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Mama Dearest

4.5 (34 reviews)
Open 4:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

Mama Dearest Photos

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MAMA DEAREST ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Divey
Casual
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Mama Dearest

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Hanging out with friends at this great bar!
Katie C.

Omg! This is my new favorite bar. I loved the ambiance; it was quirky and a bit creepy. They have a great cocktail menu too. They even have $1 tiny cones with a perfect dollop of vanilla soft serve ice cream on them. There is a food truck there but I did not order anything. Definitely go inside the trailer that's outside. It's weird with carpet on the ceiling and doll heads mounted on the walls. On the night I went, there was a musician performing and he was really good! Luckily, the bar wasn't too crowded and there was plenty of room to move around. The staff were helpful and nice. I can't wait to go soon!

How do i drink this?
Ze'eva K.

From the moment I saw the wire coat hanger sign out front spelling "Mama Dearest," I knew this bar was going to be something special. It's such a clever reference to the movie, and it perfectly sets the tone for the quirky and playful vibe inside. The drink menu is equally entertaining, with names like Jesus Saves, Purdy Mouth, and Roadkill that had us all laughing. The bartenders were incredibly friendly and fun, keeping the energy high and the drinks flowing. Inside, the DJ was clearly having the time of his life, which made the atmosphere even more vibrant, though it was a bit loud for chatting. I didn't make it out to the back patio, but I heard there's a food truck section that sounds like the perfect complement to the drinks. Full of personality and charm, a great spot for a laid-back night out.

Patio
Abby M.

Wanted to get my dog out of the house while visiting a friend in Austin. She is insisted we come here. Slam dunk recommendation. What I would do to transport this bar to my city... it's fun and intimate and delightful all at the same time. The bartenders are so nice and welcoming. The staff went to great lengths to get the football game on the patio tv for us. It was much appreciated. The food truck guy recommended the pierogis and chicken. Oh man... my mind was not ready for what came out of that truck. I've been eating my way through Texas for over a month and this was better than many high-end restaurants I've been to. Even if the bar doesn't tickle your interests this is a great spot for food. This will forever be a staple stop for us. Especially for my dog.

Jesus Saves
Jess F.

A small bar with amazing ambiance, delicious drinks, and friendly energetic staff. The interior decor is edgy and moody, while the outdoor patio is lively and open. There's a few different food truck options with delicious choices as well! The Jesus Saves drink is AMAZING. Probably the best drink I've ever had. I even got a second one, and so did all my friends. Not too strong, with a sweet honey and elderflower flavor (some of my favorites). I think this drink alone is the reason why I'm so excited to come back here! Ultimately, love this spot for a casual meetup with friends!

Annie A.

I checked out Mama Dearest recently and loved it. They had such a fun and interesting decor vibe inside, a large patio, and even a cool empty bus with seating in the back. The Jesus Saves cocktail was delicious - cream soda, elderflower, and honey. It was a bit on the sweeter side but I thoroughly enjoyed it! My friend got a coffee cocktail with soft serve and it was delicious as well. Prices were also great! The crowd was a bit interesting - maybe bc there was a SXSW event happening, so i definitely want to go again and give it another try.

Karla D.

A lot of people I know are hating on this spot as being a part of all the new things wrong with Austin. I dug it in the sense that I loved the layout, concept, decor, both inside and out. What I didn't love was subpar service and being made to feel I was in the way for trying to order a drink. It wasn't even busy at the time and my boyfriend and I were passed over at the indoor bar multiple times before I finally spoke up. There were maybe 7-8 others at the bar at the time. Hoping if I decide to visit again I can update this review with something more positive.

Emily E.

Mama Dearest is serving maximalist fraternity basement with extra flair - but in a good way. This is the kind of spot where the names of the drinks may result in an eyebrow raise or the clutching of pearls, so reconsider whether or not this is the spot to meet your partner's parents for the first time. Names aside, the cocktails are tasty, standard ATX east side pricing ($13 min) albeit, the presentation of some drinks could use a revamp (the beet mezcal drink comes in a small glass with a...white sock wrapped around it? idk what's going on here, but again, fraternity vibes.) While the singular bartender was getting slammed with requests, service was friendly. They have a cozy interior space with a fun mix of furniture, and a decently sized outdoor lot with picnic tables, and some spring, metal "rides" (iykyk). Conveniently located by a multitude of nearby restaurants, this is a great spot before dinner, or to stay the night with friends. Will return :)

Brenda L.

What a surprise this place is!! The friendliest bartenders who are welcoming and make you feel at home. Eclectic mixture of signs, lamps, art and furniture make this place so funky and fun!

Come on in
Amanda F.

What a perfect Sunday afternoon but not to see mama. I had bookmarked this place for awhile and finally got a chance to stop by. Upon entering you see an oddity. There is tons of things to look at and want to tough. Bonus there is old playboys to look at for reading material. My husband and I both ordered a cocktail, which set us back about $13 each. The cocktails were interesting combinations of liquids. I had Mountain Dew in mine!! The drinks were just okay. Overall a cool little bar to stop in for a drink. There is other bars nearby if you want to bar hop.

two drinks on a picnic table
Kristal O.

This has divey homey bar vibes 100%!!! The bar staff is incredibly hard working and kind/fun. Made a huge difference. Popped in for a quick afternoon HH Friday pick me up and I could not have asked for more. The inside (sorry forgot to take a picture AGH) is very eclectic with raw hide lights and granny underwear on a wire LOL it's fantastic. Good selection of craft cocktails as well - I was actually pretty shocked and they tasted good! There is also a good outdoor space in the back that is dog friendly and has a simple whimsical just hanging out at a friend's house feel to it. Definitely go check it out!

Jesus Saves
Wendy R.

My cousins found this bar and invited me to try it with them. It did not disappoint! The whole place was on THEME. The drinks, wall and furniture decor, even the patio had fun trinkets. The most notable being three or four horse playground spring riders. I saw a girl in front of me order such a cute drink with a tiny wholesome honey dipper and asked her what it was, she responded it was called Jesus Saves. I laughed and lo and behold it was an actual drink on the menu, among others like Purdy Mouth and Roadkill. I ended up ordering Jesus Saves and omg does Jesus SAVE. It was honestly one of the best drinks I've had in a whiiile. Definitely tasted the sweetness of the honey, lime and cream and unlike many sweet drinks it was also refreshing. I'm a piña colada girl so this drink slapped as it reminded me of the texture. Forgot our bartenders name but he was awesome, especially for making my cousin a Moscow Mule when it wasn't even a menu item. Only downside was the music the DJ was playing inside the venue was a bit loud so it was hard to hear others, and order at the bar as well. Overall, a great experience to check out. Not so much a dancing spot but passes the vibe check for a chill night out.

Suzy D.

I must admit that I didn't want to enjoy this bar. The drink names ("sister fister"), playboy magazines, skin lanterns, and gun door handle had me like 'meh.' But I wanted to see if the vibe was as misogynistic as it oozed online. Plus, I really wanted a beer, it being 80 in December and all. I wandered in and the bartenders won me over. I'm a sucker for nice humans. I sat at the bar and avoided the $10+ specialty drinks and opted for a MHL pony, which wasn't badly priced for a new bar on the east side. But if you're a fan of creative concoctions the road sign-lit specials are tempting. The second time I went in I sat in a comfy 70s chair next to a display of Princess Di memorabilia, catty corner from a coffee table covered in girly mags. It's like your visiting your weird uncle in the south. It will be interesting to see what type of crowd frequents this bar as it teeters between hip new bar and dive. But I'll most likely keep poppin' in for a paper bag-wrapped can and sit in the corner and people watch. Fun facts: They also have soft serve and root beer and I'm gonna talk them into a float once it hits 90 degrees. It's early on but I'm crossing my fingers that food trucks are coming soon.

SISTER FiSTER Rum, Braulio, CREAM SODA WITH COCONUT, CREAM, and SUGAR
Edwyn A.

Mama dearest pays homage to my childhood nightmare Mommie dearest with a Texas kitschy flare; my mom used to watch this movie and the wire hangers scene prettified me. The drinks match the theme and are fun. Mountain Dew with Tequila - they have it here. The ambiance is lounge-y with a 70s living room feel. The bar top is inviting with lots of seating and friendly bartenders. There's an outdoor area with hobby horses and an outdoor chiminea to keep you warm in the winter. The interior is kitschy with lots of velvet boudoir artwork, Charles and Dianna wedding memorabilia, and taxidermy. A great addition to the evolving Holly Neighborhood/Pedernales Street area.

Bathroom 4 guys

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1 year ago

I love this place!! The bartenders were so cool and they let our group come hangout there. I got a very yummy cocktail

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1 year ago

TED WAS THE GREATEST! So humble and cool and personable. I'll be back for the vibes but mainly him!

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2 years ago

My first date spot, so we come here often. Very cool spot, good cocktails. Bartenders are always good to us.

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3 years ago

Drinks were ok most cool for the atmosphere. A little overpriced for a basic cocktail.

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2 years ago

Coolest vibes and best customer service, not to mention the creative themed drink menu. 10/10 bar hands down

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3 years ago

This place is so fun and cute! Drink names are hilarious and they taste great too. The staff was very welcoming.

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Review Highlights - Mama Dearest

The drink menu is equally entertaining, with names like Jesus Saves, Purdy Mouth, and Roadkill that had us all laughing.

Mentioned in 2 reviews

Read more highlights

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Whisler's - Left On Read - Delicious! (Tequila, Amaro, Bitters, Strawberry, Citrus, Spice, Egg White )

Whisler's

(675 reviews)

$$

East Austin

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

I went to Whisler's and had one of the worst bar experiences I've ever had…read more I had one drink. I was completely sober for all intents and purposes. The bartender claimed I was drunk and cut me off anyway. I was at the bar talking to a girl while waiting to get a drink (the wait was long because the service is very slow, despite the bar not being very busy at all). She was clearly into me, and the bartender kept jumping in trying to talk to her too (instead of doing his job making drinks). He was doing all sorts of things to try and flirt with her and make her laugh: pulling out and showing her buckets of pre mixed cocktails, running and sliding under the bar, etc. She was engaging with both of us , and right in the middle of that, I get cut off out of nowhere. No explanation other than claiming I looked drunk, which I very clearly wasn't. It felt very clear what was going on--he wanted me out of the way. I left and asked the bouncer on my way out if I seemed drunk. This was literally two minutes later. He said no, not at all, and asked me why I would even ask that. I then told him exactly what happened and asked him to let the owner or whoever was in charge know about this extremely unprofessional conduct so they can discipline the bartender. His response was that the bartender has discretion to cut anyone off, and let me know the bartender is supposedly married so he couldn't have been flirting with any of the customers. Well, sounds like his logic is flawed--not only COULD he flirt with his customers, he WAS, and was therefore cheating. I hope his wife finds out. This is perfectly representative of Austin customer service lately and not normal in other places. I was in Tampa for an entire month earlier this year and this would've been unthinkable there. I'm not coming back.

Austin Garden & Studio - Patio Area

Austin Garden & Studio

(18 reviews)

East Austin

This is a great venue with a terrific bar. The venue is open, allowing large seating. It's also…read morebeautiful. Additionally, it is well protected from street noise. The bar is wonderfully dark, chill, and has a stage with live music. The seating is comfortable as well: couches and soft chairs. The bartender we interacted with was awesome! He was very chill. For some reason the bar has an espresso machine (we couldn't get one that night, so we were confused as to its presence.) It has live music, but unfortunately I didn't hang around to enjoy it.

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.

Seven Spirits - The back of the bar

Seven Spirits

(26 reviews)

East Austin

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.

They have a fantastic happy hour with a solid selection of beer if that your thing. The cocktails…read moreare typically booze forward (which I prefer) and you get your choice of "moods" with the patio being open and communal or a booth inside that's more intimate. Ask for Chance if you swing by who is one of my favorite bartenders in ATX!

Casa Bianca - Mushroom lasagna

Casa Bianca

(93 reviews)

East Austin

Outstanding. We had a rough start with 20 mins before any acknowledgment or drink order. Then an…read moreerror with cocktails. Immediately remedied!!! Absolutely beautifully unexpected blessing. Let us try two portions of delightful Ceasar salad of their take on it with artichokes and quality greens and lots of crunch added and cheese. Sourdough Focaccia bread was stand out surprise. Its bread. BREAD. Nope a delightful caraway seed bite to offset it he sweeter notes with their whipped butter. Using it later to mop up the glorious pasta sauces! Chefs kiss. I got the lamb cavatelli. Y'all. Devine. Perfect flavors throughout. Pasta cooked perfectly with just enough chew. Wow. Friends got the mushroom lasagna. Amazing flavors and spicy bite to keep you interested. Tuesday chicken or eggplant parm special. All tasty and loved. To amend the staff's early errors we got not only the salads but two special mussel pasta that was the Delight of the Night! Trust me. Try it. And the bread to clean the bowl to finish? C'mon. Cocktails were great. I had Il Capo. Wonderful creation. I don't like sweet and it was a perfect balance and complimented the meal. Tried friends "glass slipper". Very unique mouth feel and taste. A must entry. Again, balanced sweet and dry, with a twist of taste to intrigue. Sat on patio. Perfectly chill atmosphere to hang. Staff had tough start forgetting us but now we remember them as old friends. Come here!

THE BIG: Italian restaurant with interesting art deco/bauhaus interior design. Indoor and outdoor…read moreseating along with a rooftop terrace (season permitting). Street parking primarily with limited private lot. THE BLACK AND WHITE: I came here with the Austin team from work for a Happy hour and Casa Bianca did not disappoint. There is a rooftop terrace but it wasn't open when we went. An opportunity for next time! For food we got the focaccia starter, pasta sorpresina , tortelli, mushroom lasagna, pork belly, and for dessert the donut. All dishes were very delicious and I have to say the mushroom lasagna was a darkhorse and was my favorite bite of the night. Drinks-wise, we started off with a few cocktails and wines but eventually moved towards a bottle of montepulciano and nebbiolo to round out the night. THE FINAL BAMBOO: This was a happy hour for the austin team, so we in total spent around $400 for everything. Good service and delicious food. Definitely a must try at least once.

Uptown - Fried shrimp poboy

Uptown

(211 reviews)

East Austin

Really loved this place! Wanted a casual restaurant with good food before heading to the…read moreSpringsteen concert and it was the perfect choice!! Eclectic decor, crowd and menu; it was very Austin! Service was excellent throughout and we enjoyed trying several dishes off their menu! Began with a cocktail called Roselite which was both delicious and beautiful then we tried a variety of their dishes! My absolute favorite was their oysters Rockefeller which were some of the best I have had anywhere! The topic was crispy and delicious and they were perfectly cooked! Also enjoyed the half dozen or their East Coast oysters that were delicious. Enjoyed their delicious yellowfin tuna with lemons, capers, shallots and olive oil. The fries and onion dip were also just excellent ! My only let down - and it was barely that as it was so delicious and fresh - was the smoked trout dip! Part of it was a me problem as I was comparing it to my favorite version made by State Bird - a famous eatery in San Francisco where this is one of their go to dishes - and part of it was that this restaurant has that Feankin BBQ tie so when they said smoked - I was looking forward to that smoke forward taste and their was none - but it was fresh, delicious and well prepared! Had a fantastic time here and will definitely go back! Highly recommend Uptown!

Unassuming building facade, yet really well decorated inside, pretty trendy and modern decorations…read more It looks like there's not a lot of seats indoors but they have large patio seating. The service was excellent. Our server was very nice and attentive! We enjoyed chatting with him. The gumbo was pretty good and very flavorful. I enjoyed it quite a bit. The tartare was okay, probably not my personal favorite. The menu had a lot of burgers and sandwiches, which are not quite my go-to options, so we got apps and drinks. The drinks were good, priced at an upscale downtown markup.

Mama Dearest - bars - Updated May 2026

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