East Austin has become the best spot in town to guzzle down beers and cocktails for all breeds of booze connoisseurs.
However, navigating the bars of East Austin can be tricky. The district offers so many new and exciting places to drink that choosing where to spend your Friday night can quickly become an elaborate process more irksome than scrolling through the cornucopia of entertainment on Netflix. But lucky for you, we're here to help. East Austin offers a vast array of unique bars of all shapes and sizes, each with something insanely awesome to boast. While there are a ton of spots on the East Side that you could stumble into, here are a few highlights per neighborhood.
East 6th
photo via facebook
1300 E 6th St
Stroll down East 6th Street and keep an eye out for the illuminated duck sign marking The Lucky Duck. It's a favorite spot for Austin locals and visitors alike, known for its lively outdoor patio, delish espresso martinis, and upstairs speakeasy. Whatever you do, don't miss the rubber ducky claw machine! Visit on Friday or Saturday nights for dancing, or swing by on Sunday Funday to enjoy drink specials and a brunch from their food truck.
1209 E 6th St
Austin Garden & Studio at Inn Cahoots is one of the newest additions to the East Side bar scene. If you're in search of live music from Wednesday to Sunday on East 6th, this is a top choice. Its huge patio is ideal for meeting up with a large group for day drinking, while the indoor "studio" offers a cool escape on hot days. For the latest events and updates, check their Instagram.
1308 E 6th St
Looking for a bar that's a bit like adult daycare? Latchkey has you covered. A night here often ends with your whole friend group dancing on top of their picnic tables. They host a variety of events throughout the week, like karaoke on Tuesdays, live music, DJs, and more. When you're wanting to find a place where letting loose is encouraged, come here.
___________________________
1600 E 6th St
This Japanese-inspired, ultra-modern, cat-themed cocktail bar adjoins the East Side Ramen Tatsu-ya. Half-indoors and half-outside patio, this spot’s most Insta-friendly draw is beer topped with frozen flavored foam caps (vanilla cream, root beer, or ginger).
1502 E 6th St
Hands down, Hotel Vegas is one of East Austin's best venues. Open seven days a week, Hotel Vegas is arguably the best spot to see up-and-coming bands. Focusing primarily on good 'ol rock 'n' roll, the bar is always—and we mean ALWAYS—poppin'. Also, the bar is connected to The Volstead Lounge, one of Austin's most danceable clubs, making Hotel Vegas one of the most versatile and eclectic spots in town.
1902 E 6th St
This spot has something for everyone. Between delicious house-brewed beer, a coffee bar, wine, cider, and root beer, there's a libation at Lazarus Brewing to suit every palate. The spacious bar also boasts a relaxed, dog-and-family-friendly patio perfect for afternoon hangs. Tacos, queso, and more will sate your munchies amply here. Lazarus is an all-around excellent spot that truly embodies East Austin's laid-back vibe.
___________________________
1111 E 6th St
Not to be confused with Violet Crown Cinema, this laid-back watering hole is something of a local sanctuary. Dimly-lit and equipped with a spacious patio, Violet Crown Social Club is a perfect spot to escape the hustle-bustle of the city, kick back, and enjoy some ice cold brews. Violet Crown's biggest attraction, however, is undoubtedly their Orange Whip, a delicious cocktail that will have you smiling right through your brain freeze.
1816 E 6th St
This place has perfected the rustic-chic vibe – think dive bar, but with chandeliers and candles. They’re known for their artisanal cocktails but there’s also a lesser-known mezcal bar upstairs.
&
East Cesar Chavez
photo via instagram
3201 E Cesar Chavez St
Armadillo Den's little sister is located on Cesar Chavez, giving us the ideal bar to enjoy good food made fresh in their on-site kitchen Biggie's Yardbird, great cocktails, and a view of the Colorado River. Dainty Dillo also has fire pits, misters and fans, a stage for live music, and multiple indoor and outdoor TVs.
4824 E Cesar Chavez St
You might think Central Machine Works is just a brewery, but they offer so much more. They have a full bar, live music, some really good pizza, and even an art gallery. This is always a great spot to go when you have a large group as they have huge indoor and outdoor spaces with large tables.
photo via instagram
4715 E Cesar Chavez St
For some of the strongest margs in town, go to De Nada Cantina. They have tons of margaritas to choose from, like Prickly Pear and rotating seasonal flavors, however they do limit 2 large margs per guest. This little taco spot also has delicious homemade tortillas, filled with their slow-braised meats (they also have vegetarian option!). It can get packed, so definitely make a reservation.
Blue Owl Brewing2400 E Cesar Chavez St
Like many breweries, Blue Owl is a home away from home. But what makes Blue Owl so special is their complete and total understanding of how to create the perfect sour-mashed beer. While the brewery's specialty is without a doubt sour-mash, Blue Owl also offers wheat beers, pale ales, stouts, and more. Take a load off and head to Blue Owl for some of the most delicious beer in Austin.
&
Manor Road
photo via instagram
2807 Manor Rd
Coffee, cocktails, tacos, and vintage shopping are all some of the perks of going to The Long Goodbye. This new bar on Manor has a bit of everything, making it a great spot to hangout day or night. They have a huge outdoor area, perfect for enjoying one of their frozen cocktails, as well as a vibey indoor cocktail bar.
2113 Manor Rd
This one's a bit more upscale, but can't be left off a list of great bars on Manor Road. Bar Toti is a neighborhood bar inspired by the bar cultures of Spain, brought to us by the Suerte team. Walk-ins are welcome every night, but you can also make a reservation here.
3108 Manor Rd
Oozing rustic cabin vibes, this brewery specializes in “experimental small batch craft beer”, but also caters to wine-lovers with an impressive wine list. With pizza and old arcade games to top it off, it’s easy to get cozy at Oddwood Brewing. One of the best food trucks in the city, KG BBQ, is also located on-site.
2310 Manor Rd
Self-described as "regionally-inspired comfort," local favorite Haymaker serves craft beer, delicious cocktails, and mouthwatering food. While Haymaker's drinks menu is, of course, off the chain, featuring some of the best beers in town and some of the strongest cocktails, the bar's food menu is really what drives this place home. Stacked with meat-inspired eats like the Wisconsin Wurst and the Cuban Pressed Burger, Haymaker will get buzzes going and fill empty stomachs.
2307 Manor Rd
Connected to Austin's cherished Vortex Theater, this cozy bar offers a spacious patio, delicious eats, and live music. Butterfly Bar's drink menu is one of the most exciting drink menus in town, offering top-notch cocktails like the Handcrafted Margarita, the Tennessee Ginger, and the Butterfly Nectar, a refreshing infusion of Tito's Vodka, fruit, and ginger. Butterfly Bar is a posh, intimate setting to get your drink on. You can also enjoy one of their drinks with a plate of delicious handmade pasta from Patrizi's which is located right outside.
2201 Manor Rd
Located on East Manor, Techo Mezcaleria & Agave Bar is the neighborhood's premiere south-of-the-border-themed bar and also its only lounge featuring a rooftop speakeasy. The bar, of course, focuses mostly on Agave-inspired spirits and Mezcal-themed cocktails like the Curo Cabeza, an intoxicating blend of Orange Curracao, Mexcal Maguey sap, chocolate bitters, and orange peel. With latin aesthetic and its amazing cocktails, Techo Mexcaleria & Agave Bar is sure to quickly become a neighborhood favorite.
&
__________________________________
Mueller/Airport
1905 Aldrich St, #130
After 16 years of faithfully serving 6th St, Irish Pub B.D. Riley's opened their second location on Aldrich Street. Owner John Erwin always desired to export his delicious Irish cocktails and beers to another part of town but could never manage to find the perfect feel. Lucky for us, he found a spot in the up and coming Mueller neighborhood that preserves the small town, where-everybody-knows-your-name vibe of B.D. Riley's previous location. So Mueller residents prepare your livers for frosty pints of Guinness and Irish Car Bombs, B.D. Riley's has arrived.
5420-B Airport Blvd
Described as an "epic neighborhood dive bar that's never missed a day," Barfly's is indeed your go-to watering hole. Located in the upstairs of an older building, the bar is dark, dingy, and unabashedly seedy. The only things inside Barfly's are friendly bartenders, cold cheap beer, a TV, a pool table, and a jukebox filled with an eclectic assortment ranging from Built to Spill to Willie Nelson. Barfly's is truly a perfect dive bar.
4631 Airport Blvd
This social club and billiards room has a full bar with 20 rotating beers on top, daily beer specials, and decently-priced drinks. The Grand also has darts, pinball, foosball, and quarter tables. On Sundays and Mondays, all service industry employees play pool for free.
East 12th
1812 E 12th
And just a few more steps down 12th, you'll reach Trona, a Oaxaca/Japanese-inspired cocktail bar. While it's not exactly a speakeasy, it's more of a moody, secret-style lounge. You can make a reservation here.
1906 E 12th St
With a name like King Bee, this bar has got to hold the throne in some department, right? And this Eastside favorite is without a doubt king of serving up iced cold brews, creative cocktails, and housemade pizza. A little divey but also a little swanky, King Bee offers a one-of-a-kind drinking experience that feels both vintage and contemporary.
Another fun bar to check out: Nunya Bar
________________________________________
East 7th
photo via instagram
3501 E 7th St
A slight hop away from the hectic center of East 7th street, Kinda Tropical is a retro cafe that offers everything from a specialty Michelada to a CBD waffle. Chow down and then bask on the patio for a while - it's easy to spend a few hours hanging at Kinda Tropical, especially if you're in the right mood. This dog-friendly cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and hosts a variety of events like vintage car hangs, and vendor marketplaces.
5020 E 7th St
Holiday is a cocktail bar just down the street from Kinda Tropical, serving both fancy drinks and delicious food. They're known for their Frozen Mexican Martini, as well as their half price martinis every Sunday. Take a look at the full drink and food menu here.
OTHER GREAT EAST SIDE BARS:
2538 Elmont Dr
1133 E 11th St
1300 E 4th St
1401 Cedar Ave
1902 E MLK Blvd
2211 Webberville Rd
1413 Webberville Rd
1104 E 11th St
114 Linden St
Got a favorite bar that you think should be on the East Side Bar Guide? Let us know.
[email protected]
