Whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur or beer-hound, there’s a place to find your drink in one of the many Austin bars.
Swanky cocktail lounges, dive bars, honky-tonk saloons and rooftop bars – this buzzing Texan city has it all. Austin also has its fair share of straight-from-the-source breweries, vineyards and whiskey distilleries.
What a dream. Here’s our top picks from the city’s bar scene…
The best bars in Austin
How do these rankings work?
1. Péché
Sip craft cocktails and sample small plates from a bistro-style, French-inspired menu in  Austin’s first absinthe bar. This is the place to come when you want a truly special drink – sip from a selection of pre-Prohibition style cocktails.
The best bit? Their happy hour has $5 classic cocktails.
2. The Roosevelt Room
Make your way to downtown Austin’s historic warehouse district for a drink or two in this award-winning bar. Their knowledgeable bar staff will guide you through the expansive list of cocktails; there’s 53 classic creations as well as 10 unique cocktails.
Try all 50+ classic drinks and you’ll get your name on a plaque and a Roosevelt Room t-shirt.
3. Nickel City
Nickel City is a neighbourhood bar serving up ice cold beer and mixed drinks, with a tasty food trailer that has in Detroit-style coney dogs and bites – perfect for a bit of soakage.
Their Frozen Irish Coffee is the ideal drink for hot weather: Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey, Coffee Liqueur and Cream.
4. drink.well.
Whiskey lover? This beautiful craft cocktail bar in North Loop just so happens to have over 75 American whiskies. Their clever cocktail menu is full of intriguing tipples alongside old classics.
If you don’t order the amazingly named Tannic! At The Disco (Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Branca Menta, Ginger, Falernum, Pineapple Gomme, Fresh Lime, Dry Red Win) then fool on you.
5. Ah Sing Den
This East Sixth Street bar is named after the owner of the most famous opium den in east London, Ah Sing, where the likes of creative people such as Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle hung out in Victorian London.
There’s no opium here (obvs) but there is a super East-meets-West vibe and great cocktails.
6. The White Horse
Since opening in 2012, The White Horse has become somewhat of a mecca for musicians to play live gigs of pretty much everything, from country to blues and pop. There’s cheap drinks, whiskey on tap, free dance lessons and tacos.
As for those dance lessons? Join in – the dance floor here is always heaving.
7. Cheer Up Charlie’s
Cheer Up Charlie’s is a fantastic LGBTQIA & friends bar and music venue where you can watch some of the best local and international bands play on a patio stage, or just chill out indoors.
Drinks are constantly flowing and they’re good: think Kale Lime Margaritas, boozy popsicles, kombucha on tap (for the pioneers and drivers) and of course, a simple cold beer.
