The best bars in Austin right now

What is it? One of the 50 best bars in the world, it’s a low brow dive that raises the bar for retro watering holes. 

Why we love it: There are plenty of reasons Austinites return for a visit to Nickel City, whether it’s for their annual full bar Halloween costume as Moe’s Tavern, complete with a false facade replicating the classic toon dive, or simply for a reliable cold beer and hot dog in an increasingly champagne and caviar kind of town. The love for this bar runs deep. The menu comprises offerings for whatever your taste buds desire, with the usual suspects of cold beer, cocktails wines and a few frozen mixed drinks that’ll help melt off some of the heat from the Texas sun. As the cost of living rises, it doesn’t hurt that Nickel City keeps things cheap without compromising quality. 

Time Out tip: If you love Halloween, you must go to see Nickel City turn into Moe’s Tavern. Their own version of the Flaming Moe is the kind of cartoon cocktail you see and think, “I must taste that.”

Address: 1133 East 11th Street, Austin, TX 78702

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 12pm-2am

Expect to pay: $20-40, maybe more or less depending on drink of choice and food. 

What is it? An award winning cocktail bar on East Sixth, complete with a not-so-secret mezcal bar upstairs. 

Why we love it: The well-worn walls of the former grain storage site, combined with the crystal chandeliers and seasonal cocktails, create a bar that wins its place on lists year after year, no matter how many new bars open up on the same street. Each seasonal menu has a backstory that inspired each drink, resulting in unique flavor profiles and combinations that reinvigorate excitement for even the most seasoned cocktail connoisseur. The vibe remains decidedly local, even as the locale becomes more and more known to others from out of town. Even those who choose to make it a stop on their bar crawl will often enter the bar, take a sip and suddenly forget about the lineup to savor their time at Whisler’s.

Time Out tip: Tobalá, their upstairs mexcalería, is well worth booking a tasting at. While you wait, grab a drink downstairs before the tasting begins for the complete Whisler’s experience. 

Address: 1816 East Sixth Street, Austin, Texas 78702

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 4pm-2am; Sat-Sun 2pm-2am

Expect to pay: $45-60 if planning on ordering one or two drinks.

What is it? A Queer bar that welcomes everyone and continues to be a top spot for those looking for an unforgettable night of dancing and drag. 

Why we love it: It could be that it's tucked away from the other gay bars on 4th street or that the cliff wall acts as a backdrop for both the bar house and the stage, but it is more than likely that the reason Austinites and visitors alike flock to Cheer Up's (as locals call it) is a guaranteed good time. There's a rotating list of Queer cabaret and drag shows, DJ sets, afterparties, bands and so many other fantastical shows that continue to draw people in. It doesn't hurt that it's also the perfect spot to go after a show at Stubb's. 

Time Out tip: If no one's told you about the amazing vegan mac and cheese, let us be the first. The food truck serving it is no longer there, but it lives on further east over at Arlo’s JR. 

Address: 900 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78701

Opening hours: Thurs-Sun 4pm-2am

Expect to pay: $25-35 for a couple vodka sodas, plus some for any show covers.

What is it? A high-caliber themed Tiki Bar on South Lamar.

Why we love it: Anyone can toss some rum into a coconut cup and call themselves a Tiki bar, but this hideaway behind a defunct travel agency raises the bar for even the most classic rum slingers on the scene. The space, both upstairs and down, feels like something only found at theme parks, with the level of detail done in the tropical design. Without spoiling it, as we look at as few pictures of the interior as possible, it will amaze patrons visually and win them over with the incredible menu. The standard Tastu Yas established continues to impress with its take on Tiki classics and a food menu that’s far more than a few seasoned nuts. The flavors in both bites and sips inside the bar are as vibrant as the tropical locales that inspired them, along with an experience that’ll make the price seem well worth it for a taste of vacation. 

Time Out tip: Push past the budgetary concerns and order one of the shareable drinks to see the bar get even more experiential. 

Address: 1300 South Lamar Blvd, Austin, Texas 78704

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 4pm-12am; Sat 1pm-12am; Sun 4pm-10pm

Expect to pay: $50-75 if including bites and at least one more cocktail. $100+ if ordering the shareable drinks.

What is it? A chill neighborhood bar that offers a respite on chaotically vibrant Dirty Sixth Street.

Why we love it: A consistent vibe with each visit to Marlow, such as going over to your designer friend's home for drinks, makes Marlow an easy spot to repeat visits despite the infamous street it sits on. While there is nothing wrong and everything right with experiencing the vibrant party that is Dirty Sixth, it’s hardly a spot known for anything more mixed than vodka red bulls. Marlow is the mid-century-inspired answer to those wanting well-made cocktails and expertly selected wines and beers downtown. Each drink is made to be enjoyed, with taste-forward sips worth nursing while lounging on leather-bound sofas. Even for those who prefer to enjoy Austin’s alfresco-friendly weather when it’s here, the patio overlooking Waller Creek is a pleasant place to spend a night out on Dirty. 

Time Out tip: Complete the mod vibe with an order of their punchbowl. Every week is different, creating a need to come back far more frequently to try them all. 

Address: 700 East 6th Street, Austin, TX 78701

Opening hours: Tues-Wed 12pm-12am; Thurs 3pm-2am; Fri-Sat 2pm-2am; Sun 5pm-11pm

Expect to pay: $30-40 for a couple of drinks.

What is it? A true country dive bar hiding in an increasingly rare patch of undeveloped brush in Austin’s southside.

Why we love it: While Austin is far from its sleepy Texan college town origins now, Sam’s Town Point continues to keep the city in touch with its more down-home country roots. A family-run bar since 1981, it’s tucked into a pocket of wild brush in South Austin that adds to the “ where are we?” vibe or “when are we,” as it can feel like a bar time forgot. Once inside the bar, guests can reliably expect cold beer and cooler crooners on stage to serenade the crowd. It’s the kind of place where every first-timer feels like a regular when they come in. There’s no pretension or expectation set for how to dress or what to drink; come for a good time and leave excited to share this bar with your friends. 

Time Out tip: While the schedule of shows is fantastic, embrace the disconnected vibe and simply go one night without knowing who’s performing. You might find your new favorite band this way.

Address: 2115 Allred Drive, Austin, TX 78748

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 6pm-12am; Sat 6pm-1am; Sun 4pm-12am

Expect to pay: $15-20 for a few beers and a burger. 

What is it? A combo champagne-cocktail bar that offers an elevated take on a wine forward bar in East Austin.  

Why we love it: Wine, especially champagne, can come with an unwanted taste of pretension. Still, Daydreamer not only bursts the proverbial bubble of wine snobbery, but also manages to be an inviting space for all wine know-how levels. There is no ten-page leatherbound book of bottles to be overstimulated by; instead, they offer a select choice of sparkling wines and Champagnes to narrow down the options while the staff will happily walk you through each bottle without turning up their noses. Of course, for those truly uninterested in bubbly or still, their cocktails are far from a second thought. Their original cocktail, the Madame Butterfly with Suntory Toki Whiskey, Peach-Infused St-Germaine, jasmine and butterfly tea, bubbly water is such a welcome delight on the tongue, that it tastes like a cool June day. A highlight of visiting the well-appointed bar with stunning floral displays that contribute a softness to the space is their customizable martini service, complete with “bumps” of caviar for a classy touch.

Time Out tip: Feel like a true Beverly Hillbilly and get a bag of potato chips with a glass of Brut, while wondering what other highbrow-lowbrow combinations you should try next.

Address: 1708 East 6th Street, Austin, TX 78702

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 3pm-2am; Sat-Sun 12pm-2am

Expect to pay: $45-65 depending on cocktails or champagne and what kind of snacks you grab, too.

What is it? A year round Christmas bar that’s been open since 1972.

Why we love it: Even for the grinches, it is hard not to love the kitschy charm of Lala’s Little Nugget. Texas is hardly a place that lends to feeling festive during the holidays, given the likeliness of spending Christmas day in shorts. Still, Lala’s manages to bring out the spirit in season and even in the depths of summer. It’s decorated with a mix of ornaments and Santas that look like they could be found in someone’s basement, adding to the homey holiday vibe. Even when the weather outside can have you wondering what season it is, inside, it’s always Christmas season. However, the giant countdown to Christmas behind the bar does give away just how close or far the holiday is. The only thing the place is missing is year-round eggnog if you’re into that sort of thing.

Time Out tip: For those not keen on driving North, there is a new South Austin Location primed for anyone looking to be a future regular. 

Address: 2207 Justin Lane Austin, TX 78757

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 4pm-2am; Sat-Sun 12pm-2am

Expect to pay: $10-25 on a few holiday-inspired cocktails. 

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What is it? A former inside joke by a former White Horse manager turned into a campy bar.

Why we love it: Beyond the lore of seeing an inside joke turning into a T-shirt line during COVID—only to become a full-fledged bar complete with a red Corvette on the ceiling—Busty’s is a pretty fantastic spot to drink. Decorated like a teenager’s dream bar but with the help of adult supervision, the space is an eclectic assortment of dude accouterments hanging on wood-paneled walls. The menu is as campy and nostalgic as the space, with a list of cocktails anyone’s Parrothead uncle would make alongside a plate of taquitos or sandwiches. The only difference is Busty can also make a mean espresso martini. 

Time Out tip: For anyone missing the old days of getting a slushie, try either the Cherry Cola Lime Aid “Bustee” with Jim Beam and Amaro or the Coconut Mojito “Bustee” with Hornitos Blanco.

Address: 6214 Cameron Road, Austin, TX 78723

Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 11am-12am; Fri-Sat 11am-1am

Expect to pay: $20-35 for a few drinks and some snacks.

What is it? Hiding below the Tiger Lily bar is the latest speakeasy from the Here Nor There team.

Why we love it: Anyone who’s experienced the level of excellence done by Here Nor There and In Plain Sight should be excited to try their latest concept. Recently opened in 2025, the bar is already making a name as another must-do speakeasy in Austin. The menu is tropically inspired. Still, it’s not just another tequila sunrise or piña colada being served. It drinks like their Sunshine Sazarac with mango cognac, manana whiskey, vanilla Peychaud, watermelon cordial and absinthe that tastes like sipping the warm colors of the sky of a sunset in Puerto Rico. Round it out with the bar looking like a hotel lobby Indiana Jones might pop into, and the adventurous spirit of Bar Hacienda will likely rocket it to the top of more lists.

Time Out tip: Unlike other speakeasies in town, Bar Hacienda is currently serving walk-ins only, so be bold and just try your luck for a table. 

Address: 400 Colorado Street, Austin, TX 78701

Opening hours: Wed-Sat 5pm-1am

Expect to pay: $45-60 for a few well-made cocktails.