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If you want to survive the scorching heat expected to descend upon us throughout August, you’ll need a cold drink in your hand at all times. If you’re in the mood for a cold one, Austin’s bars—complete with unique cocktail menus and tap beer—are here to help you quench your thirst like a team of EMS personnel. This list of the top bars in Austin, Texas, has everything from a high-end speakeasy atmosphere to a classic dive to a happy hour drink with an umbrella, so you can pretend you’re somewhere else in town.
1. Higher Ground
Higher Ground in Downtown is the perfect gathering place for Sunday Funday devotees who’ve reached monastic levels of devotion. The downstairs bar is adorned with stained glass windows, religious iconography, and wooden archways sourced from throughout the world, creating a sanctuary-with-a-twist vibe. There is a second bar on the second level, an outdoor terrace and a full-on old-school church organ that has been converted into a DJ booth for late-night dance floor worship. To complete the experience, some naughty beverages must round off the experience. Higher Ground employs a literal interpretation. One of their signature drinks, Lust, is a berry-infused tequila, mezcal, and Absinthe concoction named after the fabled Seven Deadly Sins.
2. The White Horse Inn
Everyone who hosts guests from out of town who’ve watched Friday Night Lights too many times and are looking for a spot to get a Lone Star should bring them here. If you’re looking for a honky-tonk that’s energetic enough to get you in the boot-scootin’ mood but laid-back enough not to make a fuss if you don’t show up in a Chevy truck, the White Horse is the place to go. A bevy of 10-gallon hat-and-boot-clad dancers who won’t judge your lousy two-step performance on the legendary Wednesday nights at White Horse. Some of the best bluegrass, country-western, and Americana bands perform. In addition to whiskey shots, there are pool tables, a picture booth, and free popcorn to snack on while you enjoy live music, even if you have two left feet.
3. Cheer Up Charlie’s
Optimism and joy have returned to one of Austin’s most famous drinking and playing establishments after an extended quarantine. You can catch some of the best music in the city every Thursday through Sunday. You’ll want to wear your most comfortable shoes to easily break them down on both the inside and outdoor dance floors, from DJs playing ’90s country pop to Beyoncé tribute bands. However, even if you don’t have a TikTok-worthy dance routine, you’ll find something to appreciate under the neon lights. Let’s say you’re drinking one of our Kale Margaritas, in which case you have our permission to include it in your daily allowance of vegetables.
4. Haymaker
Haymaker should be at the top of your list of options to find one of Austin’s premier sports bars. Numerous televisions and enormous projection screens plastered over the room, showing everything from sports to horse racing. There are also 40 beers on tap, as well as a menu of comfort foods, including Poutine, Italian Hoagies, and Patty Melts, all of which are perfect for a gameday outing. There’s also a pet-friendly terrace where you can bring your dog to cheer on your team, complete with its flatscreen TVs, so you never miss a touchdown. Before you go, check their website to see if there is a daily drink deal that you may take advantage of.
5. In Plain Sight
Downtown Austin’s newest bar hails from the creative minds behind the speakeasy standard, Here Nor There. Even though In Plain Sight only has eight seats, it packs a big punch in terms of energy and flavor. Sit in one of their coveted seats and have a drink served with a monogrammed ice cube, all while surrounded by dramatic, shifting colored lights. This is the perfect way to beat the summer heat. This mezcal, spice, and grapefruit-based cocktail, the Poppy Lou Paloma, strikes the ideal harmony of sweetness, tartness, and drinkability. If you’re looking for something a little smoky, try the Dublin Drop, which combines whiskey, Guinness, and lapsang.
6. Cork & Screw
Across the street from Birdie’s, which always has a line out the door, you may have spotted a charming collection of modest bungalow residences. Cork & Screw, a wine bar hidden behind the gate, is where even the most wine-phobic can find a varietal to their taste. Sommeliers here can help you pick the right bottle of wine to showcase your wine pairing skills at a barbeque, but you’d be making a mistake if you didn’t also grab a glass for the restaurant’s expansive string-light-decked backyard area. Nestled in the city’s woods, Fil N’ Viet’s food truck serves up some of the best Asian cuisine, along with a game of cornhole and a refreshing Gruner. If you’re a wine connoisseur who likes to swish and scent their glass before taking a sip, you may want to consider organizing a private tasting at Cork & Screw.
7. Garage
As one of Austin’s more obscure bars, Garage is nestled away on Colorado Street between Fifth and Sixth Streets, within a parking garage. There is only candlelight and the glow of a circular bar to light the raw concrete interior, which has soaring ceilings and structural columns. The menu has classics and unique cocktails, all arranged in clever automobile terminology. The herbal Indian Paintbrush is refreshing, while the Penicillin is a dark and somber choice.
8. Eden Cocktail Room
While Dirty 6th may not be known as Austin’s best bar district for high-end cocktails, Eden Cocktail Room, a new speakeasy in the neighborhood, aims to change that perception. The dimly lit, seductive lounge features mirrors, velvet couches, and brick walls covered in the neon text, all in a secluded alleyway. Whether looking for a romantic date or a night out with friends, their herbaceous, delectable beverages will tantalize your taste buds. Take a sip of smokey, mezcal-based tropical drink Naked and Shameless and espresso martini-inspired In the Beginning. Both are served in tall, ice-filled glasses, and the straws could require you to hover over your chair to reach them.
9. Midnight Cowboy
Midnight Cowboy Modeling & Oriental Massage has had its original sign knocked down, but a single red bulb still points you in the right direction. Guests who have reservations can buzz the button labeled “Harry Craddock” to be seated in the bar, where the cocktail menu changes annually and follows a theme, such as a passport-style lineup of cocktails crafted with ingredients from around the globe. Reservations are required, although walk-ins are welcome on the patio from Thursday through Sunday when the menu differs from the one served inside.
10. Icenhauer’s
A century-old house erected in 1895 has been transformed into one of the city’s most famous pubs, Icenhauer’s. Even though it has undergone major renovations, it nonetheless exudes the elegance of a classic old house. Guests can recline in lounge chairs and sip beverages on the patio in the backyard, where the family dog may approach them and ask for a belly rub. Sit at the bar and chat with one of the friendly bartenders if it’s too hot to sit outside around the fire pit. They’ll make you one of their exquisite concoctions, each named after a different female historical figure. In addition to the pleasant and welcoming ambiance, Icenhauer’s hosts live entertainment many times a month.
11. Halcyon
In the United States, coffee and booze are perhaps the most widely consumed liquids, so why not combine the two? The Halcyon in Austin, Texas, does it perfectly. You can take a latte on your way to work in the morning, then come back for a lively cocktail happy hour with coworkers – or combine booze and coffee in one beverage! Halcyon’s cocktail menu includes the Thin Min, Insomniac, Irish Coffee, Iced Voodoo Lady, and a variety of other great espresso drinks. They all carry a powerful punch and offer something distinct and delightful to savor after a meal. Check out the lounge’s weekly live music, and you’ll be in for a treat.
12. East End Wines
Austin’s East End Wines is a hidden gem in the middle of the city. They are pleasant professionals who want to help you please your taste senses and even open them up to new tasty delicacies. Customers at East End Wines are treated to a level of personal service that harkens back to southern hospitality. There are a variety of wines to choose from, including reds and whites, Rieslings and chardonnays, and Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. As a result of East End’s understanding of the importance of sampling, they provide free weekly wine tastings. Take a seat on the beautiful patio with a few friends and try some of their newest wines while nibbling on some delectable snacks.
13. The Little Darlin’
You’ll find The Little Darlin’, an unpretentious dive with a spacious back patio surrounded by string-lit trees just off the road. There’s nothing like kicking back on a porch swing or lounging in an oversized Adirondack chair, sipping a cold one while listening to rock and soul classics on any night of the week. When it comes to relaxing in the sun on one’s own or with friends, it’s an excellent choice. You won’t want to miss out on the food, either; for a location with such a modest profile, the bites, especially the carnitas sliders, pack quite a punch.
14. Bar Moxy
Think of Bar Moxy as your opportunity to mingle with the college crowd, as it has recently opened around the campus. Outdoors, you’ll discover lounge seats, swings, arcade games, a fireplace, and great craft cocktails in the backyard. Be on the lookout for themed events and deals like “vintage” Mean Girls Wednesdays and Fraternity Fridays, Saturdays, and Sorority Saturdays. Within the pub, there is a 24-hour taco stand. What’s your appetite?
15. Draught House Pub & Brewery
Draught House Pub & Brewery is like visiting a friend’s backyard for a laid-back get-together. Although there is an indoor bar, most of the fun takes place outside. Enjoy a refreshing beverage on their charming picket-fence-enclosed garden terrace. If you’re hoping to meet new people, there are plenty of tables and benches for you to use. The bartenders and waiters go above and above in terms of customer service and beer knowledge. The pub offers its customers a diverse selection of food rather than serving the same thing every time. There is a different food truck at Draught House every day, serving up anything from seafood and lobster to Mexican and classic American fare. Draught House is your best bet to find a relaxed and welcoming spot.
Photo Credit: kunellabacci on Instagram
