One of the best bars I experienced on Rainey street from start to finish. Security guards were nice and the experience only got better walking in. While more crowded then a lot of the bars I went to I soon realized why. Peppered in the crowd were both locals and tourist living in sweet drunken harmony. I wish I remembered her name but my bartender was the sweetest lady that was very attentive and did everything with a smile. Behind the bar is this shack speakeasy Called Illegal Bar serving up Mezcal flavored drinks that I was lucky to go to as it is open only on Saturday and Sunday's. read more

The latest addition to Rainy Street (the neighbors have got to be so unhappy with how this place is developing, but this is good for those of us who don't live down there), about a block away from Lustre Pearl. Super cozy inside with a ton of nice dark wood, but only 4 or 5 tables and a really tiny bar that can be difficult to get up to for the every important cocktail order. All in, I'd bet they have less than 30 seats inside, which makes for some serious standing on nights too chilly to be outside. Looks like they managed to finagle the old chairs and stools from the Peacock Bar (R.I.P.) Inside has a dart area as well, which seems a bit wasteful given the extremely limited space in here. TV behind bar seems out of place here. The outside patio is another story completely. They must have emptied out the deck building section of at least three Home Depots to build this corral. Where Lustre Pearl shines with the incredible back yard patio style outdoor seating area, Clive fails with their efforts to use up all the 2x6's in Texas while removing any character or charm that might have otherwise been. Reasonably priced drinks and fine if you feel like standing up all night, but to me Clive has a much more cozy chill feel -- probably best on a weekend night when you can snag one of the tables and relax with friends. read more

After several recent trips, I can decidedly put Clive Bar on my win list. If you're into patio drinking, you will love Clive Bar for sure. They have a great outdoor space, highly conducive to a laid back evening filled with cocktails, beer and probably some food from G'Raj Mahal across the street (they deliver to the bar some of the time, although it's really just as easy to walk the 20 feet to pick it up). On one of my visits I was with a group of about 8-10 people and we managed to pull tables together inside to all sit together. However, if you are going with a sizeable group (beyond 4-6) you should try to show up on the early side as this place seems pretty popular and last time I was there it definitely got full as the evening wore on. read more

I'm a bit biased, as this is within walking distance of my house... Let's just say, I'm a big fan -- friendly service good drinks perfect mix of music great patio good space for come/go groups AND white leather peacock chairs!!!!! (REALLY?!?) ... another plus? You can order food from G'raj Mahal or el naranjo. The bartenders will give you the menus and phone numbers. During non-prime-time hours, they both will deliver to Clive. Worst case scenario? You can walk across the street and pick it up yourself. read more

Travis, Stefan and Rob (part of Clive's staff) were super awesome and made our first night in Texas a memorable one. We were thoroughly impressed with the large cocktail selection and southern hospitality. Travis and Rob made some killer old fashioneds (and we are quite particular about the quality of our whiskey cocktails). Great ambiance, great staff. We highly recommend checking out this hip bar on Rainey Street. read more

Another gem on Rainey. During the winter season, they serve an awesome hot cider that they'll gladly spike for you with whatever you want (my recommendation is some sort of whiskey) and a malt wine, which is delicious (albeit a little sweet). Their other cocktails feel like they could use maybe a quarter ounce more alcohol to them, but otherwise, they're fine. Also, while the bar itself doesn't serve any food, there's a Japanese hotdog stand in the back that serves franks for a decent price too. The general atmosphere is excellent. They've got music playing at a great volume, so you can still hold a conversation while jamming to some tunes. In the back, there's a nice little dart board that you can queue up to play on with your pals or random strangers. The interior isn't huge, but there's plenty of outdoor seating if you're looking to bring a big gang by. Way cooler than the Container Bar across the street! read more

"This looks like a Houston bar," I said to a friend as we retrieved our ID's to show the doorman. "The owner is from Houston, and he owns a couple of bars down there," said the doorman as I handed him my ID. Despite Clive being a Houston bar, it is certainly at home here. The place is top mega cool. A great bar selection, with expected prices, could be a dollar cheaper but it isn't so bad. The trailers across the street and this place have a symbiotic relationship because you can come in, order your drinks, then call a trailer, and the guys working will bring the food over for you. Just let them know what you're wearing and your set. There is a ton of room, but the place will fill up. Especially in the winter when the space heaters take space. You can lounge on a bench, some tables, off in a quiet corner, I mean this place has a great environment. On weekend afternoons they have hot dogs cookin' (self served!) and excellent natural lighting. read more

I've only been once, but I really liked the place. The patio was pretty cool and the bartender was as well. I'd totally go back! read more

Walked over to Clive Bar after an early night out. The lighted serpent and the butterfly bicycle thingies were buzzing around the entrance. They live nearby at the corner of Red River and Davis Street. Very Cool! Beer on tap is incredible and cheap. The decor is beer gardenish with a huge deck. They have nice chairs inside at the bar too. Wood every where like other reviews have indicated. The location is perfect for my Austin living. Slight uphill to get there, but a nice downhill walk home after a few brewski's. My only beef and this was embarrassing! I was sitting between my Mother-In-Law and my wife. The bar tender thought I was sitting next to my daughter. She is admittedly younger and much prettier, but then the bartender asked her to keep an eye on us to make sure we did not get out of control. My plan tonight is to freak out the bar tender by making out with my "daughter" at the bar. Tickets are on sale now! read more

Please don't come here. It's awesome!! Situated down the street from the neighborhood's first alcoholic foray (Lustre Pearl), Clive is smaller, cozier, and of course unknown at this point. The door guy was nice and chatty, the bartenders were good people, and the atmosphere was very chill. My only concern is that just as at Lustre Pearl, people will catch on and then my 'local' will be swamped by non-locals. Until then I'll enjoy it. And again, stay away. Why do I even write these things... read more

The first time I went to Clive, I thought there is NO WAY I will enjoy this bar with its well-dressed 30-something crowd. Then I found the old-school shed-like structure out back and met one of the most friendly bartenders I've had the pleasure of knowing in Austin. The bartender remembers the drink of choice of my boyfriend and I, even though we've only been there a couple times. Extra points for the constructive appropriation of features of the property existing before its conversion to a bar. Also, the chairs from the Peacock Lounge have made a new home here. Not quite 5 stars because although the patrons are courteous and unsleazy, it's not the best place to socialize with those outside your own party, and that's what throws a drinking establishment into 5-star territory for me. read more

I'm a carriage driver. I spend seven nights a week downtown. This is my bar. There are no dollar shots or dollar beers, which is nice because it keeps the "dollar drink" crowd away. Staff is awesome, deck/patio area is fantastic. Open, smooth layout and wrap-around bar. Music is usually mellow and doesn't blare and render conversations impossible like most bars in the 6th/4th strip. Extremely clean and just outside of the people-crammed downtown. I could go anywhere after work. I always come here. read more

Clive is a great place. Laid back and fun. I was there in the past 101X days... enough said. Past was cool. Present even better.

Whoa. Clive bar just might have THE sexiest ambiance of any bar in the Rainey Street area. I was there with friends and couldn't help but think DAMN this would be a good place to bring a date. Classy drinks, dark atmosphere with just the right amount of (sexy) mood lighting. Lots of tables to sit at versus a wide open area to stand around in (like most Rainey st area bars). I'm looking forward to when I can return! read more

Huge cocktail selection for Rainey and everything I tried was excellent. Trouble is, for $10, I need more than two sips, but I suppose that is to be expected. The mug drinks had more volume, but you have to trade your ID for one of em. It was a special occasion and we sucked it up, but ordinarily it might be the kind of place I'd have one drink at then bounce. Too bad, cuz I'd love to hang out there and try all the drinks. (Tip: Menu has a wood cover and is hiding up at the bar. It's too dark inside to read it though, so head outside.) They have a big patio with covered and uncovered sections and because it wraps around it's not RIGHT on Rainey. (It does look out onto the Container Bar.) It was a nice setting to sit for a couple hours with friends. There is a little house/room off the patio that offers Mezcal for cash only. Interesting. We sent the boys in there for recon but they came out empty handed. "Too expensive was the report." I could see a Bachelor party starting off right in there. It got more crowded as the night wore on (we got there at 8:30), but never was unpleasant. All in all, a decent spot. read more

I adore Clive Bar. One of the OG Rainey Bars, it has been able to main it's quirky, hip charm. Sitting adjacent to the trendier Container Bar, Clive boasts live music, a really authentic-feeling mescal bar, clean restrooms and lots of outdoor seating. The Mescal Bar in the back patio area is really where it's at -- You'll be able to score a super high quality Mescal Mule (think regular Moscow Mule, but Mescal-version) in a copper mug, all for $10. Caveat -- Don't have too many or you may forget that you gave them your drivers license so you could get your mule in the copper mug... The live music on Saturday nights usually goes on until about 11pm-ish. I'm guessing thats a noise ordinance thing for the 'hood. Clive Bar is laid back cool and typically boasts a solid 50/50 ratio of guys to girls. It's also a place you can take older folks (HEY Mom and DAD!) to enjoy a cocktail and bit of the "Austin" lifestyle. read more

As a recent Austinite, I have been asking friends who have visited Austin in the past some good bars to go to. One of my best friends suggested Clive Bar, so my boyfriend and I decided to check it out. It has one of the coolest, low key vibes I've ever seen at a bar. The inside has some small, cozy tables to sit at to have an intimate conversation, but the real action is outside. They have dozens of small picnic-esque tables with benches and some larger tables to sit. The light is a bit dim with each table having candles to light it up a little. The music they are playing is chill music, probably by a local artist, that I have not heard before. The buzz of converstaion is intoxicating and the craft beers they have on tap are incredibly refreshing. This bar will continue to be at the top of my list for bars to visit in Austin. Special thanks to Kdubs for the recommendation! :) read more

I love love love Clive. Sure, I have my nights where I want to go dancing, or hang out at a noisy pub, but this is MY kind of bar - laid back. I'd describe it as both chill and cozy. The bartenders are really nice and sociable, the tap selection is pretty decent, and the music is great. It's a great place to go if you want to do something more relaxed...you don't have to yell over the music to have a good conversation here! Be sure to check out the chandelier inside. This place is going to be so nice once it warms up outside...I can't wait! read more

Revised Review: 8/13/13 As Clive's first customer and a longtime patron, I loved having Clive join our neighborhood, which is why I originally gave Clive a great rating. The staff used to be very friendly, which was a rare find in Austin. Unfortunately, Clive has lost its charm. Service is poor and they treat their customers like criminals. They actually check the purses of ladies coming and going to see if you have stolen from them. The drinks are over priced (Even for Rainey St.), the bartenders lack the skills or the will to make drinks properly and they are not very friendly. Most of my friends that live on the street avoid Clive these days, I suggest giving Lucille's a try. It is like Clive used to be, but with more seating. read more

Clive Bar- I really want to like you...but the first impression wasn't too great. I visited a while back during Christmas/New Years, and while the bar is really beautiful on the inside (I love the white leather chairs from the the Peacock), I felt like I had walked into a snobby party that I wasn't invited to. There seemed to be a lot of UGG boots happening (UGH) and it was oddly quiet with no music playing. I felt like I was in an upscale Aspen ski lounge. And maybe I was just expecting some more akin to Lustre Pearl, which I love. Lustre Pearl is definitely a more low key, laid back experience that what Clive is offering. Looking forward to going back, this time with different expectations for another review. read more

Whoa! It's like Lustre Pearl but smaller and fancier! I have really enjoyed the time I have spent at Clive and hope to have many more fun evening there. One of the few places that service Coors "yella belly" (original). Good draught selection and friendly staff. Clive has such an a-mazing patio that feels very "homey" just watch out if the weather is bad - there's not much indoor space! read more

Went to Clive last night on the last leg of my New Year's Eve adventure. Was having a grand old time (per usual) when suddenly my drunk ass dropped my phone. Typically, that's not big deal, right? I mean worst case scenario I pick it up and my screen is cracked... But not this time. When I bent over to pick it up, my phone was no where to be found. Then I noticed there is about an inch and a half gap in the patio around the perimeter of the table's tree trunk base (cool table by the way) and I see my phone had fallen a good foot or so deep into the crack. At that point I start to try and figure out how to crawl under the patio to retrieve it (it was just out of arms reach), which obviously drew some attention. That's when James and Bill, the door guys and my two new BFFs, came to the rescue! These guys spent a solid 10-15 minutes trying to fish my phone out from under the patio and ended up saving the day! They put in some serious effort to help out some drunk customer they didn't even know and totally went above and beyond. Thanks to these guys I didn't have to army crawl in a cocktail dress under the patio (my initial plan was brilliant, right?) and I'm able to write this Yelp review from my PHONE about how awesome the customer service, aka babysitting ;), was at Clive last night. Moral of the story is Bill and James are the jam and Clive is a really chill bar. If you haven't gone, then go! And if you have gone, then go again and buy these nice gentlemen a drink! read more

Our favorite, cozy, spot in Austin. We enjoy the masculine ambiance of this bar with the white, leather bar stools about the bar. The prohibition/speak easy feel this place gives us on the inside makes for a fantastic date. The bartenders are great at making works of art in a glass (or mug) and they make one of my favorite Old Fashions. We also love their Perfect G+T. The Austin-like vibes outside on their huge deck/backyard with a stage, are perfect for cold cocktails in the warm weather, and our dog has frequented this place almost as much as we have. He loves seeing bands here and getting love from all the patrons. Can't wait to go back! read more

I have been to the bar several times before and really enjoyed the place tremendously. Nice outdoor and never too crowded. However, this was the first time I have been on a Saturday night and was appalled that the treatment of the customers by the bartenders. Although the bar was not terribly packed, there was quite a long wait to get drinks and during that time we witnessed two of the three bartenders being incredibly rude to 3 different customers. We were shocked by the first incident which happened to one of our out-of-town guests. After witnessing similar incidents to two other patrons while waiting for a second drink, we immediately left. I have never seen bartenders be such @sses to people for absolutely no good reason at all. This was not jovial teasing, and no one should be treated with that kind of distain and rudeness, especially not a customer who is paying your bills. There are several interesting bars in that area but Clive Bar had been one of my favorite and I have recommended it to lots of folks. But I will not be going back there nor recommending it after seeing the way they treated their customers on Saturday night. read more

Service is garbage. Pretty much every bar in Rainey has great service. Bar tender was so rude. He told us to somewhere else is we weren't happy with our drinks just cause I told him my sister had a vodka tonic with barely any liquor and we saw him pour. I had a different bartender and I had a drink on the rock for sale price and got half a cup. He could have offered an alternative. Just saying. Rude af. Tall White dude with a brown hair and a beard. read more

Being in Austin for only a night and not knowing where to go besides 6th street, I wondered over to this place. It was completely chill. Bar staff was friendly and beers were reasonably priced and hit the spot. Great neighborhood bar! read more

Not totally impressed, not disappointed. Drinks were way to strong. My vodka tonic was staright vodka, which may or may not be a good reason to check this place out. If youre wearing heels, this place is not your friend. Add the vodka overload with wedges and youre going down, give it 10 minutes. Nice benches to sit on, def a busy bar with lots of bodies to scope out and give the once over if youre on the prowl. Hipster/urban vibe with some yups. Still a good place to hang, but maybe the first or second place to stop, not your last, or it would be your very LAST. read more

I came here with a friend while we were bar hopping on Rainey Street when I lived in Austin. We were sitting at the bar at Clive and I told her that there was a "hidden" bar but she didn't believe me. At first we were afraid to walk in because it looked like it could've been a storage closet but I'm glad we did! We chose to have the mezcal mule which was AMAZING and served, traditionally, in a copper mug. Muddled pineapple and jalapenos with mezcal, lime and ginger beer (I can only dream of having something this tasty in Tampa, FL). Yes it was an expensive drink but it was completely worth it. The bar is very small and could probably only fit fifteen people in it but that is the beauty of it. The atmosphere was amazing, candle lit and we felt like we were at a secret lair somewhere in the middle of Mexico, it was truly an experience! read more

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Of the Rainey St bars, this is my #2. The space is great in the summer time. Lots of outdoor seating, good drink availability, and they are always busy. At beer #3 or 4 I start story-telling about the past life of the beautiful deer mounted on the wall. He must have been some kind of deer king. Biggest most proud antlers I've ever seen. All the doe probably loved him. Now he decorates a saloon. read more

Love everything about this place. The vibe is great, the drink prices are reasonable, and they have a medieval looking cottage in the back that serves a drink I refer to as "some mystical shit", aka Mezcal. Every time I have one of these shots it goes straight to my head and I'm feeling amazing within minutes. Highly recommended (worth the $9 a pop)! What else can I say about Clive Bar? It's a chill place to hang out with good people. Definitely check it out. read more

Be sure to to check out the mezcal bar in the back! For those of you who don't know what that is, it has similar qualities as tequila but perhaps a little smokier. Think they're open Friday nights.? (Actually, tequila is a type of mezcal the same way a square is a type of rectangle) The rest of the bar is very chill. There's a nice patio in the back and a porch in the front for people watching. The bartenders are very welcoming and seem to remember a lot of people here by name. The seating arrangement is really convenient if you come with a group of friends and they usually have live music Friday and Saturdays. read more

Super cool atmosphere and fun cocktails(the Matthew Pecan-aughey). Joshua was friendly and made delicious drinks!

I'm not much of a hipster but I really like the bars on Rainey St. Clive is definitely my favorite. It's got a very masculine feel to it and well, I like the mens so it was very welcoming to me. Great covered outdoor space, nice seating inside. The bartenders are great, made some great drink recommendations and were fast. If you haven't already it's definitely worth checking out. read more

Clive bar is probably my favorite Rainey street place. It has realllly good drinks, seasonal or not. If you don't know what you want, the bartenders will whip you up a great concoction. Either way, it's a good place, phenomenal drinks and positive vibes (lots of seating!) read more

I wish we could have been seated out on the patio, but for us tardy birds, it was indoors by the bar. Still very cool. I love the tequila bottle chandelier, the white upholstery, and the wood paneling, and the ladies' room was positively sweet, which is so weird for a bar. I also wish that I could have porked out on G'Raj Mahal while we were there. The smells are irresistible. We were too full from dinner to even ponder it (hell, I was too full to even drink at Clive). read more

Small interior, but the deck goes on forever. Started the night out here and it was not too crowded. By the time we passed by again at the end of the night, it was hopping. Can't comment on bartender skillz, we were in a prosecco kind of mood. Overall, good starting point for the Rainey St. bar tour read more

Came here on Friday night to check this place out, with the intention of having one drink and moving on for other spots along Rainey. Instead we stayed for a couple hours at the bar, watching the Royals game and trying their delicious specialty cocktails. I had the Zulu (good), the mule (fantastic), and the manhattan (it was a manhattan...yeah). All in all a very enjoyable night, though the bartenders definitely slowed down when the bar got hit hard by several large groups of fireball-ordering fools (ok fine we ordered a round of fireball too, full disclosure). But it's a specialty cocktail bar so whaddya expect. The ambiance was my favorite part, it's a dark-corners-for-dark-deeds kinda feel. Like a dive bar that someone cleaned the grime off of and tried, with great success, to spiffy up. The deco was great, and oh, they have darts? If you like that? I'm Ron Burgundy? read more

Cool, divey-chic joint in the heart of all the action in downtown. read more

Clive - Bar - Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

One of the many cool bars on Rainey Street... I like this one for it's laid back attitude. They had a band playing onsite when we arrived. read more

We went here on a weekday, after a web dork sort of event last fall. I've been wanting to go back since because it's in such a great space. I love the chairs and the patio/yard sort of area. I like the trees and how open it is. The crowd seemed a little... yuppie-ish I guess. Though, we were all technically yuppies there, in the true/original dictionary definition of the word. I guess suave yuppies or loaded yuppies or too-cool-for-school yuppies would be more accurate. Also, even though it wasn't crowded, it took a little doing to get enough seats and tables together to accommodate the small crew of us nicely. Still, overall, pleasant, positive experience. I'd go back. I'd take friends. But I wouldn't go super out of my way or anything. read more