King Bee Lounge

These are moments I think why do I live in San Antonio ( and often work in Austin ) when I can just…read morelive here and enjoy great restaurants, bars and weird gothic haunts like this with weird dark goth decor, a scent of palo santo , superb music, a great crowd and amazing drinks! College me would have lived here !! Enjoyed a French 75, my husband enjoyed a smoked Old Fashioned and it was a great place to grab a drink prior to seeing Springsteen at the Moody seated amongst candles , a weird alter of sorts while enjoying some Stevie Wonder as is playing now though some weird NIN or Type O might have been more appropriate

What a cool place. I absolutely love the vibe, the decor, the people and the cocktails. WE stopped…read morein for one last drink before heading to the airport and fell in love with this place. It looks like an old Catholic church and has fun cocktails made with ingredients like yogurt and yakult. Very interesting menu. I want to go back and try more drinks. They are very creative here.

Side bar

Inside seating

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Austin Garden & Studio

4.8(22 reviews)

I've walked by here a millions times and finally went in. The entry way is fun with a lighter…read moretunnel to get you into the vibe. Opens to stone steps down and this large open lawn area. There was a food truck, the bar and then a few smaller vendors. Seating consisted of picnic tables and these beautiful black velvet couches. We were waiting for a reservation nearby and with the live music, the time flew by.

Looking for fun on 6th Street we decided to stop at Austin Garden & Studio and were not…read moredisappointed. If you're coming here definitely do yourself the favor and Uber as parking is incredibly difficult to find there. Getting in is very quick and efficient and once you're in you're greeted by live music and a fun open space to get drinks and hang out with friends. There are multiple different places to get drinks from which is nice as you can choose how long you would like to wait in a line. Drinks are not unreasonably priced and they were good as well. The ability to sit throughout the area, get up and dance, or just listen to music makes this a great spot to stay entertained for a while. We came when there was an event being put on by Zyn where they were giving out free drinks to nicotine users which was funny because why not get you hooked on nicotine AND alcohol. But seriously, there are typically food trucks and more things going on here but the Zyn trucks took up those spots which was a bit of a letdown but we're assuming that's just a one off event. Between a good band, decent drinks, and a good amount of seating options, this is a good spot to sit down with some friends and just vibe out for the night. We'd give it a recommendation if you're looking for something fun but not too much fun on a night on East 6th.

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Latchkey

4.1(54 reviews)

Great House Margarita!! Great Service, everybody was friendly and welcoming. Although I didn't try…read morethe food at the food trailer I heard it was super delish!

I came into Latchkey early in the evening with a friend and I couldn't figure out why, in just a…read morefew hours, there's reportedly a line out the door. It seems like a great bar, but there isn't much going on. I like its signage and logo plus the decor inside is pretty sick, but the place to me really just didn't seem special. I'll have to come here on a busy night and hang to see if I understand the hype. For now, it's just another fun bar on East Sixth. RIYL: good branding

Great House Margarita!!

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Cosmo

Daydreamer

4.1(65 reviews)

0.8 mi•East Austin

Def in my top 10 of cocktail bars in Austin. The staff is really nice and knowledgeable!!read more

I really enjoyed myself here on Friday night. We had a pre-wedding day happy hour (so technically a…read morerehearsal happy hour to meet all the other out of town guests.) the staff was SO NICE, and the cocktails and different spaces for seating; indoor and out were lovely. Finished our night with to go sandwiches from the food truck out back-which were also killer!

Gin Fizz

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Dirty Gin Martini

Seven Spirits

4.6(31 reviews)

0.8 mi•East Austin

I love Seven Spirits. I love that it's a quick walk from our apartment. Sometimes before heading to…read moreHotel Vegas (literally across the street from each other), we'll swing by for happy hour. We've been here outside of happy hour as well. The bar opened in 2023 and it was previously a Mexican restaurant. This place is all about the Mexican spirits! From mezcal to tequila. The cocktail menu is bad ass. Here's a rundown: Cocktails, Prosecco, Wine, Mezcal Flights. May favorite drinks are the frozen mango habanero. Holy poo! That tequila and habanero blended with mango HITS! Condesa Blossom: pear & orange gin cocktail? Yes! Get in my mouth...now! My boyfriend loves doing a mezcal flight and he's also a big fan of the Negroni made with tamarind Campari. It's freaking amazing. Happy Hour (Tues-Fri 4 pm-7 pm) Beers, frozens, cocktails $5-$7 during happy hour. Food: They have a couple of different kinds of tacos, torta, chips & guac. The queso empanadas are killer! So good. The atmosphere and decor are dark (without being too dark at all), wooden, and open. Nice open-air patio. Beautiful mural paying homage to the overall Mexican theme and vibe. It feels like a small slice of Mexico on 7th!

TLDR: Some pricey happy hour cocktails with great food…read more Went today (Wednesday) for happy hour and I gotta say, the Carne Asada tacos are incredible. The service was great, albeit there wasn't a big crowd. Everything came out quick and the staff were super attentive. The music was fun and vibes were great! I got to say that some happy hour prices were totally reasonable. Not boozy libations... but ok. However, $17 for a small cocktail? Joking right? Prices were from $5-$17 for everything from draught, premixed, and mixed but I feel like for that price point you are competing with bars that can be more creative with their drinks for a few bucks more. Is it worth a go? Sure! Recommend. Looking for basic cocktails at a reasonable price point- maybe. However they do focus on Mescal themed drinks if that's your thing so it's a bit of a niche. Comparing this place to legends like Roosevelt room isn't fair- but at least RR are heavy pourers! I left far from boozy which was fine for a weekday. IMO- Charge less for cocktails on happy hour. But I understand the $$$ for the location is extreme but I don't feel these are happy hour prices for drinks. Food- absolutely.

1.3 mi•Holly, East Austin

The seating area

Strawberry Custom Mocktail

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Inside

Four Five Six

4.5(17 reviews)

Burger from Arlo was good. Nice restroom…read more Wanted to give 5 stars but: No separate recycle bins. They use the blue color recycle bins as trash. Hence, not environment friendly. *

A good neighborhood bar! Not a lot of space inside but there is a patio which adds more room to…read morehang out. We brought food from trucks next door and each had a drink. The drinks were solid and the prices were about average. The staff were nice and quick to serve drinks! It was busy so we hanged out outside. The downside is that there's a lot of flies so gotta watch your food like a hawk.

1.2 mi•East Cesar Chavez, East Austin

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Casa Bianca

4.3(109 reviews)

Our experience was amazing! A group of five of us went to celebrate my engagement, and everyone was…read moreso sweet and welcoming. Our server was incredible. We let her choose our dishes for us, and every single one was fantastic. Even the seafood was delicious, and I'm usually not a big seafood fan! I would definitely recommend this place if you're looking for a unique dining experience and amazing food.

Our party of 3 - sat at the bar -was a perfect evening. Our bartender, was awesome - explained to…read moreus first-timers how the food worked and was just so chill. Great martinis by the way. Food presentation was beautiful- pretty hefty portions, meant to be shared- we got to try a variety of items (tuna cannoli, focaccia, Caesar "small is enough for 3", cavatelli, eggplant Parmesan, pork belly)- all very good. Best was probably the eggplant-it was a "special" so not always on the menu, but it was prepared perfectly; nice crisp. Service and presentation were 5; food was 4. Definitely will return & sit at the bar!

Interior

Crab + n'djua arancini

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Mezcal drink

Industry

4.2(420 reviews)

1.0 mi•East Austin

Decided to dine in after doing delivery. Late night happy hour hits. Appreciate Caleb.read more

The environment is so welcoming, chill and the name says everything about the joint. Industry is…read moreindustrial, great for a group to enjoy some time together. Also Blake Robert on the mic, so beautiful.

Interior Bar Area

Brunch Bowl

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Violet Crown Social Club

4.2(192 reviews)

We have been here a couple of times and it is usually our last stop on the Eastside before heading…read morehome. We love the vibe here and you can always quickly score a strong pour even when they are busy. During SXSW we figured it would be wall-to-wall and we were pleasantly surprised to find the bar area pretty empty (the patio area was jammed). We scored a nice side booth that was great for people watching. They do have some decent beers available and if you have the munchies there is a food truck on site. Good pours and a good vibe...

We stopped by Violet Crown for a drink when Uptown Sports Club had too long of a wait. Definitely…read morea different vibe from what we were looking for. There's a sizeable patio out front that looked pretty nice but inside was dark and dank. We did enjoy sitting on their shaded back patio while we drank our beers but probably won't be going back. There are a lot of better choices out there.

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Uptown

4.1(223 reviews)

In a word: Unassuming. I think they're really selling themselves short with the label of a "sports…read morebar," but maybe that's the idea. Walk in expecting a bland, forgettable dive, get knocked off your feet by actual experience within. It's got a real polished but casual vibe, like it's not trying hard to be so suave. You've got a nice little covered patio, cool indoor space, and an impressive collection of bottles. Maybe it gets rowdy when there's a game, but sports were not the main attraction for me. Killer cocktails, well beyond what's on the menu. If you know your stuff, these bartenders will hook you up. I got a phenomenal Last Word and White Negroni, executed perfectly. There's not a ton of food for vegans but they were able to adapt the fried green tomato sandwich, and the French fries were solid. I'd definitely go back for drinks.

Skip this place. I went when they had their soft opening in 2023 and it seemed like a great place…read more Went in August of 2026 and the oysters were not great. The burgers were worse than the oysters. The patties appeared to be frozen burgers from Sam's club. No taste and texture was a smidge off. Place is nice inside but the food is below average. Perhaps the drinks are good? Our server was pretty good. Yolo

Interior (Saturday at 12:30 pm)

Just say "Make it Salad," and your Bloody Mary shows up looking fresh--topped with our wedge salad and creamy house-made ranch.

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Eclairs with Chai

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8 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Jennifer B.

11 years ago

Great bar for live music. Admittedly I've only been here once but it was by far one of the better relaxed live music venues I've been to in Austin. The pizza is also delicious and I would highly recommend getting one with your beer when you do. I hope to return one day... read more

J P.

9 years ago

Just can't understand why we were asked to leave. I just asked for a wine list. Actually I asked for a list of Wines

Ajay K.

419

10 years ago

So I am in love with this place. The pizza is the best and drinks are classy.

Brian K.

11 years ago

Great place!! I am a fan!! The pizza is good as well.

Magan M.

12 years ago

Nice ambience, great menu and delicious food.

Lashonda L.

11 years ago

The Bees Knees is the best!

Peter H.

12 years ago

awesome austin dive bar

Colette D.

12 years ago

Super great place!

King Bee Lounge - bars - Updated October 2026

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Hands down one of the best patios in all of Austin. Spacious and enclosed! The decor is brilliant…read more I love the beer tap water feature and the floral patio ceiling. I feel really lucky to have a place like this in the neighborhood. Dog-friendly, yay. Great prices. Good cocktails. Nice folks (employees and patrons). It's the perfect little neighborhood spot.

Thank you David for the hospitality! Great patio! Great playlist and all around very welcoming.read more

Mama Dearest

4.6

(35 reviews)

Updating to increase from three stars to four. Each time we…read morego the service is increasingly better. Still love the vibe too!

After spending the day floating the river south of Austin, we were looking for a place to grab a…read moredrink that felt like Austin, and Mama Dearest absolutely delivered. The first thing you'll notice is that this place fully commits to its weird, offbeat personality. The chopped-up baby dolls inside the Airstream lounge were delightfully creepy and fit the vibe perfectly. Between the vintage Christmas lights, bizarre decorations, and over-the-top hunting lodge aesthetic, there's something new to notice everywhere you look. Unsettling for some inviting for others at the same time. The main bar is exactly what I want from a neighborhood dive. Dollar bills stapled to the walls, dim lighting, and a crowd that looked like a mix of regulars and first-timers just hanging out. The backyard patio is much bigger than it looks from the front, with plenty of seating if you want to take your drinks outside. I kept it simple with a Lone Star and then tried the frozen Vietnamese coffee, which was a great way to cool off after a long day in the Texas heat. Both hit the spot. If you appreciate dive bars that don't take themselves too seriously but still create a memorable atmosphere, this is worth adding to your Austin list. It's weird in all the right ways.

The Wheel

4.8

(10 reviews)

Best margarita in town. Campbell was a very nice bartender and he opened early for us and lets us…read moreplay our music. He makes the best margaritas and he was very serviceable and nice. We had such a good time!

Great South Austin neighborhood bar with a laid-back, dog-friendly atmosphere. I stopped by while…read morethey had their Halloween decorations up, and they absolutely nailed it--the whole place looked amazing! If you're planning a Halloween bar crawl in Austin, The Wheel is definitely one to add to your list. Great drinks, great vibe, and just an all-around fun place.

The Liberty

4.0

(289 reviews)

This place continues to rock and continues to be one of my favorite places…read more The staff and bar vibe are so chill & welcoming. Super friendly. The back patio is a perfect area for hanging with friends and sipping drinks. Nothing beats ice cold drinks on a hot summer day or night in Austin. They embrace the dive bar scene with cool swagger & flair.

They had a free crawl fish boil event here and the line was so long it went out the door. People…read morepreparing the boil were late on cooking and not prepared. The line was very slow and they let people cut in. Perhaps not entirely the bars fault. The drinks itself were kind of above average price compared to its neighbors. Beer selection was kind of basic and limited. Lots of better bars in the street i would rather return to than this one.

Jade Room

3.5

(8 reviews)

What an awesome find. This bar is the perfect joint for people not into a pretentious hipster vibe…read more Had such a great time for their Star Wars May the 4th Be With You party. Awesome people. Great bartenders. Chill outdoor scene. I hope this place stays just the way it is.

I wanted to like this place. The good: the music (and that's it)…read more We came in on a Sunday night and were happy that we could find a place that was still open till 2 AM. As we got to the bar, we met the disaster of the bartender woman with glasses. She looked at all of us weirdly and was overall very aloof. We asked for the drink menu and she just pointed at what was on the counter. Okay, I thought. Just a bit quiet. I asked a few questions about the drinks and she rudely responded with one word answers. I ordered the martini and she gave me a weird look and then made it, very antagonistically. I didn't tip her. There was no service involved (she just mixed the drink and handed it to me) and we were to sit at the booth. She then interrogated my two friends about it, angrily asking why I wouldn't tip and saying odd personal information of how she makes $10 an hour only. I understand that, and I always tip at restaurants when the waiter or waitress serves me at the table, but when I'm just picking up an item, I don't tip out of principle (why should I)? It made the entire evening really weird and uncomfortable. I wouldn't recommend this place. Drinks are overpriced ($10.75 for the old-fashioned = whisky + ice?!) The music is great but there are plenty of other places with fantastic live music in Austin, don't bother with this. And the service is by far the worst I've ever encountered at a bar. Trust me, stay away.

Half Step

4.2

(278 reviews)

Best DJ! Awesome bartenders. Made me a drink-dealers choice based on the spirit and some info I…read moreprovided. Super cute front porch patio set up to people watch, cowboy pool, tables and TVs in the back. Lots of fun!!

Do you think a cocktail bar is the ideal place to eat some mini donuts? Probably not! That is…read moreexactly what we did yesterday. We had a Yelp mini donut event, and the food truck manager told us that he shared space with Half Step and to go right in to eat our donuts. Reluctantly, we went to door of Half Step and asked was it fine to do so. The door manager heartedly said yes, please come on in. We were welcomed with open arms. The bar was mostly full and popping. They have a huge TV screen and extensive cocktail offerings. Since mini donuts do not normally go together with cocktails, next time we will definitely try one of their cocktails. We leisurely ate our donuts and went on our merry way. A big shout out to Half Step bar for their kindness...

Nickel City

4.4

(235 reviews)

One of my favorite bars in Austin. Some people might see it as a little divey, but that's honestly…read morepart of the charm. The atmosphere is always friendly, relaxed, and easy to settle into whether you're there for a quick drink or hanging out for the night. The drinks are consistently great, and they also have really solid weekday food specials. The sliders and tots are definitely the go-to items on the menu and always hit the spot after a few drinks. One thing I especially appreciate is how much effort they put into the themed décor during Christmas and Halloween. It really adds personality to the space and makes coming back during the holidays feel fun and memorable every year. Just an overall great neighborhood bar with good vibes and a lot of character.

I realize I haven't updated this review since relocating to Austin two years ago. As you may have…read morenoted from my previous review, I'd come here twice a year when visiting from the east coast. One of my stipulations for relocation was to be within walking distance of my beloved Nickel City. Guess what? I am! Less than a five-minute walk. I love this place so much. It's not always about drinking. In fact, quite often I'll do mocktails, water, or soda. It's about community and friendship. The vibe at NC can't fully be expressed in words. It has to be experienced. The staff treat locals and tourists like friends. And, if you're lucky enough, you actually become friends. They're like a family. Same can be said about patrons, whether regulars, sometimers, or tourists, everyone feels the love. Everyone just gets it! They have some of the best cocktails around. The frozen Irish coffee is incredible. Espresso martinis on tap? Yes, please! And if you want the best bar/comfort food ever then order from their food truck, Delray Cafe. Crinkle cut fries A+ Smashburgers A+ Hot Dogs A+ Grilled Cheese A+ Pizza Logs A+ Tater Tots A+ Everything on the menu A+ Be sure to give the gang in the kitchen (food truck) some love! They're putting out the real deal. Oh and let's not forget Steak Night! Much love to my fave neighbor, Nickel City!

Mola

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Mola sits in a converted house in my neighborhood on East 7th and I like being able to walk there…read more It's relatively new and I've only been once but looking forward to going again. The tapas restaurant reminds me of Spain. Beautifully decorated interior with moody and sexy lighting. Incredible craft cocktails. Potent! Live music & deejays. There was a deejay spinning when we stopped in. The meats and cheeses for tapas are killer. Vibes are going off from the minute you step in the door.

In love with this place! Went with my husband for some drinks. We're originally from NY so we know…read moreour cocktail bars very well and I'm so impressed! It's been hard to find good quality cocktails out here for a good price and with bartenders that are passionate and actually know their spirits. Daniel (owner) knows mezcal so well that's what I really enjoy! I got the Bella sera and omggg!! The warmer it gets you really taste the chamomile it's such an interesting drink it's sweet subtle not so overpowering and you can taste the mezcal. I definitely recommend. The other drink we got was a Paloma because most of the bars out here have horrible Paloma's! The Paloma here was perfect! Freshly squeezed grapefruit the drink was so good it wasn't so sour or bitter which I actually enjoyed and was able to taste the tequila. The tapas were also to die for really enjoyable and the manchego cheese was sooo good! Love the decor it's very private perfect for a date night, girls night out meeting up with friends or whatever the occasion. I loved the vintage and old school vibes mixed with very traditional Spanish influence. Everyone was very kind and friendly!

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