Love this dive, good vibes, inexpensive but a nice selection of beers!

"Have you ever been to Barfly's? You can get drunk off of one drink there; I'm not even kidding." Saunter up to the bar and order a vodka soda and watch as they fill the cup with vodka and add a splash of soda. Hell, order anything with liquor and observe the masters of generous pouring at work. Pay less than $4, tip well, and then saunter off again to find a table. With the exception of the back room, every single table is dark and covered in shadows. I could sink into those booths and responsibly drink away my troubles. No one gives a shit about you or what you're doing because they are too wrapped up in their own thoughts and that is just how I like it. No one will pull me out of my train of thought because they're just as far down the rabbit hole. I could sink deep into introspection, have a drink or two, leave, and no one would be the wiser. There would be no trace of my presence, save for the lingering image of my silhouette briefly glimpsed through a drunken lens. I've made many mistakes in my life, but patronizing this establishment has never been one of them. I've seen so many different faces here and we all share the same knowing look - this is a place to escape the harsh realities of the world waiting just outside the front door, even if only for a few hours. We all seek respite where and when we can. Barfly's doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is; it's unassuming and lacks pretention. You want a dark, quiet atmosphere where you can drink a beer? Come on in. Barfly's lacks pretense so that you can do the same; there's something so freeing about being able to come as you are and knowing that you're always welcome. No matter my mood or what is troubling me, I can glance around the room and know with certainty that others feel this, too. I have found that the single greatest comfort in life is the knowledge that you are not alone. As long as Barfly's is open, you can seek comfort in the existence of individuals, flesh and blood and alive, who are seeking the very same. We don't need to find solace at the bottom of a glass or a bottle; we just need to find solace in each other. read more

Definitely dig this place- cool and dark, like a cave.. a cave with bartenders. Super friendly bartenders serving cheap stiff drinks, a rockin' 90s alt rock/grunge juke box, and a few pool tables. Not pool tables with the same three frat guys hogging it all night, but pool tables you actually get to play. I prefer the one in the back room the best. The one that feels like a bunker. Less foot traffic. It feels like you're playing pool in your own private bomb shelter. And who hasn't dreamt of playing pool in your own private bomb shelter? I know I have. Oh shit, almost forgot to mention the bathroom - comic books, comic books, comic books, all over the walls. Sweet. read more

Barfly's - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Before leaving House Pizzeria, Catherine T. gave me the low-down on Barfly's and it's five sister bars scattered throughout Austin. First off, Barfly's is known for their heavy pour. I listened intently, mostly because I was shocked and intrigued that of all the nights of barhopping I've participated in, and of all the dive bars I've actually visited, how this and FIVE other places could remain completely unscathed by Hurricane Nathan, well...That's quite a feat. We decided to enjoy the cooler night air and walk off some of the pizza, so Catherine, Missy B. and I navigated the few blocks from House to Barfly's. The bar itself is set atop Burger Tex, with a rather steep flight of what I considered "Exorcist"-like stairs leading up to the front door. I hope the owner has a lot of broken neck insurance, because these things are a challenge, even to someone who's sober. I can't imagine what it'd be like for the blindingly drunk. We walked in, and immediately my drink-or-flight instincts kicked in. Drink-or-flight is that split second decision my mind is faced with upon entering a new and unfamiliar watering hole. In this case, upon looking at the narrow dive and virtually silent, empty abyss in front of me, every impulse was telling me to feign sick and run home to the comforting surroundings of my designer bedding, pull the covers over my head, and pretend I never, ever saw this place. But that's just my first primal instinct. Naturally, knowing I was with the Yelpers, and there was alcohol involved, meant everything was going to be alright. Visually, it was like any other dive bar you've probably seen before. Dimly lit, some booths to the side, pool tables, and a Ms. Pacman(!). You also pray you'll never have to use the bathroom. Ever since they started to run "Cheers" on Hallmark Channel, I always thought there was something not quite right about that bar. Oh sure, there were colorful characters, scintillating conversation with Dr. Frasier Crane, and sexual tension between Sam and a stick figure woman...but it always seemed "off". Finally, I was on the phone with my mother as she expounded on her latest 6-hour bargain trek through the mall, when I suddenly and randomly blurted out: "They don't play music! It's the most boring bar in the world! Dear God!--There's no music...no music at all. That's what's wrong with 'Cheers!'" That, and no one is EVER intoxicated. So when we first walked into Barfly's, I noticed immediately there was no music. That's what scared me the most. It was unsettling, and creepy. It made me feel like this was the last place you'd go before you hit rock-bottom, where not even music is required. Just a dark, silent bar playing a Jackie Chan movie quietly in the corner. Terrifying. Anyways, we ordered a Lone Star. Finally, the whole gang (Missy, Catherine, Tony, David, Adam, & Jamie) had set up shop in the back room, which consisted of aluminum siding on the walls and a Foosball table. Oh, dear. Finally, the jukebox outside kicked in and we had background noise. A couple people played pool (just a note, the table's a little close to the wall for some shots, as Missy discovered), while I chatted over cocktails. Ashley said she needed to reach her minimum bar tab ($10 on cards), and asked if I would help her out. Not a problem! I ordered a vodka tonic and watched the heavy pour I had heard so much about. And damn, it was good. I nursed one drink. Yes, me. Someone who can drink three vodka tonics before the bartender can run my card. And they were cheap, too; $3.00 for a double Madras, according to Ashley. Nothing can replace Charlie's for me, but I liked the way this bar rolled. As the night went on, more customers came in, and the sense of dread started to lift. Ashley's roommate gave me a new drink recipe called the White Dove, I discovered Ashley's fedora looked absolutely fantastic on me, and I was constantly amused with David and Catherine's love-hate banter. Everyone also said how glad they were I could make it to this UYE. Lord, me too. I was thoroughly enjoying myself, and I wasn't even drunk or making out with a guy. Simply amazing. Barfly's was an interesting place. Cheap, strong drinks are always a winner. Next up according to Catherine: The Hideout. I'll be there, just as long as there's music. I learned an important life lesson that night: Never judge a book by its cover. And never judge a bar by it's jarringly depressing first impression. Barfly's, can you ever forgive me? read more

I'm super late to this yelp party, especially since I have been coming here since 2003 when I first moved to Austin! I remember when you could smoke in there! That was sooo long ago!!! After a night there, I remember my clothes would wreak so bad of cigarettes! It could stink up your whole house! There was no ventilation except for one tiny window. Luckily, they have a downstairs patio now (and have had for years) to smoke until your heart's content. So many memories...Barfy's is one of those bars that kinda feels like you are at a party at a friend's house, because somehow you always end up making a bunch of friends there. One Halloween... possibly 2005 or 6, someone had a riding crop with their costume and the party got a little weird in there, y'all! I have had more than a decade of a lot of fun at Barfy's, I'll leave it at that! We fondly refer to it as Barfy's due to the strong drinks one can expect here! That...and you might barf at the end of the night or the next morning. Drinks are strong and cheap, and served by some super great bartenders. Don't expect fancy. They might be able to make it, but it's not that type of place, so keep it simple. Barfy's will always hold a special place in my heart. read more

If only this place had one of those plaques on the wall for personal drinking mile stones. Not so much for how many beers or shots I have had there, but how many times Barfly's has been responsible for being behind the driver's seat when it comes to me making decisions in life. The very first in Marcos' quadrilogy of bars. Whether it be a night of celebration or a night of destruction Barfly's will take the place of the friend in your life that gets you into trouble, but will be one hell of an adventure along the way. Its the dive bar to end all dive bars. 3 Factors....3 things you need to remember. 1. - Drinks are cheap...I repeat, the DRINKS ARE CHEAP. Wont break the bank. Now your face as you fall down, that's a different story. 2. - The jukebox kicks some major ass. Period 3. - There are stairs involved. Don't forget to hold onto the railing if you feel the world crashing down on you. read more

My friends and I call drinking here "getting Barflyed" because it's a special kind of drunk - before I started drinking here I don't think I'd ever been totally hammered in an hour without really trying. The drinks are super cheap for what you get. I celebrated a recent windfall here and bought drinks for about twenty people. The bartender told me when I showed up that I had one of the top ten all-time largest tabs ever at Barfly's, so I got really worried. When he handed me the credit card slip, it was around $350. I was staggered. About half the people on the patio were well and truly drunk because of me and it only cost that much? Add that to the fact that I live on 53rd Street, and I think Barfly's might be my favorite bar ever. Plus the bartender is now quite familiar with me! One star off for the sometimes (but not often) extremely loud music and the sometimes annoyingly strong drinks - sometimes you just wanna get a buzz on, y'know? read more

If you leave your car overnight, you will BE TOWED. I left my car here in order to not drive under the influence, and am now paying $286 to retrieve my vehicle. I live about a mile away, but will NOT be giving this bar any more of my business, and will tell friends to beware of this hidden fee for choosing to not drive drunk. Never have I had this happen in Austin -- and I think it's strange to tow your paying customers and have the tow signs improperly posted in the lot, so they are not highly visible. Worst experience ever, and this will be going to court. read more

I'm an official Barfly now... yessss! High cost of living in Austin can't touch this dive. It's sad that I was shocked to find $22 left in my pocket that originally contained $40 after coming home from a rousing night at Barfly's. 4 Rio Blanco Pale Ales + tip = $16 4 songs on the juke (Girl in a Coma, Pixies, the Cure, the Clash) = $1 4 games of erotic photo hunt on the MegaTouch = awesome & $1 4 games of pool = pocket full of laundry quarters (The number 4 was good to me) I guess my high school algebra teacher wasn't lying when she said I would use math in the "real world". Thanks, Ms. Trahan! read more

An unpretentious dive, in the best kind of divey way that will get you to that obliterated stage that you weren't meaning to achieve, while managing not to break the bank. Some of us stuck around after my House Pizzeria UYE dinner to experience the awesomeness of Barfly's. Thank you Missy, Nathan, Catherine, Tony, David, Adam, & Jamie for sticking around. Some walked, some lazytards drove (Adam and Tony). Excellent jukebox, pool tables, MS. PACMAN, downstairs outdoor patio/backyard. A piece of advice: When someone tells you the bathroom is the 2nd door on the right, learn to pay attention and count. I open the door that led to the outside. Typical... I then stagger over to the other side of the bar and open the door where the barback is getting beer. The guys sitting at the bar had to point me in the CORRECT direction. Bartenders are really friendly & make some mighty strong, good drinks. He was nice enough let me know that there was a $10 minimum for credit cards. I spent $12 on 4 drinks, I hope I tipped nicely. I feel so lucky to live so close to this awesome bar. read more

A group of friends and I were at the Highball this past Wednesday (review pending for *that* lackluster time), and I spent $11 for one cocktail. Before we started to build a triple digit tab, I suggested we finish the night here at Barfly's since it's near my apartment and amazing. Bought an entire round of drinks for myself and three friends for TEN FREAKIN' FIFTY. Fabulous times all around. My goodness, where have you been all my life Barfly's!? Cheap, STRONG drinks, probably the most gracious and coolest of bartenders I have ever encountered in the course of my life, a fun jukebox, a ladies bathroom with a chalkboard wall to write on, and did I mention cheap, strong, STROOOONG drinks? read more

To say that I'm taken aback by the glowing reviews here would be an understatement. Yes, I understand that it's a dive, and the bar should be set relatively low. Still, I call it Barfy's for a reason. Barfy's is a definitive dive: grungy atmosphere, drunken metalhead/hipster bro's hitting on any girl that unwittingly walks by, and cheap drinks. That may be its appeal to some, be it as a novelty or a gift to the pocketbook. But, no, it's not pretentious to not want to go to a place that is mired in a cloud of cigarette smoke with macho clientele and a rude manager. Furthermore, the entire bar smells inconceivably foul. Similar to - you guessed it - vomit. It's nothing that will gross you out, but it's enough to get under your skin. The scent hits you when you first walk in the door and has for years. It's like spilled drinks were mixed with puke and thrown on the floor, but with a strange veneer of cleaning chemicals to try and cover it. Simply put, Barfly's isn't a FUN dive like Lala's or The Grand. It's a nasty one. The attitude of the owner/manager is nasty (he routinely kicks out customers or yells at them), the attitude of the clientele is nasty, and the experience of the place itself is nasty. read more

It is with quiet reluctance I write this review. I'm kind of wary about other people discovering this refuge of mine. The weekends have already gotten pretty crowded over the past few years, and now I fear the weekdays will follow suit soon. Let me cut to the chase. This is the best bar in Austin. Whether this is a testament to this wonderful establishment, or to my unhealthy life choices, my friends and I have been known to be at Barfly's at least 4 times a week. I think our streak is 9 days in a row. It's what the "Cheers" theme song sums up. It's the friendly owner, the pick-up game of pool, the bummed cigarettes, the stumble up the patio stairs, the tiny bathrooms and the flawless jukebox. Marc has a great thing going here; he's a down-to-earth owner who's not afraid to get his hands dirty and wash a few glasses alongside his barbacks. Did I mention the drinks are REALLY cheap? In my years of experience, here's what I've learned: 4 Lone Stars and a Gin/Tonic will hit the $10 tab minimum perfectly. It's It's nice to go to a place where a beer, 4 songs on the juke box AND a game of pool cost less than anything on the Whataburger Combo menu. In a hurry to get your weekend started? Order a happy meal (Lone Star with a side of Jager). I wish I could give them six stars. read more

As much as I love this large bar family, I'm going to play favorites and say that Barf-ly's is my LEAST favorite of the six siblings. And I don't care if Barfly's gets his feelings hurt by that. Some Yelpers and I waltzed over here last Thursday after eating subpar pizza at House Pizzeria. I knew Barfly's shared a building with Burger Tex, but I expected the bar to be on the bottom floor. Why? Because I now wonder just how many patrons have biffed it and gone tumbling down the stairs in a drunken, clumsy stupor. As slapstickingly funny as that might be to watch, I don't especially want to have to hunt for my first-aid kit and medical knowledge after six Lone Stars. Barfly's has three pool tables, which is, of course, awesome as all get out, but the table in the back room is badly placed. Friends had to hold their cue sticks at 45-degree angles, and sometimes into other friends' crotches, to get a decent shot because the table was so close to the back wall. So, Barfly's could stand to move the table a couple of feet. I realize this may crowd the foosball table a teensy bit, but so the fuck what? The ladies' bathroom only has one stall, which is always unfortunate. And there was no soap the night I was there. I'm actually used to this, as sister Hideout Pub frequently suffers from this problem, but it still pisses me off. The main room doesn't have a lot of room, as it's long and narrow. And there's not really any standing room, either, thanks to tables, chairs, and pool tables. But, it wasn't at all busy when we were there. Actually, when Nathan I and I first walked in, we wondered if the place was closed for some odd reason because there was no music playing, and no one inside was yakking. Talk about eerie. Bars are partially about noise, y'know? Which, we Yelpers made plenty of that in the back room, I guarantee you. I have a feeling the peeps in the main room were jealous of our good time. My overall impression is that Barf-ly's ain't worth the drive, especially since Hideout is so much closer to my house. Even if I still lived in Hyde Park, I'd probably only go here again if a friend desperately wanted to, threw a fit when I said no, cried like a toddler, and then promised to buy me beer if I said yes*. Barfly's, you didn't make me barf, but you did make me disappointed. (*requirement) read more

George Thorogood said it best with his groundbreaking lyric, "When I drink alone, I prefer to be by myself." A man of wisdom and truth, that one. My version would go something like "When I am not drinking whiskey from a glass cowboy boot alone while watching BBC World News, I prefer to be at Bar Fly's." It may not flow as well, but the take-home message is nothing to shake a stick at. read more

Barfly's is a pretty ideal destination. Last night was my first visit. It was an experience full of cheap drinks, a surprisingly good jukebox, and unexpectedly running into about a million people that I know. The reviews are showing that it's not a secret. It's a good time, people. read more

Barfly's is one of the best local bars in Austin. I can't really add much more to this than what all the other 5 star reviews have already covered. It's a great place, with great people and great drinks. Nothing too fancy, but exactly where you want to be to drink and have a good time. I went the other night with a couple of friends and got stock in that mini-monsoon we had... out back... under the tented area.... and loved it. Just a fun time being stuck in what seemed to be endless rain with a bunch of awesome people drinking... what more could you ask for? Cool bartenders? Check. Pool tables if you want to play pool? Check. Bathrooms that work? Check. It's that easy... read the other top reviews of this place as well... not too many... because they're all good... just go there and drink. read more

If there is a Star Wars "Cantina" contest here in Austin, then my vote goes to Barfly's! I can totally see Han Solo shooting Greedo in one of those tables by the wall. Maybe the Millennium Falcon is parked in the lot next door? Heck, their drinks are so damn strong here that I even tried speaking with that hammer-head alien one time! Once my eyes focused though, I realized that I was just talking to the TV shelf ~whoops~ Wow, did I just nerd-out on Star Wars references? Sorry about that, not sure what came over me. I do have to admit that Barfly's is a pretty cool place. It's got all the things I love in a dive bar. Dimly lit spaces, crooked pool tables, rockin' jukebox (no funky cantina band here usually), cool patio area and in the back of the bar is a game room with video games and foosball! Did I mention their prices are incredibly inexpensive? I was happily buzzed on less than 20 bucks... Come here for the drinks and stay for the people. read more

This place is a death trap trying to get in or out down the two sets of long ass stairs. And the way they fix their drinks, it doesn't take more than 2 or 3 whiskey cokes before you're feeling a little light on your toes clutching the rail of a metal 20-stair. Possible adjectives I would use to describe barflys: dingy, morose, shady, corrupt, and vile. read more

I miss the shit out of this bar. Their motto is "Our drinks are cheap so you don't have to be" Awesome Jukebox, pool tables, CHEAP drinks... This is the type of bar where if you take care of the bartenders, they'll take care of you. Regulars get heavy pours and drinks ready before they order. There is not a person I have ever brought that hasn't loved the place and adopted as a normal late night destination. It's pretty busy every night of the week with standing room only on the weekend. I have A LOT of fond memories from this place including: getting hustled by an attractive tall pool shark with a broken wrist (she ran the table off the break), an impromptu wrestling match between a drunk Portland girl and a seemingly prissy brown haired girl on a Monday night, lots of spilled drinks, lots of high fives, and always yelling over the jukebox. What more could you ask for? Marcus and Aaron are kings. Keith hates me (I am not too fond of him either), but that's my own fault. I suggest living in stumbling distance. read more

The most definitive feature of Barfly's is its tree-house, "no girl(backward 's') allowd", secret-club-handshake effect that it exudes as you walk up the lengthy flight of stairs, into the cavernous brick public house, and eventually back down again into the confines of its backyard, which appears to have been shoplifted from the city's intricate alley-way system by means of cedar fencing. Of course, a less pretentious bar (despite its initial appearance), one cannot find. The bartenders are extremely friendly and accomodating, doting over something interesting about your I.D., or your order, or whatever. Its El Paso owned, which always provides for a comfortable atmosphere, it seems (re: Key Bar, Nomad, Screaming Goat, Dirty Bills, et al). Folks from out west just KNOW to Feng Shui a bar. Beers are Austin-cheap, which means, inexpensive in general -- but typical for prices around the city. You want something fancier than a Lone Star; they will provide it. On one recent night there, I just had a sudden aversion to beer, so I had a couple of sugar-laden Hornsby (which is soo "El Paso" to stock in your bar in the first place), and was highly appreciated because of its rarity and its ability to provide a second- and third-wind to my acute hops-phobia. Really what makes Barfly's fantastic is its clientele. Like a foreign country, the people make the place, and to Barfly's good fortune, they've found a following of extremely polite, sociable, and charming denizens. Good for them, because, as previously mentioned: this is the type of place, if it were set in some other locales in the city, could quickly gain the reputation of being an exclusive dive. The type where your first through one-hundredth drink there feels like you're crashing someone's Socialist Workers Conference. Not here. So, lucky us. read more

I want to like Barflys. I really do. The bartenders are great, it's always got good music playing and it's a good price for cheap drinks. Isn't that what bars are about? But goddamn are there too many hipster dudes. Aren't there firecode violations for that much hairspray in a small area? I realize this has nothing to do with the bar itself, but I hate feeling like a cranky old coot at the bar when I'm only 31. Damn kids better stay off my lawn. read more

Too many rowdy nights. Too close to my boyfriend's place. Too strong/cheap drinks. Too loud. Too crowded. Too much fun. One of the best neighbourhood dives in town, featuring one of the best jukeboxes. Be warned. read more

This is/will be my only five star rating. I want to say that I have some crazy bias towards Barfly's but I don't. I love this place. The drinks are inexpensive and strong, the bartenders are pleasant, the jukebox is bomb and most of the clientele are friendly and come from many different backgrounds. You must go there for yourself. Words can hardly describe its magnificence. Five Stars. read more

A large roach crawled up my pant leg while sitting at a table at this bar in 2004. I was already having a pretty bad night after being pulled over and issued a field sobriety test by an overzealous police officer (which I passed because I was not drunk) while en route to Barfly's. The roachpants incident was just icing on the cake at that point. In other words, this place is truly a "dive". What's not to like? read more

OMG, ARCADE TETRIS!!! SUWEEEEEET! Cheap alcohol? Yes, please. I didn't really check out the jukebox but I take that as a compliment to the patrons of this joint, who picked some really choice tunes, allowing me to make it through the night w/o a mad scramble for ones so I canz Reg-you-laytz. Great outdoor area, and by great I mean, you're in a parking lot, but it's OK b/c after getting blitzed and realizing that you still have money left for a night cap/hooker, everything is great! read more

Have you ever walked into a bar and get this creeping realization that this is some sort of specialty bar? Like maybe you didn't realize you were in a drag bar, or maybe there's more people waring bolo ties than you'd expect. I feel kind of like this at Barfly's. I go in, and it starts to occur to me first, that it's a sausagefest and second, that most of the guys in there look like they should either be programming or playing D&D, or else they should be riding a motorcycle. For me this is a net win (I like D&D-playing dorks) but your mileage may vary. read more

I had heard a lot about Barfly's before I actually went there. I heard things like ... coolest dive bar in the city, barfly's is awesome and I always meet the coolest people here. OK ... so clearly I built up some high expectations over the past couple years or more of hearing this. Needless to say I was a bit let down and it did not live up to all the hype for me. Was barfly's divey? ... yes. Did it have the stench I had heard so much about? ... yes. Were the drinks cheap and strong? ... well yes. Even with all that said ... I just was not overwhelmed. I have to better dive bars that have all this ... for instance 04 Lounge down south I think is a better dive bar or even Liberty on the east side. Even though I was slightly let down, Barfly's is still a cool place. A-OK in my book and I might even go back at some point and give it another shot. read more

Divey as fuuuuuuuuck. If dark and small bars with a rad juke box is your style, this place is for you. The only way in is up the stairs, so looks like wheelchairs are a no go. Parking is slim but it's never crazy packed. There's an outdoor area situated down the stairs the lead out the back, it's covered too in most areas. No food but you are pretty close to an east side pies and there's a burger joint below. They were closed when we were there and I'm not certain of their hours. Looked to be maybe 4 pool tables and one fooseball table on premise. It's dark, casual and cheap. A win in my book. read more

If Barfly's isn't in your regular bar rotation, you are Doing It Wrong. Its perch above a Burger-Tex may seem a bit odd, and its dark, musty appearance once you've ascended the entrance stairs might set off your crap dive bar alarm bells, yet underneath its Poodle Dog-ish façade is one of the most consistently fun bars in town. For example, one time some friends and I were there to celebrate a friend's birthday. We made a few simple special requests: constant rounds of the girliest drinks the bartender could come up with, and each time a new round was ordered, we needed the bartender to announce on the PA "[Friend's name], excelsior!" There were 5 of us, and the bar only has 6 cocktail glasses in total, so we essentially forced the bar to wash all of their glasses with each round of ever-fruitier drinks. However, not only did they not complain, they thought it was a blast, and even months later I've been greeted with a smile and a "Hey, you're one of the excelsior guys!" Friendly service like that would get points with me even if everything else about the place sucked. Luckily everything else about the place does the opposite of suck. Cheap drinks are a constant: $2.50 wells and $2 Lone Stars at all times. They'll also make you whatever, and their concoctions are always great, like their Bloody Marys or the aforementioned girly drinks. They're almost inhumanly speedy too, so even during the close-to-last-call crush they'll catch your eye and get you your last gin and tonic faster than you thought possible. If you get tired of the interior, there's a cool little enclosed patio out back and downstairs, and if you get tired of that, you can come back upstairs and challenge some strangers to pool or foosball, play some arcade games, watch one of the random movies they have constantly playing, or load up a million Huey Lewis songs in a row on the jukebox. Really, I don't know what else you could want out of a bar. The guys who own this (and their other properties) really know their stuff. read more

I feel kind of weird writing a review on Barfly's. It's like writing a review on your best friends boobs or something. I'm not sure what that is supposed to mean, maybe that you want to give the best review possible, but you feel really awkward about it. Anywho, I used to spend alot of time here. And I'm talkin' alot. I have gotten to know the bartenders, they are all awesome. I have stumbled out of this place countless times, have held my friends hair in the bathroom, have witnessed some fights, have even seen some break-ups. In my opinion, no dive-bar can top Barfly's. It's dark, it's loud, it's cheap. And when you are 21, and somehow have it in your mind that all of your income is disposable, this is where you can spend copious amounts of money, whilst getting totally hammered. I usually just drink happy meals(shot of jaeger, lonestar) at $3, why not? But the times that I have dared to drink their liquor drinks, I was not dissapointed. I think Obliterated is an appropriate term, you have been warned. read more

My friends have been raving about this place for a while, so I decided to check it out. Good drinks, pool table, jukebox, what's not to love. This review is pretty short because it was so much fun that I cannot recall everything about this place in detail. But I know it was fun & I will be back. read more

I love you so much, Barfly's! Drinks: $2.50 Arm wrestling, philosophical conversations, secret-spilling, cussing, a small fight, and a big new friendship all took place here. This is what I thought a bar was when I was little: a grimy, slightly depressing, chilled out spot where the rowdiness of life could get poured out over some cold brews. Five stars for this dive read more

At this point. This is my favorite non-music-venue bar in Austin. It gains this distinction because Lovejoy's is great, but is downtown and sometimes I simply cannot deal with being near 6th street or even having to think about parking and Draught House does not serve liqor. Barfly's wins by having the right balance of dive and local bar. Thanks to their nice patio no one is really compelled to smoke inside. Their jukebox is really amazing and so long as some forlorn Smashing Pumpkins fan hasn't dumped a 20 into it (not to trash them but on a good night Billy Corgan can be a buzzkill) you can get to play some fantastic songs. They often have great odd films on their screen and perhaps most importantly, they have incredibly reasonable prices and can pour a good drink. I do enjoy a good beer, but if I am out to drink, I do liquor. If you are a fellow liquor drinker and are tired of all the beer bars or the places that overcharge for a weak pour, this is your bar to go to. Also, if you are going out for a drink with a couple friends, and want to get a drink and don't want to just "be seen" this is the bar for you. read more

I was hoping to like it because I love dive bars but this one was a bit too dark and dank. My friend and I kept commenting on what could be done to make it bettter. The black painted windows are a hoot and the patio aint much of a patio. Be forewarned to put your sunglasses on before you open the door or you might be blinded by the light. read more

Ingredients: 1 Jukebox Low lighting Cheap beer (add as needed) Instructions: Order beer. Meet girlfriends to catch up and discuss men, past relationships, and our need to have a regular Sex and the City type girls' night out. Next, ask cute bartender for his definition of a cougar ("at least 40 years old, divorced, rich, blatantly going after boys in their 20s"). Once satisfied that none of us fit the bill completely, chat some more and vow to get together soon. read more

Barflys is ridiculously awesome. It's basically falling apart, dirt cheap, and they make drinks that are almost too strong to drink. Have fun going up and down the nightmare stairs. read more

As far as dives ago, you'd be hard pressed to find a better spot that Barfly's. Or maybe you would be if you're me and live about 2 blocks away, i.e. stumbling distance. Regardless of how great the location is for the present reviewer, Barfly's is worth checking out. Up the stairs at the entrance, you'll find a long, dimly lit room with pool tables in the front and the bar further back. "What seedy wheelings and dealings go on here?" the discerning bar hopper might ask. But fears of (hopes for...) unsavory characters and Austin's crime ridden underbelly will evaporate at the bar, where kindly bartenders serve up your poison of choice. Not to mention the flat screen TVs at the bar, which may be the bar's most extravagant addition, and feature such non-threatening fare as Zack and Miri Make a Porno (or maybe that was just last time...). Plus, like the folks here have emphasized, you can't beat the prices. 2 bucks for bottle beer, and that's not even a happy hour special? Done and done! And if their mixed drinks are as strong as people are saying... well, my liver quakes with fear. read more

We just stumbled onto this bar when we were driving on Airport. Wanted to get a drink before going to Cap City Comedy. It was a perfect dive bar and loved the El Paso references. I am from El Paso so seeing all this just out of nowhere was so cool. Will return! Great prices also! read more

Video games, whiskey, pool table, dark interior, hazy, cheap, gross-but-endearing-, musky, heart-felt, REAL. If Lala's is the Queen of Austin Dive Bars then Barfly's is the King. The first thing I think of when I think of Barfly's is the stair case. It is tall, steep and concrete. You will have to climb this to get inside. I don't know how they are ADA approved. Same thing for if you want to go on the back patio: There is another long flight of stairs to climb down. This is significant if you are holding a bev or have had too much to drink. Careful! The most recent visit was after a prom themed birthday party where all of us showed up at Barfly's in prom dresses. Patrons at the bar kept asking if it was Austin's prom weekend that weekend. Nevermind that it is the end of June and most of us are over 30 years of age. We all decided that being in prom dresses at Barfly's should become a regular experience. read more