10 Best Bars in Austin, Texas

Located on the same block as the Driskill, the "invitation only" part of this hidden speakeasy's description makes it seem like an impenetrable members-only club. In fact, patrons only need to download their app to book a (required) reservation for the night and enter their provided secret code at the alley gate. We won't spoil what greets you once you've crossed the threshold of this stylish secret lair, but the showstopping basement bar is one of the best (and most exclusive) destinations in town for a craft cocktail. Seasonal and weekly menus rotate around abstract themes that will spark the imagination of seasoned connoisseurs. Their sister bar, In Plain Sight, located just above on the ground floor, is another vibey spot for a nightcap.

Spot the red gate at the corner of a faux-fern–wrapped parking garage to access this jewel box of a bar. Climb the spiral staircase to the "hidden," highly acclaimed, second-story speakeasy, outfitted with plush blue banquettes, baroque wallpaper, and a wood-box back bar framed in blue and brown subway tiles. Classic cocktails made with large-format Clinebell ice are the specialty here, and bartenders like to get creative with their trove of vintage recipes. Cheese, charcuterie, and other light fare are served until midnight. Walk-ins are welcome all night, every night, but reservations are recommended for groups of four or more. Arrive early to avoid crowds on weekends.

This immersive, over-the-top tiki bar is a melting pot of Asian, Hawaiian, and Polynesian influences that come together to create an adult Disneyland of juicy delights. The drinks and food don't disappoint, but the presentation and theatrics steal the show. Order fish-bowl–size drinks that serve four to six people, or a showboating cocktail that cues special lights and music when served—and don't forget to snap a selfie in your own themed booth. A more approachable tiki concept recently opened in their upstairs lounge every Monday and Tuesday night with its own casual cocktail and snack menu. You'll find it by entering through the back of the understated, speakeasy-style building and following the "Tiki" signs.

This beloved mezcal bar is a great spot on Red River to grab a preshow drink before seeing a show at Stubb's, directly across the street, or the Mohawk two blocks down. The laid-back Mexican lounge is cozy and approachable, with a large outdoor courtyard space and a classic bar menu of cocktails and beers. You also have the luxury of ordering from the adjacent Pelóns Tex-Mex eatery's full dinner menu without having to leave your seat.

This north Austin neighborhood craft cocktail haven has all the comforts of a local community pub with all the sophistication of a sleek downtown bar. Creative signature libations and local beers dominate the beverage menu, while a tasty spread of snacks and savory bar food keeps guests pulled up to the cozy bar for a few hours. There's an open-air back patio that expands the seating of the intimate interior.

The thought of parking in downtown Austin induces an instant headache. Yet, one particular parking garage on Colorado in between Fifth and Sixth streets has been known as a stress-relieving, inner-city sanctuary for savvy cocktail lovers since 2014. Enter under the "Cocktails" sign just past the nondescript garage's "Enter" and "Exit" signs and arrive via a winding entryway into the intimate, industrial-meets-mid-century-chic speakeasy. Snag one of the dozen stools around the curved granite bar to watch the experts at work on signature cocktails like the popular Indian Paintbrush, or cozy up in the banquette booths to people watch the weekend crowds. The menu also includes tasty small plates and snacks.

You don't need to be a hotel guest to unwind at the San José's popular courtyard bar and lounge in what many consider to be the hippest hotel in town. Enjoy signature micheladas, reasonably priced bottles of wine, and cheese plates poolside or at a bamboo-bordered patio table. Special events, like the annual South by San Jose SXSW festival, showcase local bands in the adjacent parking lot, while weekly DJ sets, themed dance parties, and seasonal happy hour specials are hosted in the lounge space.

A swanky downtown bar during most of the year, this hotel bar brings Austin nightlife to the next level during big city events such as the Austin City Limits Music Festival, Pride Week, and, of course, SXSW. There are multiple lounge spaces and bars here, including the Records Room where DJs play weekly, and an air-conditioned Screen Porch hangout. 

An evening reservation at this diminutive cocktail club, hidden in plain sight in the midst of Sixth Street, is an absolute must for craft cocktail lovers. Originally a massage parlor busted for running an in-house escort service, the club perpetuates a secretive air of mystique with Prohibition-era decor and a speakeasy entrance. (Guests must press the buzzer marked "Harry Craddock" under the "Midnight Cowboy Modeling Oriental Massage" sign to gain entry.) Tableside cocktails are the main attraction, perfect for a special occasion for an intimate group of friends or a romantic date-night indulgence. Reservations are required and are available in two-hour time blocks.

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.