Bars in Austin

The Treasury – This is probably my favorite bar on East 6th Street. Sweep through the back through the picnic tables at Shangri-La, wrap around the bend and ring the doorbell to then have access down the dark stairs and into The Treasury lair. It’s not one of those speakeasies that’s so dark you can’t see, or so serious that you have an egg white in your cocktail. You can get a rad espresso martini, a ranch water, or really any type of cocktail. I think I remember some amaro. They have bar seats and then some elevated two top tables behind it with one big table tucked in the corner for a group. I like to go here on dates if I’m in the neighborhood and not wanting to hang in the picnic table grunge.

Boni’s Bar Next Door – South 1st’s first cocktail bar, Boni’s, offers Spanish-inspired drinks, stand-out bar food, and the best Old Austin ambience we’ve been shouting for! With Lenoir right next door, owners Todd and Jess have put so much care and intention into this little village by preserving the nearly 100-year-old bungalow that Boni’s occupies. The outside deck is made from original, recovered wood, and the side yard features plenty of picnic tables for group hangs. Plus, you won’t find better food or drinks at such a cozy, easygoing neighborhood bar! As someone that will never order bar wings, I’m grateful to have the healthy and homemade Pickle Bowl, Preserved Gulf White Fish, Shrimp and Garlic Butter with glass bread, and a chocolate chip cookie that earned a spot on my Best CCC round-up! (Photo by Chad Wadsworth)

Tiki Tatsu-Ya – This place is wild in the best way and reminds me of an adult Rainforest Cafe with sporadic cracks of “lightning,” tiki glasses custom-made in Japan, and light-up blowfish. It’s definitely a conversation starter or distraction if you need one! You can most likely walk in at 4 p.m. or after 9 p.m., so don’t spend too much time trying to snag a res if you can’t — and sit at the bar. The drinks are sweet and can be over-the-top, and the place is a site to see! 

Here Nor There – Even though it’s technically a speakeasy, I think of Here Nor There as a cocktail bar because of its strong beverage program and knowledgeable staff. Make sure you have a reservation here that you make through their custom app. Sit at the bar with just one person or at the fun low lounge table in the open area with a group, but talking to the bartenders is kind of the whole point, where you can watch them shave ice cubes and craft some fancy drinks. At Here Nor There, they’re using liquid nitrogen and printing the ice cubes in front of you for a show and friendly discussion if you desire. Everything there is so calculated and well done — especially the can’t-miss drawings on the menu. I ordered the Mezcal Soda, starring Rosaluna Mezcal, along with clarified milk, lemon, and soda. Dare I say this is the best mezcal OR tequila drink I’ve ever had?! The details and the space are worth it without being standoffish. They don’t really have food so beware!

Only the Wild Ones – With Austin’s first outdoor custom hi-fi sound system and top-notch natural wine program, Only the Wild Ones is a stunner for looks and transporting you to a beautiful vacation right on South Congress. The shaded old-word oasis makes you feel like you’re in Europe, and the wine program offers bottles that are both familiar and totally fresh and only available here. There are cocktails and NA drinks, as well as food. You can make a reservation for patio seating or hang out in the conversation pit by the shaded tree and meet new friends. (Photo by Ashley Randall)

Watertrade – So, I don’t believe there are many hidden gems in this small town, however, the one I find that even people who have lived here 10-plus years still don’t know about is South Congress Hotel’s Japanese whiskey bar, Watertrade. It’s tucked away above the courtyard near Mañana, where you’ll make your way up the staircase to the dimly lit, leather-seated cocktail bar attached to Otoko. Available by reservation, or you can walk in if you’re lucky, their extensive cocktail menu and list of Japanese Whiskies are incredible intros to the Izakaya (small bites) menu from Otoko’s kitchen. I love the Hamachi, Oysters with Uni, and their custom label sake, Revenge of the Third Son. Cozy up with your date in a plush chair, or sit at the bar and watch the bartenders do their thing.

Equipment Room – Hotel Magdalena and Breakaway Records partnered to open Equipment Room in the hotel’s basement, and the hi-fi vinyl bar is stocked with 1,200-plus records from all sorts of genres. It’s sleek, located just off of South Congress, and I will be hanging here regularly for the cocktails and sound! They have creative bites like Chili Lime Peanuts (while it doesn’t sound that unique, I couldn’t stop eating them so I had to mention it) and Midnight Munchie Cookies, plus, it’s nice to see cocktails by mixologist Robert Björn Taylor, who’s been in the Austin bartending game for years. The glassware and moody lighting feel similar to Watertrade, and I love to enjoy a glamorous night out, but still carry a conversation without screaming at each other over all the noise.

Teddy’s – Teddy’s is a bar located across the street from Este that used to be the coffee shop, Thunderbird. The McElroy brothers transformed it to a neighborhood bar with a focus on great cocktails, and even a martini happy hour from 4 to 6 on Monday through Thursday with $5 tiny tinis and $10 “big pour” martinis. The wooden deck provides a casual atmosphere where you can roll up and have a drink out on the patio on your way home from work or just scoot on over one afternoon. I recommend making an evening dinner reservation at Bar Toti, but stopping by Teddy’s first to whet your pallet and snuggle in the green leather booths inside with its green ceiling and natural light pouring through the windows. The tiny bar has brown leather seats that make for a cozy hang as well if there are just two of you. The cocktails feel lighter and more refreshing to me than other bars with similar menus, as if there isn’t a lot of sugar, which I love.

Marlow – If you’re willing to risk hanging near Dirty 6th or at one of my favorite music clubs, Antone’s, Marlow is simply a nice-looking bar with great cocktails and seating that feels approachable to hang for a group or to meet new people. They have a natural wine list, and you can get their house cocktails for $10 during happy hour. IIt has a great build out and is kind of what I’m looking for style-wise when I just want to hang with friends. It is locally owned, unlike some of the new transplant projects in town opening so quickly. 

Uptown Sports Club – Aaron Franklin’s non-BBQ spot pays homage to the original Uptown Sports Club in its East Austin building. It feels exactly like Louisiana and has nice exposed brick, plants, and a cool loose “L” shape to the room with half booths and table seating behind the bar. My favorite dishes at this Texas and Louisiana-inspired spot are the Raw Bar, Double Cheeseburger with the saltiest fries I’ve ever had, Grilled Redfish on the Half Shell, a Cherry Jubilee Freeze, and the El Jardinero Cocktail. They have TV’s so you can expect the Longhorn game to be on the screen, which makes it in between a dive/sports bar and a restaurant. 

The Flower Shop – A transplant from NYC, this is the kind of bar I’d like to see open more in town instead of just cocktail-only or speakeasy spots. There is an awesome first-level bar with cool large booths perfect for a birthday party, and the interiors feel retro with yellow leather booths, distinct light fixtures. I like it here because you can post up at the bar for a quick drink and small hang or sit back in the booths with a group of friends to have a cocktail or wine that feels leveled-up and even order from a substantial food menu. It’s kind of a pick-and-choose kind of night. Plus, there is an upstairs rooftop with another bar.

Better Half – I’m really digging the morph between coffee and cocktail bars. The cocktail part makes a coffee shop a bit cooler, and the coffee part makes the cocktail part more casual, with less pressure to drink alcohol if you aren’t feeling it. One thing that’s hard to find in Austin is a place that serves elevated fast-casual food that is still acceptable for ordering to go and not $30. Better Half is perfect for a morning, afternoon, evening drink, post workout meal, and easy pick-up dinner. Step on in, grab a menu, order at the counter, and grab a number while you wait on the back patio or indoor booth. Go for the Cauliflower Tots with Beet Ketchup, and always order a biscuit.

The Meteor – I’ve always loved The Meteor and that it stands for so many different options: coffee, lunch, wine shop, bike shop, happy hour, pizza, etc. There’s plenty of space to work alone at a communal table, window seat, or have a meeting at one of the tables inside or out back, and there’s so much personality with wine bottles everywhere and a bike shop inside. The refrigerated wines are organized by regions and varietals, and I did eye a section of orange wines, which is my go-to right now! For the food run down, go for the super fresh Market Salad with shaved veggies and hazelnuts, and the Meteor Caesar with little gem lettuce that always makes for a crisp salad. They make sourdough pizza by the whole pie or by the slice, which is convenient. It tastes like crunchy toast that can uphold all the toppings in a good way with a generous amount of bold tomato sauce. My favorite part of the Falafel Bowl was the curried cabbage, and it also comes with hummus and pita. If you are a crunchy cookie kinda soul, their Chocolate Chip Cookie is a thick, crispy one with lots of butter flavor and high-quality chocolate that you can taste in each bite.

LoLo – I love LoLo’s outdoor disco ball and simple picnic table set-up. They always have parties and events going on, like vendor markets, oyster pop-ups, and special collaborations, but the easy-going natural wine selection is enough to bring me back. In the evening, I’ll grab a seat at the bar inside to order some tinned fish, their huge green olives, a baguette and a nice chilled Lambrusco. 

The Long Goodbye – This bar right by Fleet Coffee and La Santa Barbacha on Manor feels tropical, but not tiki by any means. The cute white pergola provides some shade, although they could use some more fans, and the plants everywhere and red chairs create a cool, yet casual, vacation-like place to kick it. There’s also a tiny indoor space if you need an AC reprieve from the heat during the summer. Get a taco from La Santa Barbacha, and order a frozen rosé margarita on the patio. Relaxing here feels like being in the Hotel San José courtyard, but in a more hipster-esque, east Austin version if you will. If you like plants and an outdoor chill vibe, this could be your new place on the east side.

Cosmic Saltillo – An eclectic vibe that’s mostly all outdoors, so there’s plenty of seating, and all sorts of beverages for all your friends to be happy, from kombucha to beer to cocktails to coffee. During our few cold months, they have fire pits outside and it’s best paired with a frozen mango margarita. I prefer it during the late afternoon, but you could stay late into the night for a relaxed evening. 

Chalmers – Chalmers is a cool, casual spot to meet up with friends for drinks on a weekday, watch a game (not me) or just grab a sandwich. The Armadillo Den team took over the old gas station next to Oseyo and transformed it into an oasis, especially because of the way the building is cut out to showcase the sunset — it almost feels like Marfa views. Everything is really open air with retractable doors and plenty of outdoor seating that is cozy enough so you feel like you can talk to others — I prefer outdoor over the darker indoor seating. The retro red and white design adds to the simplicity, and I don’t feel like I’m in a hot, sweaty bar, but a modern icehouse. Walk up, order your drink, and you’re good to go! My Frozen Mexican Martini came in a cup that reminded me of De Nada with cute “Yeehaws and Sweet Nothings” branding. They also have a Frozen Dirty Shirley, Chalmers Zombie, and Cactus Juice Shots. We ordered the Mexican Arancini and really salty fries (in a good way). It felt like a young crowd, and I need to go back for the Fry Bread Tacos and Pecan Pie Brownie.

Donn’s Depot – At Donn’s, some people are two-stepping, while others are cozying up at the front bar hitting on each other. There’s always a house band playing, including Donn himself on the keys! You’ll see college kids hanging around, but you’ll also see 80-year-olds who have come to Donn’s for its entire 50-plus year history. There’s always a cover, and it’s a total dive. Christmas is my favorite time to visit with all the cut out snowflakes and people letting loose after their holiday parties.

Deep Eddy Cabaret – Similar to Donn’s and located in the Deep Eddy neighborhood down the street (if you’re like me, you’ll walk under Mopac just to get both in over one evening), this spot has the older crowd and younger crowd on lock. Any given night, you’ll see the white-haired regulars having a drink on the porch after work, kids enjoying beer by the pitcher while playing pool or fumbling with the jukebox, leather jacket-wearing motorcycle riders, and basically all cozied up together for a good time. It’s always a late night spot for me vs. an early happy hour stop. Once a year during Thanksgiving, they host their anniversary party with live music inside, and it’s a party I’ll never miss. This is the ultimate dive bar for all.