Hill Country

The scent of molasses and ribs might be enough to draw you into this Downtown Texan barbecue spot, but it’s the downstairs Boot Bar, where live country music alternates nights with rock-band karaoke, that really brings in the crowds. The bare-brick space is sizeable but cozy, with home-style wooden tables and chairs and tributes to the Lone Star state everywhere you look. Cocktails also have a Southern twang, with ingredients ranging from tequila to jalapeños—but don’t miss the $20 pitchers of Shiner beer, a beloved Texas staple with a malty, delicate flavor.