Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Nickel City

    4.4 (233 reviews)
    Open 12:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Nickel City Photos

    Business Info

    NICKEL CITY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Casual
    Loud
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Nickel City

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    LaNitria T.

    Visited the pop up in Austin Halloween 2025 and enjoyed every minute. The space is smaller than FW, but even though we patrons were shoulder to shoulder everyone was acknowledged and received proper service. I didn't have food, but I suspect that it's like at home. Anywhere I am that there's a Nickel City I'll likely be there!

    Paloma Daze
    Paul R.

    Spoiler Alert: If we lived closer to Nickel City everyone there would know our names. As others have mentioned this an elevated local dive bar with excellent strong cocktails, weekly drink and food specials, and elevated pub grub. We cozied up to the bar on a sleepy Sunday afternoon and within minutes we were drinking one of the best darn Palomas this side of Licha's Cantina. We did order food from the Delray food truck and our most excellent visit continued. My patty melt was a smashed cheeseburger on toast with pickles and was wonderful. Plus one ordered the spicy chicken fingers (yes I know chickens do not have fingers) they were huge, crispy, and spiced perfectly. NC has a full bar and some interesting combo meals that include shots and beers. I finished my NC experience with a Meanwhile Pilsner and Irish whiskey back. Service was excellent and beyond friendly. By the time we left we felt like regulars. We do anticipate returning with our Sunday Funday gang. What an easy 5 star review!

    Rachel T.

    Fun bar with great drinks! Reminds us of the divey bars where we are from in Pittsburgh. Friendly staff and really good drinks! We visited mid day on Saturday in the Summer not expecting it to be busy. It was packed! The atmosphere was fun and we could still grab a small table. My fiance enjoyed their tiki drinks, and I had an aperol spritz that was on tap. Prices are right! They have a food truck outside and we shared tater tots with our drinks. 10/10 experience. We will be back!

    Holiday pop up drinks
    Stacey A.

    Cheese curds and amazing drinks regardless if you're visiting during one of their pop-ups or their regular menu! Their bartenders are great, friendly, and patient! The crowd and energy is fun with great music!

    From left Nui nui new year and holiday on ice, loved both, but holiday on ice was my fav.
    Shashikala P.

    We have had a more than couple of disappointing experiences before with holiday pop ups, decor being cheap, drinks being super cheap but crazy expensive, so we stopped going to such places, but after seeing a instagram post about nickel bar by someone who's reviews and posts are good (theatxdrinker), decided to give this place a try, and totally loved it. Place is tiny, and on Saturday evening people standing were way more than seated, it was shoulder to shoulder, but luckily we saw someone getting ready to leave and were able to get a table, we ordered holiday on ice and nui nui newyear, I like tropical drinks with rum, and was expecting I would like nui nui newyear, both the drinks were good, but holiday on ice blew my mind, it was perfect, kind of a dessert drink but still good amount of alcohol, orderd loaded fries with impossible meat, fries were crispy and the whole dish was good, that's a plus when you find a place with solid drinks and good food, liked the holiday decor and vibes too, definitely give them a try.

    If you're thinking about ordering this, just order it
    Brittney G.

    Sucker for a dive bar, and this one absolutely slaps, or whatever the kids are saying these days. Still thinking about the frozen coffee with my favorite whiskey of course (Tullamore) and easily lives up to the best frozen coffee drink in Austin. The tiki drinks are awesome too. Staff can be borderline unfriendly but are attentive, which somehow fits perfectly with the dive bar vibe. Gotta go y'all

    July Menu
    Lauren D.

    I really like this spot! We finally came here with some friends and it did not let us down! the bartenders were upbeat and friendly and if you had any questions they were more than happy to help! the ambiance is really cool and has a vintage touch! I will definitely com back here to try the food and other drinks! I got the Whip it Good drink and it was really good! i would likely get it again after trying a few others! I did try my friends drink that had a dragonfruit garnish and it was also delightful! I already cannot wait to come back!

    Vibes
    Michael M.

    My wife and I enjoyed our time at Nickel City. It's a small venue, but it feels nice and intimate. There's an outdoor patio as well if there's nice weather. We liked how they decorated the bar for the holidays. The drinks were delicious and we appreciate the holiday themed cocktails. The cups and shot glasses were nice too. You can also purchase them if you want to bring them home. And I'm a sports fan so I appreciate the TVs playing games while I enjoyed the vibes.

    Meg F.

    The Moe's experience was so spot on! As a Simpsons fan, it was exciting to see every nook and cranny packed with references. The low lighting and nostalgic feel really set the scene. The drinks were awesome, and of course, all themed. The menu was what you'd want from a dive bar... bar food! The only vegetarian option was a grilled cheese, which was pretty delicious and came with a ton of curly fries. I'll definitely go back next year for the event, and next time in Austin I'll visit just for the regular bar.

    Lily M.

    Stopped by for a quick drink and to use the bathroom. Bartenders were all very friendly and dressed up like Simpson characters. People of all ages come here. I have to say for the bathrooms to be coed, they were the cleanest bar bathrooms I have encountered. I didn't have any food but my Michelob was nice and cold.

    It was a Friday night and standing room only!
    Kirby W.

    Ok, I made a return visit and it is still just as advertised: a dive bar! Four dollar draft Coors and five dollar shots of Jim Beam. You come here for the drinks. They have some higher priced cocktails, but you can stay on the low end if you watch the menu. I got out with a bar tab of less than $24, counting the tip, which is pretty damn good. No dance floor, thank God, but they do play the music loud. Whenever I'm back in Austin, I will return.

    Jordan D.

    I went for The Simpsons themed pop-up bar! I had an amazing time with my friends. The service was phenomenal with everyone playing their part as a character and themed drinks /food! We got the crusty Burger. We got the patty melt which I can't think of the name off the top of my head of the menu. The Sunshine Burger, the lemon pepper wings and the gochu jung wings! Everything came out so so good and would definitely recommend coming for the wings with or without the pop-up!

    Tiki drink called Saturn...loved the glass! They give you the option to buy it for $8.
    Tiffany M.

    I live visiting for their holiday decorations. Halloween Moe's Tavern and Tiki Christmas are unmatched. It's pretty crowded and gets the busiest on the actual holiday, so go earlier in the month if you are just wanting to see the decorations and are flexible.

    Jalapeño Poppers

    See all

    23 hours ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Delores L.
    4841
    1112
    14779

    2 months ago

    Helpful 29
    Thanks 15
    Love this 27
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Paul R.
    257
    1361
    858

    10 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 4
    Love this 10
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lily M.
    110
    347
    2560

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Great cocktails for a decent price. Ambiance is spot on too. Bartender was a little brusque but that's just what you get.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jane R.
    1092
    188
    121

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 34
    Thanks 5
    Love this 33
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 5
    Love this 14
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Scott T.
    1934
    513
    2369

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Clau R.
    222
    370
    1072

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of ted s.
    16
    55
    2

    6 months ago

    Amazing staff, classic spot with great seasonal changes, delicious food specials. Always worth a visit

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mar T.
    2
    11
    5

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Greg H.
    133
    309
    4951

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 6

    Nickel City Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Nickel City

    Review Highlights - Nickel City

    The food from the food truck outside, Delray Cafe, is comforting and goes exceptionally well with the whole experience.

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Dive Bars 24,327 times last month within 10 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Papercut - Konbini sushi counter.

    Papercut

    4.7(28 reviews)
    0.4 miEast Austin

    Papercut is another one of those fabulous places close to my home (as in walkable) that I've been…read morewanting to get to and finally did with a group of friends made through Yelp. I felt the vibe instantly, like as soon as I put one foot in the door. Magical, sophisticated, worldly, wonderful and more were the feelings that spontaneously hit me. The dark and elegant decor, lighting, design, & layout made me feel as though I were in a high-end Tokyo cocktail lounge. The front room as I mentioned is an intimate bar and lounge area with artwork adorning the walls. It's a modern, minimalist, and sleek space. The artwork is ever-changing (every couple of months or so) and the cocktail menu changes right long with it. Note: artwork is available for purchase. What an absolutely glorious way of combining different mediums (liquid art vs physical art). The craft cocktails & mocktails are the epitome of works of art. I've had great cocktails and mocktails elsewhere but honestly I'd be hard pressed to find anything on this level. You're taken into an entirely different realm just watching the genius of mixologists. It's mesmerizing watching them hone their craft. In the back of the lounge is an enclave of eclectic art and other pieces that then leads you to Konbini, the sushi bar. It's an industrial, warehouse vibe with a long counter that screams hip, Tokyo inspired, late-night eatery. Service is impeccable and welcoming at this cosmopolitan venue. It's truly an amazing experience.

    Bear and Anthony at the bar were great. Bear informed me of the art and menu being cohesive and…read morethat they change ever so often. And that the menu is curated to tie with the art/artist so you never know what will be on the menu. A regular arrived to the bar and mentioned the edition of the menu. 005. So this is the fifth menu since opening? How fun! Tried the Key Lime drink which was too damn delicious. Tasted like a damn dessert and went down too easy. Only food I tried was the Tofu Chip which was delicious as well. Also got the Milky drink and it went down just as smoothly. All in all great place, just popped in for my second time in the past three days. The vibe was chill and laid back. Dim lighting and good music.

    Photos
    Papercut - Paper cut

    Paper cut

    Papercut
    Papercut

    See all

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

    Whisler's

    4.3(675 reviews)
    0.6 miEast 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.

    Photos
    Whisler's - Side bar

    Side bar

    Whisler's - Inside seating

    Inside seating

    Whisler's - Main bar

    See all

    Main bar

    Marlow - Mocktail (Grow a Pear)

    Marlow

    4.8(33 reviews)
    0.5 miDowntown

    I discovered Marlow through a Yelp Elite event and knew I had to come back. We stopped by on a…read moreSaturday night around 9:30/10pm and had a great time! Great house music from the DJ, friendly staff, and an easygoing atmosphere that's perfect for hanging out. I was having a sober night and tried a few drinks from their Dry January Specials menu. Wow, they did not disappoint. The Alrighty Aphrodite was delicious, and the So Fresh, So Clean was exactly that, super refreshing with a great pineapple flavor. My husband had the Dusty Trail (strong and perfect for bourbon lovers) and a Coquito that was creamy and smooth with a hint of cinnamon. Parking is limited, but we found street parking nearby. Overall, great drinks, great music, and a spot I'll definitely keep coming back to.

    Marlow's has a very Austin vibe. I grew up in Austin and just moved back. Austin has changed a lot…read moreso I was happy to visit a place like Marlow that's dedicated to keeping the Austin vibe alive. The owner is also an Austinite! Marlow's has a really in interesting and delicious drink menu. I tried both mocktails (option to add THC) and really enjoyed them both. Most mocktails with NA liquor have honestly tasted a bit weird and a bit off. I usually have one and call it a day. However, I really enjoyed the first one that I tried the second one, which I also liked. The bartenders work amazingly fast and take multiple drink orders at a time and don't miss a beat! There's street parking and during weekdays, it's free to park after a certain hour.

    Photos
    Marlow
    Marlow
    Marlow - Chicken slider

    See all

    Chicken slider

    Busy Signal - Stage

    Busy Signal

    3.2(33 reviews)
    0.1 miEast Austin

    Y'all, I was so excited to go to the busy signal for the first time! Especially with the cool…read moreChristmas theme going on right now and DJ Hella Yella was there. But I should know not to get my hopes up... Storytime... We had a resy for 8 at 9:45 for a birthday, we arrived at 9:45 there was no clear spot to check in, we asked around and they pointed us to the water station by the entry. After finally being greeted, we were told our section wasn't ready, the other party hadn't left yet. The server / hostess seemed frazzled and kept running around trying to get us a section and talking to people about leaving. We stood there waiting for about 30 minutes. Then we were finally seated in a section barely big enough for 6, we were crammed in like sardines, sweatin. We asked the parties next to us if they could push over a bit so we all could fit, luckily they were friendly and accommodating. We were greeted not too long after being seated, Our order was taken by the first server, It took about 30 minutes for drinks and food to start to come out. The birthday girl ordered a hookah and it took an hour and a half for it to come out. Then we were not checked on for about an hour, We finally ordered more drinks and then we never received them, We asked three different servers and were told several times that they were taking care of it and it was never taken care of, We left at 1:15 without ever getting our additional orders. One of the servers told us that the bar was crazy busy and that they were probably making our drinks and people at the bar were just taking them. So chaotic. We were finally helped by Heaven and Summer at the end around 1:00 a.m. when we asked to pay for our tab. Of course the tab was all wrong because it had all of the drinks we ordered that we never received. Again, chaotic. I felt bad for the birthday girl because she was really excited about being there for the first time with all of us and the experience was subpar at best. I will say, the best part was the DJ, HellaYella. And the jerk lamb chops. Also, If and I mean if, We ever go back, We will not reserve a section like that and we will get our drinks at the front bar and sit out on the nice patio. We'll see.

    This review isn't about the food (which is always really good!) and more about the service &…read moresetting honest expectations about the overall experience. I went to Busy Signal for their UT/UGA game football watch party. If you don't like outdoor seating or standing, I wouldn't recommend going to a watch party unless you reserve an indoor table via Eventbrite. They also offered $1 wings & $5 drinks, which were delicious! However, the server told me they only offered this special for the 1st half of the game. After 30 minutes of waiting, my server told me that everyone & their momma ordered a bunch of stuff at the same time since the food/drink special was for a short period of time, which resulted in extremely long wait times for food. The Eventbrite page didn't mention that the special was only for the 1st half of the game, which led me to believe that management pulled this not-so-bright idea out of his anus at the last minute. I waited over an hour for my food & when it finally arrived, it was not the flavor I asked for. The servers are very kind & had a great attitude despite the chaos. The food at this place is always really good. But the overall experience and timely delivery of food during their football watch party left a lot to be desired. I'm going to give this place one more try because you can't beat $1 wings (that actually are very flavorful) & $5 drinks on GameDay. However, I wouldn't go on an empty stomach. I also hope they expand their special for the whole entire game like it was the last time I went for UT/Oklahoma. ***UPDATE*** I returned for UT/Texas A&M. I paid $60 to reserve a table indoors. The service was a lot better! I really enjoyed DJ Hella Yella playing music during commercials. The overall vibe was great this time around. My initial review gave this place 2 stars, but now I'm giving it 3 stars.

    Photos
    Busy Signal
    Busy Signal
    Busy Signal

    See all

    Here Nor There - The code has to be entered

    Here Nor There

    4.7(399 reviews)
    0.8 miDowntown
    $$$

    Here Nor There is one of the best speakeasies in Austin, hands down…read more The drinks are always incredible--thoughtfully crafted and consistently good. The ambiance is moody and intimate, with music that makes the whole experience feel elevated. Definitely a go-to for a great night.

    Last night we rounded out our evening with reservations at Here Nor There…read more If I told you the location of this speakeasy then...lol. It's been around since 2018 so most folks know where it is by now. Heads up, you no longer have to use their app to make a reservation. Simply do so through Open Table and that's when you'll get the entry code. So glad it's no longer a members-only spot as well. The basement location gives anything but a basement vibe. When you enter, you'll see the infamous black paint on white walls mural but then you're transformed into something more. An elegant and elevated high-end speakeasy that transports you to what life in speakeasy settings must have felt like in the days of olde. Who doesn't love being greeted by a tasteful, giant, fake bear with welcome cocktails? The low-lit space brings a feeling of warmth, secrecy, romance, and mystery. You absolutely get the feeling you're in a special and secret hideaway space. From the refined wallpaper to hand blown glass lighting fixtures to the lush and velvety sofa seating, you are truly immersed in the vibe. It brings a feeling of noir and romance with even sexier drinks. Being seated in one of the nooks is my favorite and just really adds to the overall experience. If you follow my reviews then you know I often refer to excellent cocktails as liquid works of art. And, in this case, it's like the most exclusive, high-end art gallery of liquid masterpieces. Cocktails with branded cubes, top tier alcohol and other ingredients from around the globe make for a worthy piece of drinkable art. It doesn't end with cocktails! The mocktails are equally as beautiful and delicious. I highly recommend the cocktails and mocktails. Service is exactly what you would expect and want it to be in this environment. Yes, the prices are a bit higher than average but you're paying for art, atmosphere, and experience that is beyond wonderful.

    Photos
    Here Nor There - Amaretto Sour

    Amaretto Sour

    Here Nor There - We in it!

    We in it!

    Here Nor There - Milk and honey

    See all

    Milk and honey

    Powder Room - Craft Cocktail Bar

    Powder Room

    4.0(135 reviews)
    1.1 miWarehouse District, Downtown

    Upon stepping in I felt like I was transported to Miami in the 70s or 80s. Once you enter you turn…read morein your phones making it easy to lose time in connecting with your company. The staff was super nice and attentive our waitress came by multiple times and drinks were good and quick. They have a fun magazine style menu and plenty of options including mocktails. The mocktails were well balanced and not too sweet and my husband enjoyed every drink he tried. We ordered the French fries which were so good the perfect blend of freshness and salt. Would definitely come back for the ambiance and the no phones was a great reminder to connect to who your with and be present.

    The vibes are great, but I'm not sure they are worth the wait. There are two lines: one for…read morewalk-ins and one for those with reservations. We waited maybe 15 minutes at the walk-in line as others progressively started to pile on behind us. Then again, even people in the reservation line were waiting. This is definitely the kind of place that wants you to wait. The kind of place that wants to build a line outdoors to intrigue onlookers. We were treated nicely, but we definitely could have gotten in right away. By the time we walked in, the place was probably at 60% capacity. It was standing room only at the bar, but not overcrowded by any means. There is a dress code, but it's not entirely clear what it is. Some guy dressed to the 9s got turned away for not having sleeves whereas I got in with sneakers and a t-shirt. They ask for your cellphones upon entering and give you a key in exchange, but there doesn't seem to be any security to enforce it if you don't want to give them up. I have no problem with their policy, but I bet a lot of customers do. Interestingly, their little social experiment seemed to have a positive effect, where we ended up talking to strangers and vice versa. The Powder Room may be making America social again.

    Photos
    Powder Room - Spicy margarita

    Spicy margarita

    Powder Room - Leaving Powder Room

    Leaving Powder Room

    Powder Room - Craft Cocktail Lounge

    See all

    Craft Cocktail Lounge

    Nickel City - divebars - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...