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Austin’s official title of "Live Music Capitol of the World" is not self-appointed—it's earned. Long known as a playground for late night revelers, the city brought Texas country music to the forefront years before the emergence of mega-venues and craft cocktail lounges. Dance Halls and Honky Tonks once ruled the roost, and down and out drifters played for their wages. The music scene now pulls a sophisticated and cosmopolitan crowd while sticking true to its roots. Music lovers will find a variety of options every night of the week that span genres, all with a unique and soulful edge. It’s not surprising that the city plays host to several of the most significant music festivals in the country, like SXSW and the ACL Fest. New bars open almost daily in Texas’s ever-evolving and always-hospitable capitol city.
In the hip Hyde Park neighborhood, Vino Vino serves a carefully curated variety of wines, from Alsatian crémant (sparkling wine) to obscure Argentinean reds, on the perpetually evolving menu. The sleek amber wood floors and bar give a warmth to this wine bar and market, where you can peruse the wine wall in search of the perfect bottle. The Hyde Park staple will certainly bring some music to the table during SXSW.
With an original location in Brooklyn, NY, the Weather Up has brought its craft cocktails down south. Grace this patio for a fanciful concoction before heading out into the rest of your night. With Brooklyn roots and a hip East Side address, expect plenty of fanfare during SXSW.
A top spot for craft cocktails in an intimate atmosphere along East 6th Street, Whisler's consistently draws a see-and-be-seen crowd who not only expect the best cocktail of their choice, but are also willing to pay top-dollar for it. If you take craft cocktails seriously, you won’t regret an evening here. You’ll find an inviting array of seasonal drinks on the menu, but be sure to ask your server about off-the-menu options, too. And their "back bar," a Oaxacan-inspired mezcal bar, Mezcalería Tobalá (open Friday and Saturday), is not to be missed.
You don't have to bring a dog to be a patron at Austin's first hybrid restaurant, bar, and dog-park, off Burnet Road. The shaded outdoor patio is a great place to people- and puppy-watch while you chow down on sliders and fries served at the on-site Fat City walk-up window. Find several local beers on draft here, too, plus seasonal cocktails and cheap tall boys.
