Once the kitchen closed at the Rosewood Social Club, we went over to Nickel City for some food…read more Fortunately, most bars in Austin don't require a cover charge. My Yelp friend struck up an energetic conversation about Australia and New Zealand with two out of town guests. It turns out Nickel City is considered a must-do activity when visiting Austin, and I've even seen it listed as a tourist attraction. My friend's boyfriend and I talked about various Texas cities, the bar itself, and details about East Austin. The bartender was making faces at the fur baby, causing its ears to perk up...there seems to be a playful love-hate dynamic between them, especially since the bartender gave the pet some treats. Although the bar was busy, it wasn't too loud; it was easy to hear people talk without any trouble. I've now experienced Nickel City both during the day and at night.

I have to say, I did not have insane expectations for this place, but i'd heard good things. And,…read morewell, it was better than expected. I had a solo evening while on vacation with family, as my parents had dinner with friends. I had just walked over from Cuantos Tacos (which, go there, delicious), and planned on being here for maybe two drinks. Welp, lets just say I ended up sitting at the bar drinking and taking in the environment for 3-4 hours. As you'll see in the photos, I got suckered into a frozen drink (whip-it-good) and the Miami Vice. I also had a beer and some whiskey (not photographed). I had a great time, some people ended up talking to me throughout the time sitting at the bar, bartenders were nice even as the shift changed (or one bartender went on break for a long time). Either way, when i'm back in Austin, this will be in my rotation. I can see this place becoming insanely hectic on a friday or saturday evening, but that wouldnt be my jam. On a weds at 6pm-10pm, it was great.

Here I go again not reviewing places I have been to many times. Must be the awesome drinks causing…read moreme to forget lol. Latchkey is welcoming to folks of all ages. However, on a hot summer night, you will see the line at the door going down the block as it is super popular with younger crowds. That said, it's a rad place to chill and grab a drink and chat with friends. After all, it is a daycare center for adults (iykyk lol).

My friend suggested trying Latchkey, so off we went. This place was vibe but with popular music…read more It had deceptive looking space as well. You walked in turned right and then left while making your way to the back of the bar. Folks were dancing in this open spaced dance hall. A DJ was spinning tunes in lighted enclosure...almost like a home porch. In fact, there several women literally dancing on a table. Interestingly, one may man was dancing by himself with a pole as his dance partner. Perhaps he had too much to drink at this point. We stayed there for a short while and we were off to another one of my friend's favorite places. She ran into a couple of folks she knew while we were at Latchkey. So we chatted for a bit. This place is a whole vibe and then some.

The lost well became the found well…read more Rough opening for the neighborhood metal/punk bar is back. And in a location that's not extremely far away. This location almost seemed a bit larger. They even have a small parking lot this time. Street parking is still on the table. No food at this location yet. But I'm excited to see this place to its fullest.

They're back!!! Opening night was Friday, August 15th, 2025 & it was miraculous!…read moreNow located at the former Tropicana on Airport Blvd., this BELOVED bar & music venue is resurrected to its former glory. It's absolutely amazing that they were able to reopen in just a year. My only complaint is that we walked to the old location and now we have to make a five minute drive. Lol. Friday night was insanely fun, crazy, busy, & loud, which means perfection. Which also means I was too busy having fun to get pics. The new setup is rad, old school, & welcoming. The Lost Well has always been inclusive and continues to be. The bar staff are some of the best people you'll ever meet. Industry pros! The prices are affordable. The ambiance is "we're all family". The sound system is killer. Bands sounded amazing. Welcome back, y'all!

I once walked in on a whim. Jess and Brian were working. I had a great time. They said they worked…read moreTuesday crew. Wow I promised them and myself I would stop back in. I did I realized a month later when I had a Tuesday free and followed up that this bar is the epic example of a chill dive with perfect service. Shoutout Jess I will be back, as often as possible

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.

Low Down Lounge is one of those East Austin bars that makes you feel like you've stumbled onto…read moresomething cool--but not in a try-hard way. The vibe is effortlessly retro, with warm lighting, vintage stripes, cozy booths, and a playlist full of R&B and soul that sets the tone for a laid-back night. I came in for happy hour (which goes until 8pm--major win) and had the Tropical Depression, a passion fruit hurricane-style cocktail that was way better than its name implies. Their frozen drinks are also a hit--flavorful, strong, and dangerously easy to sip. They also do Jell‑O shots if you're feeling nostalgic (or just want something cheap and fun). The bar is small but super welcoming, with a good mix of indoor and outdoor seating. The patio is shaded and breezy, perfect for summer nights. There's even a pool table and a big screen outside if you're into low-key games or catching part of the game. Staff was friendly and efficient--shout out to the bartenders who kept the drinks flowing without any attitude. That said, it's a small space, so depending on the night, it can feel either perfectly mellow or a little too quiet. Not a party bar, but a great pre-game or chill hangout spot. If you're looking for a low-key lounge with strong drinks, good tunes, and an easygoing crowd, Low Down Lounge should definitely be on your East Side rotation.

Here's the Down Low on the Low Down. This lounge is not…read moreactually "low down." It's actually up high. You've got to climb one of the staircases to get up here to this bar that's perched above the street level. My gripe is that, as far as I can tell, there's no accessible way in for a wheelchair. There's only lots of stairs. Inside, you'll often find cool bands playing out on the back patio, or a DJ spinning on the inside. The place is a chill vibe with a Phil Collins drink special. (Insert drum solo here). The staff was attentive and kept the drinks flowing. The place is clean, and it's nice to be able to literally look down upon the barflies outside of Hotel Vegas. As far as I can tell, this bar doesn't have any air conditioning to speak of. It's hot. But, the beers are cold. The back patio that's covered will give a breeze.

We had such an amazing time at White Horse in Austin! I went with my husband and my best friend,…read moreand it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. We all took turns leading during the lesson. The class itself was super encouraging and easy to follow, even for beginners like us. The instructor created such a positive, welcoming environment that made learning the two-step feel effortless. After class, watching the pros hit the dance floor was incredible--so much spinning and energy, it was honestly mesmerizing! The whole place just comes alive. We had an absolute blast and made such great memories. I'd love to go back next time--and honestly, every time--we're in Austin!

Want live music and good drinks? Say no more. This honky tonk has it all: live music, a patio, an…read morearray of beers and cocktails and classic dark, smokey, divey bar vibes. It can get pretty busy during love shows so be patient of you need drinks. I'd say, go back and order another one when you're halfway done with your current drink. Worth a visit to one of Austin's longest standing watering holes.

This is such a special bar with great service and really unique, and interesting drinks. The…read morebackyard is fantastic, and it's always a fun place to visit. The decor adds so much character to the space. They also have great live music.

Had the absolute best time here. Visiting Austin from Long Beach ca, this was my favorite bar I…read morewent to. Definitely weird taxidermy which I'm not into, but also cool Christmas cozy vibes. Our bartender Juno made the experience a 5stars time. He was attentive and just a genuinely nice fellow. He made us the best drinks !! Tasty and strong. We also had to try their adorable mini ice creams- so cute and oh so delicious. I found out after the fact that may have a huge patio section in the back. A definite must visit if you're in Austin.

Loved how they set up the space for SXSW Illegal Mezcal showcase of bands and speakers. There were…read more3 stages. Outside front, inside, outside back. Great weather on the day I went. I enjoyed the mezcal samplers on the porch after which I went to the bar and bought a Mezcal negroni which was yummy! Loved being able to walk around and see the different bands. I wasn't quite sure what the panel topic was in the backyard so I just stayed for a few minutes before wandering back to the front until the bands started. I was only able to drop by for a couple hours yesterday but was glad I did! They were giving away free vinyls so I grabbed a few for my friends because I don't have a player. They even had a little tattoo station set up for those who felt like getting a last minute tattoo. It was a chill vibe and good music. Great place to have indoor/outdoor events and gatherings. I was also able to find street parking just a couple blocks down, which is a rare find in Austin these days.

I love the vibes here. The service is great, and there are different areas like the patio and front…read moreyard so it never feels too crowded. The cocktails are reasonably priced too- I got the one with beet juice. I like the DJs they book here, it doesn't get busy till like 10 so you should prepare to be out late, but that's in general for night life here.

The Cavalier is one of those spots that just hits every time, especially if you catch them on a…read moreMonday. Buy one get one burgers is already a win, but the fact that the burgers are actually that good makes it even better. The vibe is laid-back and a little bit neighborhood bar meets casual hangout. It's an easy place to meet up with friends, grab a drink, and not feel rushed. The burgers are solid, satisfying, and definitely worth going out of your way for, especially when you're essentially getting two for one (even if you don'tsplit with a friend!

The Cavalier ATX is located on the east side on Webberville Road. The Cavalier ATX features…read moreSouthern comfort food in a casual bar setting. The Cavalier ATX is known for its flavorful wings, burgers, and brunch. The vibe is laid-back with dart boards and throw balls to entertain you. If you were invited to baby shower at a bar, would you believe that you are being pranked? That was my initial thinking, however, this was the real deal. The baby shower was held at The Cavalier ATX on a small patio sectioned off from the main bar. The staff was very attentive without being too intrusive. The drink menu was a hit with guests, and the bar provided a creative mocktail for the mommy-to-be, which was a nice touch. The food was delicious with the deviled eggs and finger sandwiches being the standouts. The chill vibe made the baby shower feel relaxed and engaged. Great event, great venue!

What Five Stars? because this place is exactly the kind of dive bar that makes Austin weird in the…read morebest possible way. Dirty Bill's is gloriously unapologetic. You walk in and immediately know you are not in some polished Instagram cocktail lounge. It is loud, a little gritty, and full of people who are clearly there to have a good time and not pretend otherwise. The beer is cold, the Lone Star flows like Texas water, and the vibe is pure old school Austin. And yes, the legendary bathroom situation deserves its own paragraph. The men's room features a giant ice filled trough for a urinal, which feels like something out of a 1970s roadside saloon documentary. Somehow it is both ridiculous and perfectly on brand. It actually becomes a conversation starter because you walk out laughing and immediately tell your friends they have to see it and go pee. The crowd was friendly, the bartenders were quick with the beers, and nobody was taking themselves too seriously. I ended up staying longer than planned, drinking Lone Stars and talking to random people like we had known each other for years. If you want craft cocktails served with a rosemary sprig this is not your place. If you want a hilarious, slightly chaotic, authentically divey night in Austin with cheap beer and great stories, Dirty Bill's absolutely delivers. Five stars and I would go back in a heartbeat.

Dirty Bill's (gotta love the name) is literally right next door to J. Carvers where we had dinner…read more Dirty Bill's was on and popping!!! We were drawn in by the music. They were spinning some popular tunes. The place was packed with a very fun crowd. It appears to be a bar you come to have drinks and chat. There was a small area where dancing could take place, but no one was dancing at the time. The staff including the general manager was super friendly. It felt like a wedding reception as you came into the club where you were greeted...very warm and welcoming. We had a drink and stayed a short while. It looked like a place you could come for a girls or guys night out or celebrating a fun occasion. Will definitely consider Dirty Bill's for a future fun evening...