Two blocks from our parking garage...we heard music from the street and decided to go in. This is another bar we had not visited for years. All the bars we visited on 6th street there was no cover charge which was nice. Generally speaking, when there is a live band there is usually a cover charge. However, there was not a cover a charge at the Driskill bar...pleasant surprise. The Driskill bar was crowded with standing room only. However, the music was nice and we decided to listen in. The bar area was crowded so even if we wanted to order a drink, it would have taken some time. They featured a country and western band. The folks in the bar were grooving with the music. We did not see anyone with food, so we assume food was not being served at that time. Overall, good experience... read more

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Love the old vibe and decor, very upscale. There was a live bank downstairs. We hung out upstairs and played pool. The drinks are pricy compared to the bars nearby, but matched the ambiance. read more

The Driskill Bar - Dirty Martini - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

Quintessential historic Austin! I love this hotel and her history that is packed into the entire place. It's beautifully kept and a great spot to grab a chill drink among the hustle of 6th street read more

The servers are not nice or friendly, vibes are weak and the drinks are mediocre. Will not come again. read more

The Driskill Bar - Upstairs Lounge - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

Enjoyed the Bar at the Driskill during our stay. Fun, not exceptional. Drinks were satisfactory - not great, not creative, and staff was nice, not outstanding. Enjoyed the music and sampled a few appetizers that were average...nothing exceptional. Worked perfectly as an easy bar to wander into from our hotel, but would not go out of my way to venture into the Driskill Bar when there are so many other great bars and lounges in the area. read more

On our first day in Austin, we were wandering around getting the lay of the land. We walked into this really cool looking hotel called the Driskill. We found the Driskill Bar upstairs from the lobby and wandered in. It looked really cool and iconic. We noted it would be a good place to grab a drink later in the evening. So we left and walked around some more. My husband's family was meeting us after dinner so we opted to walk back to the Driskill from our hotel. We ended up having seats in the lounge area and had the perfect seats to listen to the live band playing next to the bar. My stepfather in-law had gone to University in Austin so this was part of his old stomping grounds. Once seated, we ordered a few drinks to try. My husband and I tried the David Old Fashioned and the Bluebonnet. My in-laws tried the margarita along with a shot and Topo Chico. Our aunt ordered an espresso martini. It was lovely with the live music and while the minutes ticked away, I got hungry. I looked at the menu again and opted to order the Driskill chocolate cake. The cake is this decadent layered cake with "1886" frosted on it with chocolate shavings on the side. It was really good and perfect for sharing. My stepfather in-law requested green tea from our server and she told him she wasn't able to serve him hot tea. It was a little absurd since we were in a hotel bar. Maybe it was the time of day but it wasn't that late in the evening. He was a little put off and didn't even finish his margarita. We settled up and left. My husband and I enjoyed our time at the Driskill Bar but they should really offer coffee and tea to patrons if they request it. read more

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Service is slow so would recommend being on top of ordering ahead of when you want things. Hummus and pita were good (I can always use more pita), but was satisfied with the amount of pita. Bluebonnet was perfect for those that like a sweet drink with balanced amount of liquor. My friend who got the rusty nail said her drink hits the spot if you're looking for a classic - and emphasis on accounting for slow service. read more

The Driskill Bar - Texas hummus Bluebonnet Rusty nail - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

Out-of-towners stopping for a drink. I really enjoyed my manhattan here. Expect a cross between the Continental Bar in John Wick with Al Swearengen's Saloon from Deadwood. Day drinking does not start until 3pm though. read more

The server was nearly as cold as the beautiful restaurant. Brrrrrrr. The limited menu was over priced for what it was although the fries were very good. Maybe the owner feels they are in Europe for they charge for each refill of their fairly small Coke - $9 for each of us for diet cokes. The bar is stunning but it wasn't nearly matched with the poorest service I've experienced anywhere this year. Nathan, in the hotel, was very kind. My advice: duck your head in, take a picture and find a better place to eat or have a drink. read more

Great place to enjoy cocktails (loved the Blue Bonnett) in historic and lovely surroundings. We went on an early Friday night before it got busy and our server was friendly and fast with our drink orders. read more

The Driskill Bar - Blue Bonnett and a Blackberry Smash - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

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It was our first night in Austin and we checked in late so we decided to eat at the hotel. There were no open spots at the bar so we sat at the lounge area. If we just had drinks I wouldn't mind, but due to the seating arrangement, it feels uncomfortable for eating. The cocktails were good. Good table service. I wanted to get the steak frites but for the price I didn't want to gamble so I had the creamy penne pasta. Which was reasonably priced. The pasta dish was good -lots of fresh ingredients. It's very saucy, while the sausage was okay. Overall, we would come back for drinks but I wasn't impressed with the food. read more

This is a charming bar inside the historic Driskill Hotel. It's kid friendly, by the way. The decor is wonderful. Everyone--EVERYONE--orders the Jumbo Pretzel, and you should, too. It's absolutely enormous so be prepared to share. It comes with beer cheese and mustard. For cocktails, I tried the El Rancho but didn't love it. It is sort of a ranch water/watered down margarita. But in general, the cocktails looked good here. They were a bit short-staffed (like everyone else these days) so service was friendly but a little slow. They don't open until 2:00 p.m. and they have live music at night, per the website. The hotel is worth visiting and exploring (even the restrooms are gorgeous) and the bar is worth checking out. read more

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This charming bar has it all! Classic cocktails, beers, spirits, and more. The decor and ambiance transport you back to a time long before any of us were here. read more

If you want a drinks and a bite at the famous Driskill then stop in and grab a drink. Extra star for how comfortable and cool decor. Service was also good. Food was okay and you pay for the location. We stayed at the Driskill which had a nice old time feel with clean class flare. Service was great. But the bar just and that same old feel but with a classy feel. read more

The Driskill Bar - Bar - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

Closed for renovations in Fall of 2025. Check before you come- we were in the area and stopped by, we're sadly disappointed by the other hotel bar. read more

This bar is in the 1886 Driskill Hotel and is totally Texas OG. Guns and severed cow heads adorn the walls in a completely true to Texas style. My server was friendly, and the place was hard wood and leather packed with mostly hotel guests. I had an excellent espresso martini to start off. My grilled chicken sandwich was moist and delicious, and I upped to Truffle fries, and that was worth it! I recommend having a cocktail and eating here if you get in late and are staying at The Driskill Hotel! read more

The Driskill Bar - Espresso martini! - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

We stopped at the newly opened Victoria bar st the Driskill Hotel and would highly recommend it. The ambiance is like a cozy parlor- dimmed lighting, and not too loud. Our waiter Joshua was a real gem-- attentive and engaging. If I lived in Austin this would be my go-to for a light meal or a nightcap. Fabulous. read more

Intro: I've checked out The Driskill Bar twice---once for some drinks on a weekend and once for happy hour. This historic bar is located within the Driskill, naturally. Ambiance (5/5): Think of The Driskill Bar as country elegant. Wood adorns the walls. As do paintings and sculptures. And a lot of other nuggets from the hotel's long history. In the center of the bar, look up and you'll see some stain glass that George Bush loved so much that he replicated it for his home. It's a long bar so there is plenty of seating. Some chairs and some comfortable couches. Take your pick. All with some cowboy charm. Drinks (4/5): They have a nice list of craft cocktails. Always a plus for me. They also have Chimay on draft. Not something you see every day. If you haven't had Chimay before, it's a quality Belgian beer. Heavy on the alcohol percentage and quite flavorful. Food (3/5): The first time I visited, I only had drinks. On my second visit, I checked out The Driskill Bar for happy hour. Which is a good play because they have complimentary live music nightly. I went with two appetizers: the shrimp quesadilla and the pretzel. Both were average at best. The shrimp quesadilla was a generous portion. Four large pieces. However, the shrimp inside was on the smaller side. And the tortillas were not homemade. The pretzel was one of those dishes that looks better than it tastes. It's served on a hangar and it's huge. Quite the presentation. Along with a mustard and beer cheese fondue dipping sauce. However, the pretzel lacked that buttery crispy and fusion of a crispy exterior and soft interior that you know makes an A+ pretzel. Service (2/5): On one visit, the service was your typical experience. The second time, not so much. My waiter was pretty much non-existent. I had to track him down to ask for my bill. And had to find him to give him my credit card. Had I not, I likely would have been there for ages. While I've had a few hiccups at The Driskill Bar, its uniqueness and history outweigh the areas for improvement. Making it a must-visit in my book! read more

This is my favorite place to take out of town guests! It's on the pricey side, but worth it for the ambiance alone. They also sometimes have someone playing the piano, which is a classy touch. A great place to go for a classy evening in Austin for a cocktail. read more

Always our top happy hour spot! Fresh new cocktails and bites for the holiday season 2024. read more

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We were really looking forward to coming here and it was absolutely on our "must visit" list while in Austin. This lounge is located inside a gorgeous hotel. It's one of the oldest in the city. It would have been cool to see pics of it from back in the day. They kept some of the original decor and it was absolutely fantastic! The bartenders were very knowledgeable and picking drinks was easy. The cocktails were on the more expensive side but well worth it with spectacular service and ambiance. I would absolutely recommend this place and would come back! read more

The Driskill Bar - Empress Rose - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

Came in the day after Christmas with 6 family and friends. We all had a fascination with grabbing a drink here given the whole haunted Driskill Hotel thing. Being that I was visiting from Los Angeles, I had no idea about the Driskill history until getting into Austin for the holidays. It was fun to visit this historic hotel, now owned by Hyatt. I was expecting the place to be more dingy and run down. But the hotel is a grand, Class A place. The bar was high energy with lots of people around. The bar staff was fantastic. We grabbed the last table in the bar lounge area. Quickly thereafter, a staff member came by to help us with drinks and snacks. Very welcoming staff, highest quality cocktails, and a fun atmosphere. In a historic building. What else could anyone want? I'll definitely visit again when back in Austin! read more

The Driskill Bar - Fantastic cocktails! - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Fancy for the chilly weather!! It was amazingly delicious, the chairs were super le comfy for this monkey. read more

The Driskill Bar - Shooter lamp - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

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The vibe of the bar is great. That gets 4 stars. The food we had was terrible except for the ice cream. Hamburger and fries were cold and raw Pretzel and beer pub cheese were ok. Salsa was terrible. Folks in our group ate there let two nights and everyone agreed it was terrible. read more

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This is probably the nicest bar in Austin, TX and one of the few more upscale places you might actually see people dressing up a bit more and not wearing flip flops... although you might still see people in here with flip flops. This space has a fantastic ambiance along with often having live music and they provide excellent service here in a very comfortable and classically elegant environment. read more

A group of friends and I ate here during our stay at the Driskill to celebrate my friend's birthday. We had dinner around 6:30 on a Sunday evening and it was such a nice ending to the weekend. We ordered an assortment of entrees and appetizers to share. The portions were very generous and everything was cooked to perfection. My favorite appetizers were the baked Brie and truffle popcorn. The entrees were the highlight of the night. I ordered the BBQ board and could not personally finish it, but highly enjoyed how the quail was seasoned and how yummy there cornbread was. The cocktails looked fabulous and there was no complaints at the table. The ambiance has to be one of my favorite things about the restaurant area. You might catch a local band play while you eat your dinner- or maybe even have a paranormal experience. Highly recommend eating here! read more

The Driskill Bar - BBQ Board - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

They ripped off charging 22% increase even then menu claims country potatoes for $5 plus eggs. It was a strategy to save $ but they couldn't accept and overcharged. read more

We enjoyed the atmosphere and the food at the Driskill Bar. The beer cheese and mustard for the pretzel was fantastic!!! Loved the look and feel for the bar and they had live music. We would return - especially for the giant pretzels. read more

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Inside the oldest hotel in Austin, Texas is a bar with plenty of tables and live music. After the loud noise at nearby Firehouse Lounge pushed us out, we were able to snag a table at Driskill Bar. Despite the live music, it was a quieter space. Here's our experience: 1) Drinks: They have plenty of options, including hard cider and different cocktails. Their cocktails range from bitter to sour to sweet. Are hey Austin's best? No, but they are decent. 2) Service: Despite the crowds, our server was very attentive and friendly. 3) Space: It's inside a historic 1886 hotel so it all feels very old school and regal. read more

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From the Driskill Hotel's foyer, up their grand staircase, I stepped into this opulent old school bar. Rustic and elegant of cowhides, leather couches, Western paintings, and, Tiffany lamps. Cozy and comfortable in finding that nook. With their expansive whiskey menu, a neat Glenlivet I had in hand, sipping the cares of the holidays away. CHEERS! read more

The Driskill Bar - I Love It Here - pull up a chair y'all! (December, 2021) - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Our first time there with friends, Mondo, the bartender was super helpful with giving us wine recommendations. The manager Julia was very sweet and accommodating. 10/10 read more

As others have said, Driskill Bar is a whole vibe. Atmosphere: At 8pm on a Saturday, there was plenty of seating available. The musical act, acoustic blues singer with guitar, only enhanced the atmosphere, which is dark, rustic and masculine. Seating options include a very aesthetically pleasing bar, traditional tables, and sitting books with couches and arm chairs. If you're visiting from out of town, this is what you imagine an Austin bar to be. Service: Service was a bit slower than desired, particularly when it came to getting the bill, but otherwise we were well taken care of. Food: We started out with the pretzel. It was enormous, and the beer cheese/mustard accompanying it was delicious. For main entree we had penne genovese and the smoked brisket sandwich. The pasta was delicious, noodles were cooked perfectly, the flavor was very good and they didn't skimp on the Parmesan. The brisket sandwich had a wonderful presentation, but lacked in flavor--while it's served on a brioche bun, the meat, itself, didn't him home. Drinks: We ordered fairly basic drinks. I had a lemondrop martini and a glass of wine, hubby had two beers. Prices: Prices are comparable for downtown Austin. $110, tip inclusive. Overall, we enjoyed ourselves and are happy to have spent our evening here. read more

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This is amazing venue. It still feels like LBJ and his wife will walk in any minute and order a drink. It's feels like a classic upscale Texas club. The live music was really good. They had a large spirit list. I had a TX Straight Bourbon whiskey. However, they were quite stingy with the liquor. My wife and I shared the crullers (fancy doughnuts). with blackberries. They were light and delicious. An excellent place for a date night. read more

The Driskill Bar - The Texas Straight Bourbon WITH the ice cube. It was barely an ounce. - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Love the Texas vibe of cowhide furniture and guns as art. Such a majestic place to have a drink and soak up some atmosphere. Unsurprisingly, it's mainly a tourist/traveler crowd, so don't expect any communing with locals. Jumbo Pretzel: This really was jumbo! It's got that signature malty pretzel exterior. Chewy and crunchy like it should be. The interior, however, is a tad breadier than a typical pretzel. But with the huge vat of cheese dip, that's fine. Maybe even better since the bready texture absorbs more cheese. And the cheese has a nice mild cheddar quality to it. Though you'll probably run out of cheese with still like 1/5 with the pretzel left. The combination of being full of pretzel by then and the bready center make finishing it up kinda bleh. So definitely cherish your time with the cheese while you have it. Blackberry Old Fashioned: Definitely the most impressive drink here. The bourbon has a nice purple hue from having been infused with blackberries. It tastes smoother, but not overly fruity. A very easy sipping bourbon compared to straight out of the bottle. And that alcohol-infused blackberry that comes as garnish, whoa does it pack a fun punch! read more

The Driskill Bar - Jumbo Pretzel - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Food and beer are amazing. I was initially thrilled with the service. I ate her 3 nights in a row- food and beer are delicious. Third visit I was asked to pay before the meal and drinks arrived. It is terrible to feel like you not trustworthy. THIS IS EXACTLY HOW I FELT. Previous Tabs both over $40 for one person. I'm Happy to pay for great food and ambiance - The moment something changes I get upset. I actually came here for the ambiance tonight and it was destroyed when I was treated like a criminal. Last visit here - tonight i took the food to go read more

I had some time to kill before my flight and hung around at the Driskill. I walked around and checked out the historic hotel, and spent a couple hours at the bar. They pour a great drink and you can either have table service or go up to the bar. I didn't have any food but everyone seemed to enjoy it! I liked that I would sit at a couch and move to a table or the bar when I wanted. I got some writing and other work done and is a great place to people watch too since everyone likes to check the place out even if they don't grab a drink. read more

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This place is absolutely gorgeous ,but it's not ideal to talk and spend time with people as it is very loud and the service is awful for a historic big name place where you expect the best such as the Driskill. We ordered Old Fashioneds and they were just alright, nothing special, but they have a great menu of whiskey and alcohol options for on the rocks drinks. The bartenders were short with us, made us feel like they were annoyed with our presence and it was a hassle to serve us and that never makes a good experience. I definitely believe it was a mix of being younger and not dressed in business clothes because they were happily chatting with some well dressed men instead of trying to serve others even when it wasn't too busy. If you live in the area or are here for awhile I recommend going at least once to experience it and walk around the hotel lobby as well. If you're visiting for a short amount of time this might be worth skipping. read more

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Always great cocktails (that are only a little pricey) and awesome atmosphere & decor and super slow service. It's been this way for decades and I still come back! read more

If you want a classic Texas Western atmosphere. Then you must visit the Driskill Hotel. Their chocolate cake is so rich and creamy. You will want to have one every day of the week. I know I do. P.S.- I Highly recommend pairing this cake with an old fashion. read more

The Driskill Bar - Lounges Near Me - Austin, Texas

Again I'm on here writing a review . I stay here every time I come to Austin . We paid $2000 for our room & are alumni . We stay here for the bar we love so much but here we are 4th day & can't get anywhere near the bar ! It's so annoying that we pay to stay here & can't get a drink at the dridkill bar as paying customers, there should be a rule that if you don't have a room key bar should be for hotel guests first !! We spend thousands a year to come here & very disappointed . It's very unfair to paying hotel guests . read more