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    The Grackle

    3.2 (211 reviews)
    InexpensiveDive Bars, Whiskey Bars
    Open 12:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    The Grackle Photos

    Business Info

    THE GRACKLE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Divey
    Casual
    Moderate noise

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    Dueling station
    Sunny C.

    Neat bar with a pool table and darts inside. Lots of beer on tap. Nice covered patio and a food truck nearby. They do 25% on walked tabs so stay on top!

    Food truck
    Delores L.

    Two to three times per year my university has a reconnect (get together) with university alumnae. Tonight's reception was at Lazarus Brewing. One of my university friends and I decided to go together. We decided to pop into nearby bars on the way to Lazarus. First stop was The Grackle. It is a typical dive bar with no-frills. Clientele appeared to be more of the biker type. Surprisingly, we heard no music, so we did not stay very long. The doorman and bar tender were extremely friendly. There was a food truck nearby, but we decided not eat anything.

    Karla D.

    Fun bar. Great prices. Nice beer selection. Good service. Indoor and outdoor seating.

    A wide shot
    Greg H.

    We only popped in here for a moment, to have a quick shot to end our day. We had just left Lefty's Brick Bar and found a flea market thing as Zilker beer garden that drew us in. After that we headed here as it looked cool. It is a dive bar, just what it claims to be and is very laid back. There were some people playing pool and a few people at the bar. Dr. Who was on the television which was fun. In a weird twist the fellow people at the bar were talking about how they were going to Galifrey, the Doctor Who convention in Cali. They had just introduced their friend to NuWho and the Doctor altogether. It has some fun art, the bartender was patient and talked with everyone. Again the 3 starts is mostly due to the fact we really were in and out and didn't get a chance to really get into the place. Seems a cool place to hangout and have a few drinks.

    the outside of the restaurant
    Victor H.

    Perfect definition of a dive-bar with a hipster wooden interior. Upon walking in, you feel like you're in a basement of your friend who's dad/uncle stores their record collection, old furniture, and vintage memorabilia that reminds them of the good ol days. Only when you're in here, you just have the basement look with the smell of the things I mentioned in the previous sentence. While you have that, there are some cool collectibles within the scene including some vinyl records, an old cigarette vending machine, and the horseshoe shaped wooden bar area. There's plenty of spirits to choose from and beer. Not sure about cocktails but if they have the ingredients, they can make it for you. Just don't be one of those people expecting fancy martinis or mojito type stuff; mainly either beer pours or hard liquor + mixers. At least that's my impression. There's also only one bartender so patience will need to be practiced. There's a taco truck outside for eats. Tacos are expensive but tasty; the chicken and carnitas tacos are what they're known for so those are recommended. Not a bad place to start or finish your evening for night out in Austin.

    Interior
    Steffie S.

    Hitting another dive bar....and this one missed the mark for me. It felt devoid of personality. The bartender was very nice, and the beer was cold. They have a large outdoor patio area too. There are tables inside and couches to hang out on as well. The place felt like it lacked a theme, and the music was not noteworthy- I can't even remember what was playing. Sorry, Grackle. I'll try again, but my first impression was "just okay".

    TOMMY makes the BEST cocktails in all of Austin. Give him a visit. You'll not be disappointed! Just a sweet, friendly bartender with a heart of gold!!!

    The Grackle

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    1 year ago

    Genuinely one of the worst bars I've ever been to. Super rude staff and overpriced drinks for super average stuff

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Decent drink prices but got robbed here won't be back. Staff was no help put some cameras up!

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Favorite bar to play some darts or pool in East Austin. Great selection of whiskeys too

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Cool place but kicked my friend out for accidentally hitting on the bartenders girlfriend

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    2 years ago

    Good bourbon, service is just ok, its a dive and the atmosphere leaves plenty to be desired but im a fan.

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - The Grackle

    Review Highlights - The Grackle

    There are 2 food trailers outside - East Side King and some other one that serves other interesting food.

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    Seven Grand

    Seven Grand

    4.5
    (147 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    If you are a whiskey drinker, you will find a fine collection of bottles here…read more Or rather - you will find a very very fine collection of scotches here. There are some highly interesting bourbons as well. The selection of ryes is thin. If you read Whiskey Advocate (which I have been known to do), the rye curating will give you no thrills. The selection of Irish is thin as well - but no blame on that point. The population of upscale Irishes is just not that large, once you pass some over-rated cliches like Redbreast. * * * Seven Grand however is not an abstract name. That is how much you will pay in order to drink here. The prices for two ounces of many of those beverages will make the eyes pop out of your head sideways and go running out the front door. In more than a few cases, two drinks here will cost you close to what you would pay for a full bottle purchased at a liquor store. Now to be sure - bar drinking is expensive. That kind of percentage markup is not unheard of in the industry. But when you move up the price range for the raw material, The absolute amount of money you are overpaying to have that drink goes up astronomically. I will pay big for a peak experience I will remember for the rest of my life. (See my review of Craft Omakase.) I will not pay big for a random experiment with a bottle that could be wonderful and could be overrated. It is more economical to just buy the bottle. If the experiment works, I get a free month of legendary drinking. To my mind, bottle testing at Seven Grand just doesn't make sense.

    Met up with a friend for happy hour. Upon entering, I was immediately greeted by the bartender,…read moreKyle. He told me about the happy hour specials and also informed me that it was free pool night (on Mondays). I'm not a huge fan of whiskey, but I've found that whiskey bars tend to have amazing craft cocktails. I browsed the HH menu and noticed a Whiskey Sour. I actually like a Clarified Whiskey Sour and was curious to see how it compared. The Whiskey Sour wasn't bad, but it wasn't as good as the Clarified Sour that I've had at Reserve 101 in Houston. Kyle told me they're working on some clarified cocktails. I also ordered a Boulevardier (which isn't on the HH menu). Kyle admitted that he had never made one. He quickly looked up the ingredients and made one for me and it wasn't bad! I've only had this cocktail one other time before so I didn't have much to compare it to, but I did enjoy it. They have a small cigar menu. Cigars can be smoked outside on the patio (which is shared with Las Perlas and Caña Rum Bar). I liked the laid back feel between the pool tables and the rustic decor (it felt like I was in a lodge). Though I'm not a big whiskey drinker, I did enjoy the cocktails as well as the ambiance.

    Photos
    Billiards area
    Billiards area
    Bourbon whisky
    Bourbon whisky
    Very cool whiskey bar

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    Very cool whiskey bar
    Whiskey Ridge

    Whiskey Ridge

    4.2
    (142 reviews)
    21.6 mi

    The group chats were accurate about WR. I'm so impressed by this cute little local joint!…read more We sat on the patio and it was perfect weather. What a gorgeous ambiance. I went for happy hour with another couple but missed it by 30 mins... our wait staff, Mason was very accommodating and attentive. My party shred an app and our sides. My husband and I shared the chicken fried steak, definitely large enough for two. we were all satisfied with the portions and food! Collectively we had: Brisket nachos- must order! Chicken fried steak x2 Creamed corn/spinach Bacon wrapped shrimp -VERY good. Has a hint of horseradish Banana pudding...you must like artificial banana flavors to enjoy this one. Brownie sundae -basic. We each had 2 drinks. The frozen old fashioneds are great! I like the etched ice cubes for non frozen cocktail. Cute little touch. The total was ~$250. Which is very reasonable for 4.

    We expected the same level of food as lunch and dinner, but were highly disappointed for brunch!…read more It was disgusting, disorganized, looked dirty and picked over, many items were needing replenishment so lots of waiting, there was no omelet station or anyone supervising the Buffett room. There were no salads, nor the usual cheese, fruit display that you would find at a typical nice brunch, nor bread and pastry options (only cheap Texas Toast that they were pulling out of a bag.) The butter bowl, yikes! It was disgusting! Denny style grape and Apple jelly by Smuckers was the offering. If you like chips and quest or Mexican breakfast things, then you could find that. There were no desserts. It was like a basic Holiday Inn buffet. Sad.

    Photos
    Looking out at patio from inside
    Looking out at patio from inside
    Guacamole app
    Guacamole app
    Chocolate cake

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    Chocolate cake
    Crowded Barrel Whiskey

    Crowded Barrel Whiskey

    4.8
    (43 reviews)
    16.6 mi

    How cool is this? Crowded Barrel is funded by whiskey fans. It's done so through an online method…read more So essentially all of the people backing Crowded are owners in a way. The truest sense of crowd funding comes to life and seemingly thriving. Distillery tours are available for $35 and I strongly encourage folks to give them a visit and check out what's going on. The tasting room is cool + rad. It's like spending time with the greatest people you know. Or maybe it's just the great booze that makes it feel that way? Lol, I kid. It's totally a combo of both. They don't just make whiskey, they've got a gin, tequila (a few) and a vodka as well. I'm a big fan of the vodka. Haven't tried the gin yet. This is a Dripping Springs gem.

    Crowded Barrel Whiskey was a great experience overall with excellent spirits, very reasonable…read moreprices, and friendly/fast service! The business is tucked away off the road in a nice neighborhood but it's worth the exploration and drive. The interior of the bar is nicely decorated with a consistent midevil/knights of the round table theme that is tastefully executed with music that wasn't loud and cold AC! The bartenders were knowledgeable and expedient while providing a detailed overview of the spirits lineup. Most importantly, the bartenders did not pressure us into purchasing bottles, memberships, or noticeably more expensive drinks. As a result, I was inclined to spend more money! I'll definitely return to CWB and wish I would have found it earlier.

    Photos
    Eleanor bourbon display
    Eleanor bourbon display
    Crowded Barrel Whiskey
    Mmm whiskey

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    Mmm whiskey
    Pinballz Whiskey Bar

    Pinballz Whiskey Bar

    3.0
    (2 reviews)
    14.3 mi

    This place has a giant selection of whiskey, including rotating versions for their old fashioned…read more This weekend's had a fig infused whiskey. I drank two and forgot to take photos! They also serve delicious panini sandwiches! I've tried 3 so far: korean beef, chicken bacon ranch, and the muffuletta. Plus they serve other drinks, too, not just whiskey. I remembered a photo for the Lychee Martini. Additionally, the bar area is 21+only and has vintage games, pool tables and darts among others.

    My fiancée and I chose The Whiskey Bar for a Friday date night because we both enjoy whiskey,…read moreespecially Old Fashioneds. We were looking forward to trying a few different drinks, but unfortunately the experience was disappointing from start to finish. When we arrived, the bartender wasn't welcoming and seemed more inconvenienced than interested in helping us. I asked about an advertised special and was told they were out. I then asked if they had a whiskey list so I could see what was available for an Old Fashioned, but was initially told no because they were "redoing the pricing." I had to clarify that I wasn't asking about prices, I simply wanted to know what whiskeys they carried. Instead of providing any guidance, we were told to look at the bottles behind the bar and choose from those. After ordering, we were informed they were out of oranges and asked if we wanted a lemon slice instead. At a bar that specializes in whiskey, not having oranges for one of the most classic whiskey cocktails was surprising. We declined the lemon, and the Old Fashioneds themselves were below average, especially considering the price. To make matters worse, another employee came over while we were sitting there and began loudly complaining about how slow business was, using profanity within earshot of customers. It came across as unprofessional and only added to the poor overall experience. The bar wasn't busy, there were multiple bartenders and only a handful of customers, so it was disappointing that the service still felt inattentive and unwelcoming. We had planned on spending the evening there and trying more than one drink, but after our first round we decided to leave and go somewhere else. I don't mind paying premium prices for quality drinks and good service, but this experience delivered neither.

    Photos
    Look at all the whiskey !
    Look at all the whiskey !
    Lychee Martini

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    Lychee Martini
    Vince Young Steakhouse

    Vince Young Steakhouse

    3.9
    (784 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$

    ALERT: they are closing! For good!…read more Also, this is a tragedy. They had one of the best happy hours downtown: half price food and drink specials that made a trek to find parking worth it. The steak frites has always been amazing- $10 and well worth it. This was our last visit. The service was a bit chaotic. So was the wait. Those of us in the know were waiting to get our grubby mitts on steak and quail and martinis and red wine and huge burgers and a sense of affordable luxury. You will be missed.

    We came to Austin for a quick Birthday getaway and were recommended Vince Young Steakhouse as a…read morebirthday dinner. Man did it deliver. Food- 5 out of 5. The food was absolutely perfect. My wife ordered the house bread and wedge salad as appetizers. The bread came with a garlic butter that melted very quickly and the bread was soft and fluffy. The wedge was great with extra cracked pepper. For our entrees my wife ordered the appetizer meatballs which were large enough to be a full meal and I ordered the Bone in Ribeye. The ribeye was cooked and seasoned perfectly. I would order that steak again any time. Drinks- 5 out of 5. We had a couple drinks to start our dinner. They were great and we were pleasantly surprised by the wide selection of bourbon, liquors, and wines. Service- 5 out of 5. Our waiter was phenomenal. He was extremely attentive and made sure we had everything we needed to make our night special. Vibes- 5 out of 5. Though the restaurant was a bit dark, the decor was great and the crowd was not overwhelming. They had a decent happy hour at the entrance bar with a good sized crowd. I highly recommend anyone check this place out for a good steak. We will definitely be back the next time we are in Austin!

    Photos
    Vince Young Steakhouse
    Vince Young Steakhouse
    Vince Young Steakhouse

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    Nickel City

    Nickel City

    4.4
    (234 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    One of my favorite bars in Austin. Some people might see it as a little divey, but that's honestly…read morepart of the charm. The atmosphere is always friendly, relaxed, and easy to settle into whether you're there for a quick drink or hanging out for the night. The drinks are consistently great, and they also have really solid weekday food specials. The sliders and tots are definitely the go-to items on the menu and always hit the spot after a few drinks. One thing I especially appreciate is how much effort they put into the themed décor during Christmas and Halloween. It really adds personality to the space and makes coming back during the holidays feel fun and memorable every year. Just an overall great neighborhood bar with good vibes and a lot of character.

    I realize I haven't updated this review since relocating to Austin two years ago. As you may have…read morenoted from my previous review, I'd come here twice a year when visiting from the east coast. One of my stipulations for relocation was to be within walking distance of my beloved Nickel City. Guess what? I am! Less than a five-minute walk. I love this place so much. It's not always about drinking. In fact, quite often I'll do mocktails, water, or soda. It's about community and friendship. The vibe at NC can't fully be expressed in words. It has to be experienced. The staff treat locals and tourists like friends. And, if you're lucky enough, you actually become friends. They're like a family. Same can be said about patrons, whether regulars, sometimers, or tourists, everyone feels the love. Everyone just gets it! They have some of the best cocktails around. The frozen Irish coffee is incredible. Espresso martinis on tap? Yes, please! And if you want the best bar/comfort food ever then order from their food truck, Delray Cafe. Crinkle cut fries A+ Smashburgers A+ Hot Dogs A+ Grilled Cheese A+ Pizza Logs A+ Tater Tots A+ Everything on the menu A+ Be sure to give the gang in the kitchen (food truck) some love! They're putting out the real deal. Oh and let's not forget Steak Night! Much love to my fave neighbor, Nickel City!

    Photos
    Frozen Irish Coffee
    Frozen Irish Coffee
    From left Nui nui new year and holiday on ice, loved both, but holiday on ice was my fav.
    From left Nui nui new year and holiday on ice, loved both, but holiday on ice was my fav.
    Nickel City

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    The Grackle - divebars - Updated August 2026

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