Knomad Bar

Throw back to the 70s! Awesome Austin dive bar and music venue! We went to see a friend's band…read moreplay. While I've been to many local dive bars, somehow I've missed this one! Shouldn't be overlooked! Not sure anything has changed in 50 years! One man was bartender, cook, bubbles blower, popcorn maker, and friendly welcomer to all who entered or wanted to chat. Very spacious inside. Drink prices are of a bygone era- they only sell beer and wine for alcohol options. Sound equipment was good I'm told. A classic spot.

I went to listen to a friend (Jane Rundquist) and her band Too Blue here last weekend. I've been to…read morethis very cool Austin original dive bar a few times over the years and always enjoy the unique decor. It is definitely a classic Austin location that I hope will be around forever! I don't drink beer but they had some great drink specials for those who do. One of my friends was able to get a non-alcoholic beer, the other had a beer, and I had a couple of topo chicos. I think you can also order food there, but we didn't order anything. They also have decent parking options if not in their lot, on the street so we didn't have to walk too far. And I appreciated that Jane was playing at an earlier time. Her band's songs were oldies but goodies and they got several people out on the dance floor! I hope to find myself at Carousel Lounge again soon!

2.3 mi•University of Texas

Inside decorations

Outside night view

See all

Inside table

Honey Moon Spirit Lounge

4.4(324 reviews)

Locally owned & operated

Free parking

Had an amazing dinner at Honey Moon during a brief trip to Austin!…read more This is one of the most vegetarian friendly menus I've seen in a long time - 2/3 of the menu is vegetarian or can be made vegetarian! We ordered the Honey Moon Biscuits and Spicy Pimento Cheese to share and both were fantastic, but the real star was the Miso Corn Ravioli. This was one of the most flavorful and unique dishes I've had in a really long time, and I savored every bite. The restaurant is in what looks like a converted home and has a beautiful front porch with plenty of outdoor seating. Sadly, on the day we went it was horribly hot and humid, and the mosquitoes were out in full force once the sun went down. Also, the happy hour is definitely worth checking out for saving $$$ on drinks and some of the smaller plates!

We ventured here for happy hour. We got there when it opened so we didn't reserve a table. By the…read moretime we left at 6, this super cute kitschy establishment was packed inside and out. The place is gorgeous. Even the patio was cozy but we sat inside because it was a gazillion degrees outside. We only had two things on the menu for snacks, the pimento cheese and buratta. Both were excellent but I favored the pimento cheese. It had a nice little kick of heat to it. The buratra and heirloom tomato needed a tab finishing salt but still delish! Wines by the glass are $5 off and so are selected appetizers. My friends tried a few of the cocktails, can't remember the names but one was made with vodka and one with gin. Tasty. I'd like to come back and try some more food and certainly will.

3.1 mi•West Campus, University of Texas

The Honey Moon Smoked Old Fashioned.

See all

Otopia Rooftop Lounge

4.1(67 reviews)

Ever since studying abroad in Sevilla, España, I've had a soft spot for rooftop bars--and Otopia is…read moreeasily in my top 5 in Austin. The view is absolutely unparalleled, especially overlooking the UT area. The elevator ride is quick and easy, the service is excellent, and the whole vibe feels both chic and welcoming. Love that they host events, offer swimming, and of course, serve up fantastic cocktails. If you're looking for a rooftop experience in Austin that checks all the boxes--Otopia is it. Highly recommend!!

The view from Otopia is beautiful, especially at sunset. They also have a nice pool, if you care…read morefor a dip. I wouldn't exactly do laps in it, it's more for lounging. My coworkers and I had a few drinks, and some tacos and enjoyed ourselves.

See all

Ghostcat Lounge

1.0(1 review)

1.0 mi•North Loop

This is not a bar or venue, it's 5 or 6 degenerates that live together. On Sunday nights they have…read moreopen mic night which usually consists of wanna be Joni Mitchell's and sad boys with guitars. Then they party in the front yard, get in drunken fights, and play bad house music till 5am. There's nothing charming about this place.

The Butterfly Bar

4.2(185 reviews)

2.1 mi

Want a great night out? In no particular order... grab a cocktail at Butterfly Bar, watch a quirky…read moreshow at Vortex and then chow down on some delicious Italian food at Patrizi's! Butterfly Bar is a chill spot with plenty of outdoor seating. The staff is always super kind and helpful. Their cocktails are also delicious! If you look around, you may also spot one of their resident cats. This spot is a neighborhood staple!

Stopped by the Vortex and tried one of their mocktails, speaking just to the non-alcoholic part of…read morethe menu, it wasn't the most memorable I've had. I ordered a passionfruit drink that ended up being pretty simple flavor-wise and at a little over $10 with tip for a small glass, it felt a bit steep for what it was. That said, the interior is definitely fun and worth noting. It has a cool saloon-style that makes the space unique and full of personality.

Lots of outdoor seating and the bar inside also has minored seating. We had a big group and sat at this table.

Patio Seating

See all

Bar

SquareRüt Kava Bar

4.1(41 reviews)

1.7 mi

This kava bar is a tranquil space with soothing decor and comfortable seating. You can prop up one…read moreof the couches or choose to sit at a table. The cafe felt like a haven completely shielded form the busy construction outside, on a very hot summer day. The attendant at the bar was very friendly and coffee was strong. They serve appetizers and pizza in the evenings.

The people here are really friendly. Clearly attracts some regulars so it has a nice neighborhood…read morevibe. It's nice to have non-alcoholic options. The vibe is more coworking than nighttime, and the kava is pretty pricey.

3.9 mi•Warehouse District, Market District, Downtown

See all

Devil May Care

4.2(264 reviews)

•$$$

Go for happy hour and on Saturday!!…read more Tuesday - Saturday I believe Drinks are half off / apps are half off and $12 burger Great deal - and the food was delicious - didn't have to be this good! We tried the Brussels (10/10) Spicy Rigatoni (9/10) Burger w potatoes (10/10) Overall we spent $53 on two drinks and the food and it was a great deal My husband and I split the burger and the rest of the food and felt very satisfied Also on inkind too! Interior is super cute - very dark and moody Service was great - everything came out on time and perfectly!

I love the ambiance of this lounge. It would be a great place for an intimate hang or date…read more It is not a good place for any groups. We came as a group and the table was tiny, we all had to hold our plates in our laps. I had the lamb meatballs and they were delicious. I really enjoyed them. A few people ordered some additional plates and drinks that never came out so the service is hit or miss. We had to have the remove it from the bill. The server was gracious and offered free house champagne but we wanted to leave by then. While our server was very friendly, they didn't come nearly often enough to clear the plates givem the teeny tiny table. It was the size of a tiny round side table and 8 of us were expected to crouch around it with all our drinks and food. Not a good place for dinner. Too bad because the lamb meatballs were delicious. Someone else also got the flank steak skewers are really enjoyed them. It is a very cool space though but no more than a group of 3. The lost orders were definitely an issue.

See all

Live jazz every Wednesday night

The Aristocrat Lounge

3.0(123 reviews)

2.8 mi•Allandale

Dive bars are awesome. If I can get a Miller High Life Pony for $1.75 and a 16oz Lone Star for $4…read moreflat, there is no place I'd rather be then here. I showed up for a pop-up show with Shane Gillis and Marcus King that was incredible. That's not most people's experiences here, but that was mine, I'll share what will be consistent between your visit and mine. The staff is awesome. The beers are ridiculously cheap for Austin. It's a great space to hang out and drink. There's darts, there's pool, there's a patio, there's sometimes live music (though probably not Marcus King) and there's plenty of room. That's all there is too it. Come by. RIYL: CHEAP BEERS

I still love this bar! It's absolutely the best dive bar in Austin. The drinks are awesome and the…read moreprices can't be beat. It's wonderfully dark inside. And trust me, if you grab a booth, you'll have a great private conversation because of the tall walls. I hate recommending it because I don't want it to become overrun, but it's a great place! So yes check it out!

3.1 mi•West Campus, University of Texas

Bar

See all

Back patio

Bar AC

5.0(4 reviews)

Liz and Erica were great! I had not been here before and they made suggestions from the menu,…read moreoffered me an appetizer selection, and helped me feel welcome. The scenes from the balcony were great and the bar area was clean. The dim lighting and modern touches were perfect for a relaxing night after a long conference day. Thanks Liz and Erica! I will definitely be back when I am back in Austin--which is often.

I visited Bar AC a handful of times from its opening to before all the COVID madness shut it down…read moreand I've got to say that it's more than just a hotel bar; it's a chill spot for locals to feel at home with a cocktail in hand, too. Since it was new, it wasn't ever too crowded so getting (and keeping!) the attention of the bartender wasn't ever an issue. They have so many cute specials that I hope make a comeback when they do, like... Pass the Porrón everyday at 6pm! As is tradition in Spain (or so they tell me), the porrón (a drinking vessel created long ago as a way to share wine with friends) is passed around with a little white wine for everyone to indulge in (so you don't stain yourself trying to get it in your mouth!). Weekday Happy Hour from 4-6pm, where you can save yourself $2 on all wines by the glass. There's also $5 specialty cocktails that rotate every day of the week and then $5 select tapas. On Mondays, they offer half off wines by the glass after 6pm and on Tuesdays, half off all tapas starting at 6pm. There's a little balcony that wraps around the outside on the 3rd floor (I believe), so you can catch a beautiful sunset or just hang out inside with the velvet accents and library-esque vibe.

Outdoor terrace

See all

Wine porron

The Golden Horn

4.8(31 reviews)

0.6 mi•North Loop

The honey pear cosmo is so yummy ! This place is definition of a dive bar. Service is quick and…read morefriendly. The drinks are made with care and craft. They offer food and seating outside, and plenty of spots inside. There's another bar upstairs called barfly with is super small with pool Tables.

Golden Horn is such a great spot! The bartenders are friendly, the drinks are always on point, and…read morethe ambiance is relaxed and chill. Definitely a place worth checking out!

See more unrecommended reviews

Signage can't miss it

See all

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

24 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Scott T.

Elite 26

1968

520

2385

10 years ago

Review of service* Holy Racism, Batman. You figure a guy that majored in cultural anthropology would have a little more of an open mind when it comes to hiring staff for his bar... Hey Bartender... here's the best part... I'M THE GUY YOU KEPT SERVING OVER MY FRIEND who was standing right next to me. I literally walked up, not knowing if she ordered or was waiting, and within 3 seconds you asked what I wanted for a drink. This happened multiple times, we brought a group of 15 people to your filthy establishment, and sadly... the service and negative/racist mindset of the employee's shine through. Granted... the owner of Nomad made the news a couple of months ago because he's in business with someone who attacked a guy with a Japanese sword and stabbed him with a dagger... but that's neither here nor there, or is that fact that The Department of Justice recently filed a civil rights lawsuit against the owners of many bars throughout the United States, accusing them of discriminating against non-white patrons. Would be a shame if this happened to Nomad. The fact that I witnessed such blatant discrimination made me sick to my core, maybe the Austin Human Rights Commission should force your staff to undergo anti-discrimination training. Yes, that can happen (at your expense) Anyways.... 1 star is 1 star tooooo many - maybe come here if you support the KKK? I don't know. "No human race is superior; no religious faith is inferior. All collective judgments are wrong. Only racists make them" ― Elie Wiesel read more

Juanita R.

18 years ago

There is no way in hell i will ever advise anyone to step into this place. I looked up the reviews before stopping by with a girlfriend of mine for a couple of drinks. We were excited to know of a new neighborhood bar and wanted to show our support. Most of the reviews on yelp seemed good so i thought, why not? The bartender was rude as all hell! He made sure to get us our drinks but when we asked for a menu, he failed to mention that they were only serving one side of the menu, not to mention, he never bothered to come back to us and ask if we wanted to order. By the time the mangaer advised us as to what we can order, we were half way done from being in there. Then to top it all off, while we are still sitting at the bar finishing out drinks, the bar back comes by and sprays the bar down to clean right near our drinks! I've never felt so offended. I've lived in Austin for 12 years now and have never felt so unwelcomed in a place let alone a bar voted best neighborhood bar. whatever! prolly got the votes submitted by all their friends. Go back to California!!!! read more

Kirk H.

10 years ago

I really enjoy Nomad. They have great drinks, good food, outstanding Sunday brunch and is pretty affordable. Nomad is a pillar in the community. I have been practicing civil rights law for well over 20 years. Nomad's owner and staff have been adamant in their support,both financially and in time and energy for civil rights in Texas. In my many years of knowing these good folks I have never known any of them as being racist. This 'yelp' attack is really sad. If these yelpers are so concerned about racism and civil rights in Texas, perhaps they can give their money or time to really doing something, like Nomad does. Thank you Nomad for your unending support of justice and equality. Also a great place to have a libation with friends. read more

Katherine F.

8 years ago

Nomad bar is a decent, tucked away, fairly average bar. It's average bar size for Austin, average pricing (maybe cheap) for Austin, average looking for Austin, and hires average staff for Austin. The main problem this place has, is it's pretty much interchangeable with any other bar in this city. I guess they have an international theme, but they don't take it particularly far. The place comes across as a dive. It's also not the largest place in the world, so you tend to feel cramped pretty quickly. This isn't a problem, though, as people seem to be generally polite and courteous. The neighborhood is also not the best, so I would recommend only parking in the small parking lot out front, instead of parking on side streets. read more

Cameron K.

Elite 13

102

369

17 years ago

Nice interior, tables and chairs? Check. Bartenders pouring heaters and clearing away empties from your table? Check. Bathroom walls made into blackboard and chalk so you can draw boobs and write inappropriate jokes? Check. Freedom to play cards, be really loud and not get a 2nd glance? Check. Just a word of warning: Stay away from the Femet. Some Italian herb liquor. We shared it around the table and the responses were that it tasted like "perfume," "nailpolish" and "cough syrup." read more

Mick T.

9 years ago

If I could give this place a 0, I would do so! I attended Nomad Bar, with a group of people and our drinks weren't made correctly! The staff is also rude, when it comes to customer service! After standing and waiting for more than 5 minutes, I kept being over looked several times; as I tried to order my drink. The 1 star, is given to the security guard, who treats everyone with respect. I don't recommend NOMAD BAR, to ANYONE! The service at this bar is horrible! read more

Jamie L.

3 years ago

Misogynistic pricks love to hang out at this place... Too bad because it was cool way back in the day... If you are a attractive woman or even a relatively nice person, they will gaslight you and treat you like shit until you get mad just so they can fight with you... So if you want to get in a fight, this is a perfect place to go... read more

Mark M.

11 years ago

The bartender makes the most tasty Bloody Mary! Miguel welcomes w/ open arms and the staff is wonderful . Although it is been blistering hot,... I Love the DJ on Sunday afternoons... This favorable neighborhood haunt is just what we have been looking forward to. I too value the wine collection! read more

Star U.

16 years ago

Good drinks, great folks and nice staff. The music is a tad loud if you want to chat though. And there is the outside which is pretty cool.

Tyson N.

4 years ago

I would love to cause it's really sad that the manager thinks I have to make money in this Establishment I have plenty money

Lena H.

720

10 years ago

Awesome bar with good drinks and great people. The food is delicious... I recommend the pizzas. And the frozen drinks!

Lee M.

13 years ago

The Brunch here is amazing and they have great live music by Garner Sloan! Be sure to come here for Sunday Funday. read more

Colin F.

15 years ago

Not the best location, but the bar itself is great. Great patio area and well made drinks.

Robert B.

11 years ago

I LOVE THIS PLACE!! Have lived in the 23 for many years and this has always been my bar.

Patric T.

562

3 years ago

This place rocks!! Can think of better places but no. Love it so much, so so much!!!!

Jerome A.

10 years ago

Love this bar. Very laid back atmosphere. Great patio and fantastic brunch.

zenbetty ..

18 years ago

In the 'hood and open til 2. Great place for 'last call' and so much more... read more

Sarah J.

15 years ago

This place is my favorite!!! Great people... you won't be disappointed! read more

Craig C.

7 years ago

Great bar! Friendly bartenders in a cool neighborhood lounge.

Richard K.

12 years ago

Neighborhood bar with decent drink specials.

Knomad Bar - lounges - Updated October 2026

People who viewed Knomad Bar also viewed

The Wheel

4.4

(136 reviews)

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

The Aristocrat Lounge

3.0

(123 reviews)

Valhalla

4.0

(53 reviews)

Came here two nights in a row during SXSW to see different brands. I'd classify it as a dive bar…read morewith live music. Things I loved about this venue: - They have multiple water stations! Hydrate hydrate hydrate - Food, and seating, are available upstairs (window order). No vegan or GF options though. - Pool and air hockey tables - Amazing bartenders, super nice - Solid vibe Things I don't love: - It's warm, even with the A/C on -- dress appropriately - Bathrooms - Speakers are quite loud. We went and bought ear plugs after night #1. Was perfect for night #2

8/29/26: Sad news. 710 Red River has been sold and Valhalla is being forced out. Their last day…read morehere will be somewhere around 10/26/26. Another fantastic venue taken away. Boo to developers.

The Golden Goose

3.7

(117 reviews)

The Golden Goose is one of those rare bars that instantly feels like home -- but with way better…read morecocktails and way more dogs. The vibe is cozy and intimate, but still super friendly and social. Great for a date, a hang with friends, or just vibing solo with a drink and your pup. The staff? Incredible. Genuinely warm, welcoming, and they treat both people and pets like VIPs. My dog was greeted with more excitement than I was (fair), and got served what might be the best pup cup in Austin. Real whipped cream, real joy. The cocktails are consistently fantastic -- creative without being pretentious, and strong without being aggressive. They clearly care about what they're serving. And the fact that they're dog-friendly just seals the deal. It's not just tolerated -- it's celebrated. My dog now thinks he owns the place. Bottom line: amazing drinks, top-notch staff, and a dog-friendly vibe that makes everyone feel like a regular. South Austin gold. Brilliant Dining!!

Always a good time at Golden Goose! The staff is the absolute best. Friendly, fun and just make…read moreyour experience even better. As soon as we arrived the bartender saw our dog with us and immediately made him a whipped cream puppy cocktail with a bone on top. The sweetest gesture and our pup LOVED it! Theeeen she said ok what can I get you all to drink haha love it. They also have a small patio and a juke box. For $1 I think you get 3 or 4 songs. Perfect Sunday Funday for us all!

King Bee Lounge

4.5

(113 reviews)

Austin is known for it's live music and venues seem to be all over town for it. King Bee Lounge…read moreisn't necessarily close to the main drag where lots of live music venues are downtown but when we were going to look at other shops and passed by it we knew right away that we needed to swing by here for a drink later. The atmosphere caught us that easily by simply gazing in. We did swing by as we told ourselves we would. The cocktails were very good and we sat close to probably where some live music occurs sometimes (the stage) but it was early so none of that was going on yet. The atmosphere is quirky and fun. A skeleton is sitting at a piano, there is a ball gag in another prop's mouth and all kinds of photo booth photos stuck near the restrooms. It was totally my vibe for the oddity of it and the drinks were good as I mentioned. I could have had another one but it we had other sights to see while we were out and about. King Bee Lounge if you are in the neighborhood or even if you're not is definitely a place to swing by and visit!

This place is my favorite hidden cocktail bar gem. It has a good size patio with fans. Dogs are…read morewelcome. There is parking in the neighborhood and across the street unfortunately they used to have a food truck as of right now they do not but after a certain time, the bar itself serves hotdogs. Service is great and knowledgeable. Big selection of alcohol. They have open mic music, a pool table and one video game booth.

Casino South Side Lounge

4.0

(124 reviews)

Attentive bar staff with great atmosphere. Everyone that works there are the best! They will make…read moresure you're taken care of. There's movies playing and some awesome tunes on the jukebox. There's multiple games to play like pool. One can hang outside in the front and the back of the building while enjoying their beverage. Definitely one of South Austin's great bars for locals and those looking for a great time.

It's a dive bar. Set the expectations low and enjoy the people you meet here…read more This is an awesome spot to take people from out of town to experience true Austin. Saw and talked with so many people who creatives, musicians, and work in the music industry. Cheap drinks and the jukebox plays excellent throwbacks. I will be coming back!!

Key Bar

3.7

(138 reviews)

Sure, here's a sample review for someone who owns a mobile bar service with amazing reviews:…read more --- **Rating: ** I recently had the pleasure of hiring KEY BAR for my event, and I am beyond impressed! From start to finish, the experience was nothing short of exceptional. The owner, Keyanna truly knows how to run a top-notch service. First, the communication was fantastic. Kyanna was incredibly responsive and attentive to all of my questions and needs, ensuring every detail was covered before the big day. On the day of the event, the mobile bar arrived on time and was set up quickly and efficiently. The presentation of the bar itself was stunning and added a unique, stylish touch to the event. The range of drinks offered was impressive, with something for everyone - from classic cocktails to custom creations that were tailored to our theme. The bartenders were not only skilled but also super friendly and engaging, making sure every guest felt welcomed and taken care of. If you're looking for a mobile bar service that goes above and beyond, look no further than KEY BAR. I highly recommend them for any event - you won't be disappointed.

Key bar is everything in one. Open space, awesome attentive staff and great music! The service is…read morebeyond! Look no further, this is the spot to be!

The 04 Lounge

3.8

(78 reviews)

The best dive bar in Austin! It reminds me of my home town small down bar! No windows. Pool tables…read more People from everywhere. Rule... don't be a dick! That's all! We are family here! Food truck: Tommy Want Wiggy

me and a group of five guys decided to check this bar out last Saturday around 12:00 or 12:30 a.m…read more. it is a tiny little dive bar with two pool tables and exactly what you would expect by the definition of dive bar! The bartenders were fast with service and drinks were very reasonable! we ordered five well whiskey shots and a round of beers for everyone that was nearby and the bartenders had no complaints and didn't even bad an eye! out of 10 out of 10 service from them

Drinks Backyard

4.1

(33 reviews)

Definition of your "neighborhood bar". I love having Drinks Backyard nearby, they have a massive…read moreoutdoors space that's great for dogs... they even have a dog park! They have a few food trucks on site, but I've only ever tried the BBQ, which is quite tasty. I usually go to Drinks to watch some sports, one-off events, or to have a quick drink with friends before ending the night. It's certainly not a "cocktail bar", but they have some good drinks on their menu. The bartenders are super friendly, they have some fun board games to play, a pool table, and there's a cat who lives there who's pretty cute. Overall, lucky to have Drinks Backyard in the neighborhood.

Great local outdoor bar with a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The drinks are solid, reasonably…read morepriced, and the staff are always friendly and easygoing, which makes it an easy spot to hang out for a few hours. The large outdoor space is definitely one of the highlights -- plenty of room for groups, watching sports games, or just enjoying the weather. They also have live music on Saturday nights, which adds a really fun energy to the place without feeling too overwhelming. It's not trying to be a super upscale cocktail bar, but for good drinks, good vibes, and a casual night out with friends, it's a great neighborhood spot.

Hole in the Wall

4.0

(212 reviews)